Liberation Lectionary

This week, Jaime and Francisco look at Luke 1:39-55, the gospel reading for this coming Sunday, the 4th Sunday of Advent, year C. This is a well-known, much-beloved passage that includes, after her visit from the Angel Gabriel with his incredible news, Mary rushing to the Judean hill country to share the news with her cousin Elizabeth. There Mary received confirmation from Elizabeth and Mary breaks out in song. Singing about something essential about God's work in the world. "God has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; God has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty."

In this episode, Francisco and Jaime take a look at the continued story of John the Baptist in Luke 3:7-18. We're still in the desert at the Jordan and John is baptizing folks, urging them to live a kind of life that reflects that their "thinking and perceiving apparatuses" [Brueggemann] have truly changed. The call to change is not a high bar, but it does require everyone to change in some way. Come join the discussion. Let us know what you think. Share with a friend.

In this episode, Francisco and Jaime mine Luke 3:1-6 for nuggets of liberation. It is the Second Sunday of Advent and we make our way from near the end of the story of Jesus in Luke's gospel last week towards the beginning of the story this week. Today's stop is John the Baptizer. He is out in the desert telling folks that they need to get to leveling. The valleys and mountains that John is talking about won't require bulldozers. These will require justice, inclusion, equity, new ways of thinking. Come join the conversation. Share your thoughts in the comments. Share with a friend.

This week Francisco and Jaime were on hiatus for a couple of weeks, but now they're back. Kickin' off the church year with a little apocalyptic. Luke 21:25-36: "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken." Wait! Is that from Luke or the front page of the New York Times today? Come and join the conversation and help us find where the liberation is in this passage.

This week Jaime and Francisco explore Mark 12:38-44 where Jesus has entered into the holy city of Jerusalem to make his summary arguments about the priorities of God's kingdom. Today's scene takes place in the temple and Jesus' focus is on the temple treasury and the oppressive expectations placed upon the faithful, especially those who are poor. This is not a reading that highlights the generosity of the poor widow. Rather it is an indictment of a religious/economic system that "feeds" on the poor while playing smoke and mirrors with false piety.

This week, Francisco and Jaime explore Mark 12: 28-34 for the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost. Jesus has arrived in the holy city of Jerusalem where all of his life and ministry will crescendo on the cross. Today, to curious scribes, Jesus presents his summary statement. This is what his whole life and ministry and an evolutionary project of re-centering God's concern and perspective had been about. Shema. Love neighbor. You cannot separate the two. Figure it out.

It's the 25th Sunday after Pentecost and Jaime and Francisco explore Mark 10: 46-52. A familiar passage about the kind beggar Bartimaeus. It is a story of contrasts. How does Bartimaeus contrast with both the wealthy land-owner who could give up anything, let alone everything, to following Jesus? Whereas Bartimaeus seems ready to give up everything to be a part of Jesus' "way." Also, how does the response of Bartimaeus contrast with that of the Zebedee brothers when Jesus asks, "What is it that you want me to do for you?"

Those wild Zebedee brothers! This week, Jaime and Francisco look at Mark 10:35-45 for the 21st Sunday after Pentecost. In this gospel passage, the Sons of Thunder, James and John Zebedee jockey for position as Jesus heads to his "glory."

Jesus to Boanerges: "Oh, guys, when I was talking about glory earlier, I didn't mean THAT kind of ... oh, nevermind. You'll find out one day."

Jesus is not about dominating power like the Romans and other tyrants. Jesus, in his flipped-script version of reality (aka, the reign of God,) is instead about love, justice and the power of nonviolence. If you want to hang with Jesus (pun intended,) and be a leader in his movement, you'll need to get with the way of nonviolence and be ready to serve and suffer with him.

We've been waiting for this one. Mark 10:17-31. "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." Word! Don't try to explain it away. Don't conflate God's vision with God's grace. Don't play twister to make everyone feel comfortable. This Gospel calls us. No getting around it. Lean in Don't be afraid!

Divorce!! This is going to be a good one. Francisco and Jaime do not shy away from this reading from Mark 10:2-16 for the 19th Sunday after Pentecost where they dreaded "D" word is brought up. Spoiler alert! It ain't about divorce. Think Jesus instead. What is important to him?