by Steve Thomason | Oct 30, 2023 | Bible
This post offers visual resources for the Revised Common Lectionary and the Narrative Lectionary for November 5, 2023. The RCL begins the story of Joshua with the crossing of the Jordan River. The second reading is Micah 3. The third reading marks the third week in 1 Thessalonians. The Gospel is Matthew 23:1-12 where Jesus speaks boldly to the crowd against the hypocrisy and failure of the religious leaders in Jerusalem. The NL explores the story of Elijah and his confrontation with the corrupt leaders of Israel and the prophets of Baal. The Gospel reading is Mark 9:2-4, the Transfiguration. I titled this post “When Leaders Lose Their Way” because both lectionaries have strong prophets speaking truth to corrupt power.
by Steve Thomason | Oct 23, 2023 | Bible
This post offers visual resources for the Revised Common Lectionary and the Narrative Lectionary for October 29, 2023. The RCL jumps to the end of Deuteronomy and the death of Moses. The second reading is Leviticus 19 where Jesus gets his “and the second is like it.” The third reading marks the second week in 1 Thessalonians. The Gospel is Matthew 22:34-46 where Jesus is asked about the greatest commandment. The NL explores the story Rehoboam and Jeroboam in 1 Kings. The Gospel reading in Mark 10:42-45, the Transfiguration. I titled this post “A Divided Kingdom” primarily because of the NL reading. However, Jesus’ naming of the greatest commandments, centered on Love, is what divides loyalties.
by Steve Thomason | Oct 16, 2023 | Bible
This post offers visual resources for the Revised Common Lectionary and the Narrative Lectionary for October 22, 2023. The RCL continues with Exodus where Moses encounters the presence of God. It also takes us to Isaiah 45 and 1 Thessalonians. The Gospel is Matthew 22:15-22 where Jesus is asked about paying taxes to Caesar. The NL explores the story when David unified the tribes into one kingdom in 2 Samuel. The Gospel reading in Mark 11:8-10, the Triumphal Entry. I see a unifying theme in these texts that explores God’s expectations for a king or a political authority.
by Steve Thomason | Oct 9, 2023 | Bible
This post offers visual resources for the Revised Common Lectionary and the Narrative Lectionary for October 15, 2023. The RCL continues with Exodus and takes us to the story of the Godlen Calf. It also concludes the series on Philippians and looks at the Parable of the King’s Banquet in Matthew 22:1-14. The NL explores the story of Ruth this week with the Gospel reading in Mark 3:33-35.
by Steve Thomason | Oct 7, 2023 | Bible
How should we interpret the parable of the King’s banquet in Matthew 22? This post offers two options. Which is more aligned with good news?
by Steve Thomason | Oct 6, 2023 | Art, Bible
These images help tell the story from the burning bush in Exodus 3 to the preaching of the Shema in Deuteronomy 6. A big task for the Narrative Lectionary preacher this week is the fill in the narrative gap to set up the Shema. These images will help.
