Category Archives: lectionary reflection

The not ungrateful leper

Posted on October 4, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

It was not ingratitude silenced me, but inadequacy; the paucity of my language; the paltry dance of palsied limbs, trembling as a fawn, trembling as one newly born, barely breathing; rasping out music as though the song had been buried … Continue reading →

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Worthless

Posted on October 2, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

We had a church full of animals this morning, so I kept the sermon brief and, hopefully, to the point. I did say a little more, but here was the crux of the matter, reckons this worthless slave: Jesus asked, … Continue reading →

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Mustard seed blessings

Posted on September 30, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

We had an interesting discussion at Bible Study this week on the slave parables and sayings of Jesus. The harsh judgement that is rendered this Sunday: Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? So you also, when … Continue reading →

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The chasms fixed between us

Posted on September 25, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

A sermon on Luke 16:19-31: the parable of the rich man and Lazarus The parable describes a way of life which starkly separates the rich man from the poor, the privileged from the dispossessed. It describes how these differences and … Continue reading →

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Rich blessings

Posted on September 22, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

An ironic title, given the gospel text? This Sunday, we hear of Lazarus and the rich man, known by some as Dives, although that may or may not be what his brothers called him. Paul warns that the love of … Continue reading →

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Pray even for kings

Posted on September 18, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

A sermon for Year C Proper 20: Amos 8:4-7; Psalm 113; 1 Timothy 2:1-7; Luke 16:1-13 For Paul to write in his letter that we should pray for kings is akin almost to Jesus’ commandment that we pray for our enemies. When you consider … Continue reading →

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Character reference 

Posted on September 15, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

This week’s readings focus on character.  The virtues of honesty, faithfulness, and godliness are lifted up; although the “advice” of Jesus to “make friends by means of dishonest wealth” is a bit of a curveball. Those of us who grew … Continue reading →

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Blessings lost and found

Posted on September 9, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

This week’s post is late, partly because I’m on vacation, but also because I have had some struggles settling into a place of blessing in this week’s gospel reading. It should be easy: we love the idea that God would gladly … Continue reading →

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Blessings and challenges

Posted on September 1, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

When I read this Sunday’s Gospel lesson, and saw that Paul’s – let’s be honest – somewhat cringeworthy letter to Philemon was also up for consideration, I wondered if I might have waited on this new, lectionary-based blessings project until … Continue reading →

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The banquet

Posted on August 28, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

No sermon this Sunday, simply the observation that today’s Gospel whispered to me of those times that you have slipped into the back of the church, trying to melt into the shadows cast by the dark-wood pews, sure only of … Continue reading →

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