All posts filed under: Year B

lifted high – a reflection on John 3:14-21

March 7, 2012
by rick
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Exodus / Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament / Old Testament / Pentateuch / Year B

The following is a reflection on John 3:14-21, the Gospel lesson for the Fourth Sunday in Lent, Year B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. The scene of the brazen serpent (in Numbers 21:4-9) immediately makes me recall the serpent in the Garden of Eden. That the Israelites were punished for their thanklessness with deadly biting serpents, and then forced to look upon the image of another serpent to find a cure, makes me think […]

baptismal urgency – a reflection on Mark 1:9-15

February 7, 2012
by rick
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Eschatology / Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament / Year B

I think Mark, and Jesus, also believed that the spiritual life and ministry itself should be shrouded in urgency. When life and death, light and darkness, hope and despair, love and hate are at stake, there is no time for laziness. There isn't time for ho...hum...what to do now? No time for commissions to endlessly propose another commission to begin a study, and report back in four years, so that another commission can consider the study and propose another one. No.

prayers of the people for lent, year b

February 7, 2012
by rick
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Prayers of the People / Year B

These prayers are inspired by the great Psalm of contrition, Psalm 51. The main body of these prayers are designed to be used each week in Lent, and there are different concluding prayers which reflect each week’s Gospel lesson. These prayers will work best if a brief pause is observed before the couplet. Celebrant  Have mercy on us, O God, according to your loving kindness; in your great compassion, hear our prayers. Intercessor  We pray […]

spiritual vertigo – a reflection on the transfiguration

February 6, 2012
by rick
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Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament / Year B

The transfiguration is certainly a Christological event—it says something about Jesus. Jesus is at center of it all, and even the pillars of the Hebrew Bible are there to demonstrate that. But, it's also a scene which says a lot about the disciples, and thereby discipleship itself. They were taken up the mountaintop, and they had their socks knocked off. AND, they were totally and completely spiritually unprepared for such an experience.

moved and stretched – a reflection on Mark 1:40-45

January 30, 2012
by rick
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Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament / Year B

The following is a reflection on Mark 1:40-45, the Gospel lesson for the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany, February 12th, 2012, according to the New Revised Common Lectionary. On this site there is also a unique version of the Prayers of the People for All Epiphany. I take the stories of healing/ exorcism/ and raising-of-the-dead at several levels. First, there’s obviously the point that the Gospel authors wanted to make, that Jesus healed real people […]

a dark and deserted place – a reflection on Mark 1:29-39

January 23, 2012
by rick
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Gospels / Lectionary / ministry resources / New Testament / Year B

The following is a reflection on Mark 1:29-39 the Gospel lesson appointed for February 5, 2012, the fifth Sunday after the Epiphany – according to the Revised Common Lectionary. Also on this site is a version of the Prayers of the People for all Epiphany. Imagine walking into the office, and immediately getting hit with, “Everyone’s looking for you!—Where have you been?” What’s your first response? What’s the first thing you do? If you’re like […]

where’s the beef? – a reflection on First Corinthians 8:1-13

January 17, 2012
by rick
comments 5
Current Affairs / Lectionary / Paul / Year B

The following is a reflection on First Corinthians 8:1-13 the Epistle lesson appointed for January 29, 2012, the fourth Sunday after the Epiphany – according to the Revised Common Lectionary. Also on this site is a version of the Prayers of the People for all Epiphany. I believe that understanding Paul’s argument about eating meat sacrificed to idols is critical for the Church today. Paul’s argument here can be broken down into two distinct parts, […]

time fulfilled – a reflection on Mark 1:14-20

January 11, 2012
by rick
comments 4
Uncategorized / Year B

The following is a reflection on Mark 1:14-20 the Gospel lesson appointed for January 22, 2011, the third Sunday after the Epiphany – according to the Revised Common Lectionary. Also on this site is a reflection on the Hebrew Bible Lesson for the same day, and a version of the Prayers of the People for all Epiphany. “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good […]

five words – a reflection on Jonah 3:1-5, 10

January 9, 2012
by rick
comments 2
Minor Prophets / Old Testament / Year B

The following is a reflection on Jonah 3: 1-5, 10, the Hebrew Bible lesson appointed for January 22, 2011, the third Sunday after the Epiphany – according to the Revised Common Lectionary. Also on this site is a reflection on the Gospel Lesson for the same day, and a version of the Prayers of the People for all Epiphany. Who would you NOT want to see succeed? Or, maybe more to the point, who would […]