Lectionary Musings from the Church Anew Blog: March 8 and 15
Each week, we’ll offer a curated selection of blog posts that speak to the upcoming lectionary texts to help spark your imagination and serve as a thought partner for you. We hope these musings meet you right where you are with a fresh, bold, and faithful witness.
Third Sunday in Lent – March 8, 2026
Gospel: John 4:5-42
Rev. Natalia Terfa, “Pressing on the Bruise”
Because it is here that Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God, stands with the outsider to end all outsiders, at high noon, all pretense stripped away, and offers her living water. Not forgiveness, since there’s nothing to forgive, but offers her life and life abundant. Life that cannot be taken away like a husband or a reputation.
Rev. Lizzie McManus-Dail, “The Wanton Woman Preacher”
The woman in John 4 might have worn whatever was thought to be scandalous in first century Judea, she may have married her way around the fringes of town. Likely, though, there is more to her story than the colorful caricatures painted for me in that stale-smelling youth room — likely, there is a story of grief. Of loss. Of longing for someone to stay alive long enough, or care enough, to be truly present to her.
Or perhaps there is something even more harrowing to her story. I cannot hear about her now without hearing echoes of the horrors etched across the millions of pages in the Epstein files. Girls, children, preyed upon because like this woman, they would be seen walking home from school alone. In need of companionship, of friendship, of being wanted.
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Fourth Sunday in Lent – March 15, 2026
Old Testament: 1 Samuel 16:1-13
Rev. Dr. Walter Brueggemann, “Between and Beyond Certitudes”
The seven handsome, strong, impressive sons of Jesse pass one at a time before Samuel, but none of them qualifies. Finally after the seven sons, “the eighth son,” David, appears and is promptly selected and anointed by Samuel. The prophet had been instructed by the Lord: Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him… for they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart (I Samuel 16:7). The narrative has Samuel sketch out a new notion of humanity, and a new portrayal of manhood. This young, handsome king will act out his manhood in a different way!
Psalm: Psalm 23
Rev. Dr. Walter Brueggemann, “Insatiable!”
We are invited to make a sheep who does not overeat, who does not store up or hoard food, but who in profound confidence trusts the provisions of the shepherd who provides food, water, and safety. Such a sheep, in readiness to rely upon the gifts of the shepherd, eats only what is required for the day—no extras, no surplus, no excessive luxuries.
Epistle: Ephesians 5:8-14
Rev. Dr. Walter Brueggemann, “Wake/Woke”
The writer voices a parallelism that equates “sleep” with “being dead.” The church is summoned, alternatively, to a new life marked by glad singing and much joy … This is a life that is rendered back to God in glad, grateful obedience, a life quite in contrast to one of self-indulgence.
Narrative: John 18:28-40
Rev. Dr. Walter Brueggemann, “Once Again, Evil Geniuses: A Reprise”
In his bewilderment the Roman governor discovered that his grasp on power and authority is illusionary, because he is unable to outflank or outwit the reliable governance of the creator God who stands before him in human embodiment. The governor discovers that power is not given over to clever management or cunning ideology, but is woven into the fabric of a life of self-giving vulnerable generosity. No amount of political posturing or epistemological flim-flam will alter that governance that we have most unambiguously witnessed in Jesus of Nazareth.
