Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, May 8, 2011, the Third Sunday of Easter (Year A)

Posted each Thursday, Lectionary Ruminations focuses on the Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the following Sunday per the Revised Common Lectionary. Comments and questions are intended to encourage reflection for readers preparing to teach, preach, or hear the Word. Reader comments are invited and encouraged. All lectionary links are to the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings website, but if you prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references are linked to the NRSV via the oremus Bible Browser.) Lectionary Ruminations is also cross posted on my personal blog, Summit to Shore.

Acts 2:14a, 36-41
v. 36 Why “both” Lord and Messiah?

v. 37 What does it mean and feel like to be “cut to the heart”? When was the last time you were “cut to the heart” and what precipitated it? Is there any significance to the fact that the crowd addresses Peter and the other apostles as “brothers”?

v. 38 How do we reconcile the Trinitarian baptismal formula with Peter’s admonition to be “baptized in the name of Jesus Christ”?

v. 39 In this context, we might know who “you” and “your children” are, but who are those “who are far away”?

v. 40 I would love to hear all those “many other arguments”.

v. 41 Is there any significance to the number three thousand?

Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
v. 3 What are “pangs”?

v. 4 This is perhaps the shortest prayer in Scripture.

v. 12 A good question to ask when talking and thinking about stewardship.

v. 13 What is “the cup of salvation”?

v. 14 What does it mean to “pay” “vows”?

v. 15 In what sense is death ever “precious”?

v. 16 What bonds have been loosed?

1 Peter 1:17-23
v. 17 This sounds a lot more polished than what we heard from Peter in the First Reading. Is this an argument for works righteousness? What is “reverent fear”? What exile is being referred to?

v. 18 Is there any other way to read this verse other than through the lenses of a ransom theory of the atonement?

v. 19 This verse seems to presume a preexistent Christ.

v. 23 The being “born anew” sounds like John’s being “born from above”, but what is this “not of perishable but of imperishable seed”?

Luke 24:13-35
v. 13 What day is it? Is there any significance to the fact that Emmaus was seven miles from Jerusalem? Who are “them”?

v. 14 What thungs?

v. 16 How can one’s eyes be kept from recognizing Jesus?

v. 17 Was this a rhetorical question?

v. 18 Do we know anything else about Cleopas? What an ironic question.

v. 19 Another rhetorical question. Only “prophet”?

v. 21 Notice the past tense.

v. 22 “Some Women”? Do they not have names? Is there a difference between “seeing angels” and “seeing a vision of angels”?

v. 24 Who are “those who were with us”? Who are “us”?

v. 25 Now the truth comes out. How often have you wanted to preach something similar?

v. 26 A rhetorical question?

v. 27 The Law and the prophets but no writings.

v. 29 What does the time of day have to do with anything?

v. 30 Déjà vu

vs.30-31 The best argument for frequent—even every Sunday—celebration of the Eucharist that I know.

v. 31 Read this in light of verse 16.

v. 32 Is there any relation between the opening of the scriptures and the opening of the eyes?

v. 33 Is “hour” any more than a simple reference to the chronological time of day? So these two are numbered among the eleven.

v. 34 Appeared to Simon? No one else?

v. 35 Does this offer new or additional meaning to the Eucharistic remembering?