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.

Good News of Peace for Jews and Gentiles
As headlines of schism in the church and increasing violence in the Middle East proliferate, Grant Gallup sees in the readings for Proper 11(B) (July 23, 2006) a timely call to peace across traditional divides. [posted 7/19/06]

No Excuses -- Go!
Leave the political marriages of convenience and truces with oppression to worldly would-be kings like Herod Antipas, says noted blogger Father Jake -- our readings for Proper 10 (B) (July 16, 2006) call us to drop excuses and confront injustice where we find it. [posted 7/12/06]

From "Limited Good" to Unlimited Love
When Jesus claimed his prophetic ministry and the power God gave him for it, he went from an object of pity in his neighbors' eyes to an object of fear. Sarah Dylan Breuer examines such fearful suspicion and God's loving response in the readings for Proper 9 (B) (July 9, 2006), finding in them a timely message for a culture suffering from "competition fatigue." [posted 7/5/06]

To Be Touched and To Touch
Rick Morley, examining the readings for Proper 8 (B) (July 2, 2006), sees a common theme between the healing of a woman with a flow of blood and the healing of Jairus' daughter that precedes it: We must reach out and touch -- an act of blind vulnerability to be sure -- to receive Life. [posted 6/27/06]

"Peace! Be Still!": Marching Orders from General Convention
A stormy week at General Convention left many Episcopalians feeling queasy -- not unlike the disciples in Mark's story of the "Stilling of the Storm," the Gospel for the Third Sunday after Pentecost (B) (June 25, 2006). Neil Elliott examines the rhetoric of "Christlike renunciation" and "sacrifice" offered as a rationale for Resolution B033 (on Election of Bishops), and finds it wanting. [posted 6/24/06]

Human Authority and God's Freedom
God can speak from the whirlwind or calm the storm, but God won't be calling us back to Egypt ever again; nor will he make the times ahead of us easy. But in truth, the breath of God's Spirit will always be moving forward. The Rt. Rev. John Chane sees in our readings for the Third Sunday after Pentecost (B) (June 25, 2006) a timely reminder for an eventful General Convention. [posted 6/19/06]

Grace to Grow
In the "Parable of the Seed Growing Secretly" from the RCL readings for Proper 6 (B) (June 18, 2006), Sarah Dylan Breuer sees a timely reminder to hard-working activists and would-be prophets of doom alike that being faithful to God involves knowing when to play or rest as well as work, and humbly reminding ourselves that growth and life are gifts of God's grace. [posted 6/15/06]

Seraphim's Cry, Prophet's Commission
Carin Ruff reflects on the readings for Trinity Sunday (B) (June 11, 2006), finding in Isaiah's vivid imagery a timely reminder not only of our connection to God as individuals, but our connection with one another in Christ by God's grace. [posted 6/6/06]

For the Long Haul
Tom Woodward sees in the lectionary readings for Pentecost Day (June 4, 2006) a timely challenge from the Spirit to seek deeper connection with others in this midst of climates of isolation and fear. [posted 5/30/06]

On Not Being Chosen
What does it mean to be called as an apostle, or one of the Twelve? And what does it mean not to be thus called? Reflecting on the readings for the Seventh Sunday of Easter (B) (May 28, 2006), Karen A. Keely examines the story of Matthias and Justus to explore God's call to all of us. [posted 5/24/06]

Disciples Called as Friends
John's gospel is replete with Jesus' assurances of his love for his disciples and commands for his followers to love others, but only in this week's gospel does Jesus complicate matters by calling the disciples friends. Kris Lewis describes how complicating and liberating Jesus' invitation to friendship can be in her reflection on the lectionary readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter (B) (May 21, 2006). [posted 5/15/06]

Gardening with Love
Talk about "love," even God's love, is so common even in contexts of conflict as to strike hearers as cliche. Liz Zivanov, examining readings for the Fifth Sunday of Easter (B), challenges us to seek the vine of God's love with both persistence and care. [posted 5/10/06]

On Shepherds, Samaritans, and Other Scapegoats
Nigel Taber-Hamilton examines the readings for the Fourth Sunday of Easter (B) (May 7, 2006), finding in them a common thread with Jesus' parable of the "good Samaritan" -- and a challenging and timely message for us. [posted 5/2/06]

Out of the Upper Room, and Into the Streets!
It may be a stronger temptation for us to doubt our sisters and brothers in the Body of Christ than to doubt Jesus himself, but giving in to either can keep us huddled in fear in the upper room when Christ's call and Christ's joy is to be foundin mission in the world. Michael Russell examines the readings for the Third Sunday of Easter (B) (April 30, 2006), finding in them a challenge to us to step out in faith. [posted 4/24/06]

The Missing "FOR" and the Risen Life
Sarah Dylan Breuer examines the readings for the Second Sunday of Easter (B) (April 23, 2006), finding in Jesus' appearances to his followers and a missing conjuction in most English translations of Acts a shared imperative to engage and transform the world God made and loves. [posted 4/19/06]