Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, March 4, 2012, the Second Sunday in Lent (Year B)

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 may be linked to the NRSV via the oremus Bible Browser.)  Lectionary Ruminations is also cross-posted on my personal blog, Summit to Shore. 

First Reading - Genesis17:1-7, 15-16

v.1 Last week, we encountered Noah and Noahic Covenant.  This week, we encounter Abraham and the AbrahamicCovenant.  How do these two covenants inform our understanding of Lent and Easter?

v. 3 What is the meaning of “felon his face”?

v. 4 What is the meaning of “nations”?

v. 5 Why does God change Abram’s name to Abraham?

v. 7 In verse 2, God promises to establish a covenant with Abraham.  In this verse, the promise is extended to Abraham’s offspring.

v.15 Why does God have Abraham change Sarai’s name to Sarah?  What is the difference between a covenant and a blessing?

Psalm - Psalm 22:23-31

v. 23 Why does the psalmist refer to offspring of Jacob/Israel rather than Abraham?

v. 24 Is the Psalmist the afflicted?

v. 25 What is the great congregation?

v. 27 Remember what?

v. 29 is life being contrasted with death?

vs. 30-31 Is this promise for the church as much as for Abraham and his offspring?

       

Second Reading - Romans4:13-25

v. 13 Did only Abraham have faith, or did his descendants also have faith?

v. 14 Logical

v. 15 Again, logical.

v. 16 What does Paul mean by “the faith of Abraham”?

v. 20 Is distrust the opposite of faith?

v. 21 Faith as trust rather than assent to doctrine.

Gospel - Mark 8:31-38

v. 31 Why does Jesus not begin to preach this until Chapter eight?

v. 32 Did Jesus not always speak openly?  Why did Peter rebuke Jesus.

v. 33 Why did Jesus look at the disciples, rather than looking at Peter, when he rebuked Peter? What might the multi-faceted meaning of “Get behind me Satan”?

v. 34 What cross?

v. 35 I think this is the kernel of wisdom in the husk of this passage.

v. 38 who might Jesus have in mind when he refers to those who are ashamed of him?

ADDENDUM

In addition to serving as the half time 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 out my WyzAnt page and follow the appropriate links.