The following is a reflection on Exodus 32:1-14, the Hebrew Bible lesson appointed for October 9th, 2011 according to the New Revised Common Lectionary. (Proper 23, Year A) On this site there is also • a reflection on the Gospel Lesson for the same day, and • a version of the Prayers of the People, based on the Canticle of the Sun. The root of the problem in Exodus 32 isn’t idolatry. It’s patience. From […]
The following is a reflection on Exodus 14:19-31, the Hebrew Bible lesson assigned for September 11th, 2011 according to the Revised Common Lectionary. On this site there is also: • A reflection on the Gospel Lesson for the same day; • A version of the Prayers of the People based on the lessons of the day, and • A longer litany-style prayer written for the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of 9/11. This year we’ll […]
The following is a reflection on Exodus 12:1-14, the Hebrew Bible lesson properly appointed for September 4th, 2011 according to the Revised Common Lectionary. (Proper 18, Year A) On this site there is also • a reflection on the Gospel Lesson for the same day, and • a version of the Prayers of the People, based on the lessons of the day. Can you imagine the logistical nightmare that Moses was handed? He had to […]
The following is a reflection on Exodus 3:1-15, the Old Testament lesson for August 28, 2011, according to the Revised Common Lectionary (Proper 17). • Also check out a reflection on the Gospel lesson for the same day . When Moses saw a bush that was burning, but not being consumed, his curiosity was piqued. He needed to know more. He needed to take a closer look. And so, he took the time to go […]
The following is a reflection on Genesis 1:8-2:10, the Old Testament lesson for August 21, 2011, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. On this site there is also a reflection on the Gospel lesson of the day. The opening of the Book of Exodus is a primer on two ways of living: reacting out of fear, and acting out of compassion. Throughout the conflict with Pharaoh and the Egyptians, it’s fear and hard-heartedness which drives […]
A reflection on Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28, the Old Testament lesson for Sunday August 7, 2010 according to the Revised Common Lectionary. A reflection on the Gospel lesson for the same day is available here. Isaac had two boys, and one conspired to lie and cheat his way into a blessing that, by birth right, belonged to the other. Jacob had twelve boys, and ten of them conspired to kill one of their brothers–and probably would […]
Our nation mourns those who died today, and we pray for those who are wounded. Jesus went to the Jordan to be baptized because the Jordan was a powerful symbold and reminder of the freedom and life that God gives, and because that freedom and life was about to get much fuller in the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus. It was at the River Jordan that his ministry began. Jesus went to the […]
On Christmas Eve we gathered amidst the candlelight, the carols, and sugar plum fairies and heard of the Incarnation from the Gospel of Luke. Luke firmly planted his rendition of the Incarnation amidst the decrees of the Caesar, the songs of the angels, and the manger in Bethlehem. Two days later we gathered for the First Sunday after Christmas and listened to John’s take on the Incarnation. John grounded his rendition in the primordial light […]
The story of God and humanity is a covenant-story. And the story tells us, and shows us, over and over again, that God always seeks to be in relationship with us. And, admittedly, the story also shows how we always try to wriggle out of the deal. And, yet, God never stops the pursuit.
This is one of those stories that reminds us, that God not only calls us, but equips us with what we need to fulfill our calling. It's a powerful reminder that we're called to great things - that God expects great things - awesome things - from us, but that God doesn't expect us to do it on our own. Not because we're lazy, but because the things God asks us to do are oftentimes outside the realm of human possibility.