Playing Catch-Up

As a preacher, it is my habit of using the Revised Common Lectionary to choose the scripture verses on which I preach. It’s a three-year cycle that provides weekly readings for the preacher to choose from. I prefer using the lectionary because it forces me to preach on a broad array of scripture passages rather than just the same five or six that I would usually pick. We all have favorites, and I know I would love to just preach those same six sermons over and over again. Which is why I appreciate that it’s not just up to me. However, I’ve taken us on a lectionary detour over the last few weeks and have been picking scripture on my own. And while I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity to stretch and explore new things through our ongoing sermon series, I do feel myself missing the lectionary every now and then. For the post today, I thought I would do a shoot-from-the-hip glance at the last few weeks of the lectionary and write a 50-100 word sermon on the passages that I missed.

April 12, John 20:19-31

Focus Verse: John 20:30 “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book.”

Title: Etc…

I love how John just tosses off this little verse to end the gospel. It is the least exciting way of telling us that this whole story – the one we just read about the messiah – is barely scratching the surface of what God did when God lived among us. This really silly throw-away verse invites us to spend time imagining what other things Jesus may have done when he was here. The opportunity to imagine is a way of inviting God to work through us.

April 19, Luke 24:13-35

Focus Verse: Luke 24:15-16 “While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.”

Title: Strange and Stranger

The disciples were walking along the road, presumably fairly preoccupied by the fact that their rabbi died and rose from the dead. Despite the distraction of the whole “a person literally rose from the grave” situation, they were still willing to take in a stranger. What’s more, they were actually willing to listen to that stranger. It can be hard to be open to the presence of strangers, but it can be even harder to admit that they may have something to teach us. How often in our lives do we ignore strangers, even though they may be Christ among us?

April 26, Acts 2:42-47

Focus Verse: Acts 2:42 ”They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”

Title: This Just About Sums It Up

Full disclosure – this is one of my favorite verses in the whole Bible. I’ve preached on it a bunch and will never miss a chance to pick it up when it comes around. This passage exemplifies the way in which the church is at its truest self. It is a blueprint for a holy community that centers itself around love and compassion. It is an outline of what it might be if we were to all be the people that God wants us to be. It is a passage about how no one is left behind and no one is neglected. I love this passage. I wish we could read it every week. If we did, then we would be on the right track.

May 3, John 14:1-14

Focus Verse: John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me”

Title: Trouble

This passage starts with Jesus telling the disciples not to let their hearts be troubled. This is obviously advice that they have no interest in because the only things the disciples do in this passage is raise questions that clearly come from troubled hearts. I love when the disciples fail to listen to Jesus, because it helps me to remember that they’re just as human as we are. Jesus tells us not to let our hearts be troubled. That’s good advice. But we are in a troubled world, and even if we allow our hearts to be troubled, Jesus will still come back to us with answers of compassion.

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If I were to look at these passages again tomorrow, I might have a different set of sermons for you, but this is where my heart was today. I’ll be away from the lectionary still over the next few weeks, but I hope that this at least tided you over until we can return to it.

Peace,

Rev. Jeff Fox-Kline

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The lectionary reminds us that scripture continues to speak in new ways depending on where we are, what we carry, and what the world around us needs most. Maybe one of these passages met you where you are today. Maybe it raised a new question or offered a word of comfort you didn’t know you needed. Wherever you find yourself on the journey, you are invited to continue exploring faith, community, and grace with us at Twelve Corners Presbyterian Church. Come be part of our community this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. for a meaningful time of worship and togetherness. We're located at 1200 S. Winton Road in Brighton, NY. All are welcome to join!