Illuminations on the Lectionary readings for Aug. 17, 2025 (Pentecost 10C/Proper 15)

The Horrors of War (1637-1638), oil painting on canvas by Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640). Galleria Palatina, Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy. (Click image to enlarge.)

First Reading (Track One): Isaiah 5:1-7

Sunday’s Lectionary readings provide us with background for a passage from Luke’s Gospel that might be described as disturbing. In our Track One first reading, the Prophet Isaiah begins with a charming love song to God’s beautiful vineyard, but the calm beauty of this opening image doesn’t last. Although the vineyard was thoughtfully planted and carefully tended, it produced only sour, unusable grapes. God, angered, vows to tend the vines no more. Then Isaiah explains the metaphors in plain words: The vineyard is the house of Israel, the people of Judah. God had planted them to reap righteousness and justice, but they’ve failed in this mission, so their harvest will be destruction and exile.

First Reading (Track Two): Jeremiah 23:23-29

Sunday’s Track Two first reading reminds us of the idea of panentheism (not pantheism) as described by the late theologian Marcus Borg: God is transcendent, wholly other, distinct from the world … but God is also immanent, right here, all around us, and present in our lives. The Prophet Jeremiah, who spoke words of doom and warning before Israel’s destruction and exile, finds God in both approaches. Don’t think that God is only far away, Jeremiah warns: God is nearby, too. In words that Christians might see as foreshadowing the frightening words in Luke’s gospel, the prophet warns that God holds fire and destructive power ready at hand for those who forget God’s word.

Psalm: (Track One): Psalm 80:1-2, 8-18

The Psalmist’s song echoes the words and resonates with the spirit of Isaiah’s warning about God’s lost love for Israel. Here, too, we sing of Israel as God’s beloved, well-tended vine, one that grew fruitful and mighty. But that was then. Now we find it ravaged, eaten by forest animals, burned, and cut down. The Psalmist calls on God: Please return and tend this vine! Return life to the exiled people, the Psalmist pleads, and they surely won’t betray you again.

Psalm: (Track Two): Psalm 82

The idea of God sitting in a divine council of other gods sounds strange to modern ears. Bible historians trace this concept to ancient Near Eastern tradition, when early Israelites understood the God of Abraham and Moses as supreme over the lesser gods of enemy nations. The Psalm’s underlying theme, in any case, feels as relevant today as it was in the time of the ancient Temple: God insists on justice and calls us to stand up for the weak, the orphan, the lowly, the humble, and the needy.

Second Reading: Hebrews 11:29-12:2

This week’s selection from the letter to the Hebrews continues the theme of praise for our ancestor in faith, Abraham, that we heard in last Sunday’s reading. We hear more snippets about Hebrew Bible heroes who achieved greatness through their faith and now form a cloud of witnesses that surrounds and inspires us. These witnesses, we are told, show us the way to “run with perseverance the race that is set before us” as we follow Jesus, who endured the shame of crucifixion and now sits at the right hand of God.

Gospel: Luke 12:49-56

Sunday’s gospel shows us an unexpected side of Jesus. Continuing his conversation with the disciples that began in last week’s reading, Jesus expresses a stern and seemingly angry desire to bring fire to the earth, not ushering in peace but division that will even separate family members from each other. What’s going on? Remember that we are following Luke’s account of Jesus’s journey to Jerusalem and the cross. Walking this hard journey is not an easy path for Jesus or for those who follow his way. The Kingdom is coming soon, he says; and the hard work of making that happen may divide us even from friends and family.

Illuminations on the Lectionary readings for Aug. 10, 2025 (Pentecost 9C/Proper 14)

The Prophet Isaiah (1707), oil painting on canvas by Antonio Balestra (1666-1740). Castelvecchio Museum, Verona, Italy. (Click image to enlarge.)

First Reading (Track One): Isaiah 1:1, 10-20

“Do not be afraid.” These reassuring words that Jesus utters to his little flock in Sunday’s Gospel occur scores of times throughout Scripture, always foretelling good news. Listen for this message in Sunday’s readings, even as a final note of hope in the otherwise alarming tones in our First Reading and Psalm. In alarming, threatening words, Isaiah warns the people that God is angry because they have failed to keep the covenant that they made at Mount Sinai and abandoned God’s ways. But even now there is hope: “Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, and plead for the widow,” and God will forgive their sins; if they are willing and obedient, they shall eat the good of the land.

First Reading (Track Two): Genesis 15:1-6

In recent weeks our Track Two first readings have looked into the life and work of Abraham, the patriarch of the chosen people: God promising that Abraham and Sarah would have a son; Abraham bargaining with God over Sodom and Gomorrah’s fate. Now we turn back to an earlier chapter. Abram – God has not yet changed his name to Abraham – is frustrated because he and his wife, Sarai, are still waiting fruitlessly for the heir that God has repeatedly promised them. Abram has followed God’s call and done battle for the people, but his only heir is a slave’s child. He asks for God’s reassurance, and God responds with the repeated promise that Abram’s descendants will be as numerous as the stars.

Psalm (Track One): Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23

Sunday’s Psalm continues and expands upon the theme of Isaiah’s prophecy to Judah: God is pleased to have our offerings of thanksgiving, but God expects us to keep our covenant to be faithful, to be thankful and to practice righteousness and justice to others in our lives. Insincere thanksgiving won’t do, the Psalmist warns. Those who forget God risk being consumed by flame and raging storm. But those who keep God’s way and remember the covenant with Moses need not be afraid; they will know salvation.

Psalm (Track Two): Psalm 33:12-22

Imagine how Abram must have felt after receiving God’s reassurance. Relief, joy and gratitude for God’s love and care: These are the themes, too, of psalms like this one, psalms of thanksgiving and praise. As the prophets consistently proclaim, the nations and people whom God chooses will be happy; God’s eye remains on those who wait for the Lord. Those who trust in the Lord’s namewill know God’s loving-kindness.

Second Reading: Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16

As we begin a four-week lectionary visit with the letter to the Hebrews, take care to keep it in historical context. It is not a pastoral letter of Paul but a later document aimed at a broad audience. This message appears to have been intended for Jewish Christians who were abandoning Christianity to avoid Roman persecution. Unfortunately, throughout its text, sometimes using terms that can sound anti-Jewish to modern ears, the author of Hebrews argues that Christianity is the better way. In these verses, though, the author speaks well of the Abrahamic tradition expressed by the prophets, declaring that Jews and Christians alike will inherit the city of God through faith, beautifully described as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

Gospel: Luke 12:32-40

Do not be afraid, Jesus assures his little flock. This gentle reassurance comes just after he has reminded them to live like the lilies of the field, striving only for God’s kingdom and knowing that all the rest will be given as well. Still the verses that follow might have made the disciples a little nervous: Sell your possessions. Give alms. Make durable purses: Be ready to go as soon as Jesus calls, dressed for action and with your lamps lighted. Be on guard, for you don’t know when a thief might come into the house at night. Be ready, Jesus warns, for God’s kingdom may come when we least expect it, bringing us “unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.”

Illuminations on the Lectionary readings for Aug. 3, 2025 (Pentecost 8C/Proper 13)

Der reiche Mann und der Tod (The Rich Man and Death), 1622, painting by David Kindt (1580-1652). Hauptkirche St. Jacobi (St. James’ Church), Hamburg, Germany. (Click image to enlarge

First Reading (Track One): Hosea 11:1-11

Last Sunday we heard the introduction to the book of the prophet Hosea, an angry and startling accusation about Israel’s unrighteous path to destruction. Now, toward the end of the book, Hosea turns from anger to more gentle tones and beautiful imagery. Now he envisions Israel as a child, and God as a loving but exasperated parent. God knows that the misbehaving offspring deserve punishment but isn’t willing to give up on them entirely. God’s heart recoils when Israel turns away, but God’s compassion grows warm and tender. Eventually the children will come home to a happy reunion.

First Reading (Track Two): Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23

“Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” ​In reflecting on this familiar passage in the mysterious book of Ecclesiastes,​ ​think of “vanity” in the sense of the original Hebrew word: “breath” or “vapor,” something barely visible that veils the light. We spend our lives futilely toiling under the scorching sun in pursuit of something that we can’t grasp, the poet sings: “chasing after wind.” The first-person narrator, “I, the Teacher” is traditionally understood as King Solomon, but the book was almost certainly written long after the people’s return from exile, centuries after Solomon.

Psalm (Track One): Psalm 107:1-9, 43

The people returning home from exile might have sung a hymn much like this. It hails God’s compassion despite Israel’s ingratitude. Three times in nine verses the people praise God’s steadfast love, a poignant Hebrew word – “chesed” – that connotes compassion, faithfulness, kindness, mercy, and grace. Take special note of Verse 9, praising God who gives drink to the hungry and fills the hungry with good things.

Psalm (Track Two): Psalm 49:1-11

Foreshadowing the parable of the foolish rich man in Sunday’s Gospel, this portion of Psalm 49 calls out the foolishness of trust in riches. High or low, rich or poor, we can never ransom ourselves or deliver to God the price of our life, the Psalmist sings. We can never earn enough to ransom our lives when our time comes. No one has enough riches to buy life forever, never seeing the grave. Rich or poor, wise or dull and stupid, all together come to the grave.

Second Reading: Colossians 3:1-11

In our fourth and final week with the letter to the Colossians, the author proclaims that once Christ is revealed in our lives, we are called to put away evil ways and clothe ourselves in a new life in Christ. In words similar to Paul’s invitation to the Galatians to put away all differences among humankind, we are reminded that “there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free.” Once we are raised with Jesus and connected with each other in baptism, such earthly differences as race, religion, gender, class and culture no longer matter. Our new life in Christ is one in all.

Gospel: Luke 12:13-21

The rich man in Jesus’s parable became wealthy through his work, planning and careful investment. He has an enviable retirement plan, having stored up sufficient property and earnings to ensure him a merry life of ease. Yet God calls him a fool, and it’s not hard to see the reasons why. Most obviously, the rich man failed to consider that we never know when we’ll die. He focused his life on saving for a future that he’ll never see. Even more important, he was greedy. He never gave a thought to others. He did not love his neighbors as himself. Jesus – who reminded us that whatever we do for poor, hungry, unclothed and oppressed people we do also for him – has little patience with those who think only of themselves.

Illuminations on the Lectionary readings for July 20, 2025 (Pentecost 6C/Proper 11)

Christ in the house of Mary and Martha. Oil painting by Johannes (Jan) Vermeer, 1665, National Gallery of Scotland.(Click image to enlarge.)

First Reading (Track One): Amos 8:1-12

What does hospitality look like? How should it be practiced? In the Gospel story of Mary and Martha, which sister gets hospitality right? In subtle ways, Sunday’s Lectionary readings build toward this Gospel. In our Track One first reading, the prophet Amos builds on the theme of last week’s passage: He recites a horrifying litany of curses that will come to the land whose rulers “trample the needy and bring to ruin the poor.” If they continue to treat their subjects inhospitably, he says, their sun will go dark and their crops will fail. The nation will hunger and thirst for God’s words as it will for food and water.

First Reading (Track Two): Genesis 18:1-10a

Sunday’s Track Two first reading tells of God assuring Abraham and Sarah that they will have a son, despite Sarah’s advanced age, fulfilling God’s pledge that their children would inherit the Promised Land. We learn of this promise, however, in the context of Abraham’s radical hospitality to three visiting strangers. Who are these strangers? God? Angels? That’s not entirely clear, but it doesn’t matter: Abraham is generous to the strangers, and Abraham becomes patriarch of God’s chosen people.

Psalm: (Track One): Psalm 52

Harmonizing with the Track One first reading, the Psalmist angrily calls out a tyrant (Doeg the Edomite, who conspired with Saul to kill King David, according to the small print at the top of Psalm 52 in the New Revised Standard Version). We hear accusation in every line: This was a tyrant who trusted in great wealth; a liar, who loved evil more than good. The Psalmist shouts: Oh, that God would demolish you utterly! Wicked people who steal from the poor will fail, while those who trust in God’s eternal mercy will live in joy.

Psalm: (Track Two): Psalm 15

Who may come to the holy hill and reside in God’s tabernacle? Such a privilege must be earned, the Psalmist sings. It should come as no surprise that, when we pare this psalm down to its essentials, we get another lesson in hospitality and love of neighbor: Do what is right. Don’t slander. Don’t do wrong by our friends or harm the innocent. These are simple commands, and they guide us into a life of righteousness.

Second Reading: Colossians 1:15-28

Most of the letters of Paul and many of the later letters written by followers in Paul’s name were written to guide specific Christian communities; to advise and to teach. They are like sermons in writing. Listen for this tone in Sunday’s excerpt from the letter to the Colossians: After a theological meditation on Christ as the image of the invisible God who made peace through his sacrifice, the writer tells us that he first became a servant of the gospel, a servant of the church. As a servant, he sounds a lot like Martha in Sunday’s Gospel. And then he advises us to reconcile ourselves to Christ and proclaim Christ’s supremacy, a worshipful approach that might make us think of Mary.

Gospel: Luke 10:38-42

When Jesus arrives at their home in Bethany, Mary and Martha both show hospitality, each in her own way. Martha welcomes Jesus by getting busy with the many tasks involved with serving their guest. Mary simply sits at Jesus’s feet – an act that might have been considered highly inappropriate for a woman in the culture of that time and place. Martha, on the other hand, gets busy preparing hospitality for their visitor. This should be a right and proper thing to do; yet she remains worried and distracted, angry with her sister. In fact, Jesus says, “Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” She showed hospitality in her own way, dropping everything to listen to Jesus, their guest.

Illuminations on the Lectionary readings for July 13, 2025 (Pentecost 5C/Proper 10)

The Good Samaritan (c.1616), oil painting on canvas by Jacob Jordaens (1593-1678). Louvre Abu Dhabi. (Click image to enlarge.)

First Reading (Track One): Amos 7:7-17

The great commandment to love God and to love our neighbor echoes through Sunday’s readings, culminating in the beloved story of the Good Samaritan. We have to listen closely to find its shadow in our Track One first reading, though, as we hear the angry prophet Amos foretelling gloom and destruction, warning of an angry God who threatens to lay waste to the promised land that God once protected. Israel’s high priest, Amaziah and King Jeroboam both want Amos to shut up, go home to Judea, and leave them alone. Why is Amos so angry? Israel has failed to be righteous. Like the priest and the Levite in the Good Samaritan story, the people of Israel have failed to love their neighbors as themselves, breaking the sacred covenant that the people made at Sinai.

First Reading (Track Two): Deuteronomy 30:9-14

Our Track Two first reading recalls the deep history and tradition of the commandment to love God with all our hearts and with all our souls. These verses from Deuteronomy remind the people that God took delight in assuring their prosperity because they turned to God with just this abundance of love. Indeed, we hear these same words again in Sunday’s Gospel when the lawyer responds to Jesus’ invitation to describe the law. And just as Jesus goes on to demonstrate in the parable of the Good Samaritan, the most basic instruction of the law – Torah, God’s beloved teaching – is to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Psalm (Track One): Psalm 82

The great commandment to love God and our neighbor runs like a great river through both testaments. Moreover, Scripture leaves us in no doubt whatsoever that this duty requires us to preferentially love and care for the weak, the poor, and the oppressed. The Psalmist sings, “Give justice to the weak and the orphan … the lowly and the destitute … the weak and the needy.” Just as Jesus showed us in the parable of the Good Samaritan, so are we called to love our neighbors – all of our neighbors – as we love God.

Psalm (Track Two): Psalm 25:1-9

Attributed by tradition to King David, this hymn of praise expresses the joy of holding up our hearts and souls with willing trust in God’s everlasting compassion and steadfast love. The Psalmist’s call for protection against enemies might seem far afield from the Good Samaritan’s action at first. But then, in a sudden turn, they call on God to lead us in truth and teach us. As God guides the humble and teaches God’s way to the lowly and to sinners, so are we called to keep God’s covenant to love our neighbors … as the Samaritan models for us.

Second Reading: Colossians 1:1-14

Now we begin a three-week visit with the letter to the people of Colossae, a small city in Asia Minor (now Turkey). Although the letter’s opening phrases name Paul as the author, most modern Bible scholars believe this letter was written in Paul’s name by a later follower. The letter begins with hopeful, prayerful words: He prays for them constantly. He is glad that their new faith is bearing fruit. He prays that they will love one another, grow in good works and knowledge of God, gain strength, and be prepared to endure whatever comes their way for their love of Christ.

Gospel: Luke 10:25-37

Imagine the parable of the Good Samaritan from a new perspective: Put yourself in the place of the injured person on the side of the road. You are injured, bleeding, scared. Distinguished-looking people pass by, ignoring you. Then someone different and scary approaches. It’s a person you might instinctively cross the street to avoid. But then when they tenderly nurse your wounds and take you for help at their expense. How would you feel? How would this experience change you? This is the way that Jesus answered a lawyer’s question, “Who is my neighbor?” We must see everyone as our neighbor. Jesus responds: Not just the friend who looks like us, but those who are different; even those we view as enemies.