Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, December 16, 2012, the Third Sunday of Advent (Year C)

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 Zephaniah 3:14-20

3:14 Why is Zion/Jerusalem referred to as a daughter?

3:15 Who made judgments against Israel?  Who were Israel’s enemies?

3:16 What day?  Who will say this to Israel?

3:17 I do not like militaristic imagery being applied to God.  This is what gave us the Crusades.

3:19 Are these oppressors the same as the enemies of verse 15?

3:20 We are they now if they are not home?

Canticle Isaiah 12:2-6

12:2 What is the relationship between trust and fear?

12:3 What, and where, are the wells of salvation?  Can water from the wells of salvation be bottled and sold?

12:4 What day?  How does one call on the name of the LORD when the LORD’s name is not to  be pronounced?  What are the deeds of the LORD?

12:6 Who is the Holy One of Israel?

Second Reading Philippians4:4-7

4:4 On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being lethargic and 10 being manic, how would you rate your community’s ability to rejoice?

4:5 How do you define “gentleness”?  Near is a relative term.  How near is the Lord?

4:6 This must be Bobby McFerrin’s favorite Bible verse.  What is the difference, if any, between prayer and supplication?

4:7 Are “hearts” and “minds” all inclusive?  What about body and soul?

Gospel Luke 3:7-18

3:7 What do you think was the size of the crowds?  How often do evangelists insult those they are preaching to?  What wrath is coming?

3:8 What fruits are worthy of repentance? What stones? 

3:9 Does this verse contribute to the imagery of Dante’s inferno?

3:11 This is not good news for the 1% Let’s tweet this verse to Republican members of the House of  Representatives!

3:12 Why “even”?  Other than John and Jesus, is anyone else in the New Testament ever referred to as a teacher?  I think it is significant the John is addressed the same way Jesus would be later addressed.

3:10-14 What do you make of the fact that tax collectors and soldiers are the only two groups or people mentioned?

3:15 What if John had been the Messiah?

3:16 How does water compare with fire and the Holy Spirit?  Might “untying the thong of a sandal” have been an idiomatic expression or colloquialism?

3:17 Oh no, more fire! 

3:18 I wonder what the other exhortations were?  Did the above really sound like good news to you?

ADDENDUM

In addition to serving as the half time Pastor of North ChurchQueens 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.

I have been posting Lectionary Ruminations to Presbyterian Bloggers for nearly three years.  I will attempt to continue posting through the Scripture Readings for February 10, 2013, Transfiguration of the Lord.   I may continue posting Lectionary Ruminations to my personal blog,   Summit to Shore but not here.  If you have been following these posts, please migrate over to my personal blog.