Exodus 16:2-15 Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45 Philippians 1:21-30 Matthew 20:1-16 One of the most important questions persons of faith ask in times of stress is “Will God provide for our deepest needs?” This question begs other theological and spiritual queries such as: “Are we alone in the world or is there a gentle providence working through our lives, giving us guidance, energy, and sometimes surprising manifestations of grace?” Moreover, “What do we really need in the confusion of want and need... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – September 17, 2017 – Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost Exodus 14:19-31 Romans 14:1-12 Matthew 18:21-35 Today’s readings explore the themes of forgiveness, pluralism, and deliverance. Our dependence and interdependence with God and others is the framework for understanding the spiritual adventure. Still, the readings are challenging, first, because of the relationship of deliverance and violence in the Genesis story and, second, in the contrasting scandal of Jesus’ demand for forgiveness in our current polarizing, unforgiving environment. The... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – September 10, 2017 – The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost Bruce G. Epperly Exodus 12:1-14 Psalm 149 Romans 13:8-14 Matthew 18:15-20 This week’s scriptures are spiritually ambiguous. They raise issues of divine violence and exclusion as well as God’s protective safety and the preservation of community. Like many important religious feasts, the celebration of Passover is shrouded in mystery and ethical ambiguity. On the one hand, God delivers the Hebrew people from oppression in Egypt. Those who... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – September 3, 2017 – Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Exodus 3:1-15 Psalm 105:1-6. 23-26, 45a Romans 12:9-12 Matthew 16:21-28 This Sunday’s readings join mysticism with action and God-awareness with sacrifice. Following the way of God, and the path of Jesus, doesn’t always lead to winning, contrary to the bloviations of certain political leaders. Following God’s way may lead to sacrifice, downward mobility, and moving from calm to chaos. Yet, our encounters with God provide a still point... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – August 27, 2017 – Twelfth Sunday after the Pentecost Exodus 1:8-2:10 Psalm 124 Romans 12:1-8 Matthew 16:13-20 Today’s readings invite us to ponder our unique vocations as they reflect our relationship with God. They challenge us to make changes and chart new pathways of fidelity to God. Vocation means change. We must choose to embrace certain things and let go others. Our vocations, our callings, invite us to realize that our gifts shape and are shaped... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – August 20, 2917 – The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost Bruce G. Epperly Genesis 45:1-15 Psalm 133 Romans 11:1-2a, 29-31 Matthew 15: 21-28 Today’s readings join reconciliation and grace. They call us to a spirituality of stature that embraces those who have harmed us and persons of other faiths and ethnicities. Largeness of spirit looks for common ground and reconciliation despite past conflicts and then aims at healing in the present and future. As I write this,... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – August 13, 2017 – The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost Bruce G. Epperly Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28; Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22; Romans 10:5-15; Matthew 14:22-33 Today’s passages probe the nature of divine providence in our lives. Is God the sole cause of the events of our lives or does God work within apparently random and possibly malevolent acts to bring about the best possibilities? Even though God does not choose these events, does God work “in all things” for... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – August 6, 2017 – The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost Bruce G. Epperly Genesis 32:22-31 Psalm 17:1-7, 15 Romans 9:1-5 Matthew 13:14-21 What does it mean to be blessed? In what ways do you need God’s blessing? In what ways do you need the blessing of an elder – a mother, father, spiritual friend, or older companion? To be blessed is to become right with the world and feel at home in our skin. It is to... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – July 30, 2017 – Eighth Sunday after Pentecost Bruce Epperly Psalm 119:129-136 I Kings 3:5-12 Romans 8:26-39 Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 Pentecost is the season of divine revelation. Spirit moves in all things. God’s abundance is strewn everywhere, for all to have, in every time and place and those who are attentive to it will experience wisdom and the ability to discern their vocation in life. They will discover gifts aplenty to serve the world. They will... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost – July 23, 2017 Genesis 28:10-19a Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 Romans 8:12-25 Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 Today’s readings proclaim that he world is chock full of divinity. You can encounter the holy in the most unlikely places. Thin places, joining heaven and earth, abound for those for whom the doors of perception have opened. Life is messy, but it can be spiritually full in all its complexity when we open our senses to... Read more