Englewood's Liturgical Bible Studies Weekly

Rev. Joel Washington (Khunanpu Sangoma)
Published: July 17, 2017

1. This column's purpose is to serve as a platform for publishing the texts of the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) weekly with brief comments. It seeks to stand as a regular pastoral service to the Englewood community of South Side Chicago especially but not exclusively.

2. We begin with posting the references and/or textual resources of the RCL for Sunday, July 23, 2017-the 7th after Pentecost.

3. The First Lesson is taken from the Hebrew Bible: Isaiah 44:6-8 or Wisdom12:13, 16-19.

4. Also from the Hebrew Bible, the Responsive Psalm (of the 7th Sunday after Pentecost) is Pslam 86:11-17.

5. The Second Lesson, taken from the New Testament, is Romans 8:12-25.

6. The Gospel Reading is taken from Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43.

7. Context: The Season after Pentecost is the longest in the liturgical life of the Church universal. Its focus is on the promised role of the Holy Spirt in the life of the Church-both locally and globally-as advocate, helper, and guide to faith-based congregational renewal and renewing the community the Church is called to serve.

8. Accordingly, the above texts can be read, by those with spiritual eyes and ears to see and hear, as relevant to renewing the faith and works of the houses of worship, residents, businesses, and workforce called to serve the Englewood community-a community, after all, of inner-city angels.

Rev. Joel Washington (Khunanpu Sangoma) is a resident of Englewood's Bethel Terrace Co-Op Senior Apartments. He is an Ordained Minister serving Reformation Lutheran Church-Chicago/ELCA ("Young Barack Obama's community organizing sanctuary") on the Far South Side. Pastor Washington (Sangoma) is the Convener of ALLIANCE OF CONCERNED AFRICAN AMERICAN MINISTRIES CHICAGO (ALLGO). His email is langston1212@gmail.com.

Keywords: Arts & Culture, community organizations, faith, Pastors of Englewood