All posts filed under: Major Prophets

Ezekiel 17:22-24 – the sprig

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Creation / Lectionary / Major Prophets / Old Testament / Year B

Ezekiel 17:22-24 is the Hebrew Bible Lesson properly appointed for Proper 6B, Track 2 according to the Revised Common Lectionary. The king had abandoned the covenant that God had made with his people, and instead was looking to buttress himself with an alliance with the Egyptians. Instead of drawing strength from God, the king was looking towards the help of another nation. This does not please God. And, so judgment will follow. But, judgment isn’t all […]

eyes fixed – a reflection on Luke 4:14-21

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Epiphany / Gospels / Lectionary / Major Prophets / New Testament / Religion / Year C

The following is a reflection on Luke 4:14-21, the Gospel lesson for the Epiphany 3C, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. There is no shortage of commentary on this passage, oftentimes known as the “Nazareth Inaugural.” In some ways it’s become the manifesto of mainline Christianity. I remember my days in seminary hearing this passage almost monthly. Personally, I love the drama of the scene.

a winnowing fork in the road – a reflection on Luke 3:7-18

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Advent / Gospels / Lectionary / Major Prophets / New Testament / Religion / Year C

The following is a reflection on Luke 3:7-18, the Gospel lesson for Advent 3C, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. This reflection is a selection from my book Going to Hell, Getting Saved. There’s a fantastic scene in the third chapter of the Gospel of Luke where we’re introduced to the wild-eyed prophet John the Baptist.

under the folds of the hem – a reflection on Isaiah 6:1-8

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Lectionary / Major Prophets / ministry resources / Religion / Temple / Theology / Year B

The following is a reflection on Isaiah 8:1-8, the Old Testament lesson properly appointed for Trinity Sunday, Year B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. The vision of Isaiah has always captivated me. It informs my vision of God’s Heavenly Kingdom perhaps more than anything else. It’s grand. Regal. Sweeping.

ruins, beautiful and sad – a reflection on Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

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Lectionary / Major Prophets / Old Testament

The following is a reflection on Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, the Hebrew Bible Lesson appointed for December 11th, 2011, the Third Sunday of Advent, Year B according to the New Revised Common Lectionary. 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 for Advent 3B. I love church ruins. I love traveling through the English, Scottish, and Welsh […]

going round and round – a reflection on Isaiah 40:1-11

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Lectionary / Major Prophets / Paul

The following is a reflection on Isaiah 40:1-11, the Hebrew Bible Lesson appointed for December 3rd, 2011, the second Sunday of Advent, Year B according to the New Revised Common Lectionary. 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 for Advent 2B. Israel had sinned, and sinned mightily. God had saved them from Pharaoh’s hand, given […]

shattering skittishness – a reflection on Isaiah 64:1-9

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Eschatology / Lectionary / Major Prophets / Old Testament

The following is a reflection on Isaiah 64:1-9, the Hebrew Bible Lesson appointed for November 27th, 2011, the First Sunday of Advent, Year B according to the New Revised Common Lectionary. 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. One of the cornerstones of my understanding of theology in general, and the human condition in particular, […]

advent 4a: waiting for Emmanuel

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Gospels / Lectionary / Major Prophets / New Testament / Old Testament

“Have you accepted Emmanuel as your Lord and Savior?” “I’ve given my heart to Emmanuel.” “I pray in Emmanuel’s name.” When’s the last time you heard one of these statements? Yeah, me neither. If you told someone that you oriented your life to follow the teachings of Emmanuel, and worshipped Emmanuel every weekend – wouldn’t most people assume that you were part of some weird, fringe religion? Who? And yet, “Emmanuel” is indeed a secondary […]

advent 3a: leave the GPS at home

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Gospels / Lectionary / Major Prophets / New Testament / Old Testament

In Matthew 11 the disciples of John the Baptist confront Jesus wanting to know if he was “the one.” Was Jesus ‘it,’ or should they keep waiting for someone else? It’s an interesting encounter to say the least. The disciples of Jesus had barely figured out who Jesus really was, and here’s another man’s disciples who seem to have put two and two together. But, the deeper point here is that they were ‘waiting’ to […]