It can perhaps seem a bit out-of-touch to be writing this series on the Church Calendar when there may be more important topics to discuss in our current times. Yet, one of the epiphanies of this Epiphany season might just be how much the Church Lectionary can help us understand the essentials of the Gospel, that remain always relevant no matter the countless crises in our world. Let me explain:
Most “mainline” Christian churches follow a similar lectionary cycle of biblical texts that support and motivate the Church Year. Over the course of three years these texts cycle through each of the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke), with John sprinkled throughout (mostly during the Mark year). The gospel texts are coupled with texts from the Hebrew Bible (or, Old Testament) and the writings after Jesus (the epistles and other New Testament writings).
Within the growing number of non-denominational churches (at least within American Evangelical circles), there is a common disdain for lectionary use. They cite that prescribed passages block out the Holy Spirit from working freely. Instead, these communities often end up relying on their lead preachers to discern what is important to say today and how to weave the Scriptures together through sermon series. In a sense they end up creating their own individual lectionaries based on their church and its values. In this practice though something is often lost—namely, the centrality of the gospel texts.
When we fail to keep the gospel texts central to our faith in Christ, we can easily miss seeing the true Jesus and replace him with a messiah we prefer. The “good news for all people” becomes distorted into news that we have manipulated for our own gain.
Now, the Jesus of the gospels is not an easy Jesus to follow and one that no amount of human lifetimes can fully understand. As followers of Christ, we believe Jesus is fully God and also fully human. There is no way for us who are only fully human to fully understand God. However, we are not lost in wandering, meandering faith, for the gospel texts are there to recenter our faith at all times and in all circumstances. These texts must be the center of our faith.
Let us be clear, there must always be place for the other writings of the Old and New Testament writings. They are by no means not sacred or unholy. They all point to Jesus the Christ. It is because they point to Jesus that so too our hearts, minds, actions—indeed our whole being—must point to Jesus Christ. And while this is truly an impossible task, accomplished only by grace and a daily baptism of repentance, we can clearly see the evidence of Christ either in or not within others by how their actions align with the teachings of Jesus. All the more reason to center the gospel, so we can know where Christ is and where Christ is not, and be bearers of the true Christ in all places and at all times.
If someone claims to stand for Christ, but their actions do not match those of Christ, then what are we to do? The answer remains simple; we center our faith on the gospels and we act as Christ would. We are not called to force our faith upon others. Instead, we are called to remain an ever-present witness to, and doer of, our faith in Christ—to represent Christ in a world that little recognizes Jesus the Christ. This is how we welcome others into the Fellowship of Christ, the Eternal Kingdom, the Beloved Community, the Church.
The simple invitation of this reflection is to read the gospels, and to perhaps explore lectionary practices that put the gospel center (consider the Common Revised Lectionary used by most mainline churches). May we look for Jesus, love the true Christ, and be a light in our world for good and for God.
Relevant Reformation 