Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, May 20, 2012, the Seventh Sunday of Easter (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. 

FirstReading - Acts 1:15-17, 21-26

v. 15 What and when were “those days”?  When did “those days” begin and when did they end?  Is there anything significant about the number 120?

v. 16 What is the scripture (note that it is singular) to which Peter refers? I find this to be an interesting collection: Friends, the Holy Spirit, David, Judas, those who arrested Jesus.

v. 17 Do I detect regret combined with disbelief?

vs. 21-22 Why must this be so? Is the author referring to John’s baptism of Jesus, or John’s ministry of baptism, which began before John baptized Jesus?  What does it mean to be a “witness to the resurrection”?  Could not a woman have fulfilled this role?

v. 23 Were Joseph and Matthias the only two people who fulfilled the criteria of vs. 21-22?

vs. 24-25 How might God answer this prayer?

v. 26 How does one cast lots and why do we not make decisions in the church this way today?

Psalm- Psalm 1:1-6

v. 1 Are the wicked, sinners, and scoffers poetic synonyms?

v. 2 When was the last time you took delight in any law?  How do Christians not familiar with meditation 

understand this passage?

v. 3 Is there a Torah riparian zone?  Does this passage make any more sense in light of last Sunday’s Gospel reading?

v. 4 What is chaff and why is it exposed to the wind?

v. 6 How does this verse influence, and how is it influenced by, our belief that Jesus is the way?

SecondReading - 1 John 5:9-13

v. 9 Who are “we”? How does God give testimony if not through humans?

vs. 10-11 What testimony?  What testimony?

vs. 12-13 Is life the same as eternal life?

GospelJohn 17:6-19

v. 6 How do Christians reconcile Jesus saying this with Jewish conception of the unpronounceable name of God?

v. 7 How do “they” know this?

v.8 What words?

v. 10 How has Jesus been glorified in those given to him by God?

v. 11 At the time Jesus prayed this prayer, what did he mean when he prayed “I am no longer in the world”?

v. 12 Why the past tense?  What scripture?

v. 15 Who is the evil one?

v. 17 Sanctify them in the word?

v. 19 Theologically, how does Jesus sanctify  himself?

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.