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

  • Psalm 31: 1–5, 15–16
    Don't Curate Out the Grit

    Lectionary Date: May 10, 2020 [5th Sunday of Easter, Year A]

    This week, Rachel helps us see the big picture of gritty faith.

    17 min
  • Psalm 23
    With Us in the Valley

    Lectionary Date: May 3, 2020 [4th Sunday of Easter, Year A]

    This week, a song, a poem, and climate change.

    20 min
  • Psalm 116
    Precious Death

    Lectionary Date: April 26, 2020 [3rd Sunday of Easter, Year A]

    This week, Rachel takes on some of the beauty and difficulty of Psalm 116.

    15 min
  • Psalm 16
    Gut Check

    Lectionary Date: April 19, 2020 [2nd Sunday of Easter, Year A]

    This week, Rachel explores insights from the body language of Psalm 16.

    14 min
  • Jeremiah 31:1–6, with Michael Chan
    Resurrection Hope in the OT

    Lectionary Date: April 12, 2020 [Easter Sunday, Year A]

    For this Easter episode, Rachel and Tim are joined by Dr. Michael Chan. Michael is an Assistant Professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. He did his PhD at our own Emory University. His research interests are wide ranging, from iconography to biblical emotion to Ancient Near Eastern comparative data. He is the coauthor of the book, Exploring the Bible, with Eric Barreto, and hosts the podcast, Gospel Beautiful, an interview-based podcast that features theologians, artists, and thinkers who are wrestling with the challenging task of preaching the Gospel in the 21st century.

    41 min
  • Psalm 118:1–2, 19–29
    Hosanna: Oh Save Us!

    Lectionary Date: April 5, 2020 [Palm/Passion Sunday, Year A]

    Thank you, preachers, for the creative work you are doing in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis! This week, Tim leads us with a peek at the psalm that inspired the Palm Sunday shouts of "Hosanna!"

    17 min
  • Ezekiel 37:1–14
    Dem Bones: Hear the Word of the Lord!

    Lectionary Date: March 29, 2020 [5th Sunday in Lent, Year A]

    This week, Rachel walks us through an iconic text of hope.

    18 min
  • 1 Samuel 16:1–13
    How God Sees

    Lectionary Date: March 22, 2020 [4th Sunday in Lent, Year A]

    This week, Tim looks at a text that usually gets translated backwards.

    17 min
  • Exodus 17:1–7
    Testing and Quarreling

    Lectionary Date: March 15, 2020 [3rd Sunday in Lent, Year A]

    This week, Tim explores a reassuring text.

    9 min
  • Genesis 12:1–4a
    Lekh Lekha—Get Going!

    Lectionary Date: March 8, 2020 [2nd Sunday in Lent, Year A]

    This week, Rachel gives some preaching tips for a foundational text.

    12 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…