Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, Sunday, April 1, 2012, Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday) (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. http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/

Liturgy of the Palms Readings:

Mark 11:1-11

v. 1 Why would Jesus send two disciples rather than one?  Which two do you think he sent?

v. 2 How did Jesus know there would be a colt there?

v. 8 What is the meaning of spreading cloaks and leafy branches on the road?  What might be a modern equivalent?

vs. 9-11 What is being quoted?

Liturgy of the Passion Readings:

First Reading - Isaiah50:4-9a

v. 4 I take this verse personally.

v. 6 Who is speaking?

v. 7 What does it mean to set one’s face like flint?

vs. 4-9a How does this passage inform our observance of Passion Sunday and how does our observance of Passion Sunday influence how we might read and interpret this passage?

Psalm - Psalm 31:9-16

v. 9 Is this a proof-text for the Hebrew understanding of the ensouled body?

v.14 How might the psalmist maintain trust in God in spite of all the psalmist’s suffering?

v. 16 What does itme for God’s facetto shine upon us?

Second Reading -Philippians 2:5-11

v. 5 What mind was in Christ Jesus?

v. 6 What is God’s form?

v. 7 Was Jesus born in human likeness or was he born as human?

v. 10 There are beings in heaven with knees?  What beings under the earth have knees?

Gospel - Mark 15:1-39

v. 15:1 what do you know about all the different players; the chief priests, the elders, the scribes, and the whole council?

v. 2 Did Pilate say that Jesus was the King of the Jews?

v. 10 Was Pilate’s analysis correct.  Was it jealousy that really motivated the chief priests?

vs. 16-23 I think John Shelby Spong makes a strong argument for reading this as Midrash of Psalm22.

v. 21 Why are Simon, Alexander and Rufus named?

v. 32 I know this is Mark, but I hear echoes of the ending of John.

v. 34 Where have we heard or seen Jesus’ words before?

v. 38 What symbolic statement is being made?

v. 39 What is the irony here?

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.