Sunday October 2-8 in Year A (Ormseth11)
A Parable about Caring for Creation – Dennis Ormseth reflects on being grounded in the earth. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday October 2-8, Year A (2011, 2014, 2017, 2020, 2023, 2026) Isaiah 5:1-7 Psalm 80:7-15 Philippians 3:4b-14 Matthew 21:33-46 The readings for this Sunday after Pentecost remind us that, […]
Sunday September 18-24 in Year A (Santmire14)
In Praise of Generosity – Paul Santmire reflects on a kairos moment for Americans. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday September 18-24, Year A (2014, 2017, 2020, 2023, 2026) Jonah 3:10 – 4:11 Psalm 145:1-8 Philippians 1:21-30 Matthew 20:1-16 In the liberal state of Massachusetts, a woman phoned into […]
Sunday August 14-20 in Year A (Carr23)
An Outsider’s Wit and a Grafting God: Playing for a Change – Amy Carr reflects on honesty and play as eco-justice resources. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday August 14 – 20, Year A (2023, 2026) Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 Psalm 67 Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 Matthew 15:[10-20], 21-28 All sorts […]
Sunday August 14-20 in Year A (Ormseth11)
In Jesus, Exceptionalist Ideology Falls Away – Dennis Ormseth reflects on a global scope for the vision of well-being. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday August 14-20, Year A (2011, 2014, 2017, 2020, 2023, 2026) Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 Psalm 67 Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 Matthew 15:[10-20] 21-28 Constructing political agreements […]
Sunday August 7-13 in Year A (Thompson20)
All-Encompassing, Hopeful, and Embodied Faith Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday August 7-13, Year A (2020, 2023) 1 Kings 19:9-18 Psalm 85:8-13 Romans 10:5-15 Matthew 14:22-33 Introduction It’s no secret that the United States’ narrative of individualism and self-sufficiency has and is devastating our environment and many communities who […]
Sunday June 19-25 in Year A (Mundahl20)
It Can’t Happen Here – Tom Mundahl reflects on prophetic voice and lament. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday June 19-25, Year A (2020, 2023, 2026) Jeremiah 20:7-13 Psalm 69:7-10 (11-15) 16-18 Romans 6:1b-11 Matthew 10:24-39 When I read Camus’ novel The Plague during my freshman year in college, […]
Day of Pentecost in Year A (Ormseth11)
The Spirit is the Giver of Life! – Dennis Ormseth reflects on the first fruits of a restored creation. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for the Day of Pentecost, Year A (2011, 2014, 2017, 2020, 2023, 2026) Acts 2:1-21 Psalm 104:24-34, 35b 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 John 20:19-23 Pentecost is the […]
Sunday of the Passion (Palm Sunday) in Year A (Mundahl17)
Offering Life for the World – Tom Mundahl reflects on Christ’s suffering and death. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for the Sunday of Passion, Year A (2017, 2020, 2023, 2026) Matthew 21:1-11 Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 31:9-16 Philippians 2:5-11 Matthew 26:14-27: 66 or Matthew 27:11-54 The Sunday of the Passion begins […]
Fifth Sunday in Lent in Year A (Mundahl17)
Can These Bones Live? – Tom Mundahl reflects on the cost of transitioning to a creation-normed economy.
Third Sunday in Lent in Year A (Mundahl17)
Come and See – Tom Mundahl reflects on God’s gift of water. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for the Third Sunday in Lent, Year A (2017, 2020, 2023, 2026)Exodus 17:1-7Psalm 95Romans 5:1-11John 4:5-42 On the day of my ordination at First Lutheran Church, Little Falls, MN, in late September of […]
Second Sunday in Lent in Year A (Mundahl17)
Living in Promises and Hope – Tom Mundahl reflects on land and the struggle to “till (serve) and keep” it to this day. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for the Second Sunday in Lent, Year A (2017, 2020, 2023, 2026)Genesis 12:1-4aPsalm 121Romans 4:1-1, 13-17John 3:1-17 As we move from the […]
First Sunday in Lent in Year A (Mundahl17)
The Way of Ecojustice in a Dangerous Time – Tom Mundahl reflects on our place in the world. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for the First Sunday in Lent, Year A (2017, 2020, 2023, 2026)Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7Psalm 32Romans 5:12-19Matthew 4:1-11 During times of crisis God’s people have not only returned […]
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany in Year A (Ormseth17)
Meeting the “Creational Need” of Nature – Dennis Ormseth reflects on salt and light. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany, Year A (2017, 2020, 2023, 2026) Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12) Psalm 112:1-9 (10) 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16) Matthew 5:13-20 As the reading of the Sermon on […]
World Council of Churches: Decade of Climate of Justice
The World Council of Churches invites all to an Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action. Lutherans Restoring Creation encouraged our network to bring a Synod Resolution to your congregation’s annual meeting, to go to synod assemblies and synod councils, urging expanded ELCA participation in the WCC Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action. Our model resolution […]
Baptism of Our Lord in Year A (Schade17)
Inauguration by Water – The Baptism of Jesus – Leah Schade reflects on Matthew 3:13-17 and Isaiah 42:1-9. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for the Baptism of Our Lord (January 7-13), First Sunday after Epiphany in Year A (2017, 2020, 2023, 2026) Isaiah 42:1-9 Psalm 29 Acts 10:34-43 Matthew 3:13-17 […]
Third Sunday of Advent in Year A (Saler13)
Expanding the Imagination with Vision – Robert Saler reflects on what might stir congregations to creative action. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for the Third Sunday of Advent, Year A (2013, 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025) Isaiah 35:1-10 Psalm 146:5-10 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11 The Isaiah text for this week is […]
Sunday November 13-19 in Year C (Utphall22)
A New Song – Nick Utphall reflects on the voice of the forest in concert with us. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday November 13-19, Year C (2022, 2025) Malachi 4:1-2 Psalm 98 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 Luke 21:5-19 Well, the department stores have been at it for months now. […]
Sunday August 21 – 27 in Year C (Saler13)
The Tension Between Action and Rest – Robert Saler reflects on the right balance. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday August 21-27, Year C (2013, 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025) Jeremiah 1:4-10 Psalm 71: 1-6 Hebrews 12:18-29 Luke 13:10-17 One of the most striking things about the gospel lesson for […]