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Category Archives: lectionary reflection
Despicable dancing?
There is a theme of dance, loss, enmity, and faithfulness running from the Old Testament lesson to the gospel. I don’t know quite what to make of it, because it keeps twirling away every time I think I’ve caught the … Continue reading
A prophet without honour
Two brothers grew up a few years apart. They were close for a time, but grew somewhat apart. They moved in different circles. The elder brother worked hard and achieved some recognition, even notoriety. Every so often the younger brother … Continue reading
Posted in lectionary reflection, sermon preparation, story
Tagged ask, brothers, funeral, gratitude, Mark 6:1-13, prophet without honour, Year B Proper 9
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Healthcare and healing
It is tempting, as many have observed, to link this Sunday’s readings to this Thursday’s Supreme Court decision upholding the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare. Politics from the pulpit are tricky. The need to be prophetic and the need to … Continue reading
The seating plan
I can see today’s story being used in the early church to combat the subtle prejudices, favouritisms, and snubs that might otherwise have kept from full inclusion and assimilation new Christians, non-Jewish Christians, Christians from other countries, cultures and languages. … Continue reading
Posted in lectionary reflection
Tagged Acts 6, Daily Office, day labourers, Matthew 20:1-16, no exceptions, outcasts, parable
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Bernard Mizeki and the ultimate blasphemy
It’s back – the unforgivable sin, the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, tucked into the readings for the commemoration of Bernard Mizeki, catechist and martyr. This time, we read Luke’s contextualization of the epigram. It is interesting in its little … Continue reading
Does size matter?
Last week, the elders of Israel were quite rude and unmannerly to Samuel, declaring him “old,” and demanding a king. Samuel was justifiably offended, but God told him to go ahead and give them a king (1 Samuel 8). God … Continue reading
Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit
Earlier this week I posted “Unforgivable,” a meditation on how we read and receive the threat of unforgivable sin as presented in this week’s gospel. I shied away from defining the unpardonable; blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. I maintain that … Continue reading
(no) Walking on the water
We are frequently offered an image of a Jesus who flouted lesser regulations; a transgressor of boundaries; a rebel. Is the story of the walk across the water an example of this?
Posted in lectionary reflection
Tagged Daily Office, image, Jesus, lectionary, Matthew 14:22-36, transgressing, walking on water
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Unforgivable
So you think you’ve committed the unpardonable, unforgivable, permanently staining sin. Welcome. It is amazing, isn’t it, that with all of the gospel good news telling us how much God loves us, how ready God is to forgive us, how … Continue reading
Posted in lectionary reflection, sermon preparation
Tagged blasphemy, forgiveness, God, gospel, hell, Holy Spirit, Mark 3:20-35, stain, unforgivable sin, Year B Proper 5
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over the water 