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In this episode, we discuss the readings for Feast of the Holy Name, which falls on January 1 every year. Since that's a Sunday this year, we've taken on the readings appointed for that feast day, which are the same regardless of Year A/B/C in the lectionary. They are: Luke 2:15-21; Philippians 2:5-11 (or Galatians 4:4-7); Psalm 8; Numbers 6:22-27.

We consider the incarnation, Jesus' humility, God's governance, and the blessing of God's name.

Notes:
The Bible Project
--Bible Project's video on Luke 1-2 and Jesus' birth
--Bible Project's overview of Philippians
--Bible Project's video on God's Name
--Bible Project's overview of Numbers
--Bible Project's video on Psalm 8

Our outro music is an original song by our friend Dcn. Jeremiah Webster, a poet and professor whose giftedness is rivaled by his humbleness. You can find his published works, including After So Many Fires, with a quick Google.

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In this episode, we consider the three sets of readings for Christmas Day (every year in the lectionary cycle):
Christmas Day 1: Luke 2:1-14 (15-20); Titus 2:11-14; Psalm 96; Isaiah 9:2-7
Christmas Day 2: Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20; Titus 3:4-7; Psalm 97; Isaiah 62:6-12
Christmas Day 3: John 1:1-14; Hebrews 1:1-4, (5-12); Psalm 98; Isaiah 52:7-10

This is a feast of Scripture readings! We offer brief commentary on the passages, discussing the themes of Jesus' incarnation, God tabernacling among people, the mystery and hope of salvation and God's justice-bringing, peace-making work in Jesus. So much to ponder!

Notes:
The Bible Project
--Bible Project's overview of Titus
--Prayers for Christmas Day

Our outro music is an original song by our friend Dcn. Jeremiah Webster, a poet and professor whose giftedness is rivaled by his humbleness. You can find his published works, including After So Many Fires, with a quick Google.

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In this episode, we consider the readings for Advent 4 (Year A in the lectionary cycle): Matthew 1:18-25; Romans 1:1-7; Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18; Isaiah 7:10-16.

We discuss Matthew's account of Jesus birth & how he lingers on Joseph's perspective, the opening verses of Paul's letter to the Romans & their emphasis on Jesus' invitation to the whole world, the hopeful longing of the Psalmist waiting for the Lord's attention & deliverance, and the various understandings of the prophesied "Immanuel" in Isaiah.

Notes:
The Bible Project
--Bible Project's overview of Isaiah
--Bible Project's overview of Romans
--Bible Project's overview of Matthew

--A New Version of the Psalms of David, by: Tate & Brady (1696)
--Tune of Kingsfold

Advent Resources:
--Fleming Rutledge's Advent: The Once and Future Coming of Jesus Christ
--Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas
-The Art of Advent: A Painting a Day from Advent to Epiphany, by: Jane Williams
-Waiting on the Word: A Poem a Day for Advent, Christmas & Epiphany, by: Malcolm Guite

Our outro music is an original song by our friend Dcn. Jeremiah Webster, a poet and professor whose giftedness is rivaled by his humbleness. You can find his published works, including After So Many Fires, with a quick Google.

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In this episode, we consider the readings for Advent 3 (Year A in the lectionary cycle): Matthew 11:2-11; James 5:7-10; Psalm 146:4-9 or Canticle 3 (Luke 1:46-55, the Magnificat); Isaiah 35:1-10.

We discuss John the Baptist's imprisonment, James' exhortation to patient endurance and hope, the prophetic praises of Elizabeth and Mary, and the beautiful metaphors of holiness and wholeness promised in Isaiah.
Notes:
The Bible Project
--Bible Project's overview of Isaiah
--Bible Project's overview of James

Advent Resources:
--Fleming Rutledge's Advent: The Once and Future Coming of Jesus Christ
--Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas
-The Art of Advent: A Painting a Day from Advent to Epiphany, by: Jane Williams
-Waiting on the Word: A Poem a Day for Advent, Christmas & Epiphany, by: Malcolm Guite

Our outro music is an original song by our friend Dcn. Jeremiah Webster, a poet and professor whose giftedness is rivaled by his humbleness. You can find his published works, including After So Many Fires, with a quick Google.

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In this episode, we consider the readings for Advent 2 (Year A in the lectionary cycle): Matthew 3:1-12; Romans 15:4-13; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Isaiah 11:1-10.

We discuss John the Baptist's invitation to repentance that bears fruit, Paul's exhortation to unity and hope, the Psalmist's beautiful depiction of the Messianic King, and the prophetic imagery of His rule of peace and justice.

Notes:
The Bible Project
--Bible Project's overview of Isaiah
--Bible Project's overview of Romans
--On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry (Note the comment for this artist. Someone asks: "This is beautiful. Do you happen to have this soft version, but with the lyrics sung softly as well?" And Andrew replies "Sing to the Lord! Not listen to others... the missing voice is your own." haha! So sing along!)
--All Glory Be To Christ by: King's Kaleidoscope
--Lewis' essay The Weight of Glory
--Final Jeopardy fiasco

Advent Resources:
--Fleming Rutledge's Advent: The Once and Future Coming of Jesus Christ
--Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas
-The Art of Advent: A Painting a Day from Advent to Epiphany, by: Jane Williams
-Waiting on the Word: A Poem a Day for Advent, Christmas & Epiphany, by: Malcolm Guite

Our outro music is an original song by our friend Dcn. Jeremiah Webster, a poet and professor whose giftedness is rivaled by his humbleness. You can find his published works, including After So Many Fires, with a quick Google.

Send us a text

In this episode, we consider the readings for Advent 1 (Year A in the lectionary cycle): Matthew 24:36-44; Romans 13:11-14; Psalm 122; Isaiah 2:1-5.

We welcome a new liturgical year by discussing the themes of the season of Advent. We discuss this collection of readings, unmistakably woven with a sense of watchful anticipation for the rule and reign of Christ. We look at Jesus' invitation to stay watchful and waiting for His return, Paul's instructions to wake up and love others, the Psalm's hopeful anticipation of Jerusalem's promise, and Isaiah's prophetic words about the nations streaming to the house of the Lord.

Notes:
The Bible Project
--Bible Project's overview of Isaiah
--Bible Project's overview of Romans

Advent Resources:
--Fleming Rutledge's Advent: The Once and Future Coming of Jesus Christ
--Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas
-The Art of Advent: A Painting a Day from Advent to Epiphany, by: Jane Williams
-Waiting on the Word: A Poem a Day for Advent, Christmas & Epiphany, by: Malcolm Guite

Our outro music is an original song by our friend Dcn. Jeremiah Webster, a poet and professor whose giftedness is rivaled by his humbleness. You can find his published works, including After So Many Fires, with a quick Google.

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In this episode, we consider the readings for Christ the King Sunday (Year C in the lectionary cycle): Luke 23:33-43; Colossians 1:11-20; Canticle 16; Jeremiah 23:1-6.

We discuss the Lord's promise to raise up a righteous shepherd to tend His people who have been scattered and injured, Zechariah's prophecy about Jesus and John the Baptist, and Paul's poetic words of praise of Christ the King. We also consider the lectionary's choice to end with the thief's declaration of faith as he sees Christ on the cross, recognizes His kingship in His death, and asks to be remembered when Jesus comes into His kingdom.

Notes:
DISCLAIMER FROM FR AARON: I did some digging after recording this episode. After all these years of thinking that Christ the King Sunday sometimes trims off the last "proper" in the lectionary, I learned I was wrong. So please distrust and disbelieve my answer on that in the episode. :) Turns out *only* the propers at the beginning of the season can get trimmed--and that would be due to where Easter Sunday falls on a given year. Thanks for bearing with me!
The Bible Project
--Bible Project's overview of Jeremiah
--Bible Project's overview of Colossians

Our outro music is an original song by our friend Dcn. Jeremiah Webster, a poet and professor whose giftedness is rivaled by his humbleness. You can find his published works, including After So Many Fires, with a quick Google.

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In this episode, we consider the readings for Proper 28 (Year C in the lectionary cycle): Luke 21:5-19; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Canticle 9 (Isaiah 12:2-6); Isaiah 65:17-25

We discuss Jesus' prophetic words about persecution and His return, Paul's instructions to the Thessalonians about community life, the first song of Isaiah, and Isaiah's closing prophetic glimpse of the joy of Jerusalem.

Notes:
The Bible Project
--Bible Project's overview of Isaiah
--Bible Project's overview of 2 Thessalonians
--Bible Project series the law
--NT Wright's courses on Udemy
--CS Lewis' The Great Divorce

Our outro music is an original song by our friend Dcn. Jeremiah Webster, a poet and professor whose giftedness is rivaled by his humbleness. You can find his published works, including After So Many Fires, with a quick Google.

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In this episode, we consider the readings for All Saints' Day (Year C in the lectionary cycle): Luke 6:20-31; Ephesians 1:11-23; Psalm 149; Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18.

Fr. Aaron & Marissa discuss Jesus' description of His kingdom in the beatitudes and the glorious imagery of inheritance and the heavenly reality of Christ's rule as described by Paul in Ephesians, depicted in the Psalm, and revealed in Daniel's "alarming" prophetic dreams.

Notes:
The Bible Project
--Bible Project's overview of Ephesians
--Bible Project's overiew of Daniel
--Clarissa Moll's book Beyond the Darkness: A Gentle Guide for Living With Grief and Thriving After Loss
--Clarissa's article "Letting Grief Come to Church"

Our outro music is an original song by our friend Dcn. Jeremiah Webster, a poet and professor whose giftedness is rivaled by his humbleness. You can find his published works, including After So Many Fires, with a quick Google.

Send us a text

In this episode, we consider the readings for Proper 26 (Year C in the lectionary cycle): Luke 19:1-10; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12; Psalm 119:137-144; Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4.

In this episode we discuss Zaccheus' penitence, Paul's prayer for the Thessalonians, the Psalmist's confessional prayers, and Habakkuk's dialogue of complaint and trust as well as the Lord's response.

Notes:
The Bible Project
--Bible Project's overview of Habakkuk
--Bible Project's overview of 2 Thessalonians
Dwell Bible App

Our outro music is an original song by our friend Dcn. Jeremiah Webster, a poet and professor whose giftedness is rivaled by his humbleness. You can find his published works, including After So Many Fires, with a quick Google.