Getting on track

Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” --Acts 2:12

Goodness. It's been a long time since I posted anything. That needs to change. So-- at least for now-- I am going to try to blog on a lectionary passage each week. I need the discipline, and the lectionary is a good tool for that.

Just to level the playing field a bit, in case the L-word is unfamiliar to you? The lectionary, in short definition, is a tool which, over the course of three years, accesses the vast majority of the Bible. (As a Protestant, I am familiar with the Revised Common Lectionary, or RCL.) 

Each week, the RCL offers four suggested passages, typically (but not always) one from the Old Testament, one from Psalms, one from the Gospels and one from the epistles.

The biggest advantage to preaching the RCL is that it narrows a preacher's choices. It also discourages one from frequently returning to "favorite" passages and neglecting other, more challenging portions of Scripture.

The downside, arguably, is that it potentially hinders the freedom of the Holy Spirit. (Then again-- could not the Spirit guide the preacher and speak through the chosen RCL passage?)

Wake up! It's not that bad, really. 

And somehow, this all relates a bit to this week's RCL passage from Acts, the story of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit arrived and allowed everyone to understand everyone else, no matter what language they were speaking. Each person heard the other in their native language.

Using the RCL as a guide means that wherever you attend church this Sunday, if the preacher follows the RCL, it's likely you will hear a sermon based on the same passage. And that can be a terrific experience, since the direction the preacher takes might be completely different in another pulpit or another denomination. 

And a skillful preacher will manage to preach a message that is not only scriptural, but relevant, proving week after week that the Bible is not a dusty old book no longer worthy of reading. Rather, it is alive, lively and relevant-- if we have eyes to see, ears to hear and a desiring heart.

So. This may not be the most interesting post ever, but this is my commitment to getting back on track. Hope you are still with me.

Ever-wise, ever-faithful God, thank you for guiding our hearts-- and for discipline. We need it. We really do. Amen.