Mary's Amazing Song - Reflections on Luke 1:39-55 for Advent4, YearC
Lectionary Reflections on Luke 1:39-55 for Advent 4, Year C
The Lively Lectionary New Testament is a blog by Rev. Dr. Alyce McKenzie that reflects on the Gospel text from the Revised Common Lectionary each week. It offers a 1000-1200 word post that relates the text to contemporary life.
A Heartfelt Goodbye Reflections on Philippians 4:4-7 for Advent 3, YearC
Lectionary Reflections on Philippians 4:4-7, Advent 3, Year C
John's Important Ministry - Reflections on Luke 3:1-6, Advent 2 Year C
Lectionary Reflections on Luke 3:1-6, Advent 2 Year C
The Reign of God is Here - Reflections on Luke 21:25-26, Advent1 Year C
Lectionary Reflections on Luke 21:25-36, Advent 1 Year C
Spirituality and Greed - Reflections on Acts:15-17, 21-26
In the seemingly simple need to select another disciple to replace the fallen Judas, Luke spends a significant textual time, not to mention a superb literary artistry, on the task.
A Tiny Text with Immense Significance - Reflections on Acts 10:44-48
Acts 10-15 presents to the reader the full implication of what the Gospel of Jesus Messiah actually means for the emerging Christian communities, as well as for Christian communities now. In these crucial chapters of Acts Peter comes to see that membership in the church of Jesus has nothing to do with being a citizen of a particular nation or being one who observes special customs that make one acceptable to God.
A Running Commentary—Literally - Reflections on Acts 8:26-40
The wonderful tale of Phillip and the Ethiopian eunuch is among the most well-known stories in the book of Acts. It is at the same time an introduction to the inclusive power of the gospel and an insightful narrative of the early Christian use of the Hebrew Bible, as it was mediated through the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek version of the First Testament that almost always served as the springboard for reflection on the meaning of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Messiah.
Living the Resurrection - Reflections on Acts 4:32-35
The author of Acts, Luke, the writer of the Gospel that bears his name, has amplified the call of the older testament to order the new resurrection community in the way that the Israelites were similarly called to shape their community under YHWH.
Tell the Story! - Reflections on Mark 16:1-8
I chose this amazing text from Mark, because I know of no better account of the astonishing event that Easter commemorates. You may, I imagine, disagree! After all, Matthew has fainting soldiers and rising corpses. Luke offers the story of two disciples trudging toward Emmaus, disconsolate until they meet the risen Jesus and recognize him when they break bread. John tells us the touching tale of Mary and her confusion about Jesus as a gardener. And Mark? Here we get the empty tomb, a man in white, and at the end silent and terrified women. Just what sort of narrative is that for an Easter Sunday? I am glad you asked!
God Comes in Surprise - Reflections on Acts 16:16-34
Among many other characteristics of the God we worship, the chief one is divine actions when we least expect them, actions that often amaze and astound, appearing as they do in common forms.
The Manifest Dangers of Money - Reflections on Acts 16:9-15
It is a well-known fact that Luke’s Gospel and his 2nd volume Book of the Acts are, rather more than the other Gospels, quite concerned with the perils of wealth and its possible misuse.
Fully Open to the Spirit - Reflections on Acts 11:1-18
Today’s text thrusts us directly into the enormously consequential narrative of Peter’s confrontation with the Holy Spirit that forces him to rethink everything he has learned and practiced as a first-century Jew.
