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

  • Numbers 21:4–9
    The Hurt Becomes the Healing

    Lectionary Date: March 10, 2024 [4th Sunday in Lent, Year B]

    Rosy explores the New Testament symbolism of an Old Testament image.

    17 min
  • Psalm 19
    A Celebration of Torah

    Lectionary Date: March 3, 2024 [3rd Sunday in Lent, Year B]

    Tim plays with the cosmic imagery of this classic psalm.

    16 min
  • Psalm 22:23–31
    The Happy Part of a Sad Psalm?

    Lectionary Date: February 25, 2024 [2nd Sunday in Lent, Year B]

    Rachel finds so much more in this psalm than a simple script for Jesus on the cross.

    14 min
  • Genesis 9:8–17
    A Fresh Start (But Not a Happy Ending)

    Lectionary Date: February 18, 2024 [1st Sunday in Lent, Year B]

    Rachel takes us to the conclusion of the Genesis flood story and helps us see it through the lens of "covenant."

    15 min
  • 2 Kings 2:1–12
    Picking Up the Mantle

    Lectionary Date: February 11, 2024 [Transfiguration Sunday, Year B]

    Tim has some Hebrew help for this transfiguring story.

    21 min
  • Isaiah 40:21–31
    Party Episode: Hope 2.0

    Lectionary Date: February 4, 2024 [5th Sunday after Epiphany, Year B]

    We’re together again for a spitball session on a beautiful prophetic poem, all about hope.

    37 min
  • Deuteronomy 18:15–20
    The Prophet's Accountability

    Lectionary Date: January 28, 2024 [4th Sunday after Epiphany, Year B]

    Rosy thinks through the role of prophets and the role of the people to hold them accountable.

    19 min
  • Jonah 3:1–5, 10
    A Sackcloth Moment

    Lectionary Date: January 21, 2024 [3rd Sunday after Epiphany, Year B]

    Paul invites us to consider following the Ninevites' model of repentance in the new year.

    17 min
  • Genesis 1:1–5
    The World Elohim (and We) Create

    Lectionary Date: January 7, 2024 [2nd Sunday after Christmas, Year B]

    Paul explores some of the nuance of the first creation story in the Bible.

    21 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…