Category Archives: lectionary reflection

Broody vipers

Posted on December 11, 2012 by Rosalind C Hughes

“John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You broody vipers!” (Luke 3:7 … almost)

Posted in image, lectionary reflection | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

John’s backstory

Posted on December 8, 2012 by Rosalind C Hughes

(Sunday sermon spoiler alert!) There is a backstory to today’s gospel. Luke gives us lots of context: who was ruling where, and had been for how long; he gives us a snapshot of the political situation, the state of the … Continue reading →

Posted in lectionary reflection, sermon preparation, story | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Zechariah finds his voice

Posted on December 7, 2012 by Rosalind C Hughes

This week, we get to read the Song of Zechariah, the loosened tongue of a man whose loins have finally produced an heir after decades of longing and loss; the praise of a priest who was struck dumb by the … Continue reading →

Posted in lectionary reflection, poetry | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Luke 21:25-36

Posted on November 26, 2012 by Rosalind C Hughes

Dissipation, drunkenness and the worries of this life circle their prey; the room dizzies, spins, sickening; swirling skirts’ colours and patterns staining the food, pulling you into the dance; something is calling, falling … snapping back into sharp-edged focus, technicolor … Continue reading →

Posted in lectionary reflection, poetry | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hannah’s hope: Eli’s affirmation

Posted on November 16, 2012 by Rosalind C Hughes

One last story about Hannah and me before Sunday. Eli saw Hannah praying in the temple, and assumed that she was drunk, because her lips were moving but she made no sound. He tried to send her away; but she … Continue reading →

Posted in lectionary reflection, sermon preparation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Hannah’s hope: Anticipation

Posted on November 15, 2012 by Rosalind C Hughes

I don’t often tell this story, because it makes me seem a little bit mad. But Hannah understands. Hannah left the temple and she ate and drank and her countenance was no longer sad. She wasn’t pregnant; she had no … Continue reading →

Posted in lectionary reflection, sermon preparation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hannah’s hope

Posted on November 14, 2012 by Rosalind C Hughes

I could say a lot about Hannah. I feel as though I almost know her, I have almost met her, across a crowd, just out of reach. I recognize her, the tilt of her head, her hair obscuring her face. … Continue reading →

Posted in lectionary reflection, sermon preparation | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Year B Proper 27: All

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Rosalind C Hughes

Naomi had lost everything. She had nothing left to lose, nowhere left to go but home, no one on whom to lean, on whom she had a claim. So she gave it all up, sent her daughters-in-law away, tore up … Continue reading →

Posted in lectionary reflection, sermon preparation | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Year B Proper 24: Sunday sermon spoiler alert

Posted on October 19, 2012 by Rosalind C Hughes

“You do not know what you are asking.” One commentator that I read this week suggested that when James and John asked to sit at the right and the left hand of Jesus when he came into his glory, they … Continue reading →

Posted in lectionary reflection, sermon preparation | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Choices

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Rosalind C Hughes

From today’s lectionary selection: “When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they … Continue reading →

Posted in lectionary reflection | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment