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The epistle for Trinity 12 in Year C is Paul’s letter to Philemon about his runaway slave Onesimus. Why is this letter so interesting? What is the significance of it being a public rather than private letter? What rhetorical strategy does Paul use to make his point? And how do the ideas of reconciliation and … Continue Reading
The lectionary gospel reading for Trinity 11 in Year C, Luke 14.1, 7–14, continues to engage with material that is unique to Luke, arranged in Luke’s distinctive order, and bridging the worlds of the original context of Jesus and Judaism and Luke’s context in wider Roman culture. (You can watch the video discussion of this … Continue Reading
The lectionary gospel reading for Trinity 11 in Year C, Luke 14.1, 7–14—though the whole passage should be read—continues to engage with material that is unique to Luke, arranged in Luke’s distinctive order, and bridging the worlds of the original context of Jesus and Judaism and Luke’s context in wider Roman culture. The passage comes … Continue Reading
On this page, you can find an index to all the commentary articles on the gospel lectionary readings for the whole of Year A, together with links to the video discussions between Ian and James. The articles will be reposted with updates during the year—but they are listed here for convenience and planning ahead.
(If you enjoy this article, why not buy me a coffee?) The Sunday lectionary reading (Trinity 9, Year C) continues on its journey through Luke’s ‘special section’ of Jesus’ ministry and teaching on road to Jerusalem from Luke 9.51 to Luke 18.14. In this short (and again, inexplicably truncated by the lectionary) reading from Luke … Continue Reading
The gospel lectionary reading for Trinity 9 in this Year C is Luke 12.49–56, continuing in a substantial section of teaching of Jesus gathered together by Luke. In this part of the gospel, we find some of Jesus’ toughest teaching about the reality of judgement and the cost of following him. (The lectionary oddly cuts … Continue Reading
The Sunday lectionary gospel for Trinity 8 in Year C is from Luke 12.32–40, and offers a slightly odd selection of verses, in that it includes the end of one section of Jesus’ teaching—on trusting God for provision, and so being generous with our possessions—and the beginning of another, on readiness for the return of … Continue Reading
The gospel lectionary reading for Trinity 8 in this Year C is Luke 12.32-40. It brings together two teachings of Jesus, which appear to be paradoxical, or at least in some tension. On the one hand, we are to be at peace, and enjoy the freedom that comes from knowing the Father’s love. Because of … Continue Reading
The lectionary reading for the Seventh Sunday after Trinity in Year C is the Parable of the Rich Fool in Luke 12.13–21. It is one of several parables that is unique to Luke, and includes features that connect it with other Lukan parables. The video discussion of this passage can be found here (and is … Continue Reading
The Sunday lectionary readings for the Sixth Sunday after Trinity in Year C continue through Luke’s gospel, and we now reach Luke 11.1–13 and Jesus’ teaching on prayer. (The epistle is Col 2.6–15, and you can find the video discussion of it here, and linked at the end of this piece, along with the video … Continue Reading
On Trinity 5 in Year C, the gospel reading is the very well-known and widely misread story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10.38–end. You can find the video discussion of the passage here, and video discussion of the epistle for the week, Col 1.15–28, the so-called ‘Christ hymn’, here. Both are also linked at … 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 Christmas 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 unions sexuality Teaching theology video Year B Year C
