Colossians 3:12-17

If it weren't for the entire rest of the Bible, this could be some decent advice. If you just picked up a Bible for the first time and randomly flipped to this page, you might think there is something to this Jesus fella. If you kept reading, looking for more on how you "clothe yourselves with compassion" you might find your initial judgment was not completely accurate. There are no detailed instructions on just how to "let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts".

If you read on in this chapter you would find, "Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord". This is pretty much contradictory to everything in the Lectionary entry. Putting it in some kind of context of the time does not help either. Slavery was wrong then just like it is wrong now. Surrounding it with thoughts on being humble doesn't change that.

Luke 2:41-52

This is a rare glimpse of Jesus as a child. Never mind that it doesn't fit with the story you just heard where angels trumpeted Jesus' arrival because he was the savior. You would think Mary would not be confused that he knew a thing or two about theology. This story follows the pattern of a myth. It is not intended to teach you anything, just tell you that "all who heard him were amazed". Why didn't any of those learned men of the temple write any of that down? What amazing things did Jesus say that are just lost to history?