RCL Reflection, 7th Sunday after Pentecost, Year A, July 19, 2020
In light of current events and protests, this year may be the perfect time to rethink Jesus’ parable of the weeds and recover it from a simplistic /dualistic understanding that allows us to easily locate ourselves among the finest wheat while assigning anyone we consider less than, evil, or different to the role of the dreaded weed. (Photo: MissMessie, Creative Commons)
RCL Reflection, Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 10, Year A. July 12, 2020. The reasons people stay away from church today are many. Just ask any “none” or “done.” But Paul gives us hope for both the church and God’s people. We need to ask God to change our mindsets to redirect our church in its mission. (Photo: Eli Christman, Creative Commons)
RCL Reflection for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Year A, July 5, 2020
This is an exciting and somewhat terrifying time to be the church. We face a tsunami of change in our faith communities, culture, economy, everything. Sure, that’s scary, but Jesus calls us back to center. I can almost hear him saying, “Stop fussing and fretting and breath. I am with you, and all shall be well.” (Photo:
RCL Reflection, 4th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 8, Year A,
June 28, 2020
What does it mean to be church in a time of global pandemic? How do we move forward when folks can’t even agree whether COVID-19 is real or merely an elaborate hoax? Faith leaders seek advice and answers to guide congregations through uncharted waters to reopen safely and hospitably. (Photo: renee_mcgurk, Creative Commons. Thanks!)
RCL Reflection for the Third Sunday after Pentecost, Year A, June 21, 2020
Are you ready to do some serious letting go? Jesus is clear in this week’s gospel lesson that “Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39). Letting go is a hard, beautiful, and countercultural thing. (Photo: Sebastian Appelt, Creative Commons)
RCL Reflection for the Second Sunday after Pentecost, Year A, June 14, 2020
God’s faithful and generous people know that change doesn’t usually come overnight and that a full investment in the long-term success of anything worthwhile is necessary and expected. This week’s lessons offer an opportunity to both honor the fatigue and weariness—especially that of our Black and brown siblings—and to hear words of hope and encouragement from Paul and Jesus. (Photo: Elvert Barnes, Creative Commons)
Revised Common Lectionary Reflection, Trinity Sunday, Year A, June 7, 2020
What might it look like today to really be the Beloved Community, an expression of church and society that includes all people in just and equitable decisions affecting life, opportunity, and wellbeing? What kind of “Body” does Christ want us to be for him now? What is the Spirit saying to the church? (Photo: Jason Hargrove, Creative Commons)
RCL Reflection for Pentecost Sunday Year A, May 31, 2020
I sense, hear, and read about a collective weariness from friends and colleagues. The struggle is real. Come, Holy Spirit! We need your Pentecost winds to blow through our homes and hearts. We need to be equipped, reminded, and then booted into a new reality to actually BE the Body of Christ, the Church for this time. (Photo: Dale Martin, Creative Commons)
RCL Reflection for the Seventh Sunday of Easter, Year A, May 24, 2020.
Jesus “tags” his closest followers as ITs, as itinerant travelers (aka disciples) through this world bearing his love, seeing through his eyes, caring with his open arms, and grounded by his feet moving in prayer and action. It’s our turn now, and we are being equipped and are never alone. We are the ITs of our time and place. We’ve been tagged. We have holy work to do. (Photo: Public.Resource.org, Creative Commons)
RCL Reflection for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year C, May 17, 2020
Jesus makes it sound pretty simple: Show our love by keeping Jesus’ commandments. This is how you show your love to me, he says. This is how folks will know you are different, by your love and by the way you live out that love in a hundred little ways every single day. (Photo: Elvert Barnes, Creative Commons)
