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The Sunday lectionary NT epistle for Lent 2 is Phil 3.17–4.1. It follows on from the better-known autobiographical passage—which we will discuss in three week’s time in Lent 5. Paul uses neologisms—words that he appears to have created—to urge his readers together to imitate his example, and the examples of his co-workers, and avoid the … Continue Reading
The Sunday gospel lectionary reading for Lent 1 in Year C is Luke 4.1–13, Luke’s account of the temptation of Jesus in the desert. (The link to the video discussion of this passage can be found at the end of this article. For commentary on the NT epistle reading, Rom 10.8b–13, see the video discussion … Continue Reading
The NT epistle for the First Sunday of Lent (Lent 1) in Year C is Romans 8b–13. It is a slightly odd choice by the lectionary, since the passage starts in verse 5, and you really need to read from there. Paul does two important things as he reads the Old Testament. First, he notices … Continue Reading
The NT epistle for the Sunday next before Lent is 2 Corinthians 3.12–4.2, in which Paul draws a comparison between Moses’ encounter with God in Ex 34 and our encounter with God in the person of Jesus, using the metaphor of the ‘veil being removed’. There are clear connections with the gospel passage, which is … Continue Reading
The Sunday gospel lectionary reading for the Second Sunday before Lent in Year C is Luke 8.22–25, the concise account by Luke of Jesus stilling the storm. (It is worth noting that the ecumenical lectionary has a different set of readings; apparently for the Church of England it was thought that there was not enough … Continue Reading
The NT epistle for the Second Sunday before Lent is Rev 4, the first half (with Rev 5) of John’s vision and audition (seeing and hearing) of worship ‘in heaven’ as he is ‘in the Spirit’. This is a fascinating passage, in part because it is so dense with theological ideas, but also because this … Continue Reading
The Sunday lectionary reading for the Third Sunday before Lent in Year C is Luke 6.17–26, this gospel’s version of the Beatitudes. The epistle is 1 Cor 11.11–22, and you can watch the video discussion of that passage here. One of the most obvious questions arising from the gospel reading is how they relate to … Continue Reading
The NT epistle for the Third Sunday before Lent is 1 Cor 15.11–22, which follows from our reading two weeks ago. The focus on hope of resurrection as central to Christian faith complements the gospe reading of Luke 6 and his version of the Beatitudes. This section of 1 Cor 15 is fascinating, since Paul … Continue Reading
The Sunday gospel lectionary reading for the fourth Sunday before Lent in Year C is Luke 5.1–11, the story of the miraculous catch of fish, as we jump forward into Jesus’ ministry before returning to the temptations in the desert at the start of Lent. It is a captivating story in its own right, but … Continue Reading
The lectionary epistle reading for the Fourth Sunday before Lent in Year C is 1 Corinthians 15.1–11. Paul here offers a summary of the gospel that he has both received and passed on to the Corinthians—and it has some fascinating features. What is the role here of the ‘gospel tradition’? What are the key elements … Continue Reading
The NT epistle for Candlemas, or the Presentation of Jesus in the temple, is Heb 2.14–18. With its emphasis on the humanity of Jesus, it complements the gospel reading of Luke 2.22–40. Hebrews can be a challenging read, with dense theological ideas and unusual grammar, but it is also compelling and memorable. The author (whom … Continue Reading
Ian Paul: theologian, author, speaker, academic consultant. Associate Senior Research Fellow, Kirby Laing Centre for Public Theology; Associate Minister, St Nic's, Nottingham; Managing Editor, Grove Books; member of General Synod and Archbishops' Council. Mac user; chocoholic. Tweets at @psephizo
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Gospel commentary index Lectionary Year A
Andrew Goddard Bible biblical interpretation Biblical literacy biblical theology Church of England culture discipleship discussion doctrine eschatology evangelism gay General Synod Grove guest Hermeneutics History hope interpretation James Blandford Baker Jesus John's gospel Justin Welby leadership lectionary Luke Luke's gospel Matthew ministry mission New Testament Paul politics power preaching Revelation same sex marriage same sex unions sexuality theology video Year A Year B Year C
