The Scriptural References Database is a collection scriptural reflections, sermon starters, and exegesis related to gender, sexuality, and reproductive justice. We hope religious leaders, seminarians, theologians, and people of faith will use this resource to enrich their preaching and reflection on sacred texts.
Each entry consists of a scriptural reference and some sort of reflection or guidance related to gender, sexuality, or reproductive justice.
This resource is a continually evolving, and new scriptural references are added regularly.
How to use the Scripture References search:
- The two dropdown menus are interactive. The first corresponds to religious calendar year and the second to issues. By default, all scriptural references are displayed below.
- If you are looking for a scriptural references on a specific issue for a specific date, make a selection in both menus.
- To see all scriptural references for a particular calendar year, make a selection only in the first menu.
- To see all scriptural references on a particular issue, make a selection only in the second menu.
Calendar Year
Date
Issue
Content In the first reading, Isaiah describes how way the people of God are separated from the ways of God, confessing their misdeeds and transgressions. Isaiah pleads with God for reconciliation, for God to “tear…
Year C New Year’s Day: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 "For everything there is a season..." (LGBT issues) Second Sunday after the Epiphany (2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time): Isaiah 62: 1-5 The justification of Zion (Love and the Divine)…
Read the Religious Institute's brief interpretations of these texts by clicking the Lectionary title. Proper 20A - Matthew 20:1-16 Proper 21A - Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32; Phillipians 2:1-13; Matthew 21:23-32 Proper 23A - Isaiah 25:1-9; Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23 Proper 24A - Psalm 96;…
The following texts from the Revised Common Lectionary relate to the themes of motherhood, maternal mortality and family. They are provided as a guide to choosing dates and texts for observing a Rachel Sabbath in…
Content In the reading from 2 Samuel, David laments for lost lives of those he loved. In his mourning, he speaks of his love for Jonathan –“greatly beloved were you to me; your love to…
Content Nicodemus talks with Jesus, and Jesus speaks about the importance of being born from above, or being born anew. Nicodemus asks Jesus, “How can anyone be born after having grown old?” Jesus replies emphasizing…
Content In the 17th chapter of John’s gospel, Jesus is praying to God in the prayer just before his crucifixion. In this particular portion of the prayer, Jesus prays for the unity and protection of…
Gilead Sabbath ›› Worship Resources ›› Sermon Starters ›› May 15—Pentecost C Content This passage from Acts describes the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes on the day of Pentecost, a Jewish festival celebrated fifty…
Content Click the the photo to learn more about this image from a Judeo-Persian transcription of the tale of Yusuf [Joseph] and Zulaikha.Parashat Vayeshev continues the narrative of the Patriarchs and…
Gilead Sabbath ›› Worship Resources ›› Sermon Starters ›› Acherei Mot/Kedoshim Content These Torah portions contain a number of different accounts of God speaking to Moses and giving him guidelines around ways of living – in relation to God-self,…