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The First Sunday in Lent (Year B) - 2/18/24

There’s water everywhere in this Sunday’s texts: the flood, to 1 Peter describing baptism, and, finally, to Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River. Jonathan and Seth discuss this theme, but also how these texts evidence God’s gracious love for us and why that’s particularly important during our Lenten journey.

Look for another episode next Monday (2/19) as we settle into a consistent schedule. As always, we’re glad you’re with us.

Ash Wednesday (Year B)

Ash Wednesday, of course, falls on Valentine’s Day this year. The celebration of love coincides with the reminder that “you are dust and to dust you shall return.” Jonathan and Seth give an overview of the appointed lectionary texts for the day. They discuss how the Gospel’s admonition not to flaunt one’s piety might fit with the practice of putting ashes on one’s forehead, and end, as always, with a prayer. 

Be on the lookout for more episodes in the coming days. We’re glad you’re with us. 

Reboot Teaser

Jonathan and Seth reboot with a new format, new episodes, and new questions. Starting Ash Wednesday, and continuing every Sunday, they’ll discuss the appointed lectionary texts and raise questions that someone could address in a sermon or a Bible study or may want to meditate on. The new format should be shorter and more relevant for those in ministry settings, and equally engaging for those who don't 'do' church professionally.

Look for more ways to get involved soon; we’re glad you’re with us again or for the first time.

Easter: Matthew 28:1-10

Resurrection has an impact on the entire universe. It will involve Jesus, human beings, and all of creation. What will the future of creation look like? What small but visible resurrections are taking place in nature right now? Jonathan and Seth discuss these issues. Jonathan fails the final quiz of our series, possibly for the first time in his life!

We hope your Easter is joyful and that you, too, can experience a resurrection.

Good Friday: Psalm 22

Hanging on the cross, Jesus cries out the opening line of Psalm 22. The poem starts with deep pain, punctuated by statements of trust in God's presence. A savior who utters these words offers a helpline to those suffering too, who feel abandoned, but are never alone. Jonathan and Seth explore how this psalm - and Jesus' use of it - affects how we connect to people in pain. And, appropriately for Good Friday, they sit in the tension this psalm and a crucified God create.

Maundy Thursday: John 13:1-17, 31-35

John's Gospel uses "love" more than the synoptic Gospels combined; Maundy Thursday commemorates Jesus' commandment to love one another. What does it look like to also love the natural world? What would it look like to regard the natural world as we love other people? Jonathan and Seth explore those seemingly simple questions in this short, Holy Week episode.

The Fifth Sunday in Lent: Ezekiel 37:1-14

The valley of dry bones that Ezekiel sees resembles a modern landfill. Discarded, wasted, and loose parts are strewn about. God tells Ezekiel, however, that the bones can live and recombine into bodies. It's similar to recycling programs, which use discarded, wasted, loose plastic to create new products. Sadly, very little plastic is recycled. What would it be like if God gave the recycling process new life? In this episode, Jonathan and Seth discuss precisely that.

The Third Sunday in Lent: John 4:5-26

Both Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well are thirsty; they go the well at noon, the hottest time off the day. The history of Interpretation, however, has mostly focused on “living water.” What would it look like to focus on their need for refreshing, drinkable, “regular water”? Jonathan and Seth do just that in this episode that focuses on water scarcity around the globe.

The First Sunday in Lent: Matthew 4:1-11

Tempted in the desert, Jesus refutes the Devil's offers with quips from scripture. This story has often been used to tell Christians to defeat temptations similarly. Is that a helpful paradigm? What does it look like to read this story through a wider ecological lens? Jonathan and Seth discuss how a more expansive view of this story sees Jesus' rooted in the Kingdom of heaven and the broader mission of God in the world. How can this reading help us to defeat contemporary temptations?

Lent 2023: Teaser

We're back for 40 days + Sundays. Look for new episodes every other Sunday focused on ecologically-minded readings of Lenten texts. We'll think about environmental degradation, repentance in the context of ransacked natural habitats, and how we can reorient our lives to love Creator and creation.

We're glad you're joining us.