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Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 | Pentecost 10 (Cycle C)

The central theme of most of these texts is that it is foolish for us to trust in the transitoriness of the things that we can do but wise to place our reliance on God, who gives wisdom and knowledge and joy.

Read More About - Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 | Pentecost 10 (Cycle C) »

Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 | Pentecost 10 (Cycle C)

The worship services and the messages for next weekend obviously will be focused on prayer. The texts selected for this occasion (especially Psalm 138, Genesis 18:20-32, and Luke 11:1-13) provide models and guidance about how we as people of God should communicate with God. From these texts we see that our prayers to God should be personal and persistent. God is to be perceived as our concerned but transcendent Father and as our generous and always helpful Friend.

Read More About - Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 | Pentecost 10 (Cycle C) »

Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 | Pentecost 5 (Cycle C)

Perhaps the closest we can come to identifying a unifying theme within this series of texts is to see that in each of them there is either an expectation of a new revelation from God or a declaration of it. In each instance, the new revelation will be redemptive.

Read More About - Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 | Pentecost 5 (Cycle C) »

Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 | Pentecost 9 (Cycle C)

The stimulating tension between the importance of adequate faith and right living continues from last Sunday. The selections are different, but in these texts also “salvation” is possible only because of the grace of God. Adequate faith and right living are basic essentials expected of the people of God, even though apart from the grace of God these essentials would not produce salvation.

Read More About - Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 | Pentecost 9 (Cycle C) »

Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 | Pentecost 8 (Cycle C)

Within most of the texts selected for us for this occasion there is a stimulating tension between the importance of adequate faith and right living as prerequisites for “salvation.” This stimulating tension exists regardless of whether “salvation” is perceived primarily in terms of life as we know it here and now with security, prosperity, and happiness for one’s self and for one’s family as in Psalm 25 and Deuteronomy 30, or whether “salvation” includes also the dimension of eternal life, as it does in the Newer Testament texts Colossians 1:1-14 and Luke 10:25-37.

Read More About - Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 | Pentecost 8 (Cycle C) »

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Authors of
Lectionary Scripture Notes
Norman A. Beck is the Poehlmann Professor of Theology and Classical Languages and the Chairman of the Department of Theology, Philosophy, and Classical Languages at Texas Lutheran University
Dr. Norman A. Beck
Mark Ellingsen is professor at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia
Dr. Mark Ellingsen

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