Living the Lectionary

John 17:1-11 It is a shame we haven’t lived the prayer of Jesus, “so that they may be one” in a way the world can see. Instead the chu...

1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 In the middle of these passages about fiery ordeals and insults and roaring lions on the prowl is the passage th...

Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 I wonder if the apostle Paul thought about Psalm 68 when he wrote to the Romans, “…while we were God’s enemies, w...

Acts 1:6-14 I am comforted by the thought of an eternal future where finally free of all that limits life we will live fully into the ho...

John 14:15-21 “If you love me you will keep my commandments.” In the Gospel of John there is only one commandment and while we have come...

1 Peter 3:13-22 Baptism, which Peter calls an appeal to God for a good conscience, has been the source of division in the church even th...

Psalm 66:8-20 This is a “Praise the Lord” psalm that remembers times of trouble. But not just any trouble, like waking up to a hot water ...

Acts 17:22-31 A statue to an unknown god presented Paul with an opportunity to proclaim to the “extremely religious” Athenians the God “...

John 14:1-14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled” does not deny the things that hurt the heart. That is why it is followed immediately...

1 Peter 2:2-10 Longing for spiritual milk is a good thing if those well fed on faith do not withhold mercy from those who are less than ...

Psalm 31 “My times are in your hands” is true whether one acknowledges it or not. We were born without being consulted and no matter the...

Acts 7:55-60 I suppose it is a helpful thing to be full of the Holy Spirit and see the heavens open when you are being stoned to death bu...

John 10:1-10 “With you, O Lord” is one of my favorite songs from the Taize community in France. “With you, O Lord, is life in all its fu...

1 Peter 2:19-25 We should give this text wide berth when it comes to applying it to the meaning of suffering especially the suffering one...

Psalm 23 The 23 rd psalm is on the Year A lectionary hit parade - Lent 4, Easter 4 and Pentecost 18 – which makes it difficult for th...

Acts 2:42-47 The first days of the church were giddy indeed. Everyone got along so well they spent “much time together” at temple and...

Luke 24:13-49 “We had hoped…” is how Cleopas and friend express the deep disappointment at what could have been but wasn't. To h...

1 Peter 1:17-23 I remember singing the hymn “I am but a stranger here heaven is my home” at St. John’s Lutheran church in Ancram, New Yo...

Psalm 116 I find “I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice” most comforting when followed by “precious in the sight of the Lord ...

Acts 2:14, 36-41 “What should we do?” It is the question for our lives and even if it is not on the same level as being cut to the heart...