Third Sunday after the Epiphany January 27, 2019 Lectionary Year C Nehemiah 8:1-10; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a; Luke 4:14-21 Jesus Christ came in order to put the world right. He did not come to help us escape to an ethereal realm by way of secret knowledge (e.g. naked souls sitting on clouds playing harps),…

Second Sunday after the Epiphany January 20, 2019 Lectionary Year C John 2:1-11 From the baptismal waters of the Jordan River last Sunday to the water in the stone jars at the wedding in Cana this week, we experience a watershed of God’s love. We experience the insightful last words of Mary from four different…

First Sunday after the Epiphany Sunday, January 13, 2019 Lectionary Year C Luke 3:15a “As the people were filled with expectation…” What created that expectation? Jesus had not been baptized. (not until verse 21) No one had yet seen the Holy Spirit descend in bodily form (not until verse 22) God had not audibly spoken, “You…

The Epiphany Sunday, January 06, 2019 Gospel reading: Matthew 2:1-12 Lectionary C Throughout Advent, we have been anxiously waiting for the arrival of the Promised One. Now, He has finally come! And we are reminded mostly clearly on Epiphany Sunday that He is a King. He is the King of Kings. But King Jesus is unlike any…

First Sunday after Christmas Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018 Year (cycle): A, B & C Gospel: John 1:1-18 One of the most powerful parts of my life as a priest is that sometimes I get to say words that make things happen. In grammar, this is called performative speech because the words perform the deed. For example,…

Reflection for the Fourth Sunday in Advent Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018 Year (cycle): C Gospel: Luke 1:39-45, (46-55) Theotokos – “God-Bearer” Now that our grandson has turned 3, my wife and I keep an eye out for old movies that we feel would be meaningful to him as he grows up.  While shopping, we found a three-pack…

For: Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018 Third Sunday of Advent Gospel: Luke 3:7-18   What then should we do? The audience listening to John’s discourse on repentance asked him this question three times, according to the Gospel of Luke 3:10-14. First the crowd, then the tax collectors, finally the soldiers. It seems an easy question for…

Lectionary Living for Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018 Advent 2, Year C, Luke 3:1-6 Preparation is a part of life. Participation in any event requires some sort of preparation. You can’t just show up, and if you do, you’ll miss out on the full experience. If you’re going to watch a football game for the first…

For Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018 Advent 1, Year C, Luke 21:25-36 [And Jesus said,] “There will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars … People will be terrified . . .  Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the…

Last Sunday after Pentecost: Christ the King Occasion: Proper 29 Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018 Year (cycle): B   John 18:33-37:  All Jewish prayers except the very first one they say before getting out of bed in the morning starts with “Barukh atah Adonai Elohaynu melekh ha-olam:” Blessed are you Lord our God King of the Universe. Today…