Harmony Bible – Year A

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany (A)

January 22nd, 2017|Lectionary Series, Year A|0 Comments

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany (A)

Our Gospel reading today is from Mt 5:1-12 found in Sections 54a, b. Jesus explains during the first lesson on the “Sermon on the Mount” his wisdom, virtues and values he wishes to instill in those who would be his disciples. Even more in this message Jesus is passing on an anointing helping his recently appointed Apostles who are to become like him. The beatitudes confound the braggart but comfort the biddable; they build up the disciple but bewilder the […]

Third Sunday after the Epiphany (A)

January 18th, 2017|Lectionary Series, Year A|0 Comments

Third Sunday after the Epiphany (A)

This week’s Gospel reading is from Matthew 4:12-23 which is found within four sections, but spans 11 sections in phases 2 & 3 in the Harmony of the Gospels. In our study we’ll have to revisit our Chronology, see how Matthew sheds light on an old prophecy and why this region was such fertile ground for the Good News, as well as examine the the recesses of our own hearts and the lands to which […]

Second Sunday after Epiphany (A)

January 15th, 2017|Lectionary Series, Year A|0 Comments

Second Sunday after Epiphany (Year A)

This Sunday’s Gospel Reading from John 1:29-42 spans sections 27 & 28 in the Harmony of the Gospels. The setting is in Bethany on the East side of the River Jordan and in Galilee. John the Baptist was certain that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah and he was not hesitant to tell others. His witness is

Collect:
Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant […]

Fourth Sunday of Advent (A)

December 13th, 2016|Lectionary Series, Uncategorized, Year A|0 Comments

This Sunday’s gospel reading comes from Mt 1:18-25 found in Phase 1, Section 9 of the Harmony of the Gospels. The story recorded by the Apostle Matthew, probably while he was in Antioch was written with special concern for those steeped in Hebrew tradition. Today, we believe it speaks loudest to those who are law-bound and legalistic – battling with their reasoning, their desire to do what’s right, and the reality of their own thoughts and actions. Today’s message […]

Third Sunday of Advent (Year A)

December 6th, 2016|Five, Lectionary Series, Year A|0 Comments

Third Sunday of Advent (Year A)

Jumping forward in time once again from last Sunday’s Gospel reading which recounted the story of the day Jesus came to John for his baptism (Phase 1 Sections 21-23), today’s Gospel reading comes from Mt 11:2-11 (Phase 5a, Section 57) nearly two years later wherein we read more of John the Baptist’s relationship to the Kingdom. The 3rd Sunday of Advent is the Sunday we light the pink candle of joy.

Collect:

Stir up your […]

Second Sunday of Advent

December 6th, 2016|Lectionary Series, One, Year A|0 Comments

The 2nd Sunday of Advent
Today’s Gospel reading is from Mt 3:1-12 found in section 21,22,23 of the Harmony of the Gospels which we will find jumps from last week’s reading from Jesus’ last week of life on earth backward in time to about 26 AD. John the Baptist is ministering in an arid region south-east of Jerusalem calling Jerusalem to repentance and her re-commitment to her covenant with God.

Collect:

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and […]

First Sunday of Advent (A)

November 26th, 2016|Lectionary Series, Year A|0 Comments

The Gospel lectionary for this Sunday, the First Sunday of Advent, is Mt 24:36-44 within Sections 139e and 139f in which Jesus tells five parables to impress on his disciples the importance of watchfulness for his second advent and faithfulness to the purposes of God. He said this in the last week of his life – on Tuesday of Holy Week. While the assigned Gospel reading is found only in Matthew, both Mark and Luke record key aspects of […]