[RCL] 1 Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 23; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41 1 Samuel 16:1-13 This story places us in a precarious moment in the history of the Israelites. After much badgering, God has agreed to give the people a king and Saul had been elevated to the role. But the novice monarch has already disappointed God…

[RCL] Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 95; Romans 5:1-11; John 4:5-42 Exodus 17:1-7 Here, in the wilderness, we find the Israelites just outside of Sinai, so near and still so far. However, the distance is made so long not because there is far to walk, but because their hearts have wandered once again back toward Egypt, even…

[RCL] Genesis 12:1-4a; Psalm 121; Romans 4:1-5, 13-17; John 3:1-17 Genesis 12:1-4a Our first reading begins abruptly with a command spoken by the Lord to Abram: “Go.” Given our usual experience with contemporary narratives, we might expect such an important command to be preceded by a richly textured biographical and psychological context, detailing the rich…

[RCL] Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Psalm 32; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11 Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 As we approach the narrative of creation and sin found in Genesis, chapters 2 and 3, it is important to keep in mind the context of this passage within the book of Genesis itself. Genesis 2-3 represents a separate creation story from…