Gospel commentary index Lectionary Year A
On this page, you can find an index to all the commentary articles on the gospel lectionary readings for the whole of Year A, together with links to the video discussions between Ian and James. The articles will be reposted with updates during the year—but they are listed here for convenience and planning ahead.
Honestly—I really am not busy
Several times in the last week or so, I have received a communication from someone which says ‘I know you are very busy…’ and these have stuck in my mind. One of these said ‘I am sure you are very busy—I know that I am.’ A couple of things struck me immediately. The first, and most urgent, was: What have I said or done that has provoked this comment? Am I looking tired, or hassled? Have I failed to give people my attention? Have I not replied to messages? What is it that makes me look ‘busy’? If I am…
What does General Synod need in 2026?
Elections are now taking place for the next quinquennium (five year term) for the General Synod in the Church of England. This is my ‘address’ (manifesto) as I stand for…
Matching our speech with our actions in Matthew 21
As we continue to read through Matthew’s gospel in ordinary time in the lectionary, for Trinity 17 in Year A we vault over the entry into Jerusalem and land in…
Who is writing the new Religious Education curriculum?
Guy Hordern writes: For more than eighty years, the Church of England has had a formal place in determining what is taught in Religious Education in England. That may shortly…
What did humour in preaching ever do for us?
Can we use humour in preaching? What does it do to help in engaging the listeners? What are the dangers and pitfalls? Was Jesus funny? Last Sunday week, after I…
The reckless generosity of God in Matthew 20
The lectionary reading for Trinity 16 in Year A is the parable of the workers in the vineyard in Matt 20.1–16. The epistle is Phil 1.21–30, Paul’s remarkable expression of…
Paul’s passion for life in Christ in Phil 1 video discussion
In the epistle for Trinity 16 in Year A, Philippians 1.21-end, we turn from the practical application at the end of Romans back to Paul’s more usual style, using dense…
Where have all the clergy gone?
The harsh reality of demographics means that the numbers of stipendiary clergy will continue to decline significantly over the next ten years. What will that mean in practice for the…
Sanctions, policy, and moral choices
International relations and the moral choices that go with them are complex. On what basis do we continue to trade with other countries with very different values from our own,…
The heart of forgiveness in Matthew 18
On what basis should we forgive others? What can help us when sometimes forgiving another seems so hard? Jesus addresses these questions in his parable in Matthew 18. The lectionary…
When should we agree to disagree in Romans 14? video discussion
The lectionary epistle for Trinity 15 in Year A is Romans 14.1–12, and it follows on from our reading last week, offering further practical working out of Paul’s theology expressing…
