Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, August 12, 2012, the Nineteenth 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 18:5-9, 15, 31-33

v. 5 We met Joab in last week’s First Reading.  Who are Abishai and Ittai?  Who is Absalom?  

What difference does it make that all the people heard the king’s orders to his connanders?

v. 6 Against Israel?

v. 7 If twenty thousand Israelites were killed, how many Judeans do you think were killed?

v. 8 Why are we told that the forest claimed more lives than the sword?

v. 9 This sounds like a comedy of errors.

v. 15 ten to one are rather overwhelming odds.

v. 31 Does this Cushite have no name?

v. 33 What if David had died instead of Absalom?

Psalm - Psalm 130:1-8

vs. 1-7 could this verse and the following verses describe David’s psychological and spiritual sate in 2 Samuel 18:33

v. 1 What and where are the depths?

v. 4 How else might “revered” be translated?

v. 5 What does it mean to wait for the Lord?  Have you ever waited for the Lord?

vs. 7-8 how has the psalm transitioned from a personal focus to a communal focus?

Second Reading - Ephesians 4:25-5:2

v. 25 What falsehood might the author have in mind?

v. 26 Anger is OK, as long as it is managed.

v. 27 How does one make room for the devil?

v. 30 How does one grieve the Holy Spirit?

v. 31 How do you reconcile the way this verse deals with anger with the way verse 26 deals with anger?

v. 2 What is a fragrant offering?

Gospel - John 6:35, 41-51

v. 35 Since when did bread alleviate thirst?

v. 41 Were they complaining among themselves or to others?

v. 42 What do you make of the fact that Joseph but not Mary i s named?

v. 43 Jesus answers my question related to  verse 41.

v. 45 Where in the prophets is it written?

vs. 48, 50, 51 What is the significance of these three sayings: the bread of life, the bread  that comes down from heaven, and the living bread?

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.