The Sunday Bible readings in the Revised Common Lectionary

These links are to Year A, Year B and Year C will take you to the PowerPoint lesson for the Bible readings for each Sunday in the three-year lectionary cycle. Lick on the link Year A B or C, then locate the lesson. The PowerPoint decks are numbered and titled with Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost and the Proper also known as Ordinary time. These are linked to a OneDrive Cloud location and may be viewed online or downloaded.  

USE

These may be used to facilitate an adult education group discussion for an Episcopal Church. On the other hand, you may use these as a personal study about the readings for each Sunday. Each power point deck deals with the designated scripture readings for that Sunday, the collect from the BCP for that Sunday, and related artwork chosen for readings or the Collect.

Why these were Created

These were developed for a Sunday morning discussion group that meets for about one hour. The slides can be projected on a screen or shown on a television set placed so that the entire group can easily see the slides. The leader should have a general knowledge of theology and scriptures. The leader may be a member of the clergy or a layman who is qualified by for example completion of the four-year EFM (Education for Ministry) program or an equivalent. 

Sources

The scripture commentary is taken largely from the introductions, footnotes, and reference materials in the New Oxford Annotated Bible with Apocryphal / Deuterocanonical Books, from the New Revised Standard Version, Edited by Bruce M. Metzger and Roland E. Murphy, 1989 Edition, Oxford University Press. The collects are drawn from the Book of Common Prayer 1979 using the modern language. There are other sources used which are indicated in the materials. The Notes page feature of the PowerPoint decks will often have more information than the slide. The group leader will need minimal skills with PowerPoint as each deck is complete with maps and animations. 

Scope and Time Available

A presenter can download and edit the decks as needed for the circumstances. The decks are long as they cover the readings and alternative readings and the collect. If there is limited time, then a class might cover only some of the readings. A facilitator may wish to cover only the Collect and one of the reading selections such as the day’s Gospel. 

Discussion

The class works best as a group discussion using the PowerPoint for the basic information about the reading. Some members may want to participate by reading the scripture aloud to the others and exchanging comments. Others may not want to speak at all but may wish only to listen or read the PowerPoint slides. Very often one of the readings on a given Sunday may spark a spirited discussion that uses up class time. When this happens let the discussion go and if needed skip to the end. When this happens that’s a good day. Even when there is ample time for formation a lively discussion will make the time seem short.

Questions

If you have questions about the use of these PowerPoint decks or glitches you can contact me by email at jbcross@cei.net.

Isaiah 9:1-4 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 Matthew 4:12-23 Psalm 27:1, 5-13
 The Collect Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. The Collect A key phrase in the Collect is “to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ” with a hint about the world. In RCL A the Gospel is Matthew 4:12-23 in RCL B the Gospel is Mark 1:14-20, both concern the call and ready answer of Peter, Andrew, James and John to leave their nets and follow.  The Collect In RCL C, the Gospel selection concerns a different incident, but the OT lesson is Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 which recalls that the entire nation of Israel hearing the Law read aloud and readily understanding and thus accepting its call. Perhaps RCL B best illustrates the Collect since its OT concerns Jonah who famously did not readily answer his call and the city of Nineveh, that did to Jonah’s chagrin.  The Lessons today are about Beginnings and proclamation Isaiah 9:1-4  There will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.  Isaiah 9:1-4The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness-- on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy;  Isaiah 9:1-4  they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.  ….from doom to promise The text obviously uses opposites as a contrast: Light and darkness Zebulun, Naphtali, and Issachar constituted the area later known as Galilee and conquered by Assyria in 733 BC ‘Way of the Sea’ was an Assyrian province near the coastal town of Dor. The reading is characterized as a transitional verse from doom to promise. NO MAP………. Be Patient Midian? “as on the day of Midian”  In this context Midian could refer to Judges. Remember Jethro, the Father in Law of Moses? Exodus 18:1-27: Jethro's visit. The priest of Midian celebrated a sacred meal and counseled Moses about the administration of law. Midian is, however, referred to three times in Isaiah each time it uses the same image - but not the kindly father-in-law. Midian? “as on the day of Midian”  In Judges 6–8 – the story of Gideon, one of the great heroes of the age defeated Midian who were then oppressors of Israel and afterward Israel enjoyed 40 years of peace. [And Gideon had 70 sons……] In Isaiah 10:25-27 God is depicted as wielding a whip against their enemies just “when he struck Midian at the rock of Oreb”  In Isaiah 60: “The Ingathering of the Dispersed” the prophet tells of a time when the world’s spoils including camels from Midian will come to Israel.  Apparently, Isaiah is telling the people that God will again deliver his people from oppression just as in the distant past. The messianic king  Because this passage is filled with borrowed phrases referring to the Davidic monarchy, scholars believe that this passage may have originally celebrated the accession of a Judean king, perhaps Hezekiah. In its present context it describes the coming Messiah as the ideal king. The Oxford Superscription is “The Righteous Reign of the Coming King”  Psalm 27:1, 5-13 Dominus illuminatio1 The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom then shall I fear? *
the LORD is the strength of my life;
of whom then shall I be afraid?  5 One thing have I asked of the LORD;
one thing I seek; *
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life;  6 To behold the fair beauty of the LORD *
and to seek him in his temple.  Psalm 27:1, 5-13 Dominus illuminatio 7 For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe in his shelter; *
he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling
and set me high upon a rock.  8 Even now he lifts up my head *
above my enemies round about me.  9 Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblation
with sounds of great gladness; *
I will sing and make music to the LORD.  Psalm 27:1, 5-13 Dominus illuminatio 10 Hearken to my voice, O LORD, when I call; *
have mercy on me and answer me.  11 You speak in my heart and say, "Seek my face." * Your face, LORD, will I seek.  12 Hide not your face from me, *
nor turn away your servant in displeasure.  13 You have been my helper; cast me not away; * do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.  Omitted Sections Psalm 27 is a prayer for deliverance.  1-6: are described as a song of trust, but we have only the first verse. V 3 ‘Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear’ The section we have is described as a cry for help – easier to see knowing what’s in V3.  Vs 10-12 are thought to state the psalmist's situation in an indirect manner. Image of Light The reading is heavily edited. Note the image of Light as a description of the Lord. This reflects the motif of light from the OT reading. 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. What I mean is that each of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." Has Christ been divided?  1 Corinthians 1:10-18 Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power. For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
 Introduction to the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians Considered one of the most valuable of Paul's letters and presents a vivid picture of the actual life of a local church in the middle of the first century which was founded by Paul. The letter concerned divisions in the Church addressing these problems Paul has bequeathed to the Church universal some of the most exalted chapters in his correspondence. Cast of Characters Chloe's people, members of or slaves in her household who have either written or visited Paul. There is not much else known about Chloe other than this passage. The Ministry of Apollos Acts 18: 24 Now there came to Ephesus a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria. He was an eloquent man, well-versed in the scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord; and he spoke with burning enthusiasm and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the Way of God to him more accurately.  Cephas Is of course St. Peter Proclamation Note that Paul sees his principal role as that of proclamation and not Baptism. The two messages seems to be- That the Church should not have divisions; and ‘For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.’  Believers understand and Unbelievers do not – so we understand by grace. Domenico Ghirlandaio, Calling of the Apostles, 1481 Fresco, 349 x 570 cm, Cappella Sistina, Vatican  Marco Basaiti,
Call of the Sons of Zebedee, 1510
Panel, 386 x 268 cm
Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice  Basaiti was a painter of Albanian origins who painted in Venice. This painting from the high altar of the now demolished Carthusian church of Sant'Andrea della Certosa in Venice is noteworthy for its grandiose composition and warm, luminous colours. Zebedee was a Hebrew fisherman, the husband of Salome, and the father of James and John, two of the Apostles of Jesus. The call of the new apostles is a metaphor for the monastic vocation, a voluntary spiritual incarceration that is also a paradise of peace and contemplation, at least for the Carthusians. Jacob Willemsz. de Wet, the Elder (c. 1610-1675, Haarlem), The Calling of St Peter and St Andrew Oil on panel, 37 x 52 cm, Private collection  Matthew 4:12-23 Part 1When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,
on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles-- the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.“ From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." Matthew 4:12-23 Part 2 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea-- for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.
 Beginnings of Jesus' activity in Galilee. In Matthew today’s reading is immediately after the temptation of Jesus. The birth narrative has ended, Jesus is baptized and then tempted. Last week’s reading was from John – note that the temptation is not included. According to Matthew this is the moment that Jesus starts his own proclamation. The Psalm tie-in to the OT and Gospel The image of light and darkness The reference to the place names shared in the OT and Gospel tie them together. The contrast of the world before the start of the proclamations of Jesus in darkness then illuminated with light. But there is something more. – And yes it involves maps!! Matthew and Isaiah One characteristic of Matthew is his desire to show connections between the OT and NT or Jesus and his message. Here we see Matthew cleverly launching the ministry of Jesus from the same territory from which Isaiah foretold salvation and victory would come. The day when Gideon defeated Midian and saved Israel from a foreign oppressor, was a day of salvation and great joy. Just like the start of the ministry of Jesus and the calling of his disciples! January 25 is the day in the church calendar the Conversion of Paul is observed.
 

Caravaggio,
The Conversion of St. Paul, 1601
Oil on canvas, 91 × 69 in.
Santa Maria del Popolo, Rome