Bible on the Back Porch
Reading, pondering and studying God’s Word is sometimes best done “on the back porch.” Each week we will try to offer something for you and your “back porch time.”
Current and Upcoming Sunday Readings
4th Lent, Year C | The Prodigal Son
What We Celebrate
The parable of the “Prodigal Son” does not stand alone. It is framed by the opening verses of the chapter and the parables which come before. One must always keep in mind that the three parables (Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son) are told in response to the complaint that Jesus welcomes and eats with “tax collectors and sinners.” The former being traitors to their religious family and the latter already standing condemned by the Laws of the family. They are people “outside the camp” – they are lost.
In the first parable when the lost sheep is found the shepherd invites others to “Rejoice with me.” (Lk 15:6). Jesus notes that there is “joy in heaven” (v.7) because – not that one was found – but that the lost one repented. In the second parable the woman invites others to rejoice with her because she has found the lost coin. Again, Jesus notes “there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (v.10) Again the focus is on repentance.
What is different about the third parable is that the dynamic is no longer property, but family.
There is a lot to unpack in these verses, so grab your favorite beverage and take some time on the back porch.
Full Text of the Sunday Readings
Detailed Commentary on the Gospel
5th Lent, Year C | The Woman Caught in Adultery
What We Celebrate
The “Woman Caught in Adultery” is story of conflict between the Jerusalem authorities and Jesus, a murderous intent, a question of the Law of Moses, and a point of mercy. It has echoes in the story of Susanna in the Book of Daniel where shame, accusation, truth, and intent are all in play.
There is a lot to unpack in these verses, so grab your favorite beverage and take some time on the back porch.
Full Text of the Sunday Readings
Detailed Commentary on the Gospel
Image credit: Detail of “Christ and the Adulteress” Rembrandt, 1644 | National Gallery London | PD-US
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
The Entrance into Jerusalem
Jesus has arrived at Jerusalem. The authorities are aware of his presence in the general area and the crowds are anticipating a triumphal entry into the city as the Messiah/King – although there is no consensus of what that might mean.
Luke portrays Jesus’ entry into the holy city in four scenes (vv. 28–48), the first two concerned with the acquisition of a colt for the short trip from the Mount of Olives to the city and the entry itself (vv. 28–40). These two serve a common theme—namely, Jesus’ royal personage. As will become evident, the whole process from obtaining a colt to the crowds’ proclaiming Jesus king is wrapped in the eschatological expectation and scriptural allusion (esp. Psalm 118 and Zech 9:9).
There is a lot to unpack in these verses, so grab your favorite beverage and take some time on the back porch.
Full Text of the Sunday Readings
Detailed Commentary on the Gospel
Christ’s entry into Jerusalem | Pietro Lorenzetti, early 14th c. | Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi | Assisi, Italy
The Passion Narratiive
The passion narratives provide the climax for each of the four gospels, catching up themes that weave their way through the evangelists’ entire portrayal of Jesus’ life and bringing them to a dramatic completion. In deft strokes the evangelists tell us of the final hours of Jesus’ life – his last meal with his disciples; his arrest in Gethsemane; his interrogation by the religious leaders; the trial before Pilate; and finally the heart clutching scenes of Jesus’ crucifixion, death and burial.
Although the Passion narratives of all four Gospels are similar in many ways, there are also significant differences among them. The Gospel of Luke is dependent upon Mark for the composition of the passion narrative – as Luke is in many aspects of the entire gospel – but Luke has incorporated much of his own special tradition into the narrative.
There is a lot to unpack in these verses, so grab your favorite beverage and take some time on the back porch.
Full Text of the Sunday Readings
Detailed Commentary on the Gospel
Canva | G. Corrigan | CC-0
Easter Sunday
The Road to Emmaus
Sunday morning, the Sabbath is over, women come to the tomb where they buried Jesus and find the tomb empty. Later that day two disciples are leaving Jerusalem heading for Emmaus. Their hearts are heavy – they thought Jesus was the one who would change the world and he was crucified. They meet a stranger along the way – and what unfolds changes their world.
There is a lot to unpack in these verses, so grab your favorite beverage and take some time on the back porch.
Full Text of the Gospel
Detailed Commentary on the Gospel
Christ on the road to Emmaus | Jan Wildens, 1640s | Heritage Museum | St. Petersburg Russia | PD-US
2nd Sunday of Easter
The Upper Room
It is the evening of Easter Sunday. There are more reports of the Risen Jesus and yet the Apostles and other disciples are still behind locked doors of the Upper Room. They are afraid. Jesus appears to them and his first words are: “Peace be with you.” Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit upon them – what might that mean? He commissions them – just as the Father sent Jesus! And there’s more, a lot more. But not all were there and demanded to see for themselves.
There is a lot to unpack in these verses, so grab your favorite beverage and take some time on the back porch.
Full Text of the Gospel
Detailed Commentary on the Gospel
Maesta altar piece, Duccio di Buoninsegna, 1308, Museo dell’Opera Metropolitana del Duomo, Siena | Public Domain
3rd Sunday of Easter
Along the shore
Sometime after Easter but before the Ascension, the apostles seem at a loss to know what to do next – so they go fishing. There on the shore of the Sea of Galilee (Triberius) they are reminded that they are still in the fishing business, but instead of fish, they will be catching men. However, one among them needs to be reconciled: Peter
There is a lot to unpack in these verses, so grab your favorite beverage and take some time on the back porch.
Full Text of the Gospel
Detailed Commentary on the Gospel
The Meal – Jesus and his Apostles | James Tissot, ca.1890 | Brooklyn Museum | PD-US