C 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…
Read MoreB140 – Pentecost 18, Proper 21
Sally Douglas continues in the co-host chair this week, Pentecost 18. She and Fran talk about the enigmatic and troubling story of Esther (7:1-6, 9-10). We note the dynamics of diaspora; the role of human ingenuity and faithfulness in the face of appalling oppression, and name the challenges and possibilities of preaching from Esther. James…
Read MoreB 137 – Pentecost 15 (Proper 18)
Sean Winter joins the co- host chair for Pentecost 15 where we focus on the nature of wisdom literature in Proverbs (Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23) and the way this tradition is developed christologically by the writer of James (James 2:1-10 (11-13), 14-17). Both readings deal with partiality and favouritism; cautioning the faithful against favouring those…
Read MorePentecost 136 – (Proper 14)
Fran and Kylie explore the relationship between hearing and doing ‘the law of liberty’ in James 1:17-27, and reflect on the two emphases in the Jewish and Christian traditions of faith and works. We note that James may not be as anthropologically focused as it first appears. We re-engage with Mark’s gospel, where Jesus challenges…
Read MoreB 135 – Pentecost 13 (Proper 16)
We explore themes of incarnation, belief and salvation in John 6:56-69, noting the pattern of rejection that Jesus experiences throughout chapter 6 as the twelve ‘come to believe and know’. We touch on how to talk about the particularity of Jesus and the universal invitation in John’s gospel, and highlight the inseparability of spirit and…
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