Lectionary Links (RCL): February 12, 2017
6th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Year A: February 12, 2017
First Reading: Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Rules of the House by Mac Barnett
(Written for ages 5-9)
Comment: In this text, Moses encourages the people to keep God’s commandments as a way of choosing life, while warning the people that straying from the commandments could lead to their perishing. Barnett’s book is a dramatic exploration of what happens when a girl purposely breaks the rules of the house. It looks as if she is sure to perish, until her rule following little brother steps in to save her life. When reflecting upon this text and story with children, wonder together about why rules and commandments exist and how that pairs with the idea of choosing life.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9
Tell the Truth B.B. Wolf by Judy Sierra
(Written for ages 5-9)
Comment: In his commentary on this text, J.R. Daniel Kirk explores the idea of spiritual immaturity and maturity, asking: “Are we willing to see our own division and quarreling as the fruit of immature spirits… are we willing to step back and re-tell the story so that everyone can look at the other as ‘sister,’ acknowledge that the other is ‘brother…’” This vision of spiritual immaturity and maturity can be seen in the life of the Big Bad (B.B.) Wolf, who in his old age wishes to retell his story in a way that leads to reconciliation and friendship with the three little pigs. This text and story challenge us to look at our own quarrels and spiritual maturity and consider how we might be challenged to live fully into the people and community God calls us to be.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:21-37
The Seven Princesses by Smiljana Coh
(Written for ages 5-9)
Comment: “I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment… if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister…” Throughout this text we consider what it looks like to be in healthy relationships with others. After the seven princess sisters have a huge fight, they stop playing together and their lives become gray, silent, and lonely as they “forget all the fun (and not-so-much-fun) they had shared together.” Through the process of reconciliation, joy and light come back into their lives. This text and story serve as a reminder that the status of our relationships can shape the way we experience life.
The Revised Common Lectionary Links this week are written by regular contributor Noell Rathbun-Cook.
Lectionary Links (RCL): February 12, 2017 by Storypath is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
