The Abingdon Theological Companion to the Lectionary gets straight to the point of the Revised Common Lectionary: to allow God’s people to encounter the meaning of Scripture through the Word read and proclaimed. For each Sunday or occasion, a homiletician and a theologian have collaborated on commentary that will help preachers create substantive and life-changing sermons. Designed to focus on the deep meaning of the biblical text, and the questions it raises for life as a Christian in the modern world, the Abingdon Theological Companion to the Lectionary begins with the conviction that Scripture speaks first and foremost to Christians now. While informed by the best in biblical studies, its commentary on the Scripture passages of the Revised Common Lectionary engages Christian belief and action in the present day. The Abingdon Theological Companion to the Lectionary will help the preacher to think deeply about the meaning of Scripture and communicate to worshipers the power of Scripture in their daily lives. Paul Scott Wilson is Professor of Homiletics at Emmanuel College of the University of Toronto. He is one of the most respected and recognized teachers of homiletics in North America. He is the author of a number of books, including The Practice of Preaching, Imagination of the Heart, God Sense: Reading the Bible for Preaching , and The Four Pages of the Sermon , all published by Abingdon Press. He is the General Editor of The New Interpreter's Handbook of Preaching . Abingdon Theological Companion to the Lectionary Preaching Year C By Paul Scott Wilson Abingdon Press Copyright © 2012 Abingdon Press All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-4267-2977-5 Contents Series Preface, First Sunday of Advent, Second Sunday of Advent, Third Sunday of Advent, Fourth Sunday of Advent, CHRISTMAS, Christmas Eve/Day, Third Proper, First Sunday after Christmas Day, EPIPHANY, Epiphany of the Lord, Baptism of the Lord (First Sunday after the Epiphany) [1], Second Sunday after the Epiphany [2], Third Sunday after the Epiphany [3], Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany [4], Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany [5], Last Sunday after the Epiphany (Transfiguration Sunday), LENT, Ash Wednesday, First Sunday in Lent, Second Sunday in Lent, Third Sunday in Lent, Fourth Sunday in Lent, Fifth Sunday in Lent, HOLY WEEK, Good Friday, EASTER, Resurrection of the Lord (Easter Day), Second Sunday of Easter, Third Sunday of Easter, Fourth Sunday of Easter, Fifth Sunday of Easter, Sixth Sunday of Easter, Seventh Sunday of Easter, Day of Pentecost, SEASON AFTER PENTECOST, Trinity Sunday (First Sunday after Pentecost), Proper 4 [9] (May 29 to June 4), Proper 5 [10] (June 5 to June 11), Proper 6 [11] (June 12 to June 18), Proper 7 [12] (June 19 to June 25), Proper 8 [13] (June 26 to July 2), Proper 9 [14] (July 3 to July 9), Proper 10 [15] (July 10 to July 16), Proper 11 [16] (July 17 to July 23), Proper 12 [17] (July 24 to July 30), Proper 13 [18] (July 31 to August 6), Proper 14 [19] (August 7 to August 13), Proper 15 [20] (August 14 to August 20), Proper 16 [21] (August 21 to August 27), Proper 17 [22] (August 28 to September 3), Proper 18 [23] (September 4 to September 10), Proper 19 [24] (September 11 to September 17), Proper 20 [25] (September 18 to September 24), Proper 21 [26] (September 25 to October 1), Proper 22 [27] (October 2 to October 8), Proper 23 [28] (October 9 to October 15), Proper 24 [29] (October 16 to October 22), Proper 25 [30] (October 23 to October 29), Proper 26 [31] (October 30 to November 5), Proper 27 [32] (November 6 to November 12), Proper 28 [33] (November 13 to November 19), Proper 29 [34] (Reign of Christ or Christ the King) (November 20 to November 26), All Saints Day (November 1 or the first Sunday in November), Thanksgiving Day, Contributors, Scripture index, CHAPTER 1 FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT THE LESSONS IN PRÉCIS Jeremiah 33:14- 16. After years of trouble, God will raise a righteous Branch (leader) from David's line and the people will be saved. Psalm 25:1- 10. The psalmist cries out for rescue and forgiveness for his youthful sins and testifies to God's steadfast, reliable love. 1 Thessalonians 3:9- 13. Paul gives thanks for the joy he receives from knowing the Thessalonians, and prays that they may be blessed in all ways and be blameless at the coming of the Lord. Note: the troubles that are present in the other texts can be found in verses 6-8. Luke 21:25- 36. Jesus warns his disciples of the terrifying signs that will precede the coming of the Human One. He urges his disciples to watch for signs of his coming, to be alert, and not to allow self-indulgence or worldly worries to keep them off guard. THEME SENTENCE Christ is coming so be ready! The context of all the day's texts is trouble. Amidst that trouble the biblical writers have hope that God will act. The Gospel foretells the decisive act, the coming o