Lectionary Reflections

  Theme The obvious theme running through this week’s readings is the theme of Transfiguration. Every year, this Sunday, we reflect on Jesus’ transfiguration. Jesus’ transfiguration experience is similar to Moses’ experience of meeting with God on a mountain and being transformed so that those who saw him were amazed and terrified. In Corinthians, Paul riffs on Moses’ story in order to provide meaning of the story for his present readers. Scriptures Exodus 34:29-35 - Moses descends from Mount Sinai with the Ten Commandments. His face is radiant because he had spoken to God. The people were afraid of Moses. After giving the commandments to the people, Moses covered his face with a veil until he returned to the tent of meeting to speak with God again.  Psalm 99 - A psalm declaring the glories of God. It speaks about God’s goodness (and discipline) of God’s people. 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 - Paul refers to Moses covering his face with a veil, saying that whenever the Old Covenan...

Theme Grace and radical love are deep themes running through this week’s readings. Grace can be summarised as receiving what we don’t deserve. In Genesis, Joseph’s brothers are forgiven and protected after selling him into slavery. The Psalmist declares that the lowly will possess the land and live in peace and prosperity. Paul talks about getting new bodies after experiencing death in this life. Jesus expands on this concept of grace, declaring that we should extend love and forgiveness even to those who we might consider to be our enemies.  Scriptures Genesis 45:3-11, 15 - Joseph is reunited with his brothers after being sold into slavery in Egypt. Joseph declares that it was God who sent him there so that he could gain a position of power and use it to save God’s people from the upcoming five years of drought and famine. He tells his brothers to fetch his father and return to live with him, under his protection.  Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40 - A psalm declaring that the wicked will...

  Theme The reading from Jeremiah and the Psalm for this week contrast righteous folk with ungodly folk. According to Jeremiah, a righteous person is someone who trusts in God, while according to the Psalmist, a righteous person does not fraternize with the wicked and meditates on God’s law day and night. The Corinthian and Luke passage speak about a future hope for those who may be experiencing sin and death now. They also speak about a change in the way of thinking about blessings and curses. Scriptures Jeremiah 17:5-10 - The prophet Jeremiah teaches that God’s people must trust in the Lord, not in mere humans. Psalm 1 - A psalm commending the godly for not fraternizing with the wicked and staying focused on a God-honouring way of life. 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 - Paul talks about Christ’s resurrection, and the implication that it has for everyone else to be able to experience resurrection after death. Luke 6:17-26 - Jesus preaches to a large crowd about the beatitudes. Accordin...

Theme The past few Sundays have dealt a lot with God’s call on certain people’s lives. Today, our scripture readings deal with Isaiah’s call to become a prophet to God’s people as well as Peter’s call to follow Jesus and become a fisher of men. Paul reminds the people of his powerful call from being a former persecutor of Christians to one of God’s finest, hardest-working apostles. Scriptures I saiah 6:1-8, (9-13) - Isaiah receives a call from God through a mighty vision. He sees Yahweh sitting on a throne, surrounded by angels. One of the angels touches Isaiah’s lips with a burning coal and declares that his sins are forgiven. Yahweh asks who to send as a messenger to god’s people and Isaiah responds: “Here I am Lord, send me.” Psalm 138 - A Psalm of praise and thanksgiving. David praises God, then declares that all kings will praise God. He ends with surety that God will protect him in the midst of troubles. 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 - Paul talks about the Gospel of Christ’s life, dea...

  Theme The two Old Testament passages speak about being afraid and seeking God’s protection and care. Both Jeremiah and the Psalmist reference God forming and knowing them in the womb. This all-knowing God is the God who is always with us as we answer God’s call, even in the midst of our fears and uncertainties. Paul talks about agape love. After quoting Isaiah, Jesus compares himself to Elijah who was sent to minister to the foreigner. This call on Jesus’ life is similar to many Old Testament prophets, such as the one we read in Jeremiah today. Scriptures Jeremiah 1:4-10 - Jeremiah received his call from God and hears God’s blessing over his ministry. Psalm 71:1-6 - A cry to God for protection, rescue and safety. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 - The great “love” passage of Scripture. Paul speaks about love being the most excellent way - love. After stressing the importance of love over gifts and miracles, Paul explains what agape love looks like.  Luke 4:21-30 - Jesus claims that...

Theme The theme of honouring God’s Law is prominent throughout our Lectionary readings for the week. The Israelites gathered to hear the Law of Moses from Ezra in Nehemiah; David praises God’s laws in the Psalm and Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah in Luke. Scriptures Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 - Ezra the scribe reads the Book of the Law of Moses to the Israelite people at the square just inside the water gate. Psalm 19 - A Psalm declaring that all of Creation praises God. The psalmist, David, declares that God’s laws are good and worthy to be praised. 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a - The body of Christ, just like a physical body, has many parts that are all important to the whole. “In fact, some of the parts that are seen as weaker are more important.” Paul then lists some of the  parts that God has appointed for the church. Paul then compares these duties to the gifts of the Spirit. Luke 4:14-21 - Jesus reads a scroll in the temple, quoting the prophet Isaiah. Jesus proclaimed that the...

Theme The theme running through our scripture readings for this week seems to place a focus on signs and wonders. In John’s gospel, Jesus performs what is widely regarded as his first miracle - turning water into wine. In 1 Corinthians, Paul helps the Church make sense of the gifts that are imparted on people by the Holy Spirit. The Psalmist declares and praises God’s might, while the prophet Isaiah prays for the Israelite people to become a righteous light to attract all the people of the world.  Scriptures Isaiah 62:1-5 - A prayer of Isaiah for the city of Jerusalem and the people of Israel, that they would become righteous and no longer be known as the city of desolation but rather as a people of God’s delight/the bride of God. Psalm 36:5-10 - A psalm of praise, declaring God’s might and love for all of God’s creation - humans and animals alike. “All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.” 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 - Paul speaks to the Corinthian church about spiritual ...

Theme This week is Baptism of the Lord Sunday. It is the day where we remember Jesus’ baptism and commemorate the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry. The Gospel reading shares the story of Jesus’ baptism. The Acts reading shares a story of Peter and John going to baptize people in Samaria to receive the Holy Spirit. Isaiah’s prophecy declares that God remains with God’s people in trying times and the Psalmist invites people to worship the mighty God who rules over all people and creation. Scriptures Isaiah 43:1-7 - A prophecy made by *deutero-Isaiah declaring that God will be with the Israelites as they go through difficult times. Reminding them of their rescue from Egypt, Isaiah declares that God will save them once again. Psalm 29 - A Psalm that declares the might of God. It calls people to worship and honour this mighty God who cares for and blesses God’s people.  Acts 8:14-17 - Peter and John visit the people of Samaria, who had just accepted God’s message. They pray for the ...

Theme The theme of Christ’s salvation being offered to all people runs throughout our Lectionary readings for this week. In Isaiah, the prophet speaks about Jerusalem becoming an attractive light to the whole world, not merely the Jewish people. The Psalmist declares that as leaders and God’s people fight for justice, all people will see God’s work and bow down before God. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians reveals God’s new plan to offer God’s blessings to all people, regardless of background or culture. The church has a vital role to play in implementing this new plan in the world. The story of the magi from the East (known as the land of the gentiles) also shows the inclusion of non-Jewish people into God’s story. Scriptures Isaiah 60:1-6 - The prophet Isaiah speaks about the coming glory of Jerusalem. Although the world will be overwhelmed with darkness, Jerusalem will be a shining light that will attract people from far and wide to return home and worship the Lord.  Psalm 72:1-7,...