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To ‘carry one’s cross’ has commonly been understood as bearing a heavy burden through life, and some are sceptical as to whether Jesus could have said this in his lifetime. But a closer look shows that it fits with Jesus’ other teaching, and is actually a call to liberation and new life. The lectionary gospel … Continue Reading
In the lectionary reading for Trinity 13 year A, Romans 12.9–21, Paul sets out a remarkable vision of life in the redeemed community, using a particularly powerful rhetorical style. Instead of argumentation and logical connectives, Paul bundles together a series of punchy statements using infinitive and particle phrases. Just as striking is his use of … Continue Reading
The Sunday lectionary gospel for Trinity 13 in Year C is the first two of the three ‘parables of the lost’ in Luke 15, the parable of the lost sheep and the parable of the lost coin. We don’t go on to read the third, the parable of the prodigal son, since we read that … Continue Reading
Our epistle reading for Trinity 13 in this Year C is 1 Tim 1.12–17. (It is not clear why the lectionary omits the opening verses of 1 Tim.) There are very good reasons to believe (against some scholarship) that this was indeed written by Paul. His personal testimony matches what we know from elsewhere; the … Continue Reading
As we come to the gospel lectionary reading for Trinity 13, we reach the last of five consecutive Sundays (since Trinity 9) working through John 6, and have the final verses (including an overlap with last week’s reading) of John 6.56–69. If you have continued to follow the lectionary through the summer, you might be … Continue Reading
The final reading from John 6, for Trinity 13 in Year B, ends with many of Jesus’ disciples turning away, together with Jesus’ response. Typically Johannine, the passage and Jesus’ speech folds in new ideas about the Father, the Spirit, life, and believing in Jesus. Come and join Ian and James as they explore the … Continue Reading
The lectionary gospel reading for Trinity 13 in Year A is Matthew 16.21–28, in which Jesus declares he is heading for Jerusalem to die, Peter rebukes him, and Jesus counter-rebukes Peter. It follows on from the strong commendation of Peter by Jesus after his confession at Caesarea Philippi, and offers a contrast with it at … Continue Reading
The Sunday lectionary gospel for Trinity 13 in Year C is the first two of the three ‘parables of the lost’ in Luke 15, the parable of the lost sheep and the parable of the lost coin. We don’t go on to read the third, the parable of the prodigal son, since we read that … Continue Reading
The Sunday lectionary gospel for Trinity 13 in Year C is the first two of the three ‘parables of the lost’ in Luke 15, the parable of the lost sheep and the parable of the lost coin. We don’t go on to read the third, the parable of the prodigal son, since we read that … Continue Reading
The Sunday lectionary reading for Trinity 13 in Year B is Mark 7.1–8, 14–15, 21–23. We have chewed over the feeding of the 5,000 in John 6, and gathered up every last morsel of the ‘bread of life’ discourse over the last five (five!) weeks—and now our fast from Mark’s gospel is at an end! Reading … 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
