You are welcome to add your prophetic, progressive perspective on the pericopes of the revised common lectionary and to browse the archives for previous comments.
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Monday, July 03, 2006
July 9, 2006 - Year B - Pentecost +5
2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 or Ezekiel 2:1-5
Psalm 48 or Psalm 123
2 Corinthians 12:2-10
Mark 6:1-13
Coming home is tricky. As stable as home is there are subtle changes that make it tricky for reentry. Leaving home changes things as much as coming home. There is change inherent in the interface between leaving and returning.
Both side of the equation yearn for both homeostasis and radical change. We want it to be the same and can't stand the same. We are amazed at how our belief is not their belief. This reality cuts us short, we recognize our powerlessness in general and are left with only small kindnesses.
Here we believed that we were going to get back in the swing of things after being away. But having been away, this time, we are not falling back into the same comfortable pattern of lection comment of Monday-Gospel, Tuesday-Epistle, Wednesday-Psalm, Thursday-Faith History, Friday-Epistle again, and Saturday- Gospel again. We have returned home without power.
Your intrepid commentator is hanging this process up for at least the summer.
Might you receive Ezekiel's call to look at the world around with the eyes of a prophet (not a court prophet who religiously repeats settled truth) and speak, whether others hear or not? This space is open for you to practice. Simply come to http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/ and add your note to the top message. We trust you will receive an anointing. Don’t let a thorn of doubt keep you from trying it at least once.
Psalm 48 or Psalm 123
2 Corinthians 12:2-10
Mark 6:1-13
Coming home is tricky. As stable as home is there are subtle changes that make it tricky for reentry. Leaving home changes things as much as coming home. There is change inherent in the interface between leaving and returning.
Both side of the equation yearn for both homeostasis and radical change. We want it to be the same and can't stand the same. We are amazed at how our belief is not their belief. This reality cuts us short, we recognize our powerlessness in general and are left with only small kindnesses.
Here we believed that we were going to get back in the swing of things after being away. But having been away, this time, we are not falling back into the same comfortable pattern of lection comment of Monday-Gospel, Tuesday-Epistle, Wednesday-Psalm, Thursday-Faith History, Friday-Epistle again, and Saturday- Gospel again. We have returned home without power.
Your intrepid commentator is hanging this process up for at least the summer.
Might you receive Ezekiel's call to look at the world around with the eyes of a prophet (not a court prophet who religiously repeats settled truth) and speak, whether others hear or not? This space is open for you to practice. Simply come to http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/ and add your note to the top message. We trust you will receive an anointing. Don’t let a thorn of doubt keep you from trying it at least once.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
July 2, 2006 - Year B - Pentecost +4
2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 or Wisdom of Solomon 1:13-15; 2:23-24
Psalm 130 or Psalm 30 or Lamentations 3:23-33
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
Mark 5:21-43
Generosity of spirit -- to offer time to someone when working, to offer a kind word when gloating would be in order, to offer to complete what is yet incompletely done by others, to offer to not let death have the last word about one's worth, to offer a new day and a new way to follow weariness, to offer forgiveness when retribution is on one's mind, to offer to dance healing into emptiness.
Generosity of spirit is both a gift received and a skill to be developed. As we go through the week, may we find the gift of generosity rekindled in our lives and the energy to practice it.
Psalm 130 or Psalm 30 or Lamentations 3:23-33
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
Mark 5:21-43
Generosity of spirit -- to offer time to someone when working, to offer a kind word when gloating would be in order, to offer to complete what is yet incompletely done by others, to offer to not let death have the last word about one's worth, to offer a new day and a new way to follow weariness, to offer forgiveness when retribution is on one's mind, to offer to dance healing into emptiness.
Generosity of spirit is both a gift received and a skill to be developed. As we go through the week, may we find the gift of generosity rekindled in our lives and the energy to practice it.
Sunday, June 18, 2006
June 25, 2006 - Year B - Pentecost +3
1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49 or I Samuel 17:57 - 18:5, 10-16 or Job 38:1-11
Psalm 9:9-20 or Psalm 133 or Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Mark 4:35-41
A question of openness continually raises its voice. Just how open are we to that which troubles us?
In each case it hones our appreciation of a mystery we call GOD much more sharply than does our defensive attempts to avoid difficulty or our sense of entitlement to an easier way.
During this week we may take a few steps closer to the realities rather than the ideals of living in the midst of evil.
Psalm 9:9-20 or Psalm 133 or Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Mark 4:35-41
A question of openness continually raises its voice. Just how open are we to that which troubles us?
In each case it hones our appreciation of a mystery we call GOD much more sharply than does our defensive attempts to avoid difficulty or our sense of entitlement to an easier way.
During this week we may take a few steps closer to the realities rather than the ideals of living in the midst of evil.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
June 18, 2006 - Year B - Pentecost +2
1 Samuel 15:34-16:13 or Ezekiel 17:22-24
Psalm 20 or Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15
2 Corinthians 5:6-10, (11-13), 14-17
Mark 4:26-34
Points of view are crucial pieces of information. To know from whence one is viewing is to recognize limits of interpretation. It is to know that there are other things to be seen simply by changing perspectives or walking a mile on someone else's path.
To recognize someone else's point of view both eases the implementation of compassion and helps folks talk together about otherwise controversial issues.
It is always interesting to see how many different points of view we have that depend upon the issue at hand. Many of our points of view are in conflict with one another, if simply looked at in that way. A consistency of point of view is difficult as it is so easily influenced by our experiences and learnings. We cover up our points of view with the subject at hand and mistake the subject for the point of view. To reveal our points of view regarding particular concerns is to move us toward conversion.
Psalm 20 or Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15
2 Corinthians 5:6-10, (11-13), 14-17
Mark 4:26-34
Points of view are crucial pieces of information. To know from whence one is viewing is to recognize limits of interpretation. It is to know that there are other things to be seen simply by changing perspectives or walking a mile on someone else's path.
To recognize someone else's point of view both eases the implementation of compassion and helps folks talk together about otherwise controversial issues.
It is always interesting to see how many different points of view we have that depend upon the issue at hand. Many of our points of view are in conflict with one another, if simply looked at in that way. A consistency of point of view is difficult as it is so easily influenced by our experiences and learnings. We cover up our points of view with the subject at hand and mistake the subject for the point of view. To reveal our points of view regarding particular concerns is to move us toward conversion.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
June 11, 2006 - Year B - Trinity
Isaiah 6:1-8
Psalm 29
Romans 8:12-17
John 3:1-17
Often we hear of the trinity as though it were a separate entity, separated from creation -- its own little community, self-sufficient.
As we listen in this week it might be helpful to consider creation and ourselves as fourth and fifth aspects of an expanded trinitarian reality.
If there can’t be trinity without relationships, we cannot avoid relationships that include ourselves.
If there is not a place for more in the trinity than the trinity, it may finally be seen for the limited doctrinal teaching construct that it is -- a partial teaching construct is a partial learning situation.
Psalm 29
Romans 8:12-17
John 3:1-17
Often we hear of the trinity as though it were a separate entity, separated from creation -- its own little community, self-sufficient.
As we listen in this week it might be helpful to consider creation and ourselves as fourth and fifth aspects of an expanded trinitarian reality.
If there can’t be trinity without relationships, we cannot avoid relationships that include ourselves.
If there is not a place for more in the trinity than the trinity, it may finally be seen for the limited doctrinal teaching construct that it is -- a partial teaching construct is a partial learning situation.
Sunday, May 28, 2006
June 4, 2006 - Year B - Pentecost
Acts 2:1-21 or Ezekiel 37:1-14
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
Romans 8:22-27 or Acts 2:1-21
John 15:26-27;16:4b-15
Patience is a huge issue in truth-receiving and truth-telling. It is difficult to acknowledge we only see through a glass -- dimly.
Sneaky and Ellusive, Demanding and Allusive, so a Holy Spirit interacts with us. We press so hard for finality that often we find ourselves having avoided and limited that was sent. Our recievers are locked on one frequency while messages come on a variety of frequencies.
We cut off possibilities still available as impossible to happen as dry bones are to live again. A Holy Spirit revises our vision or lack thereof.
This week we continue ready to wait and to jump to with prophecy and to wait some more. Listen for a creative wind.
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
Romans 8:22-27 or Acts 2:1-21
John 15:26-27;16:4b-15
Patience is a huge issue in truth-receiving and truth-telling. It is difficult to acknowledge we only see through a glass -- dimly.
Sneaky and Ellusive, Demanding and Allusive, so a Holy Spirit interacts with us. We press so hard for finality that often we find ourselves having avoided and limited that was sent. Our recievers are locked on one frequency while messages come on a variety of frequencies.
We cut off possibilities still available as impossible to happen as dry bones are to live again. A Holy Spirit revises our vision or lack thereof.
This week we continue ready to wait and to jump to with prophecy and to wait some more. Listen for a creative wind.
Sunday, April 30, 2006
May 28, 2006 - Year B -Easter 7
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
Psalm 1
1 John 5:9-13
John 17:6-19
What is your name, your character, your nature?
Might it be Protecter?
Might it be Eternal?
Might it be Ent? [giant tree-like creatures who have become like the trees they shepherd and protect]
Might it be Prophet?
To which of these passages are you drawn? What would be your Myers-Briggs assessment of the personality of each name or passage? If you use a different personality descriptor, what attributes would you give to each character or nature in these passages?
As you look at the communities which which you spend the most time, what is their name, character, nature and your place within such? What needs to change within yourself and your community that your name might be more clearly lived and not simply be an appellation.
Psalm 1
1 John 5:9-13
John 17:6-19
What is your name, your character, your nature?
Might it be Protecter?
Might it be Eternal?
Might it be Ent? [giant tree-like creatures who have become like the trees they shepherd and protect]
Might it be Prophet?
To which of these passages are you drawn? What would be your Myers-Briggs assessment of the personality of each name or passage? If you use a different personality descriptor, what attributes would you give to each character or nature in these passages?
As you look at the communities which which you spend the most time, what is their name, character, nature and your place within such? What needs to change within yourself and your community that your name might be more clearly lived and not simply be an appellation.
May 21, 2006 - Year B -Easter 6
Acts 10:44-48
Psalm 98
1 John 5:1-6
John 15:9-17
Completed joy is something yearned for and yet resisted in light of the joy of the journey.
Conquering joy is something we know all too much about. It is the thrill of victory with nary a trace of the agony of defeat. An impulse to power and connecting that with joy excuses all too many acts of violence, including that preeminent one of war.
Righteous joy conditions us to a legal approach to living and sharing. Judgment and equity, to be joyful, must end up on our side. Any bias toward the poor can be shredded by an appeal to righteous living as evidenced by a claim to joy through property, status, or any other hierarchical system.
Ecstatic joy brings us full circle when we use it as a measuring rod for completedness.
Psalm 98
1 John 5:1-6
John 15:9-17
Completed joy is something yearned for and yet resisted in light of the joy of the journey.
Conquering joy is something we know all too much about. It is the thrill of victory with nary a trace of the agony of defeat. An impulse to power and connecting that with joy excuses all too many acts of violence, including that preeminent one of war.
Righteous joy conditions us to a legal approach to living and sharing. Judgment and equity, to be joyful, must end up on our side. Any bias toward the poor can be shredded by an appeal to righteous living as evidenced by a claim to joy through property, status, or any other hierarchical system.
Ecstatic joy brings us full circle when we use it as a measuring rod for completedness.
May 14, 2006 - Year B -Easter 5
Acts 8:26-40
Psalm 22:25-31
1 John 4:7-21
John 15:1-8
To know and to be known, inside out, is a great pleasure and a great threat. As we look at these passages we wrestle with boundarys of intrinsic and shared worth.
What abides in you? An alien waiting to punch through your chest? A waiting prodigal parent? Can you abide being abided in? What then of myself? Do I live or am I but alive when lived through?
As G*D abides in me am I to so abide in others? What does that do to my control of self and others? Does being loved mean I get what I need as an infant, I get to reject it in adolescence, I can always come back to it? Is love contingent upon my response?
Where does this come into play with faithful mothers and over-protective mothers and hurtful mothers? What about the mother part of each one of us, whether biologic mothers or not?
Psalm 22:25-31
1 John 4:7-21
John 15:1-8
To know and to be known, inside out, is a great pleasure and a great threat. As we look at these passages we wrestle with boundarys of intrinsic and shared worth.
What abides in you? An alien waiting to punch through your chest? A waiting prodigal parent? Can you abide being abided in? What then of myself? Do I live or am I but alive when lived through?
As G*D abides in me am I to so abide in others? What does that do to my control of self and others? Does being loved mean I get what I need as an infant, I get to reject it in adolescence, I can always come back to it? Is love contingent upon my response?
Where does this come into play with faithful mothers and over-protective mothers and hurtful mothers? What about the mother part of each one of us, whether biologic mothers or not?
May 7, 2006 - Year B -Easter 4
Acts 4:5-12
Psalm 23
1 John 3:16-24
John 10:11-18
Definitions define. "I am the definer", to modify a phrase.
Is my life taken or given? I am the definer.
Are my actions loving or not? I am the definer.
Am I walking through a dark valley or a green pasture? I am the definer.
Is this healing from Jesus or spontaneous regeneration? I am the definer.
Are all definitions equal, dictionary-wise? Are all definitions up for grab, Humpty Dumpty-wise? Where does my definition end and yours begin? Can I define you out if you define me in?
What needs better defining in your life and in the life of the community of faith and of living that you participate in?
Psalm 23
1 John 3:16-24
John 10:11-18
Definitions define. "I am the definer", to modify a phrase.
Is my life taken or given? I am the definer.
Are my actions loving or not? I am the definer.
Am I walking through a dark valley or a green pasture? I am the definer.
Is this healing from Jesus or spontaneous regeneration? I am the definer.
Are all definitions equal, dictionary-wise? Are all definitions up for grab, Humpty Dumpty-wise? Where does my definition end and yours begin? Can I define you out if you define me in?
What needs better defining in your life and in the life of the community of faith and of living that you participate in?
Sunday, April 23, 2006
April 30, 2006 - Year B -Easter 3
Acts 3:12-19
Psalm 4
1 John 3:1-7
Luke 24:36b-48
Peace goes beyond the comfort of ignorance or being consciously deceived. A way to peace is through awareness of sin and suffering and a moving beyond them by steps, individual and communal, to a place of safety in gladness.
As the week proceeds we prepare ourselves for a holistic peace beyond a piecemeal peace.
Psalm 4
1 John 3:1-7
Luke 24:36b-48
Peace goes beyond the comfort of ignorance or being consciously deceived. A way to peace is through awareness of sin and suffering and a moving beyond them by steps, individual and communal, to a place of safety in gladness.
As the week proceeds we prepare ourselves for a holistic peace beyond a piecemeal peace.
Sunday, April 16, 2006
April 23, 2006 - Year B -Easter 2
Acts 4:32-35
Psalm 133
1 John 1:1 - 2:2
John 20:19-31
It is one thing to look toward what we might have in common as property. It is another thing to find ourselves in common regarding vision and hope.
As we follow along to find where we have our commonality it will be important to remember the differences that will help sharpen the similarities and keep them alive past any present moment of confluence.
A clue to us will be those points of humor where we recognize how silly we have been and how open the future continues to be.
Psalm 133
1 John 1:1 - 2:2
John 20:19-31
It is one thing to look toward what we might have in common as property. It is another thing to find ourselves in common regarding vision and hope.
As we follow along to find where we have our commonality it will be important to remember the differences that will help sharpen the similarities and keep them alive past any present moment of confluence.
A clue to us will be those points of humor where we recognize how silly we have been and how open the future continues to be.
Sunday, April 09, 2006
April 16, 2006 - Year B -Easter
Acts 10:34-43 or Isaiah 25:6-9
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
I Corinthians 15:1-11 or Acts 10:34-43
John 20:1-18 or Mark 16:1-8
Sabbath is prelude. There is evening (1) and morning (2). The first day of the week begins again. A new earth and new heaven continue underway.
Easter is tied with these progressions.
Our difficulty is that of taking a snapshot and trying to see it in three- or four- or more-D. In some sense we are vaccinated, year by year, with the static theory of eggs and bunnies and butterflies. We have a devil of a time getting our minds around resurrection, whether it be resuscitation or reincarnation or some other re-.
Mark might well be our guide here with his dramatic ending of fear and silence. Without these Easter is but a variation on a bonnet parade, full of sound and fury, signifying naught.
What is your fear and silence quotient this year?
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
I Corinthians 15:1-11 or Acts 10:34-43
John 20:1-18 or Mark 16:1-8
Sabbath is prelude. There is evening (1) and morning (2). The first day of the week begins again. A new earth and new heaven continue underway.
Easter is tied with these progressions.
Our difficulty is that of taking a snapshot and trying to see it in three- or four- or more-D. In some sense we are vaccinated, year by year, with the static theory of eggs and bunnies and butterflies. We have a devil of a time getting our minds around resurrection, whether it be resuscitation or reincarnation or some other re-.
Mark might well be our guide here with his dramatic ending of fear and silence. Without these Easter is but a variation on a bonnet parade, full of sound and fury, signifying naught.
What is your fear and silence quotient this year?
Sunday, April 02, 2006
April 9, 2006 - Year B -Palm/Passion Sunday
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Mark 11:1-11 or John 12:12-16
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5-11
Mark 14:1-15:47 or Mark 15:1-39, (40-47)
Passion or Palm Sunday? Some years one seems more appropriate to the situation than the other. There is also the reality of ruts and we keep focusing on one or the other, year after year.
How might we continue to hold these two in tension as we need both to walk steadily along taking events as they come (Palm emphasis) and to recognize our aversion to tough spots and to keep them ever before us as a way of looking at the world (Passion emphasis).
My bias is for Palm Sunday and to let the troubles of tomorrow take care of themselves in due time. There is a surfeit of being able to find the downside of life and a deficit of finding something to celebrate in the direst of situations.
Mark 11:1-11 or John 12:12-16
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5-11
Mark 14:1-15:47 or Mark 15:1-39, (40-47)
Passion or Palm Sunday? Some years one seems more appropriate to the situation than the other. There is also the reality of ruts and we keep focusing on one or the other, year after year.
How might we continue to hold these two in tension as we need both to walk steadily along taking events as they come (Palm emphasis) and to recognize our aversion to tough spots and to keep them ever before us as a way of looking at the world (Passion emphasis).
My bias is for Palm Sunday and to let the troubles of tomorrow take care of themselves in due time. There is a surfeit of being able to find the downside of life and a deficit of finding something to celebrate in the direst of situations.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
April 2, 2006 - Year B - Lent 5
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 51:1-12 or Psalm 119:9-16
Hebrews 5:5-10
John 12:20-33
Two ways to refreshment and reorientation: Reapplication of the past and a shift of orientation toward the future. Both can bear much good fruit and when combined offer a quantum leap of presence in an iffy world.
This week count how many changes you ring on the past. This will give you a clue about your ability to not be bound by its tendrils.
This week count how well you are able to live with an ambiguous, guarantee-less future. This will give you a clue about your ability to wait for the prompting of Spirit.
Psalm 51:1-12 or Psalm 119:9-16
Hebrews 5:5-10
John 12:20-33
Two ways to refreshment and reorientation: Reapplication of the past and a shift of orientation toward the future. Both can bear much good fruit and when combined offer a quantum leap of presence in an iffy world.
This week count how many changes you ring on the past. This will give you a clue about your ability to not be bound by its tendrils.
This week count how well you are able to live with an ambiguous, guarantee-less future. This will give you a clue about your ability to wait for the prompting of Spirit.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
March 26, 2006 - Year B - Lent 4
Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
Ephesians 2:1-10
John 3:14-21
What do you see as the cause of the ill-health of your various systems - personal, familial, congregational, communal, national, environmental?
By your analysis will come your own sign and action for healing?
How does looking upon Jesus Christ heal?
How do you become a sign of healing?
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
Ephesians 2:1-10
John 3:14-21
What do you see as the cause of the ill-health of your various systems - personal, familial, congregational, communal, national, environmental?
By your analysis will come your own sign and action for healing?
How does looking upon Jesus Christ heal?
How do you become a sign of healing?
Sunday, March 12, 2006
March 19, 2006 - Year B - Lent 3
Exodus 20:1-17
Psalm 19
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
John 2:13-22
This week we might look at what clarifies the blockages of life. How do various limits help and restrict spiritual growth? Where does freedom help or restrict spiritual growth?
What linkages do you find between religious, personal, economic, political arenas of your life?
Psalm 19
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
John 2:13-22
This week we might look at what clarifies the blockages of life. How do various limits help and restrict spiritual growth? Where does freedom help or restrict spiritual growth?
What linkages do you find between religious, personal, economic, political arenas of your life?
Sunday, March 05, 2006
March 12, 2006 - Year B - Lent 2
March 12, 2006
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
Psalm 22:23-31
Romans 4:13-25
Mark 8:31-38 or Mark 9:2-9
Jim Taylor's Sharp Edges column today is entitled "Contradictory Values." This gives us a lens through which to look at the scriptures for this week. What contradictory values show up in your life.
Read Jim's column and browse his archives for further helpful perspectives.
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
Psalm 22:23-31
Romans 4:13-25
Mark 8:31-38 or Mark 9:2-9
Jim Taylor's Sharp Edges column today is entitled "Contradictory Values." This gives us a lens through which to look at the scriptures for this week. What contradictory values show up in your life.
Read Jim's column and browse his archives for further helpful perspectives.
Monday, February 27, 2006
March 1, 2006 - Year B - Ash Wednesday
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 or Isaiah 58:1-12
Psalm 51:1-17
2 Corinthians 5:20b - 6:10
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
The vision we have of where meaning is to be found will directly affect our interaction with other folks. Lent is as much about clarifying where meaning lies, as anything. Behind all the rules and deprivations of popular spirituality is a question about what is most deeply significant. The way we begin a Lenten season is important to the way in which we will probably end it (never discounting a sign or miracle coming our way that we recognize).
Psalm 51:1-17
2 Corinthians 5:20b - 6:10
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
The vision we have of where meaning is to be found will directly affect our interaction with other folks. Lent is as much about clarifying where meaning lies, as anything. Behind all the rules and deprivations of popular spirituality is a question about what is most deeply significant. The way we begin a Lenten season is important to the way in which we will probably end it (never discounting a sign or miracle coming our way that we recognize).
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