The Adventurous Lectionary – Pentecost 6 – July 16,2017 Genesis 25:19-24; Psalm 119:105-12; Romans 8:1-11; Matthew 13:19, 18-23 Can God work in and through less than optimal situations and ambiguous personalities? Does God’s light guide the uncertain as well as the certain and can even the smallest of beginnings – humblest of initiatives – give birth to great possibilities? These are some of the themes from this week’s lectionary readings. Once again, the lectionary readings confront us with family dysfunctionality.... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – July 9, 2017 – Fifth Sunday after Pentecost Bruce G. Epperly Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 Psalm 45:10-17 Romans 7:15-25a Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 “Come to me all who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” These authoritative words from Jesus serve as God’s response to Paul’s, and our own, inner turmoil and ethical and spiritual angst. Jesus speaks out of his unique relationship with God to provide us with wisdom and... Read more

In her forties, my mother went back to school to be re-certified in early childhood education. Her first interview after graduation was at a private Christian school. To the surprise of my conservative Christian mother, the principal’s first question was “Do you dance, wear makeup, or go to movies?” She admitted that she didn’t dance or wear makeup, other than very neutral lipstick. But, the die was cast, it seems, when she confessed that she went to movies like “Mary... Read more

The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost Bruce G. Epperly Genesis 22:1-14 Psalm 13 Jeremiah 28:5-9 Romans 6:12-23 Matthew 10:40-42 This week’s stories are all challenging. We need to take exception to the story of Abraham and Isaac to be faithful to the God of grace. Following Christ is ultimately about a life-giving lifestyle, not violence or fear. To be honest, I am unsure what to do with the passage related to Abraham and Isaac. Though we can see it as metaphorical,... Read more

The Third Sunday after Pentecost Bruce G. Epperly Genesis 21:8-21 Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17 Romans 6:1b-11 Matthew 10:24-39 Today’s scriptures highlight God’s presence in conflict and threat, both internal and external. Fear and violence are not denied, but God’ is faithful. We may need to take a stand, and God is standing with us. Still, to preach these passages rightly, we must remember that not everyone is delivered from danger. Children like Ishmael perish on a daily basis, and parents mourn... Read more

It has been said that the difference between ignorance and apathy is “I don’t know and I don’t care.” Today, many of us struggle with the realities of privilege related to our ethnicity, economics, employment, and gender. We may not want to admit it, but our lives have greatly enhanced by factors that we may not have chosen, just as others have struggles due to the accidents of birth and economics. We may not want to “know,” but we do,... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – The Second Sunday after Pentecost – June 18, 2017 Genesis 18:1-15, Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19, Romans 5:1-8, Matthew 9:35-10:8 This Sunday’s readings connect hospitality, healing, and mission. They ask us and our congregationts to expect surprises when we align ourselves with God’s vision for our lives. In the encounter of Abraham and Sarah with three divine messengers, and perhaps the divine itself, hospitality leads to unexpected new life. God appears in the guise of three visitors. Are... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – The Second Sunday after Pentecost – June 11, 2017 Genesis 1:1-2:4a, Psalm 8, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20 The First Sunday after Pentecost is identified as Trinity Sunday, and this Sunday has the potential of creating as much theological confusion as clarity. Many of us no longer use the traditional Tridentine formula – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – in our quest for an inclusive theological vision. Others find the replacement language, perceived as more inclusive... Read more

I was raised in small town America, where Memorial Day meant parades, flag waving, flowers at the cemetery, and honoring of those who died in service to our nation. We were patriotic, but not jingoistic. We loved our nation, but we recognized that others loved their nations as well. We waved the flag, and affirmed that America was at its best when we worked together for a common cause that transcended our race and religion. We were “cold warriors” but... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – Pentecost Sunday – June 8, 2014 Bruce G. Epperly Acts 2:1-21 Psalm 104:24-34, 35b I Corinthians 12:3b-13 John 7:37-39 The back to back celebrations of Ascension and Pentecost surely give mainline and progressive Christians something to think about. They stretch out imaginations beyond the breaking point, and then center us in God’s revelations right where we are. They emerge from an “enchanted” world view in which miracles occur and divinity acts decisively in human life. Incomprehensible... Read more