December 30, 2013 | by The Hardest Question
THQ has entered a state of suspended (as in no new posts) animation (as in what been archived is still quite lively!)
I must admit, perched on the cusp of a new year as I am in this moment, that my...
December 16, 2013 | by The Hardest Question
by Lauren F. Winner
Psalm Reading: Psalm 80:1-7
For Sunday, December 22, 2013: Year A—Advent 4
We are nearing Christmas, and we are given to pray, as a community, a psalm of lament.
I feel I...
December 16, 2013 | by The Hardest Question
by Lauren F. Winner
Gospel Reading: Matthew 1:18-25
For Sunday, December 22, 2013: Year A—Advent 4
My colleague Stanley Hauerwas is always saying something like “if you want to learn how to welcome...
September 8, 2013 | by The Hardest Question
by Lauren F. Winner
Gospel Reading: Luke 15:1–10
For Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013: Year C—Lectionary 24
The liturgical context in which I am reading this Gospel is not only our Christian calendar—nearing...
September 8, 2013 | by The Hardest Question
by Lauren F. Winner
Psalm Reading: Psalm 51
For Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013: Year C—Lectionary 24
“My mistakes are always before my eyes” reads Pamela Greenberg’s translation. “I am deeply conscious of my...
August 26, 2013 | by The Hardest Question
Gospel Reading: Luke 14:1, 7-14
For Sunday, Sept. 1, 2013: Year C—Lectionary 22
Ah, etiquette, and the thorny question of the return invitation.
My First Defensive Evasion of this...
August 26, 2013 | by The Hardest Question
Psalm Reading: Psalm 81
For Sunday, Sept. 1, 2013: Year C—Lectionary 22
God as farmer, and grocer, and master baker all at once: Psalm 81 shows us god feeding us, providing food...
May 27, 2013 | by The Hardest Question
Psalm Reading: Psalm 96
For Sunday, June 2 , 2013: Year C—Lectionary 9 (4)
Of all the many wonderful songs our synagogue’s music director led on Sunday mornings, the tune by ...
May 27, 2013 | by The Hardest Question
Gospel Reading: Luke 7:1-0
For Sunday, June 2 , 2013: Year C—Lectionary 9 (4)
I usually think this story is about the Centurion, but this week I am noticing that in order for the...
January 21, 2013 | by The Hardest Question
Epistle Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
For Sunday, January 27, 2013: Year C—Epiphany 3
There are plenty of fun ways to avoid the real challenge of this passage.
I like to ask...
