Lectionary for Febuary 14th, 2010: Transfiguration, Year B

Ex 34:29-35(1),* Ps 99 (1/2),** 2 Cor 3:12-4:2 (1),* Lk 9:28-36, (37-43) (1)*

* (x) indicates the text in question occurs ‘x’ number of times in the 3 year lectionary cycle
** (x/y) indicates the text in question occurs 'x' number '' '' '' with 'y' number of optional occurrences additionally

General Comments:

• Much like the role it plays in Mark, the Transfiguration of Jesus marks a turn in our liturgical calendar as we enter the Paschal cycle of Lent and Easter.
• However, this was not always so. In the general Medieval calendar, Epiphany 6 was the day set aside to celebrate the Transfiguration, rather than the Transfiguration being reserved for the last Sunday in Epiphany.
• Interestingly, the Roman Catholic calendar diverges from this according to my lectionary lists of their Medieval, Vatican II, and present. They set aside August 6th seems to be the formal day set aside for the commemoration of Jesus' Transfiguration. For them, it would seem that the Transfiguration does not function as it does for
• Matthew 17 seemes to have been the consensus account of Jesus' transfiguration in the one year lectioanries. Other synoptic stories have only been used since the use of the 3 Year Lectionary. The readings associated with the Transfiguration are as follows (In no particular order or pairing)
• OT Readings: Exodus 34:29-35 Dan 3:47-51, 52-56 Dan 7:9-10, 13-14
• NT: Readings: 1 Thess 4:1-8 1 Thess 5:14-23 2 Peter 1:16-21
  

Ex 34

• This is the accound of Moses' appearance being made radiant because of the time he spent before the Lord.
• Very little lectionary material draws from this part of Exodus, especially if one never draws from Year A's semi-continuous readings. It falls quickly on the heels of the idolatry of the golden calf, God's declaration that He would not go with the Israel into the land, and the making of the second set of the stone tablets. It is also surrounded by rules and regulations.
• It would be good to give people a sense of context here, since this is a story not often dealt with.

Ps 99

• One optional occasion for this psalm is Transfiguration A, making this potentially the psalm assigned to the Transfiguration two years out of three. It is a psalm which exalts God's majesty, and speaks of Moses, Aaron, and Samuel's speaking with God.

2 Cor 3

• While there is a run of Corinthian readings this time of year (primarily from the first letter, but some from the second), this one is not a part of it in the sense of being a series. It is preceeded by 1 Cor 15 texts in general (having to do with the resurrection), but itself has such an emphasis upon transformation that it could only have been selected to inform the Transfiguration of Christ.
• 2 Cor 4 is used in Year B on Transfiguration as well (Text prior to 'Jars of Clay'), making this section of Paul's argument in 2nd Corinthians a strong part of our articulation of the Transfiguration. Incidentally, 2 Pt 1:16-21 is the other text used for the 2nd Reading on Transfiguration in Year A.

Luke 9

• Luke's account of Peter's confession of Christ is not told in the lectionary, but it forms an important part of the Transfiguration. These two events are tied to one another, and should be treated as such. One matter as an aside Luke's account of Jesus' subsequent prediction of His death does not include Peter's rebuke of and by Jesus.
• Verses 37 to 43 are listed as an optional addition to the reading of the Transfiguration by the RCL. They include an account of the exorcism of a boy, a declaration of Jesus' impending death, etc.

Role of the Transfiguration in past lectionaries:

Medieval Lectionary (General):

• Epiphany 6, Matthew 17:1-9, 2 Pet 1:16-21

Roman Catholic Medieval - pre-Vatican II Lectionary:

• Second Sunday in Lent: Matthew 17:1-9 1 Thess 4:1-8
• Ember Saturday in Lent: Matt 17:1-9 2 Macc 1:23-26, 27; Wis 36:1-10; Dan 3:47-51, 52-56; 1 Thess 5:14-23

Service Book and Hymnal (Lutheran, one Year):

• August 6th, but also Epiphany 6. Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Matt 17

Roman Catholic Lectionary from 1992 to Present:

• Transfiguration of the Lord (August 6), Dan 7:9-10, 13-14, Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 9+12 ++
  2 Peter 1:16-19, Year A: Matt 17:1-9, Year B: Mark 9:2-10, Year C: Luke 9:28b-36

Lectionary for Febuary 7th, 2010: Epiphany 5 Year C

Isa 6:1-8, (9-13) (2)*, Ps 138 (3/1)**, 1 Cor 15:1-11 (2)*, Lk 5:1-11 (1)*

* (x) indicates the text in question occurs ‘x’ number of times in the 3 year lectionary cycle
** (x/y) indicates the text in question occurs 'x' number '' '' '' with 'y' number of optional occurrences additionally

Isaiah

• Isaiah 6 is read on this Sunday as well as on Transfiguration B. Since that wasn't so long ago, it might be interesting to see how this text influenced you last year if you used it. If you didn't use it, maybe it should be pulled out this time.
• This text communicated something of the fearful mystery of who God is.
• This text seems to have been selected because Isaiah and Peter had very similar expereinces of the presence of God in very different contexts.
• Isaiah is one of the most preached books of the OT. We're going to be seeing it a lot during Lent. Maybe now is a good time to look ahead and brush off a commentary on the book as preparation.

Psalm

• It is a royal song of praise to God
• Psalm 138 is roughly more common than most. It will be read again in three months during Proper 12. It is read on Proper 16 of Year A and is an option on Proper 5 of Year B. Particularly noteworthy is that the most common Psalms tend to be repeated on the same festival every year (Psalm 72 on Epiphany). That is not the case with this psalm.
  

1 Corinthains 15

• This marks the last of the 1st Corinthian series. However, it ends wonderfully. This text on the Resurrection is great on so many levels. Sunday of the series

Luke 5

• The miraculous catch of fish is a fun story - especially since it's coming up during ice fishing season.
• For the historically curious: The Medieval lectionaries read this text together with 1 Peter 3:8-15 (Doing good, suffering, ready answers of faith) on Trinity 5. The old Lutheran lectionary (SBH) added the OT text Lamentations 3:22-33 (God's mercies are new every morning). The connection between these texts and Luke seem tenuous at best. The old Book of Common Prayer used 1 Kings 19:19-21 instead of Lamentations (drawing a line between Elisha's call and Peter's), and added Psalm 84:8-end (Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere).

By the time that the Ordinary Time journey through Luke resumes on the other side of Trinity Sunday, it will have skipped all of Luke 5:12-7:17. In that time, a leper and paralytic are healed, Levi is called, Fasting comes up, Jesus is Lord of the Sabath, the Twelve are chosen, cities are blessed and cursed, enemies are to be loved, judging is thrown out, trees are identified by their fruit, builders are shown to be wise or foolish, a centurion shows faith, and a son is raised from the dead for his widowed mother.

Pay attention to stuff like that. You'll start seeing the lectionary in a whole new way.

Lectionary for January 31st, 2010: Epiphany 4 Year C

Jer 1:4-10 (1/1)**, Ps 71:1-6 (1/1)**, 1 Cor 13:1-13 (1)*, Lk 4:21-30 (1)*

* (x) indicates the text in question occurs ‘x’ number of times in the 3 year lectionary cycle

** (x/y) indicates the text in question occurs 'x' number '' '' '' with 'y' number of optional occurrences additionally

The reading from Luke continues where it left off mid story from last week. Epiphany 5 (next week) will pick up with Lk 5:1-11.

• The lectionary completely omits Luke 4:31-44 (the intervening material), which follows Mk 1: 21-39 (Epiphany 4 and 5, Year B). This has the effect of highlighting Luke's unique accounts for preachers at the expense of telling all of Luke's story.

This week, the 1st Corinthians series brings us to the most popular Biblical text for weddings.

• Those who regard this text as overused at weddings might have good reason to avoid preaching it today. However, having it come up outside a wedding offers unique opportunities too.


• Preaching this text in series offers an opportunity to speak directly about the gifts of the Spirit, which were explored in 1 Cor 12 on Epiphany 2 and 3. If this route is chosen, keep in mind that 1 Cor 14 (which synthesizes 1 Cor 12 and 13) is omitted from the lectionary, and may be brought into a sermon to good effect.

Psalm 71 caught my attention. It is one of the lesser used psalms in the lectionary, being used only once. However, most of the psalm is left out on those occasions it is used. Perhaps this was for the sake of brevity. Perhaps this was to focus on the percieved core of the psalm. Perhaps this was to avoid the one or two hard verses which come up in it. However, there is valuable material in the rest of this psalm. Consider using it.

The opening verses of Jeremiah are wonderful verses having to do with the calling of a child to preach the Word of the Lord. It is a pity they are only used once in the lectionary, but they are hardly alone in that. However, this is even an abreviated form of the calling passage, which continues through the end of the chapter. For those not interested in dealing with the dark foretaste of Jeremiah's sermon material, a simple extension of the passage to verse 12 will accomplish this.

Please pardon the formatting issues. This will be addressed as soon as my computer begins to behave again...

The Corinthian Epiphany - Year B

Be advised, the month and a half of 1st Corinthians is here. If you are interested in doing something constructive with these readings, the time to think ahead about it is now. I've already posted a longer piece on this entitled "The Corinthian Epiphany" should you be interested in it.

The year B list of texts: 6:12-20; 7:29-31; 8:1-13; 9:24-27; [2 Cor 1:18-22; 3:1-6; 4:5-12]
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=95495696

A list of these texts in relation to their counterparts in the Gospel readings is provided here:
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=98165129

A list of the texts from the above text is provided below. I've also inserted brief commentary on their contents and routes to harmonize them. Needless to say, don't take my summaries for granted. They exist to speed along connections for you.

However, at the very least, it makes sense to point out the series of readings from 1st Corinthians so that the congregation can make their own connections if none will be made in the sermons.

------- ------- -------

Eiphany 2
1 Cor 6:12-20 - Glorify God in your body and don't fornicate.
John 1:43-51 - Calling Phillip and Nathaniel (similar with next week)
-- Contrasting discipleship with such sins. Discipleship, response to the Gospel, and glorifying God in your body.

Epiphany 3
1 Cor 7:29-31 - Extreme urgency of the moment calls for unusual demands
Mark 1:14-20 - Markan calling of the first disciples (similar with last week)
-- Urgency in ministry, urgency in discipleship works well with the the calling of the first disciples. Real ministry rarely lacks something that is extremely urgent.

Epiphany 4
1 Cor 8:1-13 - Sacrificed meat, Christian Freedom vs offending sensitive Christians
Mark 1:21-28 - Jesus teaching with authority casting out a demon, and amazing people.
-- Meat sacrificed to idols and demons vs Jesus' authority and Christian freedom works well - freedom from forces of evil, authority over them, but not to be self serving.

Epiphany 5
1 Cor 9:16-23 - Responsibility and effort in preaching the Gospel
Mark 1:29-39 - Jesus healing many people, prays alone, and moves on
-- Christian responsibility as viewed through the lens of Jesus' ministry and Jesus' sense of responsibility and His hard labor.

Epiphany 6
1 Cor 9:24-27 - Live the faith like a runner competing for the one and only trophy
Mark 1:40-45 - Jesus heals the leper, and the Messianic secret broken
-- There once was a time to keep Jesus secret. That time is no longer. Now, compete with one another to announce Christ. (faithfully, not poorly)

Epiphany 7 (Won't occur in 2009, skip to Transfiguration)
2 Cor 1:18-22 - Paul defending himself from the allegation of hypocrisy
Mark 2:1-12 - Jesus heals the paralytic and forgives sin

Epiphany 8 (Won't occur in 2009, skip to Transfiguration)
2 Cor 3:1-6 - Competence and confidence from the Spirit, not from the self
Mark 2:13-22 - Calling Levi, eating with sinners, fasting and new wineskins

Epiphany 9 (Won't occur in 2009, skip to Transfiguration)
2 Cor 4:5-12 - Treasures in pots, strength in weakness
Mark 2:23-3:6 - Lord of the Sabbath

Transfiguration Sunday
2 Cor 4:3-6 - Blindness to the light of the Gospel
Mark 9:2-9 - Markan Transfiguration
-- Blinding light of the Transfiguration contrasted with blindness to the light of the Gospel