Author: Rod Groom

Lectionary for August 9th, 2026

Our readings for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 14) follow. For a combined link to read them all, go here.

Matthew 14:22–33

1 Kings 19:9–18

Psalm 85:8–13

Romans 10:5–15

Matthew 14:22–33. After the feeding of the 5000, Jesus sends the disciples across the lake while he withdraws to pray. They fight a terrible storm for hours when they perceive Jesus walking on the water towards them. They are afraid, but he tells them not to be. Peter asks for permission to walk on the water towards him, but soon starts to sink because of fear and a lack of faith. He cries out for Jesus to save him, calling him Lord. Jesus takes hold of him and they go into the boat. All in the boat acknowledge him as the Son of God. 

1 Kings 19:9-18. Elijah flees from Jezebel, is comforted and fed by an angel of the Lord, and travels for forty days, taking up lodging in a cave. The word of the Lord comes to him and asks him what he is doing there. He complains of the people’s breaking the covenant with the Lord and killing all his prophets and laments that he is the only one left. He is told to stand outside the entrance to the cave. The Lord passes by as a strong wind, in an earthquake, and in a fire, but finally Elijah comes out when he hears a low whisper, “a still small voice” (KJV). The Lord asks him what he is doing there. He answers again of the people’s unfaithfulness and that they are trying to kill him. The Lord simply tells him to go back to the area around Damascus, and anoint Hazael as the new king of Syria, and Jehu as king over Israel, and Elisha to succeed him as prophet. These three will kill many of the unfaithful, but the Lord will preserve 7000 faithful in Israel, those who have not submitted to the false god, Baal. Elijah’s commission is to prepare those who will succeed him in the work of God. 

Psalm 85:8-13. Salvation, righteousness, favor, grace are prayed for. 

Romans 10:5-15. Paul explains that salvation and righteousness are available to all and therefore it is necessary to spread the good news as far and wide as possible. 

The disciples are in trouble on the stormy sea. Peter in particular is sinking beneath the waves because of his faltering faith. Elijah is in trouble, fleeing from the evil queen, Jezebel. Nevertheless, the Lord is there for them, as he is for us. Do not fear. Go where you are called. Rely and trust on the Lord!

Lectionary for August 2nd, 2026

Our readings for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 13) follow. For a combined link to read them all go here.

Matthew 14:13-21

Isaiah 55:1-5

Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21

Romans 9:1-5

This season after Pentecost is often called “Ordinary Time.” It focuses on the life and teachings of Jesus and the gifts and callings he has placed on our lives. The four readings focus on the gospel passage and reflect on its theme, both in the Old Testament that foreshadowed Jesus, as well as in the New Testament commentary illustrating how we should live it. The Psalm reading reflects on the theme of the Old Testament and Gospel readings. The love, power, and compassion of our God are recounted this week, as well as our call to mirror him in all of our ministries.

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Millennial Views

A Partial Summary

In Revelation 18, Babylon the Whore has fallen. At the time Revelation was written, Babylon probably meant Rome, although it can stand for any dominating worldly power. It can even apply to us today!

In Revelation 19, heaven rejoices at the fall of Babylon, and gets ready to attend the wedding of the Lamb and the Bride, which is Jesus and his church. John’s vision continues and he sees a Rider on a white horse called Faithful and True. He has many crowns and is called the Word of God. On his robe and thigh are written his name, King of kings and Lord of lords. He has a sharp sword in his mouth to strike down the nations. An angel calls out to all the birds to prepare for a great feast of the slain bodies of mighty men. John sees the beast (the Antichrist) and the armies of the kings of the earth getting ready to fight Jesus. And with him the false prophet who deceived people into worshipping the Antichrist. The beast and the false prophet are captured and thrown into the lake of fire, and all the armies are killed by the sword in the mouth of Jesus, and they are eaten by all the birds who had gathered.

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The Rapture

 

Do you believe in “The Rapture?” It depends on what “rapture” you actually mean.[1] Our word rapture comes from the Latin word raptus, meaning to be seized, caught up, snatched away, or carried off. This is the way the old Latin Vulgate Bible translated 1 Thessalonians 4:17 (ESV): “Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” 

We will all be “raptured” to meet Jesus when he returns to earth. At the same time, the wicked will be destroyed, heaven comes down, and we live with Jesus and the Father in the New Jerusalem forever. This has been the view of Christians around

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Lectionary Readings for July 26th, 2026

Our readings for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 12) follow. For a combined link to read them all, go here.


Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

1 Kings 3:5-12

Psalm 119:129-136

Romans 8:26-39

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