Author: Administrador

Patricia Tull Death and life dominate the Lenten lectionary in March, beginning on the first day with Abram’s childlessness and the promise of continued new life through both his wives (Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16), along with the psalmist’s mysterious saying that “to him shall all who sleep in the earth bow down” (Psalm 22:29), Paul’s description … Continue reading “God of Death and Life”

Karoline Lewis I have to admit. I was a bit baffled this week by the relationship between the Gospel and the first and second lessons. Not that we have to make a connection every time, that’s for sure. But you never know what interpretive gem might come surface when you put texts in conversation, which … Continue reading “A Different Kind of Denial”

Karoline Lewis Bodies. We have them. We inhabit them. But often we do not know what to do with them. We desperately want to change them, improve them, shrink them, hide them. We want to tighten them, shape them, mold them. We compare ours to others. We describe them with odd categories, like fruit. We … Continue reading “An Embodied Lent”

Chris Croghan As early as the life and thought of the ancient philosopher Socrates, the world has been prone to operate under a basic assumption: doubt is the main engine of knowledge. My students know it as being addicted to “skeptic acid.” In modern times, we see the fruits of this addiction in the principles … Continue reading “Preaching with Authority”

Karoline Lewis John 3:14. Not even a close second to John 3:16 but certainly the reason why these verses from Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus make up the designated Gospel pericope for the fourth Sunday in Lent. Any possible connection to Jesus’ crucifixion will win any contest to be selected as a reading for the Sundays … Continue reading “John 3:16 — What Else Is There To Say?”

Nathan Aaseng In seminary, I was given two contradictory bits of advice regarding sermons: Your job is to proclaim. If they don’t listen to you, tell them again. If they don’t listen, tell them again. And again. A little heresy is better than boring your congregation. If we take the first admonition seriously, we’re going … Continue reading “Provoking a Response”

Karoline Lewis “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Another grand and glorious verse from John, a Gospel filled to the brim with pithy phrases that end up in contexts and situations far removed from their origins. Yet John 20:21 has found a fitting home outside of its narrative as a verse carved in pulpits around … Continue reading “A Vision Check-Up”

Patricia Tull Easter and post-Easter lectionary passages naturally dwell on resurrection and salvation, themes that Christians sometimes separate from earthly concerns. Distancing heaven from earth in the lead-up to Earth Day (April 22) would be unfortunate. If we look closely, however, community is a vital lectionary theme recurring throughout the month of April, beginning on … Continue reading “Resurrection Community on Earth”

Karoline Lewis It’s hard to compete with Palm/Passion Sunday. And maybe, you shouldn’t. Have you thought about letting the texts speak for themselves? Let this story simply be? Letting the liturgy do what it does and work as it should? Anything further on your part may very well be overkill — every pun intended. As … Continue reading “No Preaching Required”

Karoline Lewis Happy Easter, preachers! We have some resurrection matters to address. I am torn. Mark or John? John or Mark? I am usually inclined to say that a preacher needs to choose one or the other. It’s too important to lodge an Easter sermon in an actual biblical text rather than offer bland and … Continue reading “Resurrection Matters”