The Adventurous Lectionary – Sixth Sunday of Easter – May 14, 2023 Bruce G. Epperly Acts 17:22-31 Psalm 66:18-20 I Peter 3:13-22 John 14:15-21 My teacher John Cobb referred to Christ as the way that excludes no authentic spiritual way. In our pluralistic age, as Cobb describes it, we need more rather than less theology. First Testament scholar Terry Fretheim notes that it is more important to ask, “What kind of God do you believe in?” than “Do you believe... Read more
The Adventurous Lectionary – Palm Sunday – April 2, 2023 Isaiah 50:4-92 Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 Philippians 2:5-11 Matthew 21:1-11 Matthew 26:14-27:66 THE SPIRITUAL ROLLER COASTER OF HOLY WEEK. Let the tragic beauty, and creative conflict of Holy Week begin! To those who take worship and study seriously, Holy Week is a spiritual rollercoaster. Putting ourselves in the place of the women and men who followed Jesus, we experience joyful celebration, uncertainty and anxiety, desperation, fear, and depression. We have no... Read more
The Adventurous Lectionary – The Fifth Sunday in Lent – March 26, 2020 Ezekiel 17:1-14, Psalm 130, Romans 8:6-11, John 11:1-45 Today’s passages are only too apt for our current context, congregationally, nationally, and planetarily. Lent is a time in which we look at life without blinders and excuses, as much as possible. We try to see life as it is, in all its wondrous chaos, and tragic beauty. Lent is a season in which we confront our limitations, sin,... Read more
The Adventurous Lectionary -The Third Sunday in Lent – March 12, 2023 Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 95; Romans 5:1-11;. John 4:1-42 There is a tradition of banning the word, “Hallelujah,” during Lent. Lent, it is perceived, should be a time of confession, self-examination, sacrifice, and repentance for our evil ways, materialism, and ego. “Hallelujah” points to the goodness, bounty, and joy of life. NO LENT CANCEL CULTURE. I have never bought into the Lent cancel culture. I believe that repentance and... Read more
The Adventurous Lectionary – The Second Sunday in Lent – March 5, 2023 Genesis 12:1-4a (4b-9); Psalm 121; Romans 4:1-5; 13-17; John 3:1-17 In every season of the Christian year and every season of life, and beyond Christianity, God’s call is universal and ubiquitous. God is still moving and speaking, and faithfulness to God invites us to be on the move, too! God is alive and wants us to come fully alive, revealing God’s glory in daily life. THE CALL... Read more
This year, as I ponder Ash Wednesday, I remember the words of Dostoevsky, “The world will be saved by beauty.” Yes, there are ashes and there is mortality. There is a need for confession, contrition, and reparation. There is also the need for beauty that saves and transforms. A member of the Medicare generation for several years, I realize with each day that life is beautiful, but often too short. I read obituaries each day of persons my age, or... Read more
The Adventurous Lectionary – The First Sunday in Lent – February 26, 2023 Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Psalm 32; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11 Lent is a complicated season. It is a time of reflection and penitence, of spiritual decluttering, inspiring the giving up certain goods for greater goods. Lent is also the season of simplicity. The season of getting back to basics, of spiritual focus, of going from the worship of many things to the worship of the One True Thing.... Read more
The Transfiguration of Jesus – February 19, 2023 Exodus 24:12-18, Psalm 2, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Matthew 17:1-9 BE TRANSFIGURED. Be transfigured and transformed! Transformation is possible for us, anytime and anywhere. The world abounds in divine glory, and so do you. Everyday life is a window into Infinity. Every moment is a thin place, revealing God’s glory. Though we may close our senses, the wonders of creation flow through every moment of experience. Transfiguration Sunday invites us to cleanse the... Read more
The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany – February 12, 2023 Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 119:1-8, I Corinthians 3:1-9, Matthew 5:21-37 Today’s scripture readings reflect on life and death, joy and unhappiness, maturity and childishness in our spiritual lives and ethical decision-making. Death is not just a matter of physiology, it is also a matter of emotions, spirituality, and our institutional lives. Choosing the way of life brings joy and wholeness for ourselves and others. Choosing way of death puts our health,... Read more
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Adventurous Lectionary – Fourth Sunday in Lent – March 19, 2023
The Adventurous Lectionary – Fourth Sunday in Lent – March 19, 2023 Samuel 16:1-13, Psalm 23, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41 Today’s readings are full of twists and turns, theologically and spiritually. They invite us to look at the world and our beliefs with new eyes. They challenge glib theological reflection, including the bloviations of pastors and spiritual guides who connect suffering and sin with divine judgment, negative thinking, and lack of faith. God deliver us from easy answers that traumatize... Read more