Lectionary for January 24th, 2010: Epiphany 3 Year C

Neh 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 (1)*; Ps 19 (3/2)**; 1 Cor 12:12-31a (1)*; Lk 4:14-21 (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 additional optional occurrences

Greetings all! You can continue to expect pieces which work through the lectionary texts for every major festival and thus serve the needs of preachers – the primary users of the lectionary. However, this is only one part of lectionary preaching. I have some ideas for special topics of interest in the lectionary that will begin making their way out after I get a critical mass of festival-specific pieces out – stay tuned.

Now… where were we… Right.

Does anyone out there want desperately to be known for preaching the same sermons every year? Didn't think so. Unfortunately, without work, this is practically guaranteed to happen in lectionary preaching. Certainly when faced with the same texts year after year, repetition is easy to fall into (Christmas 2, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday). However, even repeated themes year by year may also be enough to get congregations wondering “Where have I heard that line before……”

During my Epiphany 2 post, I showed how Epiphany 2 gives John’s perspective on Jesus’ baptism or the beginning of his ministry (depending on the year), while the synoptics always get to talk about Jesus’ baptism on Epiphany 1 and about the start of Jesus’ ministry on Epiphany 3. With such predictable themes showing up every year – be warned: Without trying to, you might end up quoting yourself.

After Epiphany 3, texts stop sounding alike year after year as the synoptic gospels head down their separate paths of telling the story of Jesus.

Now, time for something completely different! Believe it or not, we do have an OT text we can work with - and I think we should give it a try. Not only does the Nehemiah reading only occur once in the lectionary, it is also the only reference to Nehemiah. Since Ezra is completely skipped in the lectionary, that makes this the only chance we get to tell the stories of Nehemiah and Ezra (who figures prominently in the reading). The exile gave shape to the Hebrew canon and New Testament Judaism – seriously consider the possibilities of teaching about it now. If you choose not to, then please at least lead a bible study on these books to make up for their being ignored – the whole story of Scripture needs to be told.

For those interested in more trivia about the old fashioned lectionary (like on the 17th), here’s one quick tidbit: Beginning with Epiphany 3, most pre 1970 lectionary traditions I know of begins an exploration of Matthew 8 over several Sundays, accompanied by excerpts from Romans. The old Book of Common Prayer used these readings: 2 Kings 6.l4b-23, Psalm 102.15-22, Romans 12.16b-21, Matthew 8.1-13. Maybe give it a try to shake things up...

Lectionary for Jan 17, 2010: Epiphany 2, Year C

Isa 62:1-5; Ps 36:5-10; 1 Cor 12:1-11; Jn 2:1-11

When using the lectionary, there is no such thing as ordinary time – at least in the sense of it being uninteresting. In every text selection, something is always happening. In part, it is my goal to convince you of this through future postings.

We are now entering the second week of so called ‘Ordinary Time’. What does it take to become ‘Ordinary?’ By not being associated with either Christmas or Easter – the two festivals most people manage to show up for. Incidentally, as much as I respect and use traditional liturgical terms, there has to be a more compelling title for ‘Ordinary Time!’ Let’s not give people another excuse to not show up – I’m open to suggestions!

Perhaps the most important thing to note about Ordinary time is that the synoptic gospel of the year is the source of every gospel reading – in our case, that would be Luke. Be that as it may, this is the one festival in Year C’s ordinary time where Luke is not cited for the gospel. Actually, Epiphany 2 pulls from John 1 or 2 every year. Rather than being arbitrary, this gives John a voice in between Sundays devoted respectively to the baptism of Jesus (Epiphany 1) and the beginning of Jesus’ ministry (Epiphany 3).

My normal perspective on preaching the lectionary is to preach on John whenever I get the chance unless I have a particularly good reason to go elsewhere. For example, the 1^st Corinthians series beginning on Sunday deserves serious consideration. However, there is something special about the gospel reading for this Sunday in particular. Principally, this is the matter of its antiquity. For five hundred years (maybe much longer!) before the advent of a three year lectionary (in Vatican II), Western lectionary churches almost uniformly read John 2:1-11 on this festival every year. The Epiphany 2 focus on John seems to be a liturgical nod to the prior traditions surrounding the use of this text.

When there were only two readings in churches, it was read with Romans 12:6-16 (which presently only occurs in the Year A Romans series following Pentecost). The Lutheran Service Book and Hymnal has it read with Isaiah 61:1-6 (only used in Advent 3, Year B, and only in part). Lectionary rogues might consider breaking with the RCL 1^st Corinthian series if they are not planning on utilizing it to draw on the very, very old tradition of holding John 2 and Romans 12 together. Perhaps Isaiah 61 could be used instead of Isaiah 62.

One parting thought: For at least five centuries (until the 1970s), this reading (together with Romans 12) was delivered on Epiphany 2 year after year, whether under Tridentine Catholocism or Lutheranism, among the Reformed or Anglicans. Wouldn’t it be fascinating to learn what it was about Jesus turning water into wine that these radically different parties found so indispensable?

Appendix: The components of the different OT Texts which most likely resulted in their being used with John 2:1-11 historically.

Isaiah 62:1-5 (RCL): 'As a young man marries a maiden, so will your Builder marry you, and as a bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.' Connected to the wedding in Cana.

Isaiah 61:1-6 (Medieval): 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me...to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor...' In Luke, this text is associated with the beginning of Jesus' ministry. It could be this was intended to be paired with the wedding in Cana in relationship to the beginning of Jesus' ministry.

1 Kings 4:1-17 (BCP): Elisha making much oil out of little for a widow. Elisha promised an old couple would have a child. Similar to Jesus supernatural provision at the wedding.

One Year Anniversary

After a year of time off of this blog, I am coming back to this little project.

In the last (long) while, I've been tinkering, working, and experimenting - perhaps soon I will even be publishing (stay tuned!). Expect more and better material coming around the corner.

Until then!

Silence and Epiphany

To those who follow this blog - my profound apologies for my silence of late. There are three reasons for this.

1. I'm still getting used to this blogging thing.

2. Coming from my angle of lectionary analysis, Epiphany is a pretty simple season. We progress from the synoptic Baptism to the synoptic Transfiguration, giving the Gospel of John time on Epiphany 2 to comment on the beginnings of Jesus' ministry. All the while, the epistle focuses on the letters to the Corinthians, priveleging 1st Cor over 2nd Cor. The relationship between the epistles and the Gospels are minor at best, though usually workable, as I tried to show in my last post.

3. Most of my work in matters pertaining to the lectionary of late have focused upon expanding and refining my database, particularly in the area of creating a comprehensive list of texts omitted from the lectionary altogether. Dry, dull, methodical, and tedious - like most of the fundamental work that goes into this project - it's reward comes in unexpected gems of information I would have never predicted, like this selected list of books that never appear in the 3 year lectionary: Ruth, Esther, Ezra, Obadiah, Jude, 2 John, and 3 John

I'll resume blogging soon, with a turn towards Lent, as planning for this preaching intensive season begins.

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

Feedback

I am genuinely curious to find out which posts I have created thus far are of interest to those who are following this blog. Please comment and tell me what is of value, and you will receive more of it. Please comment and tell me what is not of value, and you'll see less of it.

Your interest is greatly flattering and appreciated!

Epiphany on a Sunday?

At text study this last week, I ran into an interesting pastor who was visiting someone he knew in the area, but decided to show up at our text study for the fun of it. He kind of took it over in ways that frustrated me, but he did mention at least one idea I found interesting.

Epiphany, he complained, being a fixed festival, is being diminished because of people's reticence to come to mid week services, and so he had taken to celebrating Epiphany on a sunday instead, the sunday preceeding the Baptism of Christ. He is quite sold on the importance of Epiphany as part of the Christian mindset, and wants to be able to preach on it.

Ultimately, I'm glad when I run into such innovative usage of the lectionary. It is not our master, but something we use to guide people through the story of Scripture. Frankly, I would commend this idea to others - I'm considering myself.

However, if this option is chosen, Epiphany will be substituted for Christmas 2 whenever it occurs (4/7 years), and whenever Christmas 2 doesn't occur (3/7 years), Epiphany will be substituted for Christmas 1. Christmas 1 deals with the childhood of Jesus from Luke and Matthew, and Christmas 2 is John on the Word become Flesh.

Practically, this means that John 1 in all its fullness will never occur in worship since it only appears on Christmas 2. Such a loss absolutely MUST be compensated for, for the Word become flesh is so central to our message. Creativity on Christmas or on Epiphany, or even throughout the rest of the year.

It is true that stories about Jesus' childhood wouldn't be eradicated by celebrating Epiphany during Christmas since there are usually two Sundays during Christmas. However, their role would be diminished. It may be that these stories will show up often enough for you, and that's fine. It may be they don't, in which case creativity is in order.

Would you actually use this option? Why? Why not? I invite comments.