Mind the Gap: Lectionary Commentary
Ever noticed those missing verses from scripture passages in the revised common lectionary? Sometimes we need a new way of looking at scripture as we prepare to preach. Mind the Gap is a podcast that pays extra attention to what gets left out. How does it change the context of the rest? Is there anything in there that could be fruitful for proclaiming the good news? Join us as we ponder these missing pieces.
Episodes
Sep 9, 2025
Sep 9, 2025
32 min
Human violence and ecological suffering are linked in this gap from the prophet Jeremiah. We use it to talk about some basic reflection questions that are helpful for any kind of biblical exegesis: What does it tell us about the character of God? The character of humanity? What does it feel like from the perspective of a variety of points of view?Timestamps:00:01 - title sequence01:21 - What's on your mind?09:20 - reading the text12:48 - commentary31:17 - outro sequence
Lectionary commentary for the 14th Sunday after Pentecost in Year C (2025)Jeremiah 4:13-21Hosts:Pastor Annemarie Hartner-CookPastor Rebecca TrulandMusic:
London Calling by Ryan AndersenFMA Podcast Suggestion by Stephan Siebertfrom the Free Music Archive, CC BY-NC
Sep 2, 2025
Sep 2, 2025
24 min
Folks looking for commentary on today's gap can also check out Episode 34, the 2nd Sunday after Epiphany in Year B (2024). BUT, we found several different directions for liturgy and preaching this time around, so we hope you'll join our conversation!Timestamps:00:01 - title sequence01:21 - What's on your mind?07:33 - reading the text10:12 - commentary23:34 - outro sequence
Lectionary commentary for the 13th Sunday after Pentecost in Year C (2025)Psalm 139:7-12Hosts:Pastor Annemarie Hartner-CookPastor Rebecca TrulandMusic:
London Calling by Ryan AndersenFMA Podcast Suggestion by Stephan Siebertfrom the Free Music Archive, CC BY-NC
Aug 25, 2025
Aug 25, 2025
53 min
As Lutheran preachers, the cross is central to our preaching and teaching. We think some of the gaps this week actually help us do that. We hope everyone has a safe Labor Day weekend--let us give thanks for the blood shed by our ancestors in the workers' rights movement.Timestamps:00:01 - title sequence01:21 - What's on your mind?08:12 - reading the Psalm10:31 - commentary on the Psalm15:57 - reading from Hebrews18:44 - commentary on Hebrews30:21 - reading the Gospel32:53 - commentary on the Gospel50:17 - outro sequence
Lectionary commentary for the 12th Sunday after Pentecost in Year C (2025)Psalm 81:2-9 & Hebrews 13:9-14 & Luke 14:2-6Hosts:Pastor Annemarie Hartner-CookPastor Rebecca TrulandMusic:
London Calling by Ryan AndersenFMA Podcast Suggestion by Stephan Siebertfrom the Free Music Archive, CC BY-NC
Aug 13, 2025
Aug 13, 2025
37 min
The gospel lesson for this Sunday is a doozy, and this gap in the semi-continuous psalm also has difficult themes. These passages ask us to confront the depth of our sin and brokenness--how do we find God's mercy and hope within them, too?Timestamps:00:01 - title sequence01:21 - What's on your mind?09:50 - reading the scripture12:32 - commentary36:10 - outro sequence
Lectionary commentary for the 10th Sunday after Pentecost in Year C (2025)Psalm 80:3-7Hosts:Pastor Annemarie Hartner-CookPastor Rebecca TrulandMusic:
London Calling by Ryan AndersenFMA Podcast Suggestion by Stephan Siebertfrom the Free Music Archive, CC BY-NC
Aug 9, 2025
Aug 9, 2025
51 min
Lectionary commentary for the 9th Sunday after Pentecost in Year C (2025)Hosts:Pastor Annemarie Hartner-CookPastor Rebecca TrulandMusic:
London Calling by Ryan AndersenFMA Podcast Suggestion by Stephan Siebertfrom the Free Music Archive, CC BY-NC
Jul 30, 2025
Jul 30, 2025
49 min
This is the only Sunday in the lectionary cycle with a reading from Ecclesiastes, folks, so let's get mystical! We're thrilled to have guest Sally Messner discussing these gaps with us.Timestamps:00:01 - title sequence01:21 - What's on your mind?12:41 - reading the scripture19:35 - commentary48:07 - outro sequence
Lectionary commentary for the 8th Sunday after Pentecost in Year C (2025)Ecclesiastes 1:3-11, 15-2:17Hosts:Pastor Annemarie Hartner-CookPastor Rebecca TrulandGuest:Sally MessnerMusic:
London Calling by Ryan AndersenFMA Podcast Suggestion by Stephan Siebertfrom the Free Music Archive, CC BY-NC
Jun 29, 2025
Jun 29, 2025
31 min
In this gap, Jesus helps us with interpreting Hebrew scriptures. The gap also encourages us to rethink our "us vs them" mentalities, and it provides an image of repentance that leaves space for grief.Timestamps:00:01 - title sequence01:21 - What's on your mind?08:55 - reading the scripture12:16 - commentary30:31 - outro sequence
Lectionary commentary for the 4th Sunday after Pentecost in Year C (2025)Luke 10:12-15Hosts:Pastor Annemarie Hartner-CookPastor Rebecca TrulandMusic:
London Calling by Ryan AndersenFMA Podcast Suggestion by Stephan Siebertfrom the Free Music Archive, CC BY-NC
Jun 24, 2025
Jun 24, 2025
1hr 11 min
These sure are unprecedented times... Welcome to our first-ever FOUR GAP EPISODE.Timestamps:00:01 - title sequence01:21 - What's on your mind?10:23 - reading from 2 Kings12:54 - commentary on 2 Kings20:31 - reading from Psalm 7722:48 - commentary on Psalm 7733:09 - reading from 1 Kings35:25 - commentary on 1 Kings48:45 - reading from Galatians52:47 - commentary on Galatians01:10:05 - outro sequence
Lectionary commentary for the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost in Year C (2025)2 Kings 2:3-5Psalm 77:3-101 Kings 19:17-18Galatians 5:2-12Hosts:Pastor Annemarie Hartner-CookPastor Rebecca TrulandMusic:
London Calling by Ryan AndersenFMA Podcast Suggestion by Stephan Siebertfrom the Free Music Archive, CC BY-NC
Jun 11, 2025
Jun 11, 2025
41 min
Ecumenism and messiness in the midst of faithfulness--join us in talking about the Trinity through the lens of Wisdom.Timestamps:00:01 - title sequence01:21 - What's on your mind?10:14 - scripture reading14:06 - commentary40:18 - outro sequence
Lectionary commentary for Holy Trinity Sunday in Year C (2025)Proverbs 8:5-21Hosts:Pastor Annemarie Hartner-CookPastor Rebecca TrulandMusic:
London Calling by Ryan AndersenFMA Podcast Suggestion by Stephan Siebertfrom the Free Music Archive, CC BY-NC
May 25, 2025
May 25, 2025
29 min
In which we discuss the copyright practices of the ancient Levant and also talk about why it is harmful to try to build hierarchies of sin.Timestamps:00:01 - title sequence01:21 - What's on your mind?06:59 - scripture reading09:18 - commentary28:47 - outro sequence
Lectionary commentary for the seventh Sunday of Easter in Year C (2025)Revelation 22:15, 18-19Hosts:Pastor Annemarie Hartner-CookPastor Rebecca TrulandMusic:
London Calling by Ryan AndersenFMA Podcast Suggestion by Stephan Siebertfrom the Free Music Archive, CC BY-NC