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

  • 2 Samuel 5:1–5, 9–10
    David Took Jerusalem

    Lectionary Date: July 4, 2021 [6th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B]

    Rachel takes a critical look at the origins of Judahite Jerusalem.

    15 min
  • Lamentations 3:22–33, with Kathleen O’Connor
    Processing a Communal Trauma

    Lectionary Date: June 27, 2021 [5th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B]

    The lectionary cherry picks the one quasi-hopeful moment from the book of Lamentations as the first reading this week. But when we read it in the context of the sadness and trauma of the book as a whole, it reveals an even more powerful and relevant meaning. Our guest this week is Dr. Kathleen O’Connor. Kathleen is the William Marcellus McPheeters Professor Emerita of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA. She is widely known for her work studying trauma and disaster in the Bible, as well as present-day intercultural and ecumenical issues for biblical studies. We highly recommend her Lamentations and Jeremiah commentaries, which have become go-to resources for many, many scholars and pastors.

    50 min
  • Ezekiel 17:22–24
    Eagles and Twigs and Metaphors, Oh My!

    Lectionary Date: June 13, 2021 [3rd Sunday after Pentecost, Year B]

    Rachel works with a prophetic image... metaphor... allegory... thing.

    11 min
  • Isaiah 6:1–8
    In the year King Uzziah died...

    Lectionary Date: May 30, 2021 [Trinity Sunday, Year B]

    Rachel makes a case for reading this famous call story in its historical context.

    15 min
  • Romans 8:22–27
    The Old Testament in the New Testament: The Spirit as a Midwife

    Lectionary Date: May 23, 2021 [Pentecost Sunday, Year B]

    Paul "pushes" the metaphor of childbirth in this discussion of our present labors.

    16 min
  • John 17:6–19
    The Old Testament in the New Testament: Jesus' Mosaic Intercession

    Lectionary Date: May 16, 2021 [7th Sunday of Easter, Year B]

    Tim thinks Jesus' "high priestly prayer" has more of a Moses flavor to it.

    15 min
  • John 15:9–17
    The Old Testament in the New Testament: I Chose You

    Lectionary Date: May 9, 2021 [6th Sunday of Easter, Year B]

    Rachel hears more Mo' in Jesus' Farewell Discourse.

    11 min
  • John 15:1–8
    The Old Testament in the New Testament: A Covenantal Pruning

    Lectionary Date: May 2, 2021 [5th Sunday of Easter, Year B]

    Tim brings out how Jesus is channeling Moses in his farewell discourse.

    18 min

About First Reading

From the publisher's feed

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…