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Holy Week resources and reflections

Preaching God’s Transforming Justice: A Lectionary Commentary, Year A

Preaching justice Aedited by Dawn Ottoni-Wilhelm, Ronald J. Allen and Dale P. Andrews
Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville, Ky. 510 pages
REVIEWED BY DAVID ENSIGN

My late father-in-law was a carpenter who loved tools. Every new project was an excuse to add another tool to his shelf. I sometimes think of him when I sit at the desk in my study, surrounded by bookshelves, contemplating the text for the week and thinking, “well, I need another commentary for this one.” One can certainly use “Preaching God’s Transforming Justice” as another tool for the preacher’s toolbox, but this commentary, which completes the three-part series, aims to be more than that. It aims, in part, to press crucial questions, named in the finely crafted introduction, including:

  • What are God’s life-giving intentions in each text?
  • Do individuals or communities get hurt in the world of the text or in the way that text has been interpreted?
  • What needs to happen for justice, healing, re-creation and inclusive well-being?

Ninety writers contributed to this commentary, and their disparate voices gather around the common goal of, as the editors say in the introduction, helping “preachers and congregations develop a deep and broad theological vision out of which to interpret the social world. Furthermore, this book aims to provide practical guidance for living more justly as individuals and communities.” The contributors represent a diversity of backgrounds: split about evenly among men and women, about 40 percent are African American, Hispanic, Asian American or Native American. That said, the vocational locations are less diverse than one might like with about 80 percent of the writers identified with institutions of higher education. Though it would no doubt be a huge editorial challenge, it would be interesting to hear interpretive work from positions less privileged than that of seminary faculty. As institutions of higher learning are not necessarily the place most folks turn for day-to-day advice, such added diversity might also go a ways toward providing actually practical guidance for congregations.

That said, this collection takes a provocative look at the lectionary through eyes practiced at noticing the Spirit’s justice-seeking movement in the text. For example, you’ll find Ched Myers’ conveying the heroes of Matthew’s story of the Transfiguration as calling into question imperial pretensions while they “stand with the undomesticated YHWH on the shrouded wild crags in order to stand against urban fantasies of control and omnipotence.” Other writers remind the church of the importance of finding joy in the work of justice. Monica A. Coleman finds in the Isaiah passage for the third Sunday of Advent a reminder of “the joy of seeing God working for justice in the world. [The verses] remind us to celebrate and sing when we experience the fulfillment of God’s promises.” Feast days provide excellent opportunities for such celebration, and this commentary introduces 22 new (to the liturgical calendar) feast or holy days, ranging from World AIDS Day (December 1) to children’s Sabbaths (the third weekend in October) with suggested readings and commentary for each. In addition to the readings, the commentary provides brief historical background on the holy days and suggestions for incorporating into congregational worship the concerns highlighted by the observances.

“Preaching God’s Transformative Justice” is an excellent addition to any preacher’s bookshelf. More than that, it’s a tool that can help in the building up of any congregation’s faithful living.

DAVID ENSIGN is the pastor of Clarendon Presbyterian Church in Clarendon, Virginia.

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