Liberation Lectionary

What do Aretas, King of the Nabatæans, Friend of his People, and his daughter, Princess Phasaelis, have to do with the story of John the Baptizer's beheading? What are the consequences of speaking up for truth and justice? Join Francisco and Jaime today as they explore Mark 6:14-29, the gospel reading for the 7th Sunday of Pentecost.

The hometown kid, Jesus, gets dissed by those who think they know him best. This week, Jaime and Francisco play with Mark 6:1-13, the gospel reading for this coming 6th Sunday after Pentecost.

This week, Francisco and Jaime explore Mark 5:21-43 for the 5th Sunday after Pentecost. Two daughters and God's preferential option for the poor.

Jaime and Francisco riff on Mark 4:35-41. We're looking for glimpses of liberation. Jesus invites his disciples to go with him to "the other side." The disciples decide to take Jesus with them, "just as he was." What is Jesus up to? How do these signs and symbols speak to us today?

In this episode, Francisco and Jaime take a look at Mark 4:26-34 for the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost. “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head." God's kingdom is not a meritocracy. Equality, justice, and opportunity are our birthrights. These are aspects of God's kingdom and purposes. We don't have to earn them.

Each week, Francisco and Jaime dive into the lectionary readings in search of the good news of liberation. In this episode, Jaime and Francisco explore Mark 3:20-35 for the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost. "... no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered." Who is the strong man? Who is doing the plundering?

It's the Feast of Pentecost this coming Sunday. Jaime and Francisco explore both John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 and Acts 2:1-21. Who is this "Advocate?" Fire in the belly. Winds that bind. Jesus proves that the world's got all wrong their thinking about sin, righteousness, and judgment. Come take a listen. Leave a comment. Share with friends.

Francisco and Jaime look at John 17:6-19 this week, the gospel assigned for the 7th Sunday of Easter, Year B. Lots of "giving," Paul Ricouer, sanctification = solidarification (just made that word up,) anxiety, choices, and more. Intrigued? Come take a listen. Share with friends. Let us know what you think. Peace.

This week, Jaime and Francisco explore John 15:9-17 for the 6th Sunday of Easter and what Jesus might have been getting at when he instructed his disciples to "Love one another as I have loved you."

“The practice of love offers no place of safety. We risk loss, hurt, pain. We risk being acted upon by forces outside our control.” ~ Bell Hooks, All About Love: New Visions

This week, Jaime and Francisco look at John 15:1-8, the gospel reading for the 5th Sunday of Easter, Year B. What does it mean to be connected to the true vine? What is the connect between abiding in Jesus and being in full solidarity with kingdom movement? How does pruning figure in to our spiritual growth?