All posts tagged: Sermon

wanderlust – a reflection on pentecost

May 16, 2012
by rick
comments 3
Acts / Creation / Lectionary / New Testament / Old Testament / Pentateuch / Religion / Theology / Year B

The following is a reflection on Acts 2:1-21, the lesson properly appointed for the Day of Pentecost, year B of the Revised Common Lectionary, and Genesis 11:1-9 the lesson appointed for the Day of Pentecost, year c. Pentecost is often interpreted as the undoing of Babel. At the tower of Babel, God confounded the speech of His People so that they could not communicate with each other. At Pentecost God gave the apostles the gift […]

Matthias and his slick resume – a reflection on Acts 1:15-17, 21-26

May 9, 2012
by rick
comments 3
Acts / Lectionary / New Testament / Year B

The following is a reflection on Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, the second lesson properly appointed for Easter 7B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. With Judas’ demise, the disciples were down to eleven. Twelve is a good biblical number though. A number with significance. So, it seemed good and proper to get the disciples back to “twelve.” There was a position to fill.

even astonished – a reflection on Acts 10:44-48

May 1, 2012
by rick
comments 6
Acts / Easter / Epistles / Lectionary / New Testament / Paul / Religion / Year B

The following is a reflection on Acts 10:44-48, the second lesson properly appointed for Easter 6B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. …While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles… The two words above, which to me stick out as if they have […]

true content – a reflection on the 23rd Psalm

April 25, 2012
by rick
comments 3
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
comments 2
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, […]

lighting up the night – Exodus 14:19-31

August 30, 2011
by rick
Leave a comment
Current Affairs / Exodus / Lectionary / Old Testament / Pentateuch

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 […]

fear versus compassion – Genesis 1:8-2:10

August 7, 2011
by rick
comments 3
Exodus / Lectionary / Old Testament

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 […]

what the… proper 12, year a

July 12, 2011
by rick
comments 4
Lectionary / Old Testament / Pentateuch

A reflection on Genesis 29:15-28, the Old Testament lesson from the Revised Common Lectionary for July 24, 2011. I also have a reflection on the Gospel lesson of the same day. Like countless liars before him, and countless liars after him, Laban stood there and bold-faced-lied to Jacob. And, like countless victims throughout the ages, Jacob bore the full brunt of the deceit. Seven whole years of his life had been spent working to earn […]

hair and heals: proper 10, year a

June 29, 2011
by rick
Leave a comment
Lectionary / Old Testament / Pentateuch

Genesis 25 moves quickly. If you lift your eyes from the page you just might miss a few decades. In less than fifteen verses Jacob and Esau go from zygotes to teenagers. And yet, not much changes in those verses, or in those years: Jacob and Esau are very different creatures in the womb and very different creatures outside of the womb. Like their forebears Cain and Abel, one is refined and the other is […]