First Reading

A Different Kind of Power Lectionary Date: July 6, 2025 [4th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C] Paul is up with a brief reflection on the power dynamics in this week's Old Testament lectionary readings. Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!

Commitment Issues Lectionary Date: June 29, 2025 [3rd Sunday after Pentecost, Year C] Rosy is back again with a few thoughts about "commitment issues" in this week's readings. Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!

Summer Shorts are Back! Lectionary Date: June 22, 2025 [2nd Sunday after Pentecost, Year C] Rosy kicks off our summer series with some thoughts on Isaiah, Luke, and the Psalm. Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!

Pentecost: Babel All Over AgainLectionary Date: June 8, 2025 [Pentecost Sunday, Year C]For Pentecost, we are back in the Hebrew Bible / Old Testament, with a look at the Tower of Babel story. But first, Tim makes a few connections to the Pentecost narrative in Acts 2.Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!

Hebrew Bible Scholars Read Revelation!Lectionary Date: June 1, 2025 [7th Sunday of Easter, Year C]Rachel concludes our Revelation series with a look at the close of the letter, its context, and its impact for us today!Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!

Hebrew Bible Scholars Read Revelation!Lectionary Date: May 25, 2025 [6th Sunday of Easter, Year C]Tim's turn to say a few words about the new Jerusalem pictured in Revelation... and also a bit about eschatology and teleology for the nerds.Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!

Hebrew Bible Scholars Read Revelation!Lectionary Date: May 18, 2025 [5th Sunday of Easter, Year C]Rachel's up to give us some insight into the appearance of a new heavens and new earth at the end of the book. Spoiler alert!Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!

Party Episode: Hebrew Bible Scholars Read Revelation!Lectionary Date: May 11, 2025 [4th Sunday of Easter, Year C]All four of us are together to celebrate Easter with a look at the gathered multitudes in Revelation 7. What happens when Hebrew Bible scholars read Revelation???

Hebrew Bible Scholars Read Revelation!Lectionary Date: May 6, 2025 [3rd Sunday of Easter, Year C]Tim explores the upside down imagery and symbolism of Revelation's slain lamb.

Hebrew Bible Scholars Read Revelation!Lectionary Date: April 27, 2025 [2nd Sunday of Easter, Year C]We begin a new Easter series on Revelation (the lectionary omits Old Testament readings during Easter, grrrr). Rachel gives us the scoop on context!

New Creation!Lectionary Date: April 20, 2025 [Easter Sunday, Year C]What? Preach from the Old Testament on Easter Sunday?! Tim digs into this prophetic poem all about new creation.

Ominous PraiseLectionary Date: April 13, 2025 [Palm/Passion Sunday, Year C]Rachel goes directly to the Gospel reading this week (she promises she is still a Hebrew Bible scholar!).

Lent Party!Lectionary Date: April 6, 2025 [5th Sunday in Lent, Year C]For the 5th Sunday in Lent, we have a party episode to explore God's renewal bursting forth.

It's About the CommunityLectionary Date: March 30, 2025 [4th Sunday in Lent, Year C]Paul highlights the communal nature of this scene on the west bank of the Jordan River.

Hoi! Listen Up: It's a Message of GenerosityLectionary Date: March 23, 2025 [3rd Sunday in Lent, Year C]Rosy digs into the covenantal flavor of Isaiah's soaring prophetic song.

Descendants and LandLectionary Date: March 16, 2025 [2nd Sunday in Lent, Year C]Paul tries to unpack the mysterious vision of God's promise to Abram.

My Ancester was a Perishing ArameanLectionary Date: March 9, 2025 [First Sunday in Lent, Year C]Rosy explores the firstfruits liturgy from Deuteronomy—but stick around for her masterful connection to the temptation scene in Luke's Gospel!

Transfigurations: Moses, Jesus, and UsLectionary Date: March 2, 2025 [Transfiguration Sunday, Year C]Rachel and Tim discuss Moses's shiny (?) face, the apostle Paul's comments about it, and Jesus's Transfiguration. We cover a ton of ground in this episode!

Finding Agency in Impossible SituationsLectionary Date: February 23, 2025 [7th Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C]Paul is up with some reflections on the climax of the Genesis Joseph novella—both its "Hallmark-ish" quality and its reflection of real-life trauma.

Kidneys?Lectionary Date: February 16, 2025 [6th Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C]Rachel finds an important thread running through all three lectionary texts this week… and "kidneys."

Here am ILectionary Date: February 9, 2025 [5th Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C]Paul explores the prophet Isaiah's iconic call story.

Our RefugeLectionary Date: February 2, 2025 [4th Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C]Rachel digs into the poetic Hebrew of the Psalm reading for the week!

Reading and InterpretationLectionary Date: January 26, 2025 [3rd Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C]Three of our hosts are together for a party episode about the public proclamation of God's word!

That's "Right"!Lectionary Date: January 19, 2025 [2nd Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C]Rosy is up, and she explores the "rightness" of this beautiful prophetic text.

You are My BelovedLectionary Date: January 12, 2025 [Baptism of the Lord, Year C]Tim peeks under the hood of a beautiful poem about God's love.

Looking Back ... Looking ForwardLectionary Date: January 5, 2025 [2nd Sunday after Christmas, Year C]Rosy sets the context for contemplating a new season ... or new year?

And He Grew Up...Lectionary Date: December 29, 2024 [1st Sunday after Christmas, Year C]For this Christmas lection, we look at the stories of two boys who grew up in preparation for their special callings.

Advent is here!!!Lectionary Date: December 22, 2024 [4th Sunday of Advent, Year C]In our final Advent episode of 2024, Paul and the gang (recording in person at the Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting in San Diego) take a look at the political context and powerful imagery of the reading from Micah.

Advent is here!!!Lectionary Date: December 15, 2024 [3rd Sunday of Advent, Year C]For the 3rd week of Advent, Rachel takes us to the lesser-known prophet Zephaniah, who introduces a new aspect of God's profile.

Advent is here!!!Lectionary Date: December 8, 2024 [2nd Sunday of Advent, Year C]For the 2nd Sunday in Advent, Rosy highlights the tension in the coming of God's "messenger." We're coming to you from our conference in San Diego!

Advent is here!!!Lectionary Date: December 1, 2024 [1st Sunday of Advent, Year C]Advent is here! And First Reading has you covered, with episodes recorded in person at our professional convention in San Diego. For Advent 1, Tim looks at the prophet Jeremiah's claim that God will hold unfaithful leaders to account.

First Reading Episode #300!!!Lectionary Date: November 24, 2024 [Reign of Christ Sunday, Year B]It's a special party episode of First Reading, as we celebrate our 300th episode! All four hosts take a few minutes to share what has been meaningful to them about this podcasting journey. Then, we dive into some analysis and preaching tips for the first reading: 2 Samuel 23, David's "last words."

Birth Pangs of a New RealityLectionary Date: November 17, 2024 [26th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B]Rosy opens up the story of Hannah in conversation with Jesus's "little apocalypse" in Mark.

Uncovering and CoveringLectionary Date: November 10, 2024 [25th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B]Paul explores the theological impact of Ruth's vulnerability and its redemptive power.

A Migrant InvasionLectionary Date: November 3, 2024 [24th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B]Rosy encourages us to preach the story of a migrant family facing discrimination, as these themes also swirl in our own political moment.

Peace in the Midst of Mysterious SufferingLectionary Date: October 27, 2024 [23rd Sunday after Pentecost, Year B]Paul and Rosy pick up our ongoing conversation in the book of Job this lectionary season. This week, Paul highlights Job's shift in tone after an overwhelming barrage of divine questions.

Party Episode! God's (Non)Answer to JobLectionary Date: October 20, 2024 [22nd Sunday after Pentecost, Year B]In this party episode, all four First Reading hosts wrestle with God's enigmatic response to Job out of the whirlwind.

Honest to GodLectionary Date: October 13, 2024 [21st Sunday after Pentecost, Year B]Rachel ventures cautiously into the book of Job. It's a tricky book, but Rachel discovers a model for being honest to God. We recorded this before Hurricane Helene—our prayers are with all who are suffering in the aftermath of the storm. Hopefully, this episode gives an opening for a kind of honest prayer in a context of disaster.

God's Finger-workLectionary Date: October 6, 2024 [20th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B]This week, Tim explores the context, language, and imagery of a classic psalm!

Recycled episode: Eldad and MedadLectionary Date: September 29, 2024 [19th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B]Rachel hosted a great little episode on "Eldad and Medad" not too long ago (Pentecost 2023). They are back in the lectionary cycle again, so we're replaying that episode. We'll be back with a new episode next week!

Rooted in the WordLectionary Date: September 22, 2024 [18th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B]We're back with a brand new episode! This week, Rachel walks us through "one of her favorite psalms"—for real this time... This psalm has accompanied her through some challenging times.

Recycled Episode: The Tongue of a LearnerLectionary Date: September 15, 2024 [17th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B]We'll be back with new material next week! In the meantime, Tim sets his face like flint to offer a nonviolent interpretation of this famous text!

Recyled Episode: The Sharing is the BlessingLectionary Date: September 8, 2024 [16th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B]Your beloved hosts are all busy starting up the fall semester, so here's a recycled episode from this week's lectionary selections! In this episode, Rachel gives an overview of wisdom literature, and tackles the prosperity gospel—all at the same time! We'll have new material for you soon!

Party Episode! A Place for God's Name Lectionary Date: August 25, 2024 [14th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B] All four hosts are back from Summer Break for a Party Episode looking at Solomon's temple dedication scene (as well as Psalm 84, a temple psalm).

Recycled Episode: A Listening Heart Lectionary Date: August 18, 2024 [13th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B] We're getting ready for a "Party Episode" next week, so this time around we're recycling a fascinating post from the FR vault: Tim's reflection on King Solomon's request for "wisdom"... or "a listening heart," from the last time this text came up in the lectionary (2021).

First Reading "Summer Shorts"! Lectionary Date: August 11, 2024 [12th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B] This summer, we're trying something new: a series of video shorts with one key takeaway from the semi-continuous first reading in the RCL. This week, Rosy reflects on the sad story of the collapse of David's family and his failures as a parent.

First Reading "Summer Shorts"! Lectionary Date: August 4, 2024 [11th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B] This summer, we're trying something new: a series of video shorts with one key takeaway from the semi-continuous first reading in the RCL. This week, Paul considers how David's abuse of power has parallels in today's world.

First Reading "Summer Shorts"! Lectionary Date: July 28, 2024 [10th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B] This summer, we're trying something new: a series of video shorts with one key takeaway from the semi-continuous first reading in the RCL. This week, Rachel takes a careful listen to Bathsheba's voice.

First Reading "Summer Shorts"! Lectionary Date: July 21, 2024 [9th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B] This summer, we're trying something new: a series of video shorts with one key takeaway from the semi-continuous first reading in the RCL. This week, Tim explores the kind of "place" that King David's leadership makes.

First Reading "Summer Shorts"! Lectionary Date: July 14, 2024 [8th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B] This summer, we're trying something new: a series of video shorts with one key takeaway from the semi-continuous first reading in the RCL. This week, Rosy considers how we might embody a bit more joy in our worship this summer.

First Reading "Summer Shorts"! Lectionary Date: July 7, 2024 [7th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B] This summer, we're trying something new: a series of video shorts with one key takeaway from the semi-continuous first reading in the RCL. But this week, Paul connects "praise" and "memory" in the lectionary psalm.