Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, October 28, 2012, the Thirtieth 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 - Job42:1-6, 10-17

42:1 What would you answer The LORD.

42:2 The classic question: Can God make a rock so heavy that God cannot lift it?

42:3 Is Job eating humble pie?

42:4 Is Job planning to cross examine God?

42:5 What is the difference between hearing with the ear and seeing with the eye?  Hearing is a classic Semitic posture.  Seeing is a classic Greek posture.

42:6 Despicable me?

42:10 What is the moral of this story?  What lesson has been learned and is being taught?

42:11 The LORD had brought evil upon Job?

42:12-13 Are these numbers symbolically significant?

42:14 What do these names mean?

42:15 Did daughters usually receive an inheritance?

42:16 is 140 symbolically significant?  Should it be taken literally?

Psalm - Psalm 34:1-8 (19-22)

34:1 Is this a promise, a vow, or an expressed intention and desire?

34:2 How does one’s soul make its boast in the LORD?

34:3 How does one magnify the LORD?  Is this a mini Magnificat?  How does one exalt the LORD’s name when the LORD’s name is unpronounceable?

34:4 How does the LORD answer us today?

34:7 Who is the angel of the LORD?

34:8 How does one taste that the LORD is good?

34:19 If the LORD rescues the righteous, why are the righteous afflicted?

34:21-22 This Psalm seems to suggest that evil is still a force to be reckoned with but that the wicked will succumb to it while God will redeem the righteous from it.

34:1-8, 19-22 It seems obvious why the lectionary pairs this Psalm with the Reading from Job, but does the pairing invite us to read this Psalm with blinders on?

Second Reading - Hebrews 7:23-28

7:23 What came before the “furthermore”? Who were the former priests?

7:25 Is there a change in emphasis from Christ as sacrifice to Christ as intercessor?

7:26 How is it fitting?

7:27 In light of 7:25, it sees we are back to understanding Christ as sacrifice rather than intercessor?

7:28 What is “the word of the oath”?

 Gospel - Mark10:46-52

10:46 Who came to Jericho?  Is there anything about Jericho that makes it more than just a setting for this story? “Bartimaeus  son of Timaeus” seems redundant.

10:47 What do you know about the The Philokalia, Hesychasm, and The Jesus Prayer?

10:48 who were the many and why did they order him to be quiet?

10:49 Why did Jesus have Bartimaeus brought to him rather than going to Bartimaeus?

10:50 Is there any symbolism in his throwing off his cloak?

10:51 Did Jesus really need to ask this question?  What is the significance of Bartimaeus calling Jesus “My teacher”?

10:52 What faith?  How did it make him well? What does “followed him on the way” mean?

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.