First Reading

What Happens in the Liminal Space Lectionary Date: March 27, 2022 [4th Sunday in Lent, Year C] Rachel suggests that we should pause here and appreciate the in-between space.

Satisfaction in the World Before Money Lectionary Date: March 20, 2022 [3rd Sunday in Lent, Year C] This week, we’re grateful to welcome Dr. Roger Nam as our guest on First Reading. Dr. Nam is Professor of Hebrew Bible and Director of the Graduate Department of Religion at Emory University. (That’s homebase and training ground for Rachel, Tim, and Rosy!) A former economic analyst, pastor, and a second-generation Korean American who has lived and worked abroad in Korea, Roger’s recent research focuses on the social structures and economics behind wealth and poverty in the biblical world. Today’s passage from Isaiah is full of economic imagery so we’re especially glad to have Roger’s expertise and insight for this conversation. He’s the author of Portrayals of Exchange in the Book of Kings (Brill, 2012), and he’s got a number of book projects in the pipeline including commentaries (multiple!) on Ezra-Nehemiah and editing the Oxford Handbook for Wealth and Poverty. Besides his own busy research, teaching

Between the Pieces Lectionary Date: March 13, 2022 [2nd Sunday in Lent, Year C] Rosy explores meaningful themes embedded in an ancient covenant ritual.

Take a Leap? Lectionary Date: March 6, 2022 [1st Sunday in Lent, Year C] Tim avoids a platitudinous reading of the Psalm.

Shining Faces Lectionary Date: February 27, 2022 [Transfiguration Sunday, Year C] Rachel offers some creative approaches to using the Hebrew Bible text on Transfiguration Sunday.

Forgiveness, But Also Grief Lectionary Date: February 20, 2022 [7th Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C] Rosy points us toward a more complex reading of the Joseph story.

Resources for Resilience Lectionary Date: February 13, 2022 [6th Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C] Tim finds some hope hidden in Jeremiah's doom-n-gloom.

Seeing God and Reimagining Trauma Lectionary Date: February 6, 2022 [5th Sunday after Epiphany, Year C] This week, we’re grateful to have Dr. Ethan Schwartz with us to look at Isaiah's prophetic call. Dr. Schwartz is Assistant Professor of Hebrew Bible at Villanova University. His research focuses on the prophetic literature of the Hebrew Bible, so today’s passage is right in his wheelhouse. Ethan loves to bring biblical studies into productive conversation with contemporary religious life, in synagogues, institutes, and churches. If you’re interested in more of his work, find him on the "Politics of Scripture" blog at politicaltheology.com. Ethan’s career has reached a new high today in being the first guest scholar to appear twice on First Reading!

Jesus and Elijah Lectionary Date: January 30, 2022 [4th Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C] Rachel drops the first reading to pick up OT references in the Gospel reading this week.

The Ideal and the Real in Worship Lectionary Date: January 23, 2022 [3rd Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C] Ezra models the six-hour sermon?!

My Delight is in Her Lectionary Date: January 16, 2022 [2nd Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C] Sometimes we just need to hear that God sees us and loves us.

Go Baptism! Lectionary Date: January 9, 2022 [1st Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C] Why go to the Old Testament for "Baptism of our Lord" Sunday?

God Delights in You Lectionary Date: January 2, 2022 [2nd Sunday after Christmas Day, Year C] A dip into Hebrew poetry for this first Sunday of 2022.

Hannah's Roar Lectionary Date: December 26, 2021 [1st Sunday after Christmas Day, Year C] It's a party episode! --> All 3 First Reading co-hosts together to chat about Hannah's song!

Mary and Consent Lectionary Date: December 19, 2021 [4th Sunday of Advent, Year C] Rachel rounds out Advent this year with a reflection on the problem of consent in Mary's story.

"Pure" Grace Lectionary Date: December 12, 2021 [3rd Sunday of Advent, Year C] Rachel starts in the Gospel and works back to the Good News in the Old Testament.

The Medium is the Messenger Lectionary Date: December 5, 2021 [2nd Sunday of Advent, Year C] Rachel highlights the power of the covenant this Advent.

To You, I Lift My... Throat? Lectionary Date: November 28, 2021 [1st Sunday of Advent, Year C] Rachel introduces Advent with an extended reflection on (surprise, surprise) the "nefesh."

Am I Great, or What?! Lectionary Date: November 21, 2021 [Reign of Christ Sunday, Year B] On "Christ the King" Sunday, how about a sermon from the Hebrew Bible on what makes for Godly leadership?

Preaching Hannah's Story Lectionary Date: November 14, 2021 [25th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B] Hannah, the woman from the margins, shows up at the center of Israelite society with a request for God.