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 42:1-9 Acts 10:34-43 Matthew 3:13-17 Psalm 29 The Collect Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. The Collect The Collect uses the image of a Baptism of the spirit. From a lectionary reading standpoint it is particularly appropriate for the day.  The spirit image is found in the OT, NT and Gospel selections from each of the lectionary three years. RCL A uses Isaiah 42:1-9 - I have put my spirit upon him RCL B uses Act 19:1-7 - "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?“ RCL C uses Luke 3:15-17,21-22 - He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.  Isaiah 42:1-9 Part 1 Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching. Isaiah 42:1-9 Part 2 Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open Isaiah 42:1-9 Part 3 the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. I am the LORD, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols. See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them. Isaiah Chs 40-55
Book of the Consolation of Israel The first Servant Song  Scholars hold differing views of the identity of the Servant in these Songs.  Some holding that the Servant is the nation. Others regard the servant as an individual. Christians see the servant as Jesus.  The other familiar words. . . . Isaiah 42:7 “the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. . .” In Matthew John the Baptist sends messengers and Jesus replies with the observation that the blind see Matthew 11:2. Psalm 29 Afferte Domino Part 1 1 Ascribe to the LORD, you gods, * ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.  2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his Name; * worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.  3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders; * the LORD is upon the mighty waters.  4 The voice of the LORD is a powerful voice; * the voice of the LORD is a voice of splendor.  5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedar trees; * the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon;  6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, * and Mount Hermon like a young wild ox.  Psalm 29 Afferte Domino Part 2 7 The voice of the LORD splits the flames of fire; the voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; *
the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.  8 The voice of the LORD makes the oak trees writhe * and strips the forests bare.  9 And in the temple of the LORD * all are crying, "Glory!"  10 The LORD sits enthroned above the flood; * the LORD sits enthroned as King for evermore.  11 The LORD shall give strength to his people; * the LORD shall give his people the blessing of peace.  Hymn to the God of the storm and the reading for RCL A B & C A Hymn to the God of the storm.  It seems to be a meditation of the majesty and power of God. The image is of God as a mighty thunderstorm!  The LORD's manifestation in the thunderstorm.   The waters means the Mediterranean, but with mythological overtones. The lectionary placement is perhaps because of the description of the voice of God spoken in the Gospel. The Epistle Masaccio, The Baptism of the Neophytes by St. Peter, 1426-27
Fresco, 255 x 162 cm
Cappella Brancacci, Santa Maria del Carmine, Florence  Acts 10:34-43 Part 1 Then Peter began to speak to them: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ--he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. Acts 10:34-43 Part 2 We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." CONTEXT The Reading is the speech of Peter regarding the gentiles. Immediately prior to the reading, first Cornelius, a gentile, is told by an angel in a dream to seek Peter. Next Peter is told in a dream not to regard as profane what God had purified. Peter then meets with Cornelius at his home and delivers the text of the Reading. Immediately after the reading the Spirit falls on all Jews and Gentiles present. Gentile "gentile" refers to a non-Jew or anyone outside the covenant community of Israel. With the conversion of Cornelius in Acts 10 and  The Apostolic Council in Jerusalem (Acts 15) Gentiles were allowed into the Church. Gentile The debate continued whether Jews that had converted should retain ritual practices. Within a century, this debate ended as Christianity became predominantly gentile, and Jewish practices were labeled heresies.  Today "gentile" is often viewed as synonymous with "Christian."  This is not the case among Mormons, who refer to those outside their community including Jews as "gentiles.“ For us this is the beginning of the process to open the Church to the rest of the world. Matthew 3:13-17  Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Matthew 3:13-17  Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased." Matthew on Jesus' Baptism  St. JOHN THE BAPTIST `Fore-runner of Christ‘, he was the son of Zachariah, a priest and of Elizabeth, a kinswoman of The Virgin Mary. His birth had been foretold by an angel that instructed that he should be called John.  John appeared publically in about the year 27 AD as a preacher on the banks of the Jordan  Large crowds were attracted to him and among those who submitted to his baptism was the Lord Himself. Activity of John the Baptist The Baptist also appears in Mark, Luke and John. John in keeping with the theme of Matthew resembles the Old Testament prophets. Christian faith understood John to fulfill Isaiah. John’s influence is attested by Acts and the Gospels. Speculation. . . For some scholars, the report that Jesus himself was baptized in the Jordan by John raises the possibility that Jesus was a disciple of John who broke off and started his own movement.  Matthew's gospel includes a dialogue in which John recognizes Jesus' spiritual superiority as do Mark and the 4thGospel.  The baptism symbol used by John becomes a central image for the developing churches. Andrea del Verrocchio, The Baptism of Christ, 1472-75
Oil on wood, 177 x 151 cm
Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence
Commissioned by the monastery church of San Salvi in Florence, where it remained until 1530, the picture was executed in the workshop of Andrea del Verrocchio, whose style is well defined by the figures of Christ and Baptist. The special fame of the work is however due to the Verrocchio's pupil who helped him paint the picture: in the blond angel on the left and in the landscape above is in fact recognizable the hand of Leonardo, the very young Leonardo, present in Verrocchio's workshop around 1470. Some critics ascribe the second angel to another young Florentine artist, Sandro Botticelli.  Cima da Conegliano,
Baptism of Christ, 1493-94
Oil on panel, 350 x 210 cm
San Giovanni in Bragora, Venice  
Gerard David, Triptych of Jan Des Trompes, 1505
Oil on wood, 129,7 x 96,6 cm (central panel), 132 x 43 cm (each wing)
Groeninge Museum, Bruges
 

This work was commissioned by Jan des Trompes, a leading civil servant in Bruges, who appears in the painting with his first and second wives (front and rear of the right wing). His third wife donated it to the Chapel of the Vierschaar tribunal in Saint Basil's Church after his death.  El Greco, The Baptism of Christ, 1608-28
Oil on canvas, 330 x 211 cm
Hospital Tavera, Toledo