by Steve Thomason | Nov 13, 2023 | Bible
This post offers visual resources for the Revised Common Lectionary and the Narrative Lectionary for November 19, 2023. The RCL jumps to Judges and the story of Deborah for the first reading. The second reading is Zephaniah 1. The third reading marks the fifth week in 1 Thessalonians. The Gospel is Matthew 25:14-30. This is the parable of the talents that is part of the Eschatological Discourse. The NL jumps to the words of Isaiah 5 and 11 where Israel is compared to a vineyard that must be severely pruned. The Gospel reading is Mark 12:1-3 where Jesus tells the parable of the wicked tenants. I titled this Servants of the Vineyard because both lectionaries are dealing with the reckoning that must come when leaders misuse the gifts God has given them.
by Steve Thomason | Nov 6, 2023 | Bible
This post offers visual resources for the Revised Common Lectionary and the Narrative Lectionary for November 12, 2023. The RCL jumps to the end of Joshua for the first reading. The second reading is Amos 5. The third reading marks the fourth week in 1 Thessalonians. The Gospel is Matthew 25:1-13. This is the parable of the ten bridesmaids that is part of the Eschatological Discourse. The NL jumps to the words of Hosea 11:1-9. The Gospel reading is Mark 10:13-14 where Jesus welcomes the children to him. All of these passages are tough to read because they bring the balance of the suffering that comes when we don’t live in the love of God with the grace and forgiveness of the heart of God.
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 2, 2023 | Bible
This post offers visual resources for the Revised Common Lectionary and the Narrative Lectionary for October 8, 2023. A unique convergence happens with the lectionaries this week around “The Greatest Commandment.” The RCL connects with the giving of the Law in Exodus 20 as it works through the Exodus story. The NL focuses on the second giving of the Law with The Shema in Deuteronmy 6. The RCL also looks at the Vine in Isaiah 5 and continues a mini series with Philippians 3:5-14, as Paul presses toward the goal. The RCL Gospel is Matthew 21:33-46, the second of three parables that challenge the leader’s authority. The NL attaches Jesus’ claim of the Greatest Commandment in Mark 12:28-31 for the Gospel reading.
by Steve Thomason | Sep 25, 2023 | Bible
This post offers visual resources for the Revised Common Lectionary and the Narrative Lectionary for October 1, 2023. The RCL recounts the story of how God provided water from the rock for the grumbling Israelites in Exodus 17:1-7. It also continues a mini series with Philippians 2:1-13, the mind of Christ. The Gospel is Matthew 21:23-32 where Jesus tells the parable of the two sons. The NL tells the story of Moses and the burning bush in Exodus 3:1-15.
