Joy and Tears | Advent 3 | Visual Resources for Both Lectionaries on December 17, 2023
This post offers visual resources for the Revised Common Lectionary and the Narrative Lectionary for December 17, 2023. This is the third week of Advent. We light the candle of JOY. The RCL takes us to Isaiah, Psalms, 1 Thessalonians, and John to offer texts that explore the mixture of tears and joy. The NL takes us to Ezra were we see the restoration of the temple after the Exile and another mixture of joy and tears.
Servants of the Vineyard | Visual Resources for Both Lectionaries on November 19, 2023
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.
The Heart of God | Visual Resources for Both Lectionaries for November 12, 2023
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.
When Leaders Lose Their Way | Visual Resources for Both Lectionaries on November 5, 2023
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.