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
2nd Lent, Year C | The Transfiguration
What We Celebrate
Each 2nd Sunday of Lent – regardless of the Liturgical Year – the gospel recounts the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus. What is it about this scene that causes the Church to proclaim this Sunday as well as on August 6th, the traditional feast day? What does the mountain top scene reveal to us about Jesus that will form and inform our Lenten journey? Just prior to this scene in Luke’ gospel, everyone is asking questions about Jesus’ identity. And while Peter has just confessed Jesus as Messiah it is unclear what Peter thinks that means. The Transfiguration recalls all of salvation history to this point and points the way forward to the Glory of God and the Kingdom.
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
Detail of “The Transfiguration of Jesus” by Raphael (1516-1520) | Vatican Museum | PD-US
3rd Lent, Year C | The Parable of the Fig Tree
What We Celebrate
At the start of the gospel narrative, people bring Jesus an account of Pilate’s horrific actions among the Galileans as well as a construction accident in Jerusalem. One set of deaths is caused by human choices; the other was accidental. One set of deaths is among people far from Jerusalem; the other happens to people within the holy city’s walls. In the moment, Jesus addresses what likely lies on the hearts and minds of the people gathered: was all this because of their sinfulness that such tragedies befell them? He directly tells them that the answer is “no.” The point is clear. Tragedies occur, whether intentionally by oppressive governors such as Pilate or accidentally by imperfections in the kind of world we live in. In neither case must one conclude that tragedies are necessarily an indication of divine judgment against sinners. Rather, in view of the uncertainty of life and the unpredictability of the future one must be warned to examine one’s own life and repent. And this leads us to the parable of the fig tree in the orchard.
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: The Vine Dresser and the Fig Tree | James Tissot, 1886-1894 | Brooklyn Museum | PD-US
Reaching into the treasure trove that is Rev. Billy Grahm – a simple message of repentance.
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