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

  • Exodus 34:29–35
    Transfigurations: Moses, Jesus, and Us

    Lectionary Date: March 2, 2025 [Transfiguration Sunday, Year C]

    Rachel and Tim discuss Moses's shiny (?) face, the apostle Paul's comments about it, and Jesus's Transfiguration. We cover a ton of ground in this episode!

    37 min
  • Genesis 45:3–11, 15
    Finding Agency in Impossible Situations

    Lectionary Date: February 23, 2025 [7th Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C]

    Paul is up with some reflections on the climax of the Genesis Joseph novella—both its "Hallmark-ish" quality and its reflection of real-life trauma.

    18 min
  • Psalm 71:1–6
    Our Refuge

    Lectionary Date: February 2, 2025 [4th Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C]

    Rachel digs into the poetic Hebrew of the Psalm reading for the week!

    15 min
  • Nehemiah 8 and Psalm 19
    Reading and Interpretation

    Lectionary Date: January 26, 2025 [3rd Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C]

    Three of our hosts are together for a party episode about the public proclamation of God's word!

    31 min
  • Isaiah 62:1–5
    That's "Right"!

    Lectionary Date: January 19, 2025 [2nd Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C]

    Rosy is up, and she explores the "rightness" of this beautiful prophetic text.

    19 min
  • Isaiah 43:1–7
    You are My Beloved

    Lectionary Date: January 12, 2025 [Baptism of the Lord, Year C]

    Tim peeks under the hood of a beautiful poem about God's love.

    20 min
  • Jeremiah 31:7–14
    Looking Back ... Looking Forward

    Lectionary Date: January 5, 2025 [2nd Sunday after Christmas, Year C]

    Rosy sets the context for contemplating a new season ... or new year?

    18 min
  • 1 Samuel 2:18–20, 26
    And He Grew Up...

    Lectionary Date: December 29, 2024 [1st Sunday after Christmas, Year C]

    For this Christmas lection, we look at the stories of two boys who grew up in preparation for their special callings.

    22 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…