Episodes
C107 Epiphany 5
Isaiah 6:1-13, Psalm 138, 1 Cor 15:1-11, and Luke 5:1-11 all pick up epiphany themes of divine manifestation, glory, and transformative revelation. We discuss the paradox that encounter with the divine both affirms human frailty (framed as uncleanliness, sinfulness, or wretchedness in the readings) as well as our worthiness to be called to participate in…
Read MoreC106 – Epiphany 4
Jeremiah 1:4-10, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, and Luke 4:21-30 are the focus this episode. We discuss Paul’s ode to love and locate this ethic within his and other Christian teaching. Jeremiah and Luke both point to the challenge of prophetic call. Luke 4 continues to reveal Jesus’ identity and ministry focus. We refer to bell hooks…
Read MoreC105 – Epiphany 3
Nehemiah 8:1-10, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, and Luke 4:14-21 are discussed this week. Luke and Nehemiah invite reflection on how we interpret Scripture and its fundamental role in grounding and forming the gathered people of God. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul offers the metaphor of the body to describe the way the Christian community is in…
Read MoreC 104 – Advent 4
Dr Anne Elvey joins Kylie and Fran for Advent 4 to talk about Mary’s visit to Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-45) and Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1: 46-59). We mention Anne’s book Reading the Magnificat in Australia; Anne’s poem Sun Glint Drift: On visiting Elizabeth in the Western Australian Wheatbelt Mary sings a Song, and Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner’s poem…
Read MoreC 103 – Advent 3
Fiona Winn, Kylie and Fran explore the readings for Advent 3 focussing particularly on Zephaniah 3:14-20 and Luke 3:7-18. We mention Christopher M. Hays’ Renouncing Everything: Money and Discipleship in Luke
Read MoreC 102 – Advent 2
Fran and Kylie discuss Malachi 3:1-4, Zechariah’s song in Luke 1:68-79, and the gospel reading Luke 3:1-6. We focus on the reckoning of Advent, properly understood: opening ourselves to God’s cleansing fire through which we come face to face with God’s grace and kindness. We mention: Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Advent sermon, 1928, as found in Kathryn…
Read MoreC 101 – Advent 1
Fran and Kylie focus on Psalm 25:1-10 and Luke 21: 21-36 and talk about hope and revelation as they appear in both texts. What is it to wait on God, according to the Psalmist? And what does Luke say about our waiting in the light of Christ’s coming? We mention Howard Wallace’s Commentary on Psalms…
Read MoreB 148 – Pentecost 26 (Proper 29) Reign of Christ
Carolyn and Fran take a more thematic approach to this week’s readings (Revelation 1:4b-8 and John 18:33-37) on the occasion of Reign of Christ Sunday, and explore the subversive intent behind the church’s establishment of the celebration. We note the enigmatic character of the book of Revelation, but highlight the very worldly and promisory message…
Read MoreB 147 – Pentecost 25
Carolyn and Fran explore the profound suffering and faithful persistence that Hannah embodies in 1 Samuel 1:4-20; we note the evocative language used in the passage to describe her relentless ordeal of infertility and talk about the pastoral implications of preaching on the text. We note the abundant hope and thankfulness expressed in Hannah’s song…
Read MoreB 146 – Pentecost 24 (Proper 27)
Rachel and Fran continue exploring the beautiful but enigmatic and challenging story of Ruth, focusing on 3:1-6; 4:13-17. We note the lengths to which Naomi had to go to secure her and Ruth’s future; we highlight the euphemistic language in the text, and underline the theme of redemption that runs through the whole narrative. We…
Read MoreB 145 – Pentecost 23 (Proper 26)
For Pentecost 23 Rachel Kronberger and Fran delve into the book of Ruth (1:1-18), noting the word plays in the text and the larger themes of feast and famine, love and loss, emptiness and abundance that weave throughout the story. We focus on Ruth’s outsider status, and her gracious covenant with ‘bitter’ Naomi, and note…
Read MoreB144 – Pentecost 22 (Proper 25)
Sean and Fran explore the final episode in the book of Job (42:1-6; 10-17), noting the ‘happily ever after’ narrative resolution, the pastoral minefield that this poses in preaching, and the apparent theological inconsistency that Job’s blessing represents. We emphasise the vulnerability Job displays in his story and how counter cultural that is for wealthy,…
Read MoreB143 – Pentecost 21 (Proper 24)
Fran and Sean continue the conversation on Job for Pentecost 21, namely on Job 38:1-7 (34-41) when God recounts the wonders of her creation to Job. God reminds Job of his creatureliness. We discuss the comfort amidst suffering that might be derived for Job, and us, to be reminded of God’s care at every juncture…
Read MoreB 142 – Pentecost 20 (Proper 23)
For Pentecost 20 Fran and Sean focus on Job’s profound sense of God’s absence in Job 23:1-9; 16-17. We note that Job has loudly rejected the theology of his friends, who all assert that Job’s suffering is the result of his sin. Job’s is a bold and courageous stance is to defy them, and to…
Read MoreB 141 – Pentecost 19, Proper 22
Sally and Fran talk about the particular character of wisdom literature in Job (1:1; 2:1-10) and the urgent, pastoral and cosmic questions it asks about human suffering and theodicy. We touch on preaching against bad theology, and the way Job disrupts our human judgements. We invite a look at the Hebrews reading (Hebrews 1:1-4:2:5-12) for…
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