First Reading

First Reading

By Rev. Rachel Wrenn, PhD; Rosy Kandathil, JD; Paul Essah, MDiv; Tim McNinch, PhDReligion & SpiritualityChristianity
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First Reading episodes

  • Isaiah 49:1–7
    Who is the Light to the Nations?

    Lectionary Date: January 15, 2023 [2nd Sunday after the Epiphany, Year A]

    Rachel has a Christological take (surprise!) on Isaiah's servant song.

    11 min
  • Isaiah 42:1–9
    We Are Part of Something Bigger

    Lectionary Date: January 8, 2023 [Baptism of the Lord, Year A]

    Rosy explores the multivalence of an ancient prophetic song.

    16 min
  • Isaiah 63:7–9
    Hesed: Abiding Care and Commitment

    Lectionary Date: January 1, 2023 [1st Sunday after Christmas Day, Year A]

    Rachel has the perfectly perfect New Year's Day Sermon text.

    14 min
  • Luke 2:1–20
    Episode #200... Time to Party!

    Lectionary Date: December 25, 2022 [Christmas Day, Year A]

    All three First Reading cohosts get together for a Christmas Party conversation all about the birth of Christ.

    30 min
  • Isaiah 7:10–16
    Blast From the Past

    Lectionary Date: December 18, 2022 [4th Sunday of Advent, Year A]

    An archival episode this week, but don't miss our 200th (party) episode next week!

    13 min
  • Psalm 146:5–10
    A Grammatical Diva

    Lectionary Date: December 11, 2022 [3rd Sunday of Advent, Year A]

    Tim spends some time in the grammar of Hebrew Poetry to make a theological discovery.

    13 min
  • Isaiah 11:1–10
    Back to the Future

    Lectionary Date: December 4, 2022 [2nd Sunday of Advent, Year A]

    Rachel helps us hear the melodies and harmonies of this classic text.

    12 min
  • Isaiah 2:1–5, with David Davage
    Authoring Peace

    Lectionary Date: November 27, 2022 [1st Sunday of Advent, Year A]

    It's Advent! To help us unpack the first reading for the first week of Advent, we have invited Dr. David Davage to join us. David is Associate Professor in Old Testament Exegesis at the Academy of Leadership and Theology, Umeå, Sweden. He is interested in the diachronic growth of the Psalms and the question of authorship in the ancient Near East. He is a prolific author, researcher, and a sought-after speaker. If you’re interested in more of his work, we recommend his newest book, How Isaiah Became an Author: Prophecy, Authority and Attribution. 

    33 min
  • Psalm 46
    Cease and Desist!

    Lectionary Date: November 20, 2022 [Reign of Christ Sunday, Year C]

    Tim finds the metaphorical thread that holds this famous psalm together—and it's not the image of peace you think it is!

    16 min
  • Malachi 4:1–2a
    Hot, Hot, Hot!

    Lectionary Date: November 13, 2022 [23rd Sunday after Pentecost, Year C]

    Rosy finds a wealth of sermon material in a very short text.

    13 min

About First Reading

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First Reading offers exegetical resources for the Old Testament Lectionary reading each week. Dr. Rachel Wrenn is Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at Trinity Lutheran Seminary (Capital…