First Reading

Lent Party! Lectionary Date: April 6, 2025 [5th Sunday in Lent, Year C] For the 5th Sunday in Lent, we have a party episode to explore God's renewal bursting forth.

It's About the Community Lectionary Date: March 30, 2025 [4th Sunday in Lent, Year C] Paul highlights the communal nature of this scene on the west bank of the Jordan River.

Hoi! Listen Up: It's a Message of Generosity Lectionary Date: March 23, 2025 [3rd Sunday in Lent, Year C] Rosy digs into the covenantal flavor of Isaiah's soaring prophetic song.

Descendants and Land Lectionary Date: March 16, 2025 [2nd Sunday in Lent, Year C] Paul tries to unpack the mysterious vision of God's promise to Abram.

My Ancester was a Perishing Aramean Lectionary Date: March 9, 2025 [First Sunday in Lent, Year C] Rosy explores the firstfruits liturgy from Deuteronomy—but stick around for her masterful connection to the temptation scene in Luke's Gospel!

Transfigurations: Moses, Jesus, and Us Lectionary Date: March 2, 2025 [Transfiguration Sunday, Year C] Rachel and Tim discuss Moses's shiny (?) face, the apostle Paul's comments about it, and Jesus's Transfiguration. We cover a ton of ground in this episode!

Finding Agency in Impossible Situations Lectionary Date: February 23, 2025 [7th Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C] Paul is up with some reflections on the climax of the Genesis Joseph novella—both its "Hallmark-ish" quality and its reflection of real-life trauma.

Kidneys? Lectionary Date: February 16, 2025 [6th Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C] Rachel finds an important thread running through all three lectionary texts this week… and "kidneys."

Here am I Lectionary Date: February 9, 2025 [5th Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C] Paul explores the prophet Isaiah's iconic call story.

Our Refuge Lectionary Date: February 2, 2025 [4th Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C] Rachel digs into the poetic Hebrew of the Psalm reading for the week!

Reading and Interpretation Lectionary Date: January 26, 2025 [3rd Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C] Three of our hosts are together for a party episode about the public proclamation of God's word!

That's "Right"! Lectionary Date: January 19, 2025 [2nd Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C] Rosy is up, and she explores the "rightness" of this beautiful prophetic text.

You are My Beloved Lectionary Date: January 12, 2025 [Baptism of the Lord, Year C] Tim peeks under the hood of a beautiful poem about God's love.

Looking Back ... Looking Forward Lectionary Date: January 5, 2025 [2nd Sunday after Christmas, Year C] Rosy sets the context for contemplating a new season ... or new year?

And He Grew Up... Lectionary Date: December 29, 2024 [1st Sunday after Christmas, Year C] For this Christmas lection, we look at the stories of two boys who grew up in preparation for their special callings.

Advent is here!!! Lectionary Date: December 22, 2024 [4th Sunday of Advent, Year C] In our final Advent episode of 2024, Paul and the gang (recording in person at the Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting in San Diego) take a look at the political context and powerful imagery of the reading from Micah.

Advent is here!!! Lectionary Date: December 15, 2024 [3rd Sunday of Advent, Year C] For the 3rd week of Advent, Rachel takes us to the lesser-known prophet Zephaniah, who introduces a new aspect of God's profile.

Advent is here!!! Lectionary Date: December 8, 2024 [2nd Sunday of Advent, Year C] For the 2nd Sunday in Advent, Rosy highlights the tension in the coming of God's "messenger." We're coming to you from our conference in San Diego!

Advent is here!!! Lectionary Date: December 1, 2024 [1st Sunday of Advent, Year C] Advent is here! And First Reading has you covered, with episodes recorded in person at our professional convention in San Diego. For Advent 1, Tim looks at the prophet Jeremiah's claim that God will hold unfaithful leaders to account.

First Reading Episode #300!!! Lectionary Date: November 24, 2024 [Reign of Christ Sunday, Year B] It's a special party episode of First Reading, as we celebrate our 300th episode! All four hosts take a few minutes to share what has been meaningful to them about this podcasting journey. Then, we dive into some analysis and preaching tips for the first reading: 2 Samuel 23, David's "last words."

Birth Pangs of a New Reality Lectionary Date: November 17, 2024 [26th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B] Rosy opens up the story of Hannah in conversation with Jesus's "little apocalypse" in Mark.

Uncovering and Covering Lectionary Date: November 10, 2024 [25th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B] Paul explores the theological impact of Ruth's vulnerability and its redemptive power.

A Migrant Invasion Lectionary Date: November 3, 2024 [24th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B] Rosy encourages us to preach the story of a migrant family facing discrimination, as these themes also swirl in our own political moment.

Peace in the Midst of Mysterious Suffering Lectionary Date: October 27, 2024 [23rd Sunday after Pentecost, Year B] Paul and Rosy pick up our ongoing conversation in the book of Job this lectionary season. This week, Paul highlights Job's shift in tone after an overwhelming barrage of divine questions.

Party Episode! God's (Non)Answer to Job Lectionary Date: October 20, 2024 [22nd Sunday after Pentecost, Year B] In this party episode, all four First Reading hosts wrestle with God's enigmatic response to Job out of the whirlwind.