First Reading

From the Vault: God's Call Lectionary Date: August 24, 2025 [11th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C] We'll be back with new full episodes starting next week! In the meantime, here's an episode on this week's lectionary text from the First Reading vault! Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!

A Painful Conversation Lectionary Date: August 17, 2025 [10th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C] Paul explores a painful AND hopeful dialogue between Israel and God, in the vineyard metaphor. Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!

Faith that Does No Harm Lectionary Date: August 10, 2025 [9th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C] Rosy traces the theme of faith through all of this week's readings. Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!

An Invitation to Discernment of Wisdom Lectionary Date: August 3, 2025 [8th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C] Tim's turn to point out a tension between Qohelet's wisdom and Jesus's parable. Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!

Righteousness and Justice Lectionary Date: July 27, 2025 [7th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C] Rachel's back with the next (and very different) installment of the Abraham story. Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!

Life Bubbles Up Lectionary Date: July 20, 2025 [6th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C] Rachel's turn for a quick episode, this time on a divine visit to Abraham and Sarah! Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!

Be Bold! Lectionary Date: July 13, 2025 [5th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C] Paul again, bringing out the boldness of Amos's message. Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!

A Different Kind of Power Lectionary Date: July 6, 2025 [4th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C] Paul is up with a brief reflection on the power dynamics in this week's Old Testament lectionary readings. Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!

Commitment Issues Lectionary Date: June 29, 2025 [3rd Sunday after Pentecost, Year C] Rosy is back again with a few thoughts about "commitment issues" in this week's readings. Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!

Summer Shorts are Back! Lectionary Date: June 22, 2025 [2nd Sunday after Pentecost, Year C] Rosy kicks off our summer series with some thoughts on Isaiah, Luke, and the Psalm. Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!

Pentecost: Babel All Over AgainLectionary Date: June 8, 2025 [Pentecost Sunday, Year C]For Pentecost, we are back in the Hebrew Bible / Old Testament, with a look at the Tower of Babel story. But first, Tim makes a few connections to the Pentecost narrative in Acts 2.Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!

Hebrew Bible Scholars Read Revelation!Lectionary Date: June 1, 2025 [7th Sunday of Easter, Year C]Rachel concludes our Revelation series with a look at the close of the letter, its context, and its impact for us today!Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!

Hebrew Bible Scholars Read Revelation!Lectionary Date: May 25, 2025 [6th Sunday of Easter, Year C]Tim's turn to say a few words about the new Jerusalem pictured in Revelation... and also a bit about eschatology and teleology for the nerds.Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!

Hebrew Bible Scholars Read Revelation!Lectionary Date: May 18, 2025 [5th Sunday of Easter, Year C]Rachel's up to give us some insight into the appearance of a new heavens and new earth at the end of the book. Spoiler alert!Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!

Party Episode: Hebrew Bible Scholars Read Revelation!Lectionary Date: May 11, 2025 [4th Sunday of Easter, Year C]All four of us are together to celebrate Easter with a look at the gathered multitudes in Revelation 7. What happens when Hebrew Bible scholars read Revelation???

Hebrew Bible Scholars Read Revelation!Lectionary Date: May 6, 2025 [3rd Sunday of Easter, Year C]Tim explores the upside down imagery and symbolism of Revelation's slain lamb.

Hebrew Bible Scholars Read Revelation!Lectionary Date: April 27, 2025 [2nd Sunday of Easter, Year C]We begin a new Easter series on Revelation (the lectionary omits Old Testament readings during Easter, grrrr). Rachel gives us the scoop on context!

New Creation!Lectionary Date: April 20, 2025 [Easter Sunday, Year C]What? Preach from the Old Testament on Easter Sunday?! Tim digs into this prophetic poem all about new creation.

Ominous PraiseLectionary Date: April 13, 2025 [Palm/Passion Sunday, Year C]Rachel goes directly to the Gospel reading this week (she promises she is still a Hebrew Bible scholar!).

Lent Party!Lectionary Date: April 6, 2025 [5th Sunday in Lent, Year C]For the 5th Sunday in Lent, we have a party episode to explore God's renewal bursting forth.