Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, Sunday, July 1, 2012, the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (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 - 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27

v. 1 Why Ziklag and why two days?

v. 17 Intoned?

v. 18 I believe the next Indiana Jones film will be “Cataloging the Book of Jashar”

v. 20 Why Gath and Ashkelon?

v. 24 Whom did Saul clothe with crimson?

v. 27 How many times have we now heard the refrain “How the mighty have fallen”?  Why does David (and/or the writer) keep repeating it?

Psalm - Psalm 130

v. 1 Where are the depths and how deep are they?

v. 2 How do we deal with Psalms that anthropomorphize God?

v. 3 Does God mark, or not mark, iniquities?

v. 4 Keep in mind that this “forgiveness” proceeds the ministry of Jesus.

vs. 5-6 What does it mean to “wait for the LORD”?  I am inclined to think of contemplative prayer.

v. 7 This psalm already introduced forgiveness in v. 4.  Now it introduces love and redemption.  This sounds like New Testament Christian theology.

Second Reading - 2 Corinthians 8:7-15

v. 7 What generous undertaking would that be?

v. 8 In other words, I do not have the power to command you, but I can embarrass you.

v. 9 Let’s  pour on the guilt.  Is this Paul’s idea of a Stewardship sermon?

vs. 10-11 Is Paul reminding the Corinthians of a previous but unfulfilled financial pledge.

vs. 13-14 This is beginning to sound like a sermon to the 1% about helping the 99%.

v. 15 Some inequality is ok, but not extreme wealth in the midst of extreme poverty?

Gospel - Mark 5:21-43

v. 22 Why would Jairus fall at the feet of Jesus?

v. 23 What is so special about the laying on of hands?  Why do Presbyterians not usually associate prayer for healing with the laying on of hands when it is so biblical?

vs. 25-34 Why does this account interrupt the story?

v. 25 Is there anything special about “12 years”?

v. 27 What had she heard?  Why did she touch his cloak?

v. 30 What might power going forth from oneself feel like?

v. 34 Is this not an after the fact proclamation?

v. 36 Are the words “Do not fear, only believe” mean for Jairus or for someone else?

v. 37 An example of the inner three being given an inside track.

v. 39 What is the difference between death and sleep?  I hate the euphemism “putting pets to sleep” and prefer the verb “euthanize”.

v. 41 Why take her by the hand?  Why might the gospel preserve the original Aramaic?

v. 42 When was the last time you, or anyone you know, were overcome with amazement?

v. 43 Why would Jesus order that “no one should know this”?  Know what?

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.

Look for me at the PC(USA) General Assembly in Pittsburgh. I will be posting Lectionary Ruminations for July 8 from there.  I may, or may not, also be blogging about the Assembly.