Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, June 26, 2011, the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (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.

Genesis 22:1-14
v. 1 Is this why we pray, “lead us not into temptation”? What was the alternative response, “I am not here”?

v. 2 How has this verse informed the Christian understanding of John 3:16? How has john 3:16 influenced how Christians read this passage of Hebrew Scripture?

v. 4 “On the third day.” Very Interesting! I am not sure I have ever noticed its presence before. Have you?

v. 5 Was Abraham lying, or prescient, when he said to the young men “we will come back to you”?

v. 7 I find it interesting that Abraham responds to Isaac with the same words he uses to responds to God.

v. 8 Again, was Abraham lying or prescient when he told Isaac “God will provide the lamb for a burnt offering.?

v. 9 Thus the usual way of referring to this passage: The Binding of Isaac”. What was the age of Issac when this took place? Do you think Isaac physically resisted when his father started to bind him?

v. 11 Is the “Angel of the Lord” the same as God? Earlier, God called to Abraham once. Earlier, Isaac addressed his father once. Why does the “Angel of the Lord” address Abraham twice?

v. 12 How do you understand the word “fear”? Do you “fear” God?

Some of called this the most dangerous, and scariest verse, in the whole Bible. What do you think?

Psalm 13:1-6
v. 1 If this Psalm is in the lectionary today to function as a response to or interpretation of Genesis 22:1-14, then I would rather God forget me than call me to sacrifice my only child (if I had a child). What does it mean for God to hide the divine face?

v. 2 A verse that resonates with my soul. You?

v. 3 What is the “sleep of death”?

vs. 5-6 What in the world is going on with the verb tenses here?

Romans 6:12-23
v. 12 I hate it when lectionary readings, especially from the Pauline corpus, start with “Therefore”.

v. 12 and v.14 How do you reconcile these two verses?

v. 16 How do we deal with this slavery language?

v. 19 “Natural limitations”? I would say more , but I feel limited by my human nature.

v. 23 Let’s cut to the chase and simply quote this verse

Matthew 10:40-42
v. 40 A welcoming verse for a welcoming church.

v. 41 In the name of?

v. 42 Who are these “little ones”? Which disciple’s name would you like to affix to the water fountain? What is the reward that won’t be lost?

ADDENDUM
In addition to serving as the half time Designated Pastor of North Church Queens  and writing Lectionary Ruminations, I also tutor part time. If you or someone you know needs a tutor, or if you would like to be a tutor, check our my WyzAnt  page and follow the appropriate links.