Mosaic Bible (NLT) and Lectionary Preaching
I decided to check on what Holy Bible: Mosaic NLT
First I checked the material for the 18th Sunday in Pentecost. Their readings do not coincide with the Revised Common Lectionary at all this week, though they do follow the church year.
The RCL readings (with United Methodist readings) are: Job 1:1, 2:1-10, Psalm 25 or 26, Heb. 1:1-4, 2:4-12, Mark 10:2-16. The Mosaic Bible readings are Job 32:1-37:24, Psalm 112, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, and John 9:1-34.
Oddly enough, there is a thematic match in terms of suffering, hardship, and justice, though the take on it might be different depending on which scriptures you use The additional reading from Isaiah 52:13-53:12 is also contructive though it takes the theme in a slightly different direction. Readings from Alexander McLaren on Christ as the lamb of God and by Ed Cyzewski on “Unfair Justice” would make good reading before one tries to preach on Job.
Looking at the texts the other way, by going to the scriptures and finding readings, I find that Psalm 25 is used for Advent 1, and there are some useful readings there as well as some additional themes. The epistle, Hebrews 1:1-4 is used for Christmas (actually Hebrews 1:1-12, but who’s counting?) and continues the theme of waiting introduced in Advent. (Waiting and justice might make an excellent combined theme for a homily, don’t you think?) The gospel reading from the RCL does not occur in the meditations of the Mosaic Bible.
I believe that I will consult this Bible regularly in my lectionary reading. The weekly lectionary passages form the core of my personal devotions, even though I do not preach regularly. I especially enjoy finding connections between the texts and finding themes on which to meditate from those.