First Reading

The "Best of" First Reading Easter Series This summer, while the Lectionary uses the Book of Acts as the first reading, we are re-releasing some of our best episodes from the First Reading Podcast vault. This week, we’re going way back to one of our first episodes (#007 actually, for James Bond fans out there), back to 2019 when Rachel and Tim interviewed the amazing, delightful, Rev. Dr. Vanessa...

The "Best of" First Reading Easter Series Easter is a strange season in the Lectionary for us here at the "Old Testament Lectionary Podcast," because during Easter the first reading is drawn from the New Testament book of Acts. So, this year, we’ve decided to use this season to re-release some of our favorite episodes from the vault, conversations with leading scholars in the field. This week, sin...

PARTY EPISODE: Easter Hope in the Middle of Chaos Lectionary Date: March 31, 2024 [Easter Sunday, Year B] Rachel, Paul, and Tim discuss the first reading for Easter in this party episode (also celebrating Rachel's birthday!). We also made a video version of this episode, which you can see on YouTube:

True and False Humility Lectionary Date: March 24, 2024 [Palm Sunday, Year B] Tim wrestles with the tension between humility and privilege.

I Will Inscribe It on Their Hearts Lectionary Date: March 17, 2024 [5th Sunday in Lent, Year B] Paul explores what's new about Jeremiah's "new covenant."

The Hurt Becomes the Healing Lectionary Date: March 10, 2024 [4th Sunday in Lent, Year B] Rosy explores the New Testament symbolism of an Old Testament image.

A Celebration of Torah Lectionary Date: March 3, 2024 [3rd Sunday in Lent, Year B] Tim plays with the cosmic imagery of this classic psalm.

The Happy Part of a Sad Psalm? Lectionary Date: February 25, 2024 [2nd Sunday in Lent, Year B] Rachel finds so much more in this psalm than a simple script for Jesus on the cross.

A Fresh Start (But Not a Happy Ending) Lectionary Date: February 18, 2024 [1st Sunday in Lent, Year B] Rachel takes us to the conclusion of the Genesis flood story and helps us see it through the lens of "covenant."

Picking Up the Mantle Lectionary Date: February 11, 2024 [Transfiguration Sunday, Year B] Tim has some Hebrew help for this transfiguring story.

Party Episode: Hope 2.0 Lectionary Date: February 4, 2024 [5th Sunday after Epiphany, Year B] We’re together again for a spitball session on a beautiful prophetic poem, all about hope.

The Prophet's Accountability Lectionary Date: January 28, 2024 [4th Sunday after Epiphany, Year B] Rosy thinks through the role of prophets and the role of the people to hold them accountable.

A Sackcloth Moment Lectionary Date: January 21, 2024 [3rd Sunday after Epiphany, Year B] Paul invites us to consider following the Ninevites' model of repentance in the new year.

Hearing the Voice of God Lectionary Date: January 14, 2024 [2nd Sunday after Epiphany, Year B] Rosy calls our attention to God’s voice, speaking to a young person.

The World Elohim (and We) Create Lectionary Date: January 7, 2024 [2nd Sunday after Christmas, Year B] Paul explores some of the nuance of the first creation story in the Bible.

The Thrill of Hope Lectionary Date: December 31, 2023 [1st Sunday after Christmas, Year B] Welcome to the First Reading Christmas Party! All four hosts are together for a jam-packed conversation around this week's first reading.

Live, from Trinity Lutheran Seminary, it's First Reading: Advent! Lectionary Date: December 24, 2023 [4th Sunday of Advent, Year B] Our advent episodes this year were recorded live at Trinity Lutheran Seminary's "Trinity Days" event, with an encouraging studio audience! In this episode, for Advent 4, Tim expands the scope of the New Testament reading by exploring its inspiration in the divine prom...

Live, from Trinity Lutheran Seminary, it's First Reading: Advent! Lectionary Date: December 17, 2023 [3rd Sunday of Advent, Year B] Our advent episodes this year were recorded live at Trinity Lutheran Seminary's "Trinity Days" event, with an encouraging studio audience! In this episode, for Advent 3, Paul looks at the Messianic hope of Isaiah's prophecy for those living in traumatic times.

Live, from Trinity Lutheran Seminary, it's First Reading: Advent! Lectionary Date: December 10, 2023 [2nd Sunday of Advent, Year B] Our advent episodes this year were recorded live at Trinity Lutheran Seminary's "Trinity Days" event, with an encouraging studio audience! In this episode, for Advent 2, Rosy explores the music of Isaiah 40.

Live, from Trinity Lutheran Seminary, it's First Reading: Advent! Lectionary Date: December 3, 2023 [1st Sunday of Advent, Year B] Our advent episodes this year were recorded live at Trinity Lutheran Seminary's "Trinity Days" event, with an encouraging studio audience! In this episode, for Advent 1, Rachel takes up the psalm (surprise, surprise) to talk about the "Shepherd" of God's people.

Bad Shepherds and the Good Shepherd Lectionary Date: November 26, 2023 [26th Sunday after Pentecost, Year A] In this episode, Paul and Rachel dive into Ezekiel 34, discussing the peculiar character of Ezekiel, the metaphor of shepherds representing kings, and the consequences of bad leadership that led to Israel’s exile. The passage emphasizes God’s promise to become Israel’s true shepherd. Join P...

Thunder Can't Silence the Lightning Lectionary Date: November 19, 2023 [25th Sunday after Pentecost, Year A] Rachel challenges the brevity of the RCL and the bias of our English translations.

As for Me and My Dynasty, We will Serve the Lord Lectionary Date: November 12, 2023 [24th Sunday after Pentecost, Year A] This week, First Reading welcomes Rev. Dr. Paul R. Hinlicky, as our guest. Dr. Hinlicky is a Lutheran theologian and author, a Lutheran pastor, and a “regenerative agriculture” farmer on his Virginia property, St. Gall Farm . He is Professor Emeritus of Lutheran theology at Roa...

A People on the Move Lectionary Date: November 5, 2023 [23rd Sunday after Pentecost, Year A] Paul takes us into the Promised Land.

An Invitation to Holiness Lectionary Date: October 29, 2023 [22nd Sunday after Pentecost, Year A] Rachel explores the often-overlooked "world forming" of Leviticus.