C122 – Easter 5
Fran and Monica discuss the readings for Easter 5: Acts 11:1-18; Psalm 148 and John 13:31-35.
Read MoreC121 – Easter 4
Robyn and Fran sit down and talk about Acts 9:36-43, Revelation 7:9-17; John 10:22-30. We mention Willie Jennings’ commentary on Acts, and our episode B118 on Psalm 23
Read MoreC116 – Palm Sunday
Sean and Fran discuss the readings for Palm Sunday: Psalm 118:1-2; 19-29 and Luke 19:28-40.
Read MoreC114 – Lent 4
U-Wen and Fran sit down to discuss Luke 15:1-3; 11-32 and 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 for Lent 4.
Read MoreC113 – Lent 3
Howard and Fran sat down to discuss three readings for Lent 3: Isaiah 55:1-9; Psalm 63:1-8; Luke 13:1-9.
Read MoreC110 – Transfiguration
Fran and Robyn discuss themes of change and transformation after divine encounter in Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Cor 3:12-4:2, and Luke 9:28-36.
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,…
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