Lectionary Reflections

  Theme There seems to be a dual-theme running through this week’s scripture readings. First, the readings remind the reader of the One True God in the midst of the various gods and idols that are worshipped throughout the world. Second, the readings speak towards Jesus as being the Prophet who speaks for God and offers God’s salvation to all. Scripture Readings Mark 1:21-28 - Jesus taught with authority in the synagogue in Capernaum. A demon-possessed man claims that Jesus is the Holy One of God. Jesus quiets the man and calls out the demon within him. The people are amazed and news spreads quickly about Jesus throughout the region of Galilee. 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 - Addressing food sacrificed to idols, Paul says that having love is more important than having knowledge. The important knowledge to have is that there is one God and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. Paul says that food (or no food) does not bring us near to God. Howe...

  Theme This week’s readings expand on the theme of calling that we reflected on last week. While last week we read John’s account of Jesus calling the first disciples, this week we read Mark’s record of the same event. In Corinthians, Paul explains the urgency of responding to God’s call. In our Old Testament Reading, we find Jonah receiving his second call to return to Nineveh and proclaim God’s message to them. Scripture Readings Mark 1:14-20 - John the Baptist is arrested and Jesus begins his preaching ministry, proclaiming that “the Kingdom of God is near; repent, and believe in the Good News. Jesus then calls the first disciples in Mark’s Gospel to follow him. He calls Simon and his brother Andrew while fishing, saying that they will now become fishers of men. He then calls James and his brother John, who leave their dad and follow Jesus. 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 - Paul explains the urgency of people to take the Gospel message seriously as he stresses that their world would be e...

  Theme This week’s readings reflect on the transfiguration of Jesus and its link/similarities to Moses meeting with God on the mountain in Exodus. Exodus tells of Moses and Joshua ascending Mount Sinai to receive commandments from God. Peter explains that Jesus’ transfiguration shows us that he was honoured by God. Matthew shares the story of Jesus’ transfiguration where a voice in the cloud declares Jesus as God’s Son. Scripture Readings Exodus 24:12-18 - Moses and his assistant Joshua climbed Mount Sinai, where the Lord gave Moses the tablets of stone with instructions and commands. Moses told the elders to stay and wait for them and to consult Aaron and Hur if any disputes arose. The Lord's glory appeared at the summit like a consuming fire and Moses stayed on the mountain for forty days and forty nights. Psalm 2 - The nations are angry and waste their time with futile plans, but the Lord laughs and rebukes them in anger. He has placed his chosen king on the throne and...

  Theme This week’s readings remind us that human beings have choices to make and they have to live with the consequences of those choices. The authors of Deuteronomy and Sirach speak about the choice between life and death. What we choose we will be given. Paul urges the Corinthians to put their trust in God and not a human leader. In Matthew, Jesus reveals the shortcomings of the Law and urges his followers to consider the way they choose to live their lives. Scripture Readings Deuteronomy 30:15-20 - God gives the Israelites a choice between life and death, prosperity and disaster. He warns them that if they turn away and worship other gods, they will be destroyed. He encourages them to choose life by loving and obeying the Lord, which will lead to a long life in the land He promised their ancestors. Psalm 119:1-8 - People of integrity who follow the Lord's instructions and obey His laws, not compromising with evil and walking in His paths, are joyful. God has charged us...

  Theme This week’s readings encourage us to live earnestly and humbly as we strive for righteousness, rather than pretending to be righteous while actually perpetuating evil. Isaiah condemns those who acted righteous and fasted publicly, and then lists examples the “type” of fasting that God wants - feeding the hungry, freeing the prisoners, clothing the naked, etc. The psalmist declares that the righteous will be blessed and lists the characteristics that the righteous will be identified by - generosity, compassion, justice, etc. Paul teaches the church in Corinth that living humbly by the wisdom of the Holy Spirit is more important than acting wise and speaking well. Jesus declares that his followers should live righteous lives and implies that the fundamentalist religious leaders were not pursuing the right things. Scripture Readings Isaiah 58:1-9a , (9b-12) - The prophet Isiah condemns those who act like righteous people, attending the temple, claiming to delight in the ...

Theme This week’s readings are a reminder that following Jesus invites us to be patient as we go through the many ups and downs of life. Isaiah laments that he is not seeing the fruit of his labour, but is reminded of God’s ultimate plan for his life. The psalmist acknowledges God’s faithfulness after waiting patiently on God. Paul encourages the Corinthian church by saying that God has given them every spiritual gift they need as they await Christ’s return. In John, the Messiah finally arrives which is what John the Baptist has been anticipating for many years. Scripture Readings Isaiah 49:1-7 - Isaiah laments that he has done so much work with no visible result. However, he is reminded that God knew him and chose him before he was in his mother’s womb and God will honour the faithful servant and bless the entire world through the prophet’s work. Psalm 40:1-11 - The psalmist declares that God blessed him/her after having waited patiently. He/she then lists all the good things the ...

  Theme This week is Baptism of the Lord Sunday. The scripture readings tell of God’s pleasure towards people. In Matthew, a voice from heaven declares that Jesus is God’s Son with whom God is well pleased. Isaiah declares that God is pleased with God’s servant who will demonstrate God’s righteousness and be a light to guide the nations. In Acts, Peter declares that God accepts anyone who fears God and does what is right. Scripture Readings Isaiah 42:1-9 - The people are instructed to look at God’s servant, who God strengthens and is pleased with. God’s Spirit is within him and he will bring justice to the nations. God has called the servant to demonstrate God’s righteousness and be a light to guide the nations. Psalm 29 - A Psalm of praise, glorying in God’s might and power. Acts 10:34-43 - Peter declares that God shows no favouritism and accepts anyone who fears God and does what is right. He reminds the listeners that Jesus was baptised by water and the Spirit before ...

The Season after Epiphany is a fairly short season of the Christian Calendar found between Christmas and Lent. It is sometimes referred to as the Season of Epiphany. The Season after Epiphany is one of two sections of the Christian Calendar also known as “Ordinary Time.” The other Ordinary Time in the Christian Calendar is the Season after Pentecost. Ordinary Time refers to the two times of the liturgical calendar that falls outside of the two “great” seasons of Christmas and Easter and the preparatory seasons that precede them - Advent and Lent. The word ordinary does not mean mundane, but rather originates from the ordinal numerals that are used to label the liturgical weeks during this time. For example: Proper 11, 17, 31, etc. The liturgical colour used for the Season after Epiphany is green. The Season of Christmas ends with the Epiphany of Jesus, celebrated on January the 06th every year. Epiphany translates as revelation . It is the feast day when Christians celebrate the re...