At Home with the Lectionary

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we discuss the readings for the third Sunday in Lent Year A in the Lectionary cycle: John 4:5-42 ; Romans 5:1-11 ; Psalm 95 ; Exodus 17:1-7 . We discuss Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well, Paul's discussion of Jesus' work of reconciling us to God, and Israel's rebellion at Massah and Meribah, and the Psalmist's reflec...

Send us Fan Mail Many years ago we watched a close friend walk with a loved one through a diagnosis of terminal cancer. In 2007 we made this recording as a gift of courage to the suffering and their families, particularly for those who find themselves physically unable – for whatever reason – to read the Scriptures. Please forgive the older sound quality, but we archive it here in with the hope th...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we discuss the readings for the second Sunday in Lent , Year A in the Lectionary cycle: John 3:1-17 ; Romans 4:15-, 13-17 ; Psalm 121 ; Genesis 12:1-4a We discuss Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus, the example of Abraham's faith, the imagery in the Psalm of ascent, and God's covenant promise to Abraham. Notes: -Fr. Bruce Waltke's book The Psal...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we discuss the readings for the first Sunday in Lent , Year A in the Lectionary cycle: Matthew 4:1-11 ; Romans 5:12-19 ; Psalm 32 ; Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7 . We begin by mentioning Lenten resources and preparation for the season. We discuss Jesus' temptation in the wilderness and Paul's doctrinal discourse on original sin and Jesus's saving work. We...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we discuss the readings for the last Sunday after the Epiphany , which is also Transfiguration Sunday, Year A in the Lectionary cycle: Matthew 17:1-9 ; 2 Peter 1:16-21 ; Psalm 99 (or Psalm 2 ); Exodus 24:12-18 . We wonder at the marvelous account of the Transfiguration, consider Peter's direct eye-witness testimony, highlight God's attributes named in th...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we discuss the readings for the sixth Sunday after the Epiphany , Year A in the Lectionary cycle: Matthew 5:21-37 ; 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 ; Psalm 119:1-8 ; Deuteronomy 30:15-20 . We consider the portions of Jesus' Sermon the Mount that address anger, hatred, lust, adultery, divorce, and oath breaking, and our inability to keep the Law. We briefly discuss Paul&a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we discuss the readings for the fifth Sunday after the Epiphany , Year A in the Lectionary cycle: Matthew 5:13-20 ; 1 Corinthians 2:1-16 ; Psalm 112:1-10 ; Isaiah 58:1-12 . We consider Jesus' teaching to His followers that identifies them as beneficial salt and light in the world. We speculate on Paul's statements about having the mind of Christ and disc...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we discuss the readings for the fourth Sunday after the Epiphany , Year A in the Lectionary cycle: Matthew 5:1-12 ; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 ; Psalm 15 ; Micah 6:1-8 . We consider the Beatitudes as a component of Jesus' announcement of His kingdom as He teaches His disciples about Himself as revealed in the ministry they have just witnessed. We discuss Paul&apos...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we discuss the readings for the third Sunday after the Epiphany , Year A in the Lectionary cycle: Matthew 4:12-23 ; 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 ; Psalm 27:1, 5-13 ; Isaiah 9:1-4 . We consider Jesus' ministry of teaching, preaching & healing the suffering, particularly in light of conversation within the disability community. We look at Paul's correction of...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we discuss the readings for the second Sunday after the Epiphany , Year A in the Lectionary cycle: John 1:29-42 ; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 ; Psalm 40:1-12 ; Isaiah 49:1-7 . We consider Jesus' invitation to "Come and see," the context of the letter to the Corinth, the moving imagery and pathos of the Psalm, and the prophetic pronouncement of Christ's...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we discuss the readings for the first Sunday after the Epiphany (Year A in the Lectionary cycle: Matthew 3:13-17 ; Acts 10:34-43 ; Psalm 29 ; Isaiah 42:1-9 ). We marvel at the Good News that is revealed to the whole world in Jesus' person and ministry to all people as He kindly offers healing, liberation, and restoration. The themes of Jesus' baptism, Pe...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we discuss the readings for Feast of the Holy Name , which falls on January 1 every year. Since that's a Sunday this year, we've taken on the readings appointed for that feast day, which are the same regardless of Year A/B/C in the lectionary. They are: Luke 2:15-21 ; Philippians 2:5-11 (or Galatians 4:4-7 ); Psalm 8 ; Numbers 6:22-27 . We consider the i...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we consider the three sets of readings for Christmas Day (every year in the lectionary cycle): Christmas Day 1 : Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) ; Titus 2:11-14 ; Psalm 96 ; Isaiah 9:2-7 Christmas Day 2 : Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20 ; Titus 3:4-7 ; Psalm 97 ; Isaiah 62:6-12 Christmas Day 3 : John 1:1-14 ; Hebrews 1:1-4, (5-12) ; Psalm 98 ; Isaiah 52:7-10 This is a feast of Scripture re...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we consider the readings for Advent 4 (Year A in the lectionary cycle): Matthew 1:18-25 ; Romans 1:1-7 ; Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18 ; Isaiah 7:10-16 . We discuss Matthew's account of Jesus birth & how he lingers on Joseph's perspective, the opening verses of Paul's letter to the Romans & their emphasis on Jesus' invitation to the whole world,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we consider the readings for Advent 3 (Year A in the lectionary cycle): Matthew 11:2-11 ; James 5:7-10 ; Psalm 146:4-9 or Canticle 3 (Luke 1:46-55, the Magnificat) ; Isaiah 35:1-10. We discuss John the Baptist's imprisonment, James' exhortation to patient endurance and hope, the prophetic praises of Elizabeth and Mary, and the beautiful metaphors of holi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we consider the readings for Advent 2 (Year A in the lectionary cycle): Matthew 3:1-12 ; Romans 15:4-13 ; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 ; Isaiah 11:1-10 . We discuss John the Baptist's invitation to repentance that bears fruit, Paul's exhortation to unity and hope, the Psalmist's beautiful depiction of the Messianic King, and the prophetic imagery of His rule...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we consider the readings for Advent 1 (Year A in the lectionary cycle): Matthew 24:36-44 ; Romans 13:11-14 ; Psalm 122 ; Isaiah 2:1-5 . We welcome a new liturgical year by discussing the themes of the season of Advent. We discuss this collection of readings, unmistakably woven with a sense of watchful anticipation for the rule and reign of Christ. We look at Jesus...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we consider the readings for Christ the King Sunday (Year C in the lectionary cycle): Luke 23:33-43 ; Colossians 1:11-20 ; Canticle 16; Jeremiah 23:1-6 . We discuss the Lord's promise to raise up a righteous shepherd to tend His people who have been scattered and injured, Zechariah's prophecy about Jesus and John the Baptist, and Paul's poetic words...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we consider the readings for Proper 28 (Year C in the lectionary cycle): Luke 21:5-19 ; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 ; Canticle 9 (Isaiah 12:2-6) ; Isaiah 65:17-25 We discuss Jesus' prophetic words about persecution and His return, Paul's instructions to the Thessalonians about community life, the first song of Isaiah, and Isaiah's closing prophetic glimp...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we consider the readings for All Saints' Day (Year C in the lectionary cycle): Luke 6:20-31 ; Ephesians 1:11-23 ; Psalm 149 ; Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 . Fr. Aaron & Marissa discuss Jesus' description of His kingdom in the beatitudes and the glorious imagery of inheritance and the heavenly reality of Christ's rule as described by Paul in Ephesians, de...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we consider the readings for Proper 26 (Year C in the lectionary cycle): Luke 19:1-10 ; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12 ; Psalm 119:137-144 ; Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4. In this episode we discuss Zaccheus' penitence, Paul's prayer for the Thessalonians, the Psalmist's confessional prayers, and Habakkuk's dialogue of complaint and trust as well as the...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we consider the readings for Proper 25 (Year C in the lectionary cycle): Luke 18:9-14 ; 2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18 ; Psalm 65 ; Joel 2:23-32 . In this episode we discuss Jesus' parable that contrasts the prayer of the Pharisee who looks with contempt on others and the prayer of the tax collector who cries out for God's mercy, the final words of Paul that clos...

Send us Fan Mail This bonus episode offers listeners a 45 minute journey through the chronological narrative of Scripture.  Our outro music is an original song by our friend Dcn. Jeremiah Webster, a poet and professor whose giftedness is rivaled by his humbleness. You can find his published works, including After So Many Fires , with a quick Google.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we consider the readings for Proper 24 (Year C in the lectionary cycle): Luke 18:1-8 ; 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 ; Psalm 119:97-104 ; Jeremiah 31:27-34 . We begin with Jesus' parable of the persistent widow and discuss how his story upends our preconceptions about God's accessibility and invites hopeful, trusting engagement in prayer. We consider Paul's ti...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we consider the readings for Proper 23 (Year C in the lectionary cycle): Luke 17:11-19 ; 2 Timothy 2:8-15 ; Psalm 66: 1-11 ; Jeremiah 29: 1,4-7 . This week, we discuss the Gospel in microcosm in the story of Jesus healing the ten lepers and briefly look at more of Paul's instruction to Timothy. We ponder the invitation to imagine and praise God in the Psalm a...