[RCL] Amos 8:1-12; Psalm 52; Colossians 1:15-28; Luke 10:38-42 Amos 8:1-12 A basket of summer fruit: the prophet Amos lived among a group of shepherds and was “a dresser of sycamore trees” (Amos 7:14), so he knew and appreciated a basket of fruit more than anyone. He also knew that ripe summer fruit rots quickly….

[RCL] Amos 7:7-17; Psalm 82; Colossians 1:1-14; Luke 10:25-37 Amos 7:7-17 The prophet Amos is known for siding with the powerless against the powerful. He prophesied during the 8th century BCE, during the reign of King Uzziah of Judah and King Jeroboam in Israel. This is the time in Ancient Israel’s history when the kingdom…

[RCL] 2 Kings 5:1-14; Psalm 30; Galatians 6:(1-6)7-16; Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 Editor’s Note: You will note that today’s author uses a convention common in some traditions for avoiding fully writing out the name, or in this case, a common substitute for the name, of the Lord. Generally, this spelling is used by writers who do…

[RCL] 1 Kings 19:15-16,19-21; Psalm 16; Galatians 5:1,13-25; Luke 9:51-62 1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21 Elijah is a tired prophet at this point in 1 Kings, though that’s difficult to tell from this small pericope. Elijah has just experienced the “fine” or “thin” sound in a cave on the mountain, revealing the Lord’s presence. But he…

[RCL] 1 Kings 19:1-4, (5-7), 8-15a; Psalm 42 and 43; Galatians 3:23-29; Luke 8:26-39 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a Elijah has been very busy doing the work of a prophet, but it seems like his fortunes have changed. He is exhausted and one can imagine that he feels alone, isolated, and no longer favored by…