The Lectionary and Scripture Interpretation for the Season of Advent Click here for more information. Overview and Connections The first week of Advent always looks forward to Christ’s second coming. The 2nd and 3rd Sundays focus on John the Baptist, announcing Christ’s first coming as he began his earthly ministry. This fourth Sunday is always READ MORE
Tag: Advent
3rd Sunday of Advent
The Lectionary and Scripture Interpretation for the Season of Advent Click here for more information. Overview and Connections Last week we heard from the fiery character of John in the desert, calling us to a complete turn, a total transformation of life. Such deep-rooted change can feel overwhelming, so we are balanced this week by READ MORE
2nd Sunday of Advent
The Lectionary and Scripture Interpretation for the Season of Advent Click here for more information. Overview and Connections Last Sunday focused on Christ’s future second coming. Today we shift to the past, when John the Baptist heralded Christ’s first coming. And this first coming is not limited to the nativity, as the season might suggest, READ MORE
1st Sunday of Advent
The Lectionary and Scripture Interpretation for the Season of Advent Click here for more information. Overview and Connections Today, the authors of the Jeremiah passage and Luke have inherited prophecies of something coming, something that once felt urgent, but now seems blunted by the passage of time. These readings speak of promises made but not READ MORE
4th Sunday of Advent Year B
The Lectionary and Scripture Interpretation during Advent Today we make a chronological move backwards but a theological move forward. John the Baptist pointed to Jesus as God incarnate and Mary is the agent of that incarnation, bringing to fulfillment in history what John the Baptist had predicted. 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8B-12, 14A, 16 Background on READ MORE
3rd Sunday of Advent Year B
The Lectionary and Scripture Interpretation during Advent Today is Gaudete Sunday. The traditional entrance antiphon for today’s Mass comes from Philippians 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice.” To use a musical metaphor: this Sunday is a crescendo of joy! We can ask what each of these passages have to say about READ MORE
2nd Sunday of Advent Year B
The Lectionary and Scripture Interpretation during Advent Today we continue our wait but perhaps on a slightly more hopeful note than last week. John preaches repentance, metanoia, a change of life. To turn one’s life around perhaps implies a certain amount of looking at where you are in preparation for turning a new direction and READ MORE
1st Sunday of Advent Year B
The Lectionary and Scripture Interpretation during Advent Today we begin to wait. We look back on our history (corporately, spiritually, individually) and see that many of our hopes remain unfulfilled. Think back to the beginning of this calendar year. What hopes did you have? What goals or resolutions did you make? How are those looking READ MORE
Fourth Sunday of Advent Year A
The Lectionary and Scripture Interpretation during Advent More information can be found here. Isaiah 7:10-14 The book of Isaiah is actually three “books,” each written during a different time in Israel’s history. Isaiah I: shape up or else; exile is coming 1-39Isaiah II: Book of Consolation, comfort in captivity 40-55 Deutero Isaiah (suffering servant songs)Isaiah READ MORE
Third Sunday of Advent Year A
The Lectionary and Scripture Interpretation during Advent More information can be found here. Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10 The book of Isaiah is actually three “books,” each written during a different time in Israel’s history. Isaiah I: shape up or else; exile is coming 1-39Isaiah II: Book of Consolation, comfort in captivity 40-55 Deutero Isaiah (suffering servant READ MORE