Visual Resources for the Lectionaries

This post offers visual resources for the Revised Common Lectionary and the Narrative Lectionary for August 2, 2026. Use this chart for quick links to the texts and the resource pages on cartoonistbible.com.

Proper 13

CLICK HERE to jump to the Narrative Lectionary Resources

Revised Common Lectionary Resources

Gospel Reading – Matthew 14:13-21

This image is from page 10 in A Cartoonist’s Guide to Matthew

Food for Thought

Abundance in the shadow of tyranny. That is the theme I see in the readings this week.

It is anchored in the Gospel reading. Jesus learns that John the Baptist has been beheaded by Herod. This is an act of pure tyranny and corruption. Herod was trapped by Herodius to deliver John’s head to her on a platter. Jesus is mortified by this news. He goes out on a boat to be alone and to grieve. When he returns he finds a massive crowd of hungry people, like lost sheep roaming the countryside.

We see it in the Genesis text. Jacob was the trickster. He stole the birthright and the blessing from his twin brother Esau. That is nothing less than treachery.

Jacob the trickster. Herod the tyrant. Where is the promise that God made to Abraham that his family would be a blessing to the nations? They don’t seem to be doing well.

Paul reminds his readers in Romans that “they are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises…”

Jacob, the trickster, wrestles all night with a messenger from God. He prevails. He is given a permanent limp. And his name is changed to Israel, which means “wrestles with God.”

I think we are all Israel. At least I know I am. I wrestle with God on a regular basis. Why did this happen? Who do I think I am, I’m not worthy. How long oh, Lord?

The whining is perpetual.

The tyranny and treachery in leadership abounds.

and yet…

The Isaiah reading is an invitation to all the Israels of the world. That means you, me, the Jacobs, the Herods, all the leaders who have misused their power and abandoned the sheep, to all the sheep who have been abandoned.

The invitation is to come to the feast of abundance. God’s love and mercy are new every morning. There is a feast of forgiveness, grace, and restoration. We hear the words of Exodus 34 again in Psalm 145, “God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”

Jesus looks through his tear-stained eyes at the crowd on the shore and has compassion on them. He pours out the abundance of God and takes what seems to be nothing, and inspires generosity and multiplication to the point that everyone was fed and there was some left over.

No matter how difficult things may seem for you today, remember this. God loves you. The feast is always there. Come to the waters. Eat and rest in God’s love today.

Narrative Lectionary Resources

2 Timothy 2:8-15

Food for Thought

There is a golden nugget in this section of 2 Timothy. Paul writes, “I suffer hardship for the Gospel, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained.”

Isn’t that beautiful?

Paul goes on to exhort Timothy to not allow people to pull him into their endless arguing over words. This does no one any good, but only ruins those who are listening. Rather, Timothy is to present himself to God as a simple worker, who has no reason to be ashamed, but simply explains the word of truth.

That is our task as Christian Public Leaders. May we not get sucked into endless debates over theological and idealogical minutia. May we simply state that we have been set free from Sin and Death through Jesus Christ. We are free to love God and love our neighbor. It really is that simple.

Let us endure whatever hardship may come, if only we can proclaim this Good News!

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