Month: April 2012

true content – a reflection on the 23rd Psalm

April 25, 2012
by rick
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Lectionary / Old Testament / Psalm / Year B

The following is a reflection on the 23rd Psalm, the Psalm properly appointed for Lent 4A Easter 4A,B,C, Proper 11B & Proper 23A, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. Why this Psalm? Of all the ancient texts, and all the glorious pieces of scripture, what makes us as a people and as a culture gravitate towards this one? I’ve presided over funerals where the majority of those in attendance didn’t know the Lord’s Prayer, but they could stumble […]

swaddled and squinting – a reflection on 1 John 4:7-21

April 24, 2012
by rick
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Creation / Easter / Epistles / Lectionary / Soteriology / Year B

The following is a reflection on 1 John 4:7-21, the epistle lesson for the Fifth Sunday of Easter in Year B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. I have very clear memories of holding each of my daughters, just moments after their births. Both times a nurse handed me those little swaddled bundles and then left the room to care for my wife, just recovering from the c-section. I remember experiencing a flood of emotion, […]

so we would not perish – a reflection on John 10:11-18

April 17, 2012
by rick
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Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament / Year B

The following is a reflection on John 10-11-18, the Gospel lesson for the Easter 4B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. When talking about John 10, verses 11 through 18, it’s hard not to also talk about the first ten verses of the chapter—because for Jesus it’s one teaching with related metaphors. In 10:1-18, Jesus talks about a gate, a shepherd, a gatekeeper, a group of sheep, and a group of thieves and bandits. And […]

not cast offs – a reflection on Luke 24:36b-48

April 12, 2012
by rick
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Christology / Easter / Eschatology / Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament / Year B

The following is a reflection on Luke 24:36b-48, the Gospel lesson for Easter 3B and the Thursday in Easter Week, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. The Gospel authors (especially Luke and John) go to great lengths to show that there’s something different about the resurrected Christ. Something so different that Mary Magdalene doesn’t recognize Jesus, and in fact mistakes him for the gardener, on Easter morning. And then the disciples on the road to […]

a reflection on the second Sunday of Easter

April 4, 2012
by rick
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Easter / Year B

So, It’s Easter. Yes, it’s still Easter. Easter is a season, not just a day. A fifty day season to be exact. Too bad there isn’t a catchy little song, like, “on the 34th day of Easter my true love gave to…” But, alas. There isn’t. And, alas—if your church is anything like any church I’ve ever been too, attendance will be a little smaller this week than it was last week. Perhaps it will […]