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 2:1-5
Romans 13:11-14
Matthew 24:36-44
Psalm 122
 The Collect Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Collect The collect picks up the metaphor of light from the Psalm for Year A and the Gospel readings regarding the return of Christ in glory for all three years.  The armor of Light seems most appropriate for RCL A’S Romans 13:11-13, at V. 12- “the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light;…” Each year’s Gospel selection for Advent concern the fact that the day of Christ’s return in glory is known only by God.  This collect was composed by Bishop Cranmer as a part of his 1549 BCP, although most of the Collects were from middle age sources. The 1662 Prayer Book called for its use throughout Advent. Advent  The first season of the church year, beginning with the fourth Sunday before Christmas and continuing through the day before Christmas.  The name is derived from a Latin word for "coming."  The season is a time of preparation and expectation for the coming celebration of our Lord's nativity, and for the final coming of Christ "in power and glory."  Common Theme The common thread of the day’s readings concerns the new age to come. A time when God is reconciled with His people and judges equitably between all of the Nations. Just as Advent calls us to look to the future with hope. Parousia "Arrival" or "presence," a Greek word used both of ordinary persons and of an emperor or a god.  The term is used in early Christianity for the anticipated return of Jesus, when he is expected to judge humankind as the triumphant Son of Man. Isaiah 2:1-5  The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In days to come
the mountain of the LORD's house
shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills;
all the nations shall stream to it.
Many peoples shall come and say,
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; Isaiah 2:1-5  that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths."
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations,
and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
O house of Jacob, come, let us walk
in the light of the LORD! Introduction to the Book of Isaiah The prophet Isaiah proclaimed his message to Judah and Jerusalem from 742 until 701 B.C.  Nothing is known about the early life of the prophet. Divided by scholars into three sections only Isaiah 1-39 can be assigned to Isaiah's time, and even these chapters contain later materials. Isaiah attacks social injustice.  ISAIAH Isaiah exercised influence at the court of the kings of Judah, and took a prominent part especially in foreign politics.  Called to the prophetic office in the year of King Uzziah's death about 740 BC, he continued his prophetic work till the Assyrian invasion of Judah in 701 B.C.  Tradition relates his death by martyrdom in the reign of Manasseh (690 BC 640 BC). Oracles against rebellious Judah Verses 2:2-5 Announce the new age to come. That will end with the elevation of Zion a sort of idealized Jewish nation, and The acknowledgment of the nations, and the age of peace.  APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE The word `apocalypse‘ means a `revelation' or `unveiling', so that an apocalyptic book claims to reveal things which are normally hidden and to unveil the future.  This literary form arose out of the despair of Israel in ever attaining its past political supremacy. The conclusion was drawn that God would eventually intervene, destroy Israel's enemies, and set up His Kingdom on earth. Similarities with other Apocalyptic Literature Revelation 21 The New Heaven and the New Earth 21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God;  they will be his peoples,  and God himself will be with them;   he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, Two Reliefs from Amiens Cathedral, 1220-40 1. Spears Are Beaten into Pruning Hooks. 2. Swords Are Beaten into Plowshares Quatrefoils on the western exterior, depicting Micah's prophecy regarding the future reign of peace in which nations beat their spears into pruning hooks and beat swords into plowshares and wage war no more. The theme in Isaiah 2 is almost identical to Micah. Psalm 122 Laetatus sum 1 I was glad when they said to me, *
"Let us go to the house of the LORD."  2 Now our feet are standing *
within your gates, O Jerusalem.  3 Jerusalem is built as a city *
that is at unity with itself;  4 To which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD, *
the assembly of Israel,
to praise the Name of the LORD.  Psalm 122 Laetatus sum 5 For there are the thrones of judgment, *
the thrones of the house of David.  6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: *
"May they prosper who love you.  7 Peace be within your walls *
and quietness within your towers.  8 For my brethren and companions' sake, *
I pray for your prosperity.  9 Because of the house of the LORD our God, * I will seek to do you good."  Psalm 122 A song praising Zion as the pilgrim's goal.  Arriving in Jerusalem, a group of pilgrims admire its buildings and the unity it symbolizes. As a “Song of Assents” this is a song designed to be sung as pilgrims climb the hill to Zion [see crossed lines] the temple at the top. Psalm 122 According to one scholar the placement of this Psalm and the Isaiah reading is intended to accent one of the themes of the “last days”. That time in Isaiah when all nations will share a desire to come to God’s temple and live in peace for ever.  When coupled with the Psalm’s present call to worship now, serves to allow the present saints to experience a taste now of the unity that will come in the last day. Pax, or Peace, detail from the Allegory of Good and Bad Government
by Ambrogio Lorenzetti (1285-1348), Palazzo Publico, Siena
 

This depiction of Peace as the ruler of a well-governed city, where justice and fairness are the fruits of a beneficent ruler, reflect the words of Psalm 122: "For there the thrones for judgment were set up, the thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers"... For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good." Gospel and Epistle Both urge the immediacy of the second coming. In Advent, we celebrate the incarnation of Jesus as a symbol of the second coming. Both Matthew and Romans ask that Christians live as if the second coming is very soon. Just what that means is a matter of personal conjecture. “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.” Nicolaes Maes, Old Woman Dozing, 1656
Oil on canvas, 135 x 105 cm
Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts, Brussels  This domestic Dutch genre scene has a moralizing purpose as an allegory of sloth or laziness. An old woman has fallen asleep while reading. Using pictorial language which would have been understood by a 17th century Calvinist, the artist expresses a negative judgment about the woman’s behavior. Viewers, who will soon be called to give a reckoning of their deeds at the Last Judgment, are reminded of the severe punishments that await them after their death if they forsake their daily duties. A key on the wall points to a page in an open Bible on the table, where the name of Amos, a prophet of doom, is clearly readable. An hourglass in which time is passing props up the heavy book. The call to be constantly awake and vigilant is directed to all.  Hans Memling,
Advent and Triumph of Christ, 1480
Oil on wood, 81 x 189 cm, Alte Pinakothek, Munich
Note how the advent of Christ is shown in many episodes.  Romans 13:11-14 Part 1 You know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light;   Romans 13:11-14 Part 2 let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.  Introduction ROMANS is the longest of Paul's Epistles and the most systematic theologically.  The letter was dispatched from Corinth in A.D. 58, when St. Paul was about to leave for Jerusalem at the close of his `Third Missionary Journey‘. Paul intended afterward to travel to Rome for his first visit to raise support for a mission to the area we know as Spain. He did make the trip to Rome at a later time but not as he intended.  An Urgent Appeal The paragraph title for this reading is “An Urgent Appeal” The imminence of Christ's second coming makes it all the more urgent that Christians live honorably.  The first image is putting on the armor of light and then closely followed by a second image to “put on the Lord Jesus” or to be like Him living for others and not seeking self e.g. gratification as the sought by the “flesh.” The Whole Armor of God The same image is used elsewhere see Ephesians 6: 11 & 13  11 Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Matthew 24:36-44 Part 1 Jesus said to the disciples, "But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away,  Matthew 24:36-44 Part 2 so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour." Apocalyptic writings in the NT In the New Testament the leading example of apocalyptic genre is the book of Revelation. Apocalyptic materials are present also in  Mark 13 and its parallels in  Matthew 24 which is our reading for today and  Luke 12. Mark 13 The Necessity for Watchfulness Mark 13: 32 "But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35 Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake." Luke 21 Exhortation to Watch 34 “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, 35 like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.“ Second Coming of Christ The parallel terms "first coming" and "second coming“ highlight the theological connection between these two chief moments of Christ's work. Both the Old and New Testaments declare that God's purpose in history will reach its goal in a future period of blessing under God's rule, a rule that will be righteous, peaceful, universal, and permanent. Comparison In looking at each of the three synoptic Gospels, we see that it is not the particular ‘details’ that are most important. The common theme in these and other NT writings is that the time will be unexpected. It seems that the Gospel writers used this not as a detailed description of a future event, that they knew was to be mysterious, but as a guide to how one should live life as a Christian believer and for a potential believer a way to bring them to a decision!