Moving Forward - Weekly Lectionary Podcast

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 - "It's a parable, people!" In which Jesus tells his followers that their actions really do matter, and that making life more difficult for folks and being anti-law, are really, really bad.

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 - Look, I'm not going to try to play it cool. I love the parables. I think they are some of the best stuff we've got in the New Testament. But why parables? And, why does the context in which we hear the word matter so much?

Zech 9:9-12 & Matthew 1:16-30 - If "good news" is just for brains and future hopes, is it THE good news? Jesus didn't think so. No one is talking prosperity gospel around here. At the same time, becoming a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven should change embodied realities. Who do we eat with, what do we say [or not say], how do we move around or theorize space and inclusion? These were all issues that Jesus' first followers, and every follower of Jesus since, has had to rethink in light of the Good News.

Jeremiah 28:5-9 and Matthew 10:40-42 - You know the injunction - welcome a prophet as a prophet and receive a prophet's reward. But how do you know who is really speaking for God, and who is claiming to be a prophet to advance their own agenda? Jesus and Jeremiah have some lessons for us.

Jeremiah 20:7-13 and Matthew 10:24-39. Look, be honest, there have always been disagreements about what God wants. Salad or Steak? Peace or Violence? Inclusion or Exclusion? This week, the lectionary texts wade into the fray with some discussion on what God really wants.

Exodus 19:2-8a and Matthew 9:35-10:8: Listen, the lordship of Jesus has costs. True, his yoke is easy and his burden is light. Also, we don't get to do whatever we want to whomever we want. We are purchased for a price, and Jesus is the boss. At Sinai and in the Galilee, God/Jesus ask the people if they are willing to pay the cost - to be obedient, in order to become a treasured nation and to receive life and healing. Today, God asks us the same question - are we willing to pay the cost for what God wants to give us?

Hosea 5:15-6:6 & Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26. Bargaining is a natural human instinct, and one of the stages of grief. But, as it turns out, it's not God's favorite thing. Instead, Jesus models how God desires lovi9ngkindness toward neighbors, not just continual sacrifices.

Genesis 1:1-2:4a and Matthew 28:16-20 - What's God up to? The same, old thing, or something new? Why not both? This week, we talk about God filling up creation with new things, again and again.

Acts 2:1-21 and Numbers 11:24-30 - What do you know about Pentecost? Is it something that comes up for the first time after the Resurrection, or are its origins much older? Come learn about some of the best good news that we've got!

Acts 1:6-14, Psa 68:1-10; John 17:1-11 - What is the role of a Christian? Scattering our enemies or welcoming strangers?

John 14:15-21 and 1 Peter 3:13-22 - First, sign up to watch Jeff Shulman's What it Takes. Then, think about what you would want if your life fell apart. Someone to stick by you, no matter what, right? Someone who has been where you've been, and knows how to make it through. That's who and what we are talking about this week.

Acts 7:55-60; 1 Petere 2:2-10; John 14:1-14. Look, Jesus isn't Caesar and he is not Spartacus. His revolt uses swords only to make sure that there is a pretext to arrest him, NOT to injure humans (ask Malchus!). Too often, Christians try to have it both ways, worship the Prince of Peace, and waging murder and war in his name. The lectionary passages this week address the relationship among Jesus, his followers and violence.

Acts 2:42-47; 1 Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10 - In this week's parable, Jesus is not shepherd, but door. How does this help us think about who is a shepherd and who is a thief? Jesus says it's all about who speaks like he does.

Luke 24:13-35 - Politics and Religion are no-nos at the bar and at the dinner table, right? But we don't dare ignore either, for fear of abandoning both to unscrupulous and violent folks. But, how do we balance our lives without our cortisol levels rising to toxic levels? Some friends on a walk to Emmaus help us see healthy ways to talk about what is wrong - and right - in the world.

Acts 10:34-43; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; Col 3:1-4; Matthew 28:1-10 - Why listen to the same old story - even if it's a particularly good one - year after year? The repetition and reminding of what we already know does something in the hearer, right?

Isa 50:4-9a; Psa 31 (all of it!); Matthew 26:14-27:66 (and Psalm 136) - What do people remember at the end of their lives? I've been in enough nursing homes and hospices to know the enduring power of songs. This week, we hear several songs with Jesus, and develop the ears of disciples.

Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 130; John 11:1-45 - The center of our Christian faith is resurrection! This week (and every week), we celebrate passages that address our great hope.

1 Sam 16:1-13; Psalm 23; John 9:1-41 Has everything always gone right for you? No? Me either! The lectionary texts this week are all about when we need to resort to other plans.

Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 95; John 4:5-42 - Did you ever go for a run, and forget to hydrate properly? We get sweaty and NEED water! The lectionary passages this week are about dealing with thirst that comes from movement.

Gen 12:1-4a; Psalm 121; John 3:1-17 - As we continue our Lenten journey, what does the Bible have to teach us about the purpose of journeys? Genesis, John (and by special request, the psalms) help us frame the journey we are on right now.

Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7; Matthew 4:1-11: There's plenty of temptation in Scripture, and in life. The passages appointed for this week offer stories of people responding positively and negatively to temptation.

Exodus 24:12-18 & Matthew 17:1-9 (and a little 1 Kings 19) - Who doesn't love a mountaintop experience? Concerts, Superbowl parties, conferences, graduations... but then what do we do on the following Monday? This week, the lectionary texts help us see God on the mountaintop, and in the valley.

Isaiah 58:1-9a & Matthew 5:13-20 - Look, there are all kinds of ways to act just now. But, what are God's priorities and how does God want us to spend our energy?

Micah 6:1-8 & Matthew 5:1-12 - Lots of examples of anti-meekness out there right now... How does knowing the context of Micah and Matthew help us think about what God wants in our own times of injustice and idolatry?

Isaiah 9:1-4 & Matthew 4:12-23 (and a little of 1 Cor 1:10-18) - Honestly, I am tired of a certain kind of winning that pits one group of humans against another group of humans. That's bad news. The good news of Jesus eschews that sort of domination and instead, seeks to heal, exorcise, and forgive.

Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-11; 1 Cor 1:1-9; John 1:29-42 - Looking back, do you recognize any moments when you were SO close to finishing or succeeding, but you were exhausted, maybe burnt out, ready to quit? But you pushed through and finished strong! This is me about every night at 9pm in putting my kids down... The lectionary passages this week are all about pushing through and finishing strong!

Isaiah 42:1-9; Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 3:13-17 - A lot of times, we are searching for the "what?". What's the meaning of life? What is my purpose? What is the correct way to life? What am I doing? This week, the lectionary readings assume you already know the "what". Instead, they move to focus on the "why" behind these questions.

Jer 31:7-14; Psa 147:12-20; Eph 1:3-14; John 1:10-18 - Can you remember a time that might have been a little TOO good? The lectionary passages this week describe God heaping up grace upon grace for those who will turn from Caesar's injustice and idolatry and follow the True God. Not even King James text editors can squash this good news that God piles up many different flavors of grace!

Isaiah 63:7-9 & Matthew 2:13-23 - As we sit around with families during this time of year, we hear a lot of old stories repeated. But are any of them still relevant to our lives? If we have wisdom and gentleness to really listen and learn from them, of course! Isaiah and Matthew this week insist that the old stories of God's people are still relevant for their audiences, and for us!

Isaiah 7:10-16 & Matthew 1:18-25 - There's never a perfect time to have a baby. But there are worse times than others. Major international conflict, pandemics or even just bad politicians make having a baby more difficult and more dangerous. God steps into two such times, announcing the births of two babies, both of whom remind us that God is with us!

Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:5-10; Matthew 11:2-11 - Wilderness times in the life are difficult (and pretty common!). What do we do as we wait for salvation and redemption?

Isaiah 11:1-10; Psa 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12 - This Advent, we return to many of the old promises and prophesies to hear Good news that leads to endurance and encouragement.

Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44 - It's Advent, Thank God! How do the lectionary passages this week help us know how God would like us to prepare?

Jer 23:1-6; Col 1:11-20; Luke 23:33-43 - Bad shepherds and good shepherds. We can feel the difference, right? Those who harm some sheep, and divide the folk, might be kind to us, but we know, deep down, that they are not trustworthy shepherds. On this Christ the King Sunday, we see what kind of King Jesus is, and what kind of shepherding he models for us.

Mal 4:1-2a & Luke 21:5-19 - All kinds of predictions and prophesies abound - and always have - about what will happen ON THAT DAY. Jesus and Malachi help us think about the future as a continuation of the present. What happens on That Day is profoundly related to what we do on This Day.

Luke 20:27-38 - The Bodily Resurrection of the dead is one of the best pieces of Good News that we have! Jesus is willing to be drawn into an argument with argumentative agitators who were not his main audience in order to double down on bodily resurrection.

Isaiah 1:10-18 & Luke 19:1-10 - Ever been surprised at what happens in a worship setting? Me too! Actually, according to Isaiah, God finds what goes in in worship shocking! God cannot stand public worship practiced by people with blood on their hands, the prophet proclaims. It's deeply offensive to God that leaders who do not take of widows and orphans, the poor and foreigners, have the nerve to offer praise and thanksgiving to God. In a stunning reversal, God-through-Isaiah says - take care of the humans first! THEN you can come an praise me. (See Matt 5:23-24). As if that surprise wasn't enough for this week, we also have a surprise about who is the most righteous person in Jericho!

Luke 18:9-14 - When someone creates Jesus as a mascot for their evil, what are we supposed to do about it? What happens when someone collaborates with evil, and oppresses their neighbors? The Gospel this week ruffles some feathers!!!

Genesis 32 & Luke 18 - Like a mountain climber nearing the summit, like a wrestler at the end of a long match, or like a marginalized person struggling for justice in a corrupt system - we are called to stay in the quest for blessing for us and for the whole world!

2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c; Luke 17:11-19 "But what if we don't believe the same things? How can we worship together? What if that person is hurting our community?" This is what I've been struggling with this week. What can those who worship death and cruelty have in common with those who want to love neighbors? Surely nothing! But then along comes Naaman, perpetrator of attacks on civilians, enslaver of children, and he receives healing. Naaman is troubling for me, for the exact same reason that this moment in American history is deeply troubling and, frankly, embarrassing for me. But here it is - healing and accepting praise from someone I would love to write off. And that's going to color my thinking for a long time.

Hab 1:1-4, 2:1-4; Psa 37:1-9; Luke 17:5-10 In confusing, disorienting and sometimes scary times, what does God want from us? Probably the same thing that God wants from us in every other time - ordinary faithfulness to be the people who love neighbors and the God who created us all.

Amos 6:1, 4-7; Psa 146; 1 Tim 6:6-19; Luke 16:19-31 "Get Rich or Die Trying"...? More likely, "get rich, and die [period]" The lectionary passages this week warn of the dangers of accumulating or even having wealth in a world where basic needs go unmet.

Amos 8:4-7 & Luke 16:1-13It's not like this is EVER topical when it comes up, is it? There is a battle on, for the soul of humans, and God and mammon are fighting it. Both sides are trying to recruit you!

Exodus 32:7-14; Psalm 51:1-10; 1 Tim 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-10 - This week, the lectionary readings all focus on the joy of repentance and making it right.

Deut 30:15-20; Philemon; Luke 14:25-33 - Going out for a sport? Or, trying to meet a new special someone? Thinking about a change in work? or Thinking about a change in living situations? There are ALWAYS pros and cons with every decision we make. This week, the lectionary texts all address the necessity to count the cost before we take the plunge.

Proverbs 25:6-7; Psa 112; Hebr 13:1-8, 15-16; Luke 14:1, 7-14One of the axiomatic passages in Scripture for me is James 1:9-10: We rejoice in the humbling of the exalted, and the exalting of the humbling. We see this throughout Scripture, and especially in the songs of Hannah and Mary. This week, the texts all point to God's delight in social leveling, especially through shared meals.

Isaiah 58:9b-14 & Luke 13:10-17 The sabbath is a command and a gift. It is an intervention into an undoing world that says that even God pauses, and that human empires should not crush human lives.

Jer 23:23-29; Hebrews 11:29-12:2; Luke 12:49-56 - Okay, plenty of us feel this growing dis-ease and sense of dread. But why? [gestures wildly at, you know, everything]. But, how do we >make sense< of the times. rather than just feel gross and sad? This week, the appointed Bible readings help us analyze the times.

Gen 15:1-6; Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16; Luke 12:32-40 Migrants and Migration are in the news. And they are also all over the Bible! This week, we take a peak at the stories of two such folks, Abraham and Jesus.

Ecc 1:2, 12-14, 2:18-23; Psa 49:1-12; Col 3:1-11; Luke 12:13-21 Who doesn't want to give their kids good things? At the same time, who doesn't want to store up for themselves good things? In all four lectionary readings this week, we learn something about inheritance and greed. How are we being purposeful in passing down good things to the generations to come?