Lectionary Blog

Lectionary Blog

A little context

Lectionary for Feb. 1, 2026 Fourth Sunday after Epiphany Micah 6:1-8; Psalm 15; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; Matthew 5:1-12 When preparing to write this week, I had to look up πραεῖς…

Lectionary Blog

Foolishness or power?

Lectionary for Jan. 25, 2026 Third Sunday after Epiphany Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27:1, 4-9; 1 Corinthians 1:10-18; Matthew 4:12-23 Think back to holiday gatherings around Thanksgiving or Christmas. Did y’all…

Lectionary Blog

Perseverance and breakthroughs

Lectionary for Jan. 18, 2026 Second Sunday after Epiphany Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-11; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42 Have you ever felt so discouraged that you almost quit, but you…

Lectionary Blog

The what and the why

Lectionary for Jan 11, 2026 Baptism of Our Lord First Sunday after Epiphany Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 3:13-17 Don’t you love books or movies where you already…

Lectionary Blog

Grace upon grace

Lectionary for Jan. 4, 2026 Second Sunday of Christmas Jeremiah 31:7-14; Psalm 147:12-20; Ephesians 1:3-14; John 1:[1-9]10-18 Can you remember a time when things might have been a little too…

Lectionary Blog

The stories are still relevant

Lectionary blog for December 28 First Sunday of Christmas Isaiah 63:7-9; Psalm 148; Hebrews 2:10-18; Matthew 2:13-23 My “side hustle” is sometimes teaching Hebrew Bible classes at ELCA seminaries. One…

Lectionary Blog

A dangerous time for a baby

Lectionary blog for Dec. 21 Fourth Sunday of Advent Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25 Like many families, my wife and I have a “Covid baby” (a…

Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: Prepare in the wilderness

Lectionary blog for Dec. 14 Third Sunday of Advent Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:5-10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11 Have you ever been in a desert or wilderness area? Most of us…

Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: Endurance and encouragement

Lectionary blog for Dec. 7, 2025 Second Sunday of Advent Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12 One of my favorite parts of Advent is the lectionary readings…

Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: Getting ready

Lectionary blog for Nov. 30, 2025 First Sunday of Advent Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44 I hope you’re ready! Advent has rolled around once again. It is…

Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: Not that kind of king

Lectionary blog for Nov. 23, 2025 Christ the King Sunday Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalm 46; Colossians 1:11-20; Luke 23:33-43 Did you ever help elect someone to a position of responsibility, only…

Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: The day will come

Lectionary blog for Nov. 16, 2025 23rd Sunday after Pentecost Malachi 4:1-2a; Psalm 98; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19 My family recently celebrated my birthday. I was really looking forward…