The Witness: Lectionary Reflections

Proclaiming Gospel Justice: Reflections on the Scriptures and Progressive Spirituality

The Witness is proud to offer a regular series of exegetical pieces on the Sunday readings from the Episcopal/Anglican common lectionary, beginning in Advent 2003 at the start of "Year C" of the church's lectionary. These reflections, authored by noted theologians and justice activists from throughout the international church, are offered for use as resources for sermon preparation and bible study groups. Authors should be attributed, but no official permission is necessary.

We hope you will find this a useful resource for ministry.

Power and Unity
The gospel reading for Epiphany 3 (Jan. 23, 2005) tells of Jesus' evangelism in the Galilee, where former fishermen join him in "fishing for people." Mark Andrus finds a lesson for church and society today, where power is misconceived. (Originally posted January 14, 2005.) [posted 2/7/05]

Sly as a Snake, Simple as a Dove
The feast of the conversion of St. Paul, observed at the end of the Week of Christian Unity (Jan. 25, 2005), reminds us there have always been divisions within Christianity. Christopher Epting says this history shows we need to be keenly aware of the real issues before us. (Originally posted January 14, 2005.) [posted 2/7/05]

Leadership
What is the definition of true leadership? In indigenous Lakota culture, an individual can only be defined within the context of the community, according to Donald Whipple Fox. He offers a reflection on the lectionary readings for Dr. Martin Luther King Day (Jan. 17, 2005.) (Originally posted January 14, 2005.) [posted 2/7/05]

Sacrificial Lambs
Christians must make all kinds of sacrifices: socially, politically, even religiously. Robert Cromey reflects on the readings for Epiphany 2 (Jan. 16) and finds that one big sacrifice today is that the lambs must lie down with the lion in a polarized world. [posted 1/7/05]

Disaster and Discipleship
The tsunamis that rocked South Asia may cause us to question our faith. How could a loving God permit such devastation and death? Rowan Smith in Cape Town reflects on the readings for Epiphany 2 (Jan. 16) and seeks a message of transformation. [posted 1/7/05]

Servanthood
The first Sunday after Epiphany is also the feast of The Baptism of Our Lord (Jan. 9), and an opportunity to understand what baptism means. With the recent disasters in South Asia in mind, Timothy Nakayama calls us to affirm a ministry of servanthood. [posted 1/7/05]

Another Way
The gifts of the magi are not for a palace, as one would expect, but for a child at society's margins. Bill Wylie-Kellermann reflects on the readings for Christmas 2 (January 2nd) and finds they subvert the imperial efforts toward "homeland security." (Originally posted on Dec. 29, 2004.) [posted 1/7/05]

Prayer and Naming
Mary and Joseph named their child "Jesus" on the eighth day of Christmas, as per Jewish custom. January 1st is the Feast of the Holy Name, which prompts Paul Colbert to look at how different faith traditions think about naming in the context of prayer. [posted 1/7/05]

The Last Shall Be First
Word always spreads quickly about big events, but there is a hierarchy of communication: important people know first. Reflecting on the readings for Christmas 1 (Dec. 26, 2004), Andrew Davey explains why the news of Christ's birth was known first by society's outcasts. (Originally posted December 22, 2004.) [posted 1/13/05]

Caring for the Innocent
The birth of Christ is a story of refugees, poverty, and alienation. Carol Gallagher reflects on the readings for the first Sunday after Christmas (Dec. 26, 2004), and finds in it a lesson for our responsibilities in a modern world of terror and suffering. (Originally posted December 17, 2004.) [posted 1/13/05]

Finding the Grace in Christmas
The harsh realities of our world today make one wonder whether the Christ child can make a difference. In a lectionary reflection for Christmas Day, Louie Crew reflects on how we can find justice in the midst of such great poverty and pain. (Originally posted December 16, 2004.) [posted 1/13/05]

Joseph the Righteous
Can the clear view of reality held by Joseph, the father of Jesus, help us in modern times to open our eyes? Elizabeth Morris Downie reflects on the readings for Advent 4 (Dec. 19, 2004), saying that we must similarly be ready to act righteously without regard for reputation. (Originally posted December 15, 2004.) [posted 1/13/05]

Flesh in Our Own Lives
Just as God sought an affirmative response from Joseph and Mary, we read in the Advent 4 readings (Dec. 19, 2004), and according to Isaac Miller, God is also seeking a "yes" from humankind right now. Miller tells us what our reply should be. (Originally posted December 15, 2004.) [posted 1/13/05]

Hope in the Toxic Wilderness
Two decades after the Bhopal disaster, people are still dying from its effects. The lectionary readings for Advent 3 (Dec. 12, 2004) tell of the wilderness of biblical times. David Selzer says today we have created more dangerous areas of "wilderness" than ever. (Originally posted December 8, 2004.) [posted 1/13/05]

La Guadalupana: María with the Mestizo Face
On Dec. 12 and 13, 2004, Latin American Christians will observe the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a sacred opportunity to honor an indigenous Virgin Mary. Richard Bower explains how Mary/María subverts the church and calls us to revolution and justice. (Originally posted December 8, 2004.) [posted 1/11/05]