Rick Marshall

Luke 21:25-36
Even though this is the First Sunday in Advent, the gospel reading chooses a text, which speaks of the end of things. Using typical apocalyptic language, the author of Luke describes signs of the end much the same way that Mark and the book of Revelations use a standard stock of ideas, symbols, language and images.

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Proper 20

September 24, 2006

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Year A
Year B
Year C

Reading 1:

Proverbs 31:10-31

Reading 2:

Psalm 1

Reading 3:

James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a

Reading 4:

Mark 9:30-37

By Rick Marshall

Discussing the Text:

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Proper 20

September 24, 2000

See Also:

Year A
Year B
Year C

Reading 1:

Proverbs 31:10-31

Reading 2:

Psalm 1

Reading 3:

James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a

Reading 4:

Mark 9:30-37

Alt Reading 2:

Psalm 54

Alt Reading 1:

Wisdom of Solomon 1:16-2:1, 12-22 or Jeremiah 11:18-20

By Rick Marshall

Last Sunday we read of Jesus’ effort, not altogether successful, to shift the image of what was to be hoped for from triumphant revolutionary to suffering servant. Today’s passage continues this theme, now with emphasis on the disciples. These are depicted as slow learners, still measuring success and greatness in the conventional way. Jesus’ message to them is straightforward. "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." That is, if we are going to compete for status, it can only be by seeing who can serve the others best.

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Proper 19

September 17, 2006

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Year A
Year B
Year C

Reading 1:

Proverbs 1:20-33

Reading 2:

Psalm 19

Reading 3:

James 3:1-12

Reading 4:

Mark 8:27-38

By Rick Marshall

Discussing the Text:

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Proper 18

September 10, 2006

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Year A
Year B
Year C

Reading 1:

Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23

Reading 2:

Psalm 146

Reading 3:

James 2:1-17

Reading 4:

Mark 7:24-37

By Rick Marshall

Discussing the Text:

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Proper 17

September 3, 2006

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Year A
Year B
Year C

Reading 1:

Song of Solomon 2:8-13

Reading 2:

Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9

Reading 3:

James 1:17-27

Reading 4:

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

By Rick Marshall

Discussing the Texts:

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Proper 12

July 26, 2009

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Year A
Year B
Year C

Reading 1:

2 Samuel 11:1-15

Reading 2:

Psalm 145:10-18

Reading 3:

Ephesians 3:14-21

Reading 4:

John 6:1-21

By Rick Marshall

Reflecting on Preaching:

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Proper 11

July 19, 2009

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Year A
Year B
Year C

Reading 1:

Jeremiah 23:1-6

Reading 2:

Psalm 89:20-37

Reading 3:

Ephesians 2:11-22

Reading 4:

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

By Rick Marshall

Reflecting on Preaching:

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Proper 10

July 12, 2009

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Year A
Year B
Year C

Reading 1:

Amos 7:7-15

Reading 2:

Psalm 85:8-13

Reading 3:

Ephesians 1:3-14

Reading 4:

Mark 6:14-29

By Rick Marshall

Reflecting on Preaching:

As preachers, we have regular weekly appointments with Bible texts. If we use the Common Lectionary, they are texts that are given to us and we welcome them into our personal lives, and we play host to them as we engage the congregation with the text. As such, texts, like guests, should be treated with respect and the rules of hospitality apply. We invite them in, we make sure they feel welcome, we give them place of honor, and we let them speak.