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.

The collect Proper 28 Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. THE COLLECT Proper 28 The collect opens with an observation that the Lord “caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning..” The petition is that we will in essence learn them.  Sometimes the collects relate and other times they do not. Here in the course of three years only one reading for RCL B from Hebrews seems to directly relate. Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds,“ and Isaiah's coming age of long good lives in RCL C. THE COLLECT Proper 28 However, the readings on the other hand all do have a connection.  The OT, in RCL C is Isiah's future age of wonder, in others is the story of Deborah, the birth Samuel, Daniel’s apocalypse. In two of the years the epistle features Thessalonians. Gospel selections in two years feature apocalyptic NT readings.  All relate to a new age that is about to come, politically for Deborah and Samuel and spiritually in Thessalonians and Mark and Luke. The common theme then is the “blessed hope of everlasting life” in the age to come and in the short term for us, Advent. Images relate to the Collect and focus on scriptures
Emphasis on medieval manuscripts
 French Miniaturist,
Bible of Charles V
1372
Illumination on parchment
Rijksmuseum, The Hague  Isaiah 65:17-25 For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and delight in my people; no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it, or the cry of distress. No more shall there be in it an infant that lives but a few days, or an old person who does not live out a lifetime; for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth,  Isaiah 65:17-25and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed. They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain, or bear children for calamity; for they shall be offspring blessed by the LORD-- and their descendants as well. Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear.  Isaiah 65:17-25The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox; but the serpent-- its food shall be dust! They shall not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain, says the LORD.  Introduction to Isaiah Isaiah was active in Jerusalem from 742 BC until 701 BC  Isaiah 1–39 were written at that time. Isaiah 40–66 comes from the later time of Cyrus of Persia (539 BC) called Second Isaiah This section may be part of yet a third author and may be from the time of Haggai and the optimism of the reconstructed temple.  Called Third Isaiah known as the ‘Book of the Consolation of Israel.’ The Text The superscription for this section is: “The Glorious New Creation.” In this reading both Israel and modern Christians are given a vision of a world that is to come, at the end of time. The text sounds familiar to you because its theme is one that is repeated elsewhere in the OT and is featured in the final section of Revelation! The lectionary selection, obscures the fact that this is a part of a dialogue of the prophet through prayer with God. The reading is a response to the prophet’s prayer “will you withhold your peace” – Isaiah 64:11 The Vision The Lord promises a time to come when all of creation is reconciled to God and itself. Citizens of this age will have long, harmonious lives in a just world where the survival of one is not at the cost of another. An incredible vision of life as it could be! This is as hard for us to believe today as it was for those in the 6thCentury BC. Hope This vision of the future is not isolated to this writer or time. It had obviously not come by New Testament times. This promise is carried forward in Revelation. Revelations 21:1-8 The New Heaven and the New Earth “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; 4  he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.”  The Response Canticle 9    Page 86, BCP
The First Song of Isaiah    Ecce Deus
Isaiah 12:2-6 Surely, it is God who saves me; * I will trust in him and not be afraid.  For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense, * and he will be my Savior.  Therefore you shall draw water with rejoicing * from the springs of salvation.  And on that day you shall say, * Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name;  Make his deeds known among the peoples; * see that they remember that his Name is exalted.  Canticle 9    Page 86, BCP
The First Song of Isaiah    Ecce Deus
Isaiah 12:2-6 Sing the praises of the Lord, for he has done great things, * and this is known in all the world.  Cry aloud, inhabitants of Zion, ring out your joy, * for the great one in the midst of you is the Holy One of Israel.  Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.  Canticle 9    Page 86, BCP
The First Song of Isaiah    Ecce Deus
Isaiah 12:2-6 The Response is actually two different songs that conclude this section of Isaiah. The lectionary selection obscures this and joins the two songs. These songs include two rubrics, liturgical instructions. One is excluded from the reading but the other is included. V 1A Is “You will say on that day:” In V 4A this same instruction that separates the songs is included as a part. Malachi 4:1-2a See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. Introduction to Malachi Nothing is known about the person of Malachi. Even his name, which means "My messenger," may be only a label. We do have a substantial amount of information about its author's viewpoints from the texts. The book dates 500 - 450 B.C. and covers sin, judgment, and repentance and advent of the day of the LORD The central theme is fidelity to the Lord's covenant and its teachings.  Our reading comes from this blessing of obedience Malachi 4.2-3.  Comments about the messenger who "prepares the way“ and the sending of Elijah suggested to New Testament writers a connection with the coming of the Messiah. Context The reading states that when the day of judgment comes, the true worshipers will be spared.  This is a relatively short book and this is its only appearance in the Lectionary cycle. The short selection loses the context. The book speaks of a coming judgment and in Malachi 3:16 mentions a “Book of Remembrance” where the names of those who revere the Lord are written The book of remembrance mentioned is one of a number of references to a Book of Remembrance the most well known one is in Revelation. The Book of Remembrance Malachi 3:16 “The Reward of the Faithful  16 Then those who revered the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord took note and listened, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who revered the Lord and thought on his name. 17 They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, my special possession on the day when I act, and I will spare them as parents spare their children who serve them.” The book of remembrance mentioned is one of a number of references to a Book of Remembrance another one is Revelation 20.12. Revelation 20:12 The Dead Are Judged 11 Then I saw a great white throne and the one who sat on it; the earth and the heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Also another book was opened, the book of life. And the dead were judged according to their works, as recorded in the books.  Judgment, Not a pleasant thought Do we really want to be judged according to our merit? The new testament writers saw this as a foretelling of the advent of Jesus. The “Sun” of healing for the righteous.  Psalm 98 or 98:5-10
Cantate Domino [cut section] 1 Sing to the LORD a new song, * for he has done marvelous things.  2 With his right hand and his holy arm * has he won for himself the victory.  3 The LORD has made known his victory; * his righteousness has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.  4 He remembers his mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel, * and all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.  5 Shout with joy to the LORD, all you lands; * lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.  Psalm 98 or 98:5-10 Cantate Domino6 Sing to the LORD with the harp, * with the harp and the voice of song.  7 With trumpets and the sound of the horn * shout with joy before the King, the LORD.  8 Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it, * the lands and those who dwell therein.  9 Let the rivers clap their hands, * and let the hills ring out with joy before the LORD,
when he comes to judge the earth.  10 In righteousness shall he judge the world * and the peoples with equity.
 Psalm 98 The Psalm is entitled “Praise the Judge of the World” It was used as a Summons to worship.  The comments in the Oxford footnotes call this a Hymn proclaiming the future establishment of God's kingship on the earth. It proclaims that the Lord will triumph over all the powers that oppose him, in spite of the fact that all the verbs are in the past tense, it is thought that the reference is to a future event. At that time all nations and the physical universe will join in God's praise. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, and we did not eat anyone's bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate.  2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right. Background There are two letters, the first was addressed to a concern in this church that those who died before the return of Jesus would not be saved. However, Paul’s assurance that those who died before the return, led others to conclude that the ‘day of the Lord’ had already taken place. Paul explains that a number of precursor events were yet to come. Some members of this church had stopped working and were living ‘off of’ the others. The reading is addressed to this ‘idleness’. This is the Point of the Letter Some were convinced the end times were ‘imminent’ and people had stopped working. Remember Philemon – Paul states,…”well I could have asked you to support me but look at me I did not” – Here again Paul uses himself as an example to be followed – he had worked to earn his keep rather than relying on them for support. The point is a good one, people should not be idle – Paul seems a bit prickly on this point. Addressed to us? We, like the Thessalonians, live in the time after His departure and before His return. This letter is Paul’s first attempt to address how Christians should live, always as if the end would be tomorrow, but pending that to be responsible, sober and productive in the meantime. In other words, how are we as Christians to live and relate to the community while we await His return? Luke 21:5-19 When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, Jesus said, "As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down." They asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?" And he said, "Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, `I am he!' and, `The time is near!' Do not go after them. Luke 21:5-19 "When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately." Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven. Luke 21:5-19 "But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.  Luke 21:5-19 You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls." Last week  The reading now skips forward to the last week before the crucifixion. Destruction of the temple foretold  The end of the age is described in terms similar to last week’s Thessalonians reading. And Remember those Sadducees…. SYNOPTIC PLUS We have discussed the relationships between the writings of the New Testament. The first three books including Luke are called the Synoptic Gospels because they share a time line and seem to have the same materials. There is another relationship between Luke and Acts, they share the same author and are a set. Volume One is Luke the Gospel and Volume Two is Acts. Today’s Reading is a Good Example A theme of Luke is prophetic fulfillment both from the Old Testament to Jesus and from Jesus to the early life of the Church. This is one of Luke’s ways to prove his argument, that these events fulfill prophesy. Luke 21:12-19 our reading is a ‘warning’ and foretelling that is literally fulfilled in the narrative of Acts 4:3-5, 14 and 5:17-42.  Peter and John before the Council
Acts 4 1-22 “4 While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to them, 2 much annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that in Jesus there is the resurrection of the dead. 3 So they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who heard the word believed; and they numbered about five thousand.”  The arrest ended with the Sadducees unable to prosecute them because of the crowd and their words. All as Jesus had said. Acts 5 -The Apostles Are Persecuted “17 Then the high priest took action; he and all who were with him (that is, the sect of the Sadducees), being filled with jealousy, 18 arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors, brought them out, and said, 20 “Go, stand in the temple and tell the people the whole message about this life.” 21 When they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and went on with their teaching.” Again an arrest and then a rescue.  Notice In each case, the prophesy is fulfilled and more important, the personal misfortune of being arrested and imprisoned, gives the Apostles an opportunity to tell the crowds the good news. Note that Luke in both events illustrates that large numbers of people are converted by the response of the Apostles to persecution. In short God is using a bad event, as a way to accomplish His goal of spreading the Gospel. Other Versions The same dialogue is contained in both Mark and Mathew, with some minor differences. Generally the OT is grim, and the gospel delivers the good news! But today the OT is about a wonderous age in the distant future and the Gospel is about terrible trials to come in the near term. Israel in third Isaiah had just come through the violent exile and was in the process of returning looking to a good time to come. Luke tells the words of Jesus and how they foretold the troubles to come that Luke himself saw and experienced. And so Advent thoughts of hope that no matter what tribulation you have or that you face, there will be a time of justification to come. Advent is a season of hope.