tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205870082024-03-06T22:29:53.508-08:00Presbyterian BloggersA community for those whose blogging is decent and in order.Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16380861596539183040noreply@blogger.comBlogger1160125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587008.post-35952131049272589262013-02-07T00:30:00.000-08:002013-02-07T00:30:03.009-08:00Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, February 10, 2013, the Transfiguration of the Lord (Year C)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s1600/0203100009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s200/0203100009.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I have been posting <em>Lectionary Ruminations </em>on </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Presbyterian Bloggers for three years. With this post I complete the three year lectionary cycle. This will be the last time I post my rumninations here. I plan to continue posting <em>Lectionary
Ruminations, revised, edied and expanded,</em> to my personal blog,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/">Summit to Shore</a> </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have been following my </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><em>Lectionary Ruminations</em></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> on Presbyterian Bloggers,
please migrate over to my personal blog.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2013/2/10/#first-reading"><strong>First Reading - Exodus 34:29-35<o:p></o:p></strong></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">34:29-35 This reading was
undoubtedly paired with the Gospel Reading because they both mention mountains,
shining faces, and narrate a theophany.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
is the difference between reading the Luke passage through the lens of Exodus
and reading the Exodus passage through the lens of Luke? <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">34:29 If you had looked at
the face of Moses, what would you have seen?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When was the last time anyone left a worship service with a shining
face?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you knowing anyone whose seems
to beam, not because they use make-up or cleansing cream, but because they seem
to radiate a spiritual energy within them?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">34;30 What about the
shining face of Moses scared Aaron and the people?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">34:32 What is the meaning
of “in commandment”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">34:33 Why did Moses put a
veil on his face?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is there any value in
drawing a possible metaphorical connection between the veil over Moses’ face
and the veil in the Temple?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those
familiar with Celtic Christianity might wonder if the vei over Moses face was
made of gossamer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">34: Why would Moses take
off the veil when speaking with God?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2013/2/10/#first-reading">Psalm - Psalm 99<o:p></o:p></a></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">99:1-9 How does this Psalm
help interpret and shed light on (pun intended) both the First Reading and the
Gospel Reading?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">99:1 Why would people
tremble just because the LORD is king?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why would the earth quake just because the LORD sits enthroned upon the
cherubim?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When was the last time you
trembled in the presence of the LORD? What are cherubim and where might we find
them?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Should we call Indiana Jones in
for help?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">99:3 What is great and
awesome about the LORD’s name?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other
than the LORD’s name, can you think of anything awesome?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">99:4 What sort of justice
does this Mighty King love?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">99:5<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where is the LORD’s footstool?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">99:5 What did the LORD’s
voice sound like?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is there a difference
between decrees and statutes?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">99:8 Why the past tense?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Note that verses 1-7 and 9 speak of the Lord
in the third person while this verses addresses the Lord in the second
person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why the change?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it significant?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">99:9 Where is the LORD’s mountain
and does the mention of a mountain justify the lectionary assigning this Psalm
for use on The Transfiguration of the Lord?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2013/2/10/#second-reading">Second Reading - 2 Corinthians3:12-4:2</a></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:12
What hope?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:13 Glory was being set
aside?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does Paul’s use of Moses’s veil
as a metaphor justify assigning this passage to The Transfiguration of the
Lord?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:14 Whose minds were
hardened?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are our minds ever hardened,
and if so, how?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:14-15 Be careful of
possible anti-Semitic interpretation of these verses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "rten","serif";">Christians</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> as well as Jews often have hardened
minds and can read the Hebrew Scriptures through a metaphorical veil which
hides and distorts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:17 How do we interpret
this verse in light of the Doctrine of the Trinity?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:18 Even though our veil
has been removed, we still do not look at the LORD directly, but through a
mirror?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I might prefer to look at God
directly, even if through a veil, than without a veil but at a reflection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To what does “the same image” refer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it the image of God in which humans were
created? Is it the image of Christ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is
it the image of Moses reflecting the image of God?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">4:1 What ministry?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">4:2 What shameful things do
we hide that we should renounce? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2013/2/10/#gospel">Gospel - Luke 9:28-36 (37-43)<o:p></o:p></a></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">9:28-36 You may want to
check the parallels in Matthew 17:1-8 and Mark 9:2-8.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">9:28 Eight days after what
sayings?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is there any significance to
the number eight? What mountain?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why go
up a mountain to pray?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can Jesus not
pray anywhere?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Note that once again
Jesus takes with him the elite three— Peter, James, and John—a counter balance
to the REALLY big three—Jesus, Moses and Elijah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">9:30 What is significant about
Moses and Elijah?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why these two men?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">9:31 What departure?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">9:32 Is this a veiled
reference (pun intended) to someone’s future falling asleep in the Garden while
Jesus prayed?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">9:33 What is the meaning of
“not knowing what he said”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How often do
we, like Peter, stick our foot in our mouth, not knowing what we have said?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">9:34 Why would entering a
cloud induce feelings of terror?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">9:35 Whose voice?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where and when have we heard this, or something
like this, before?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">9:36 why did they keep
silent?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When were “those days”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">9:37-43 How do these verses
add to, or detract from, the Reading’s focus on The Transfiguration?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we choose to include these optional verses
(I will not include them) then we might want to point out that while Peter
wants to stay on the mountain to build a museum, Jesus descends back into the
trenches and gets back to the business of exorcizing demons and healing the
sick. In that regard, who are the faithless and perverse generation?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">9:38 Does this verse echo
9:35?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">9:40 Were the disciples
that powerless?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">9:41 What is the meaning of
this?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">9:43 What does it mean to
be astounded?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When was the last time you
were astounded by God?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">ADDENDUM<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">In addition to serving as the half time Pastor of <a href="http://www.northchurchqueens.org/">North Church Queens</a> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">and writing Lectionary Ruminations, I also
tutor part time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you or someone you
know needs a tutor, or if you would like to be a tutor, check out my <a href="http://www.wyzant.com/Tutors/RidgewoodTutor">WyzAnt</a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">page and follow the appropriate links.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587008.post-30547405382515071302013-01-31T01:00:00.000-08:002013-01-31T01:00:01.019-08:00Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, February 3, 2013, the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s1600/0203100009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s1600/0203100009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s200/0203100009.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Posted each Thursday, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lectionary Ruminations</i> focuses on the
Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the
following Sunday per </span><a href="http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/index.html"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">the Revised Common Lectionary</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">. 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 (</span><a href="http://www.ncccusa.org/newbtu/aboutnrs.html"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">NRSV</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">)
of the Bible </span><a href="http://www.pcusa.org/devotions/index.htm"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings
website</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">, but if you
prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references may
be linked to the NRSV </span><a href="http://bible.oremus.org/"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">via the oremus Bible Browser</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I have been posting </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><em>Lectionary
Ruminations</em></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> to Presbyterian Bloggers for nearly three years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will attempt to continue posting through
the Readings for February 10, 2013, Transfiguration of the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may continue posting Lectionary
Ruminations to my personal blog,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/">Summitto Shore</a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> but
not here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have been following my </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><em>Lectionary Ruminations</em></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> on Presbyterian Bloggers,
please migrate over to my personal blog.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2013/2/3/#first-reading">FirstReading - Jeremiah 1:4-10</a></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:4 Has the word of the
LORD ever come to you, and if so, how?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:5 I doubt this could be
used as an argument for life beginning at conception as this sounds like life,
or personhood, begins even before conception.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What do you know about the philosophy of George Berkeley?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is this God talking to Jeremiah?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:5 The “I do not know how
to speak” and “I am only a boy” defense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It never seems to work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:8 Do not be afraid of
who, the nations?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:8 Does this remind you of
any other perhaps similar accounts in the Hebrew Scriptures?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is this a call narrative?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:10 Note two pairs of
destructive activities and one pair of creative activities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2013/2/3/#psalm">Psalm- Psalm 71:1-6</a></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">71:1 What comes to your
mind when you hear the word “refuge”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What is so bad about shame?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">71:2 How does the LORD
incline the divine ear?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">71:3 How is a rock of
refuge like a fortress?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do any
particular rocks to your mind when you hear “rock of refuge”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">71:5 “</span><span class="watch-title"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Help me
Obi Wan Yahweh, you're my only hope.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="watch-title"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">71:6
Does this verse justify the Lectionary pairing this Psalm with the First
Reading from Jeremiah?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does this verse
justify referring to the LORD as a midwife?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2013/2/3/#second-reading"><strong>SecondReading - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13</strong></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">13:1-13 Why read this in
Sunday worship if there is no wedding to follow?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What can be said about passage that has not
already been said?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why do we tend to
read this at weddings when we really need to read it at divorce proceedings and
in the midst of church conflict?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">13:1 What do angels sound
like?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">13:4-7 Anything missing in
this definition?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How about </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Jenny (Ali McGraw) telling Oliver (Ryan
O'Neal) “</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Love means never
having to say you’re sorry” as written by </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Erich Segal?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">13:11 Is there a difference between
being childish and childlike?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">13:12 It is a little enigmatic,
nevertheless, this is one of my favorite verses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is there any play on the idea of “icon”
here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is the difference between a
thing reflected and its reflection?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">13:13 Where did faith and hope come
from?</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2013/2/3/#gospel">Gospel - Luke 4:21-30<o:p></o:p></a></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">4:21 Who is speaking?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To whom is he speaking?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is the setting?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What scripture?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">4:22 All?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is this hyperbole?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When was the last time you were amazed by
anyone’s words?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it is
interesting that the speaker is identified as Joseph’s son rather than Mary’s
son.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">4:23 Where did this proverb
come from?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What were people saying about
his time in Capernaum?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">4:24 What do you think
about this?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">4:25 What does this have to
do with anthing?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">4:28 Why were they filled
with rage?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought they were all
amazed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What happened between<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>verse 22 and verse 28?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">4:29 Why am I thinking
about swine?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">4:30 How did he do this?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">ADDENDUM<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">In addition to serving as
the half time Pastor of <a href="http://www.northchurchqueens.org/">North Church Queens</a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and writing <em>Lectionary Ruminations</em>, I also
tutor part time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you or someone you
know needs a tutor, or if you would like to be a tutor, check out my <a href="http://www.wyzant.com/Tutors/RidgewoodTutor">WyzAnt</a> </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">page and follow the appropriate links.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587008.post-42478110590767924012013-01-24T01:00:00.000-08:002013-01-24T01:00:04.810-08:00Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, January 27, 2013, the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s1600/0203100009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s1600/0203100009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s200/0203100009.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Posted each Thursday, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lectionary Ruminations</i> focuses on the
Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the
following Sunday per </span></span><a href="http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/index.html"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">the Revised Common Lectionary</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">. 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 (</span></span><a href="http://www.ncccusa.org/newbtu/aboutnrs.html"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">NRSV</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">)
of the Bible </span></span><a href="http://www.pcusa.org/devotions/index.htm"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings
website</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">, but if you
prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references may
be linked to the NRSV </span></span><a href="http://bible.oremus.org/"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">via the oremus Bible Browser</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lectionary Rumin</i>ations is also
cross-posted on my personal blog, </span><a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Summit to Shore</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I have been posting </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><em>Lectionary
Ruminations</em></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> to Presbyterian Bloggers for nearly three years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will attempt to continue posting through
the Readings for February 10, 2013, Transfiguration of the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may continue posting Lectionary
Ruminations to my personal blog,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/">Summit to Shore</a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, but
not here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have been following my </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><em>Lectionary Ruminations</em></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> on Presbyterian Bloggers,
please migrate over to my personal blog.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2013/1/27/#first-reading">First Reading - Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6,8-10</a></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">8:1<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is “all” hyperbole? What people
gathered?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How many Americans will think
of Richard Nixon when they hear this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Geographically, where is the Eater Gate?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What does it mean that Ezra was a scribe?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is the book of the law of Moses?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">8:2 Was Ezra a priest, a
scribe, or both?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or were there two
people named Ezra?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about people who
could not hear with understanding?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How
do we hear or not hear with understanding?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Is there anything special about this date?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">8:3 This was not a twenty
minute reading of Scripture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">8:5Why did the people stand
up when Ezra opened the book?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">8:6 What does it mean to
bless the LORD?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought God usually
blessed individuals and communities, not the other way around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is the meaning of first raising hands
and then bowing heads?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">8:8 Who was reading, Ezra,
or others as well?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Note that they were
not onlky reading but also interpreting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is beginning to sound like the reading of Scripture and the
ex[position of a sermon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">8:9 So Ezra was both a
priest and a scribe!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who were the
Levites, what did they teach, and how did they teach it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why would people weep when they hear the
words of the law?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">8:10 Who is speaking? Note
the sending of portions to those for whom nothing is prepared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2013/1/27/#psalm">Psalm - Psalm 19<o:p></o:p></a></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">19:1 Are these spiritual
heavens or astronomical heavens?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is
the difference?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is a firmament?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">19:2 Is there any
significance to the day being paired with speech and the night being paired
with knowledge?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">19:3-4a What is this, a
conundrum?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">19:4b-6 How can we apply
pre-Copernican poetry in a post-Copernican world?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">19:7 So that is why the
Lectiionary pairs this Psalm with the First Reading!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">19:7-9 How many synonyms of
Law can you identify in these verses?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">19:10 Id one is familiar
only with a tradition of hellfire and damnation preaching; and an image of a
vengeful, wrathful, punishing God, how would these verses sound?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">19:12 Is this a rhetorical
question?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">19:13 Keep jerks away from
me and I will not be a jerk?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">19:14 Pet Peeve Alert! Why
must so many preachers employ this as an exercise in personal piety before preaching?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does not a more communal Prayer for
Illumination serve better?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2013/1/27/#second-reading">SecondReading - 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a</a></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">12:12
How can we hear old, tired metaphors in new ways?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">12:13 What does it mean to
“drink” of one Spirit?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is Paul already
thinking of the Lord’s Supper or does this imagery suggest his later comments
about it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">12:26 Perhaps Congress
needs to hear this more than Sunday worshipers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">12:28-31 Is this meant to
be all inclusive or in any way hierarchical based on the order of those things
mentioned?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">12:31 What are the greater
gifts (note that it is plural)?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2013/1/27/#gospel">Gospel- Luke 4:14-21</a></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">4:14 Was Jesus earlier not
filled with the power of the Spirit?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Note that “a report” is singular, not plural.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wonder what the report was.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">4:15 Praised by
everyone?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is this hyperbole?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">4:16 Note that he had been
brought up in Nazareth but not necessarily born there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">4:18-19 What if Jesus had
been handed a different scroll?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who is
speaking within the context of Isaiah?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">4:20-21 Would Jesus not
have spoken if the eyes of all had not been fixed on him?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">4:21 What did Jesus mean by
this?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">ADDENDUM<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">In addition to serving as
the half time Pastor of North Church Queens<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><a href="http://www.northchurchqueens.org/"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">www.northchurchqueens.org</span></a><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and writing Lectionary Ruminations, I also
tutor part time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you or someone you
know needs a tutor, or if you would like to be a tutor, check out my WyzAnt </span><a href="http://www.wyzant.com/Tutors/RidgewoodTutor"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.wyzant.com/Tutors/RidgewoodTutor</span></span></a><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">page and follow the appropriate links.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587008.post-31832381629421886202013-01-17T00:30:00.000-08:002013-01-17T00:30:06.205-08:00Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, January 20, 2013, the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Posted
each Thursday, <i>Lectionary Ruminations</i>
focuses on the Scripture Readings, taken from</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> the New Revised Standard Version, for the following Sunday
per </span><a href="http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/index.html"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">the Revised Common Lectionary</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">. 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 (</span><a href="http://www.ncccusa.org/newbtu/aboutnrs.html"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">NRSV</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">)
of the Bible </span><a href="http://www.pcusa.org/devotions/index.htm"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings
website</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">, but if you
prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references may
be linked to the NRSV </span><a href="http://bible.oremus.org/"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">via the oremus Bible Browser</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">.)
<i>Lectionary Rumin</i>ations is also
cross-posted on my personal blog, <a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/">Summit to Shore</a>. </span><br />
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<br /></div>
<h4 style="margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">I have been posting </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Lectionary
Ruminations</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> to Presbyterian Bloggers for nearly three years. I will attempt to continue posting through
the Readings for February 10, 2013, Transfiguration of the Lord. I may continue posting Lectionary
Ruminations to my personal blog, <a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/">Summit to Shore</a> </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">but
not here. If you have been following my </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Lectionary Ruminations</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> on Presbyterian Bloggers,
please migrate over to my personal blog.</span></h4>
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<b><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2013/1/20/#first-reading">First Reading - Isaiah 62:1-5</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">62:1 Who is speaking?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">62:2 What is the
significance of a new name?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">62:3 What is a diadem?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">62:4 What is the meaning of
married land? Does this metaphor justify
this passage being paired with John 2:1-11?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">62:5 Does this verse inform
any New Testament metaphors?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2013/1/20/#psalm">Psalm - Psalm 36:5-10</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">36:5 Where does the L</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">ORD</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">’s love extend from?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">36:6 Is this just a poetic
way of saying height and depth? Do dogs
and cats and other animals and pets have to be baptized or born again to be
saved?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">36:7 What sort of avian
creature is God being likened to?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">36:9 Does this lead to
myths and legends about the fountain of youth?
How do we see light in light? Do
we see light, or what light illuminates? Is light a wave or a particle?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">36:10 So God’s steadfast
love does not extend to strangers?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2013/1/20/#second-reading">Second Reading - 1 Corinthians12:1-11</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">12:1 Are most Christians
today informed or uninformed about spiritual gifts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">12:2 Is this a valid
portrayal of paganism? What is the
difference between Paganism and Atheism? Agnosticism?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">12:3 Really?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">12:4 Why am I thinking
about Isabel Briggs Myers?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">12:4-6 Is there any scheme
at work here: gifts-Spirit, services-Lord, activities-God?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">12:8 What is the difference
between wisdom and knowledge?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">12:8-10 Was this list meant
to be exhaustive or just suggestive?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2013/1/20/#gospel">Gospel - John 2:1-11</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:1 How does this passage
foreshadow the resurrection? Why is the
mother of Jesus not named? Who do you
think was being married?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:3 Is she stating the
obvious? Why tell Jesus? Did he not already know?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:4 Why does Jesus address
his mother as “Woman”? What “hour” is he
referring to?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:5 What gave the mother of
Jesus the right and authority to tell the servants what to do? Maybe she was catering the reception. Is “servants” a play on words? Do the disciples always do what Jesus tells
them?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:6 Is there any
significance in the number of jars? Does
the number of jars matter? What are the
jewish rites of purification?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:7 Does this assume that
the jars were empty? Does it make a
difference? Is there any significance
that the jars were filled to the brim?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:8 Did the servants draw
out water or wine? Who and what was the
chief steward?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:9 This reads as if the
servants drew water out of the jars but that the water turned to wine as the
servants were taking it to the steward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:10 Why serve good wine
first and then inferior wine?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:11 If this was the
“first” of his signs, how many were there and what were they? Is there any significance to “Cana if
Galilee” being mentioned twice? What do
you know about Tabgha? Was his glory
hidden before this? Did his disciples not
believe in him before this?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:1-11 This is one of my
favorite passages in my favorite Gospel.
I think it could several sermons to unpack, interpret, and apply
it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">ADDENDUM<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.75pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">In addition to serving as
the half time Pastor of <a href="http://www.northchurchqueens.org/">North Church Queens</a> </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">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 <a href="http://www.wyzant.com/Tutors/RidgewoodTutor">WyzAnt</a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">page and follow the appropriate links.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h4>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587008.post-78278073969258088302013-01-10T10:26:00.003-08:002013-01-10T10:27:25.674-08:00How to be a good Sheep Herder<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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How to be a good Sheep Herder</div>
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<br /></div>
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Ever wonder why there are no real good “how to” books on how
to be a good farmer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s because
farming has been handed down generation to generation, without a need for a
manual or instruction book on just how to be a good one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shepherding trade is just another example
of how the tricks to the trade have been handed down throughout the ages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peter uses this trade to teach the elders of
the church to “shepherd” their flock.</div>
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<br /></div>
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“Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as
overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;
nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the
flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory
that does not fade away.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1 Peter
5:2-4(NKJV) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Peter spoke these words
he was addressing those chosen to be elders in the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These were the people selected to be the
leaders of those believers who wanted a life in Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peter stressed the idea of “leading by
example.”</div>
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<br /></div>
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I take this advice personally, and try to live a life not
only pleasing to the sight of our God, but that serves as an example to those
around me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This can be very difficult to
do when we have a society that wants to make its own rules, its own standards
and its own way of doing things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we
choose to live according to the gospel, we are challenged in every aspect
because the world simply does not work that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our example becomes a little strange because
everyone watching knows how the world works, and sees our behavior as being
different, not worldly or acceptable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s difficult to “oversee” a flock that feels like they have every
right to wander aimlessly through the pasture feeding on whatever strikes their
fancy, but this is just how the world sees itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do we shepherd a flock that wants no part
of being “shepherded.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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One of the things I can recommend in this particular
situation is that, as Christians, we merely stand our ground, we create a
boundary that we will not cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We make
sure that our beliefs stand as a fence to the pasture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one is allowed to move, damage or change
our fence unless we make the change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
only way this can happen is if God has a different pasture in mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Otherwise, we continue to mend our fences, we
stand tall and strong in our beliefs, and we do not allow the world to break
down our boundaries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s when we have
the gaping hole in our fence that evil makes a run for the opening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We simply need to be good shepherds and keep
mending our “de” fences against evil, allowing for nothing to get past our beliefs
in the one true God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In doing this, we
are becoming a great example for others to follow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like lost sheep, they will move towards the
leader, towards the good shepherd who cares for them and provides them with all
the things they need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How’s your “herding” skills today?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“in the world, not of the world”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
runnin 2 Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07249935670001769491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587008.post-74115570186999937762013-01-10T10:25:00.002-08:002013-01-10T10:25:59.689-08:00Patience is a virtue, or is it?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Patience is a virtue, or is it?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We manage to be confronted with so many decisions, so many
dilemmas and so many situations that we are programmed as problem solvers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are set to automatically search for the
answer, provide the solution and move on that simply waiting something out is foreign
to our being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Patience has become a word
no one likes because our world does not have time for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Patience is no longer a virtue, but a burden
to a world that is rushing to solve everything, even if the solution is not the
right one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about if we just simply stepped
back and asked our God for His opinion, and just merely waited for the answer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This particular option seems so distant, so
foreign to our innermost being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even
typing this right now, imagining myself actually doing this is contrary to my
usual response, my normal way of doing things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But our God wants us to “wait.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
James gives this advice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and
complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:4(NKJV) When God speaks to us, it may not
be what we want to hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He may not be
giving us the response we anticipated so we simply ignore Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We feel that we cannot wait, or that the
solution does not fit our lifestyle, so we move on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A.W. Tozer says this about it; “We respond: ‘No
Lord, please excuse me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That sounds like
fanaticism—and I would have to give up some things!’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we refuse His desire, even though we want
all the benefits of His cross.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can
speak from personal experience with this one, because I have often refused
God’s blessings simply because I was not willing to make the changes required
of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trust me, you do not want to
refuse a blessing because you feel it will mean making a change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have since learned to listen when and where
God speaks, and I wait. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wait for Him
to make it so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The waiting can be the
toughest part, having to suffer through things because you know that any
solution you have is not God’s way of fixing it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God will fix things, but in God’s time, and
on His schedule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The world operates on a
different schedule, a different calendar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
James goes on to say this; “Blessed is the man who endures
temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life
which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am
tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt
anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But each one is tempted when he
is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it
is full-grown, brings forth death.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we lose patience with our God, evil steps in and takes
over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are “drawn away” by our own
desires and led down the path of resistance, resistance to the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would rather wait an extra minute, day,
week or even years so that God’s blessings can take the place of this
resistance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“in the world, not of the world”</div>
runnin 2 Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07249935670001769491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587008.post-8579219319972409472013-01-10T01:00:00.000-08:002013-01-10T01:00:02.922-08:00Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, January 13, 2013, the Baptism of the Lord (Year C)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s1600/0203100009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s1600/0203100009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s200/0203100009.JPG" width="200" /></a>Posted each Thursday, Lectionary Ruminations focuses on the Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the following Sunday per <a href="http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/index.html">the Revised Common Lectionary</a>. 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 (<a href="http://www.ncccusa.org/newbtu/aboutnrs.html">NRSV</a>) of the Bible <a href="http://www.pcusa.org/devotions/index.htm">via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings website</a>, but if you prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references may be linked to the NRSV <a href="http://bible.oremus.org/">via the oremus Bible Browser</a>.) Lectionary Ruminations is also cross-posted on my personal blog, <a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/">Summit to Shore</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2013/1/13/#first-reading"> <strong>First Reading - Isaiah 43:1-7</strong></a><br />43:1 To whom is the LORD speaking?<br /><br /> 43:2 What waters is being referred to? When Christians read this passage in light of the Sacrament of baptism, are we misreading the Hebrew Scriptures, or simply exercising Hebrew Midrash from a Christian perspective? I wonder how post Shoah Jews read and interpret this passage.<br /><br />43:3 PC(USA) Presbyterians: Do not forget the opening lines of A Brief Statement of Faith. How was Egypt given as a ransom? Why the mention of Ethiopia and Seba?<br /><br />43:4 I like the first part of this verse, but the second part rubs me the wrong way.<br /><br />43:5-6 Note that all four cardinal directions are named.<br /><br />43:6 Note that sons and daughters are both mentioned, a rare inclusive verse!<br /><br />43:7 Could this verse not be used to argue for universalism? This could provide for an interesting juxtaposition in relation to the exclusiveness of Christian Baptism.<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /><strong><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2013/1/13/#psalm">Psalm - Psalm 29</a></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
29:1 What does it mean to ascribe? How do we ascribe? What, or which, heavenly beings are addressed here?<br /><br /> 29:2 Do you worship in holy splendor? What does holy splendor look, smell, sound, feel, and taste like?<br /><br /> 29:3 What does the voice of the LORD sound like? Would you recognize it if you heard it? Being a sailor and kayaker, I really like and relate to this verse. What if I was land locked and had never experienced the ocean or other large body of water?<br /><br /> 29:4 I think the LORD deserves a contract as an announcer and/or commercial spokesperson.<br /><br /> 29:5-9 Think of the scene/passage in The Hobbit where Bilbo and the dwarves find themselves amidst giants “hurling rocks at one another for a game, and catching them and tossing them down into darkness where they smashed among the trees far below, or splintered into little bits with a bang.”<br /><br /> 29:10-11 How do we reconcile images of a storm god with peace?<br /><br /><strong><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2013/1/13/#second-reading">Second Reading - Acts 8:14-17</a></strong><br />8:14 Is the setting important? What if the apostles had been someplace else, other than Jerusalem, when they heard this news? Should it be that Samaria (not Samaritans?) had accepted the word of God? Why was James not sent?<br /><br />8:15 Does this sound a little judgmental to you?<br /><br />8:16 Who is this verse talking about? Why, in the NRSV, is this verse in parenthesis?<br /><br />8:17 What is so special about the laying on of hands? Even though this is the Epistle for Baptism of the Lord, Baptism is not mentioned in this verse. Is it possible for a person or a people to receive the Holy Spirit without being baptized?<br /><br /><strong><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2013/1/13/#gospel">Gospel - Luke 3:15-17, 21-22</a></strong><br />3:15 What people? When was the last time people in the pews of churches you know filled with expectation? Why would people think John could be the Messiah?<br /><br />3:16 What is so special about the thong of a sandal? Is the doublet “Holy Spirit and fire” merely poetic, or something more?<br /><br />3:17 What is a winnowing fork and what is it used for? What is a threshing floor and what is it used for? What is chaff? How do we preach the Gospel in an urban environment where all people know about wheat is that comes in five pound bags and they probably have no idea what the imagery of this passage is communicating? Why was chaff burned? Does this passage require the existence of a fire filled hell?<br /><br /> 3:21 Really? All the people? Do you think this is an exaggeration? What does it mean for heaven (singular, not plural) to be opened? So the Holy Spirit was someplace over the Jordan River, on the other side of earth from people along a declination of plus or minus 180 degrees? What is the meaning of “bodily form”? Whose voice came from heaven and what did it sound like? Where and when might we hear this again?<br /><br /><strong>ADDENDUM</strong><br />In addition to serving as the half time Pastor of <a href="http://www.northchurchqueens.org/">North Church Queens</a> 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 <a href="http://www.wyzant.com/Tutors/RidgewoodTutor">WyzAnt</a> page and follow the appropriate links.<br /><br />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, <a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/">Summit to Shore</a> but not here. If you have been following these posts, please migrate over to my personal blog. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587008.post-61139559735728587792013-01-03T00:30:00.000-08:002013-01-03T00:30:04.323-08:00Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, January 6, 2013, the Epiphany of the Lord (Year C)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s1600/0203100009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s200/0203100009.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Posted each Thursday, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lectionary Ruminations</i> focuses on the
Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the
following Sunday per </span><a href="http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/index.html"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">the Revised Common Lectionary</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">. 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 (</span><a href="http://www.ncccusa.org/newbtu/aboutnrs.html"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">NRSV</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">)
of the Bible </span><a href="http://www.pcusa.org/devotions/index.htm"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings
website</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">, but if you
prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references may
be linked to the NRSV </span><a href="http://bible.oremus.org/"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">via the oremus Bible Browser</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lectionary Rumin</i>ations is also
cross-posted on my personal blog, <a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/">Summit to Shore</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2013/1/6/#first-reading">First Reading - Isaiah 60:1-6</a></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">60:1 While this is a very
appropriate text for Epiphany, what was the original light Isaiah was referring
to?</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">60:2 How do we deal with
cultural pejorative association with darkness?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">60:3 Does “nation” refer to
political entities or peoples?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">60:4 Where were the sons
and daughters?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">60:5 How do we read and interpret
this when humans have overfished most species?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">60:5 Does this passage shed
light on the reading from Matthew, or should we interpret the Matthew Reading
as Midrash on this Isaiah 60:1-6?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2013/1/6/#psalm"><b>Psalm- Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14</b></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">72:1 What does it mean that
God gives the king justice?</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">72:2, 4 I wish Congress
would read these verses!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">72:6 Are you familiar with
the King’s connection to the land in the grail legend?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">72:10 Do you think this
verse justifies this Psalm being associated with Epiphany?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">72:12-14 More verses for
99% or 47%?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2013/1/6/#second-reading"><b>Epistle - Ephesians 3:1-12</b></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">3:1 So
Paul was a prisoner for the Gentiles but not the Jews?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:2 Paul seems to be
emphasizing his ministry to the Gentiles while not saying anything about the
Jews.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:3 What mystery is Paul
talking about?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:4 What is the mystery of
Christ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why all this talk about
mystery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is Paul trying to appeal to
Gentile mystery religions?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:5 Note the plural
apostles and porphets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul places
himself in a company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is not alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:6 What body?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:7 How does one become a
servant of the gospel?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:8 I would rather be the
least of all the saints than the greatest of all the sinners, but are not all
saints forgiven sinners?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:9 If you know the plan of
the mystery, then is it still a mystery?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This mystery was hidden “in” God?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:10 Is this one of the
earliest uses of the “church”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rulers
and authorities are in the heavenly places?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:11 Do “eternal purposes” require
a doctrine of predestination or a sort of Christian fatalism?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where does free will fit in here?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:12 I like the note of “boldness
and confidence” rather than the shame and doubt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2013/1/6/#gospel"><b>Gospel - Matthew 2:1-12</b></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">2:1 When was the time of
King Herod?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Forgetting what you think
you know from familiar carols, according to this Scripture, how many wise men
were there?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Must the original “Magi” be
translated “men”?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Where in the East
might they have come from?</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:2 What does it mean that
the Magi saw a star at its rising?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:3 I can understand why
Herod would be frightened, but why would all Jerusalem be frightened?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:4 Are the chief priests
and scribes in any way the Jewish equivalent of the pagan Magi?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:6 What prophet is being
quoted?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:7 Why did Herod practice
secrecy?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:8 What is the meaning of
“sent”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:9 Do you know how to use
a sextant?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What sort of stars rise,
move, and then stop?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:10<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When was the last time you were overwhelmed
with joy?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:11 House?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What happened to the stable?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How many treasure chests might there have
been?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is the symbolism, if any, of
the gold, frankincense, and myrrh?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does
the fact that three types of gifts are mentioned mean that there had to be
three magi?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:12 Have you ever been
warned in a dream?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What other dreams and
how many other dreams are there, in any, in the Gospel According to
Matthew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What might Morton Kelsey, John
Sanford, Joseph Campbell and/or Carl Jung have said about this dream?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">ADDENDUM</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This is the first Sunday
since 2008 that Epiphany falls on a Sunday.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The Lectionary Readings for Epiphany are the same for Years A, B, and C.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">It has been my desire, when the service of
Epiphany is at night, to combine it with a star watching party including local
astronomers with their telescopes, a desire not yet realized.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">How long after the fact do
we include concerns in the Prayers of the People? It has been a few weeks since the shooting at
Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown Connecticut. How many Churches continue to include Newtown
in their Sunday public prayers? Here is
a <a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2013/1/6/#gospel">link</a></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> to the first petition of my Prayers of the
People the Sunday after Newtown. The
petition is original.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">In addition to serving as
the half time Pastor of <a href="http://www.northchurchqueens.org/">North Church Queens</a></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and writing Lectionary Ruminations, I also tutor part time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you or someone you know needs a tutor, or
if you would like to be a tutor, check out my <a href="http://www.wyzant.com/Tutors/RidgewoodTutor">WyzAnt</a></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">page and follow the appropriate links.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">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, <a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/">Summitto Shore</a></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> but not here. If you have been following these posts,
please migrate over to my personal blog.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587008.post-91597960685527304132012-12-27T00:30:00.000-08:002012-12-27T12:57:12.247-08:00Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, December 30, 2012, the First Sunday after Christmas (Year C)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Posted each
Thursday, </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lectionary Ruminations</i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">
focuses on the Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version,
for the following Sunday per </span><a href="http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/index.html" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">the
Revised Common Lectionary</a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">. 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 (</span><a href="http://www.ncccusa.org/newbtu/aboutnrs.html" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">NRSV</a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">)
of the Bible </span><a href="http://www.pcusa.org/devotions/index.htm" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">via the PC(USA)
Devotions and Readings website</a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">, but if you prefer another translation, feel
free to use that instead. (Other references may be linked to the NRSV </span><a href="http://bible.oremus.org/" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">via the oremus Bible Browser</a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">.)</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lectionary
Rumin</i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">ations is also cross-posted on my personal blog, <a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/">Summit to Shore</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/12/30/#first-reading">FirstReading – 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">2:18 What does it
mean to minister before the L</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 9pt;">ORD</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">? What is an ephod?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2:19 How old was
Samuel that is robe was “little”? What
is the yearly sacrifice?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2:20 This is
starting to sound sexist: Samuel’s father is named but not his mother!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2:26 How does one
grow in favor with the people, let alone the L</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">ORD</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">? Does
“stature” refer only to Samuel’s physical size?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/12/30/#psalm">Psalm- Psalm 148</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">148:1-2 These
verses could easily be adapted for use as a Call to Worship.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Note, however, that it is the angels and the
heavenly host, not humans, being called to worship.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">148:3 The Hubble
Telescope might offer us images of shining stars praising the L</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">ORD</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">148:4 What waters
are above the heavens?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">148:5 Which
creation myth does this allude to?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">148:6 What comes to
your mind when you think of sea monsters?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">148:7 Shall we
think of tornadoes and hurricanes as praising God even as they leave death and
destruction behind?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">148:11 After
numerous physical features and living creatures are named, humans finally
appear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">148:12 How does the
presence of both “men” and “women” speak to patriarchy? How does the presence of both “old” and
“young” speak to a church that is graying and which has more or less failed to
attract a younger generation?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">148:13 What is the
name of the Lord and how can n it be praised if it is not to be pronounced?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">148:14 What is a
horn and why would the L</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">ORD</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> one for the people up?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/12/30/#second-reading">SecondReading – Colossians 3:12-1</a>7<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">3:12 What does it
mean to be God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved?</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Is this about election and/or predestination?</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Is there anything special about this list of
five virtues?</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=20587008" name="gospel"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">3:13 This may be
one of the hardest pieces of advice to the church follow. If more church members were to put this into
practice, the church would be much better off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">3:14 Love is a
glue? I am not a musician, so I would
love some musical reader to explain perfect harmony.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">3:15 Be thankful
for what?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">3:16 What is the
word of Christ? I thought Christ was the
Word? To teach and admonish one another
means to be taught and admonished as well as to teach and admonish. What is the difference among psalns, hymns,
and spiritual songs?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">3:17 Do everything
in the name of the Lord Jesus?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/12/30/#gospel">Gospel– Luke 2:41-52</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">2:41 Whose parents?
I find it interesting that neither of the parents are named.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2:42 Is there
anything special about being twelve years old?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2:43 How could
Jesus’ parents not know that tier son stayed behind?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2:44 I wonder what
other relatives were among the group. Do
you think that Zechariah, Elizabeth, and John were among them?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2:45 If you do the
math, Jesus’ parents probably arrived back in Jerusalem approximately 36 hours
after they left.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2:46 Were the three
days after they originally left Jerusalem, or three days after their
return? Is this a literary prefiguration
of and/or literary allusion to the crucifixion, death, and resurrection?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2:46 I wonder what
questions Jesus was asking. When was the
last time a twelve year old asked you questions about your teaching?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2:47 His
answers? I thought Jesus was the one
asking questions, not the one answering them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2:48 How did Jesus treat his parents? Was the mother of Jesus scolding him?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2:49 Is this
another example of foreshadowing? Do you
think this is at all cryptic? Was Jesus
talking back to and sassing his mother?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2:50 Every twelve
year old’s point of view!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2:51 Was Jesus not
obedient before this time? What do you
treasure in your heart? More
specifically, what memories of your child or children, or any child, do you
treasure in your heart?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2:52 Do you
remember 1 Samuel 2:26? Would we at all
be inclined to juxtapose these two verses if they were not artificially paired
by the Lectionary? If Jesus was the Word
made Flesh, how could Jesus increase in wisdom, let alone in divine favor?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">ADDENDUM<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">How long after the
fact do we include particular concerns in the Prayers of the People? It will have been over two weeks, and the
third Sunday by the time December 3o rolls around, since the shooting at Sandy
Hook Elementary School in Newtown Connecticut.
How many Churches will continue to include prayers for Newtown, or even
those affected by hurricane Sandy, in their Sunday public prayers? Here is a <a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-prayer-for-newtown.html">link</a> to the first petition of my Prayers of
the People the Sunday after <a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-prayer-for-newtown.html">Newtown</a>. The
petition is original.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In addition to serving
as the half time Pastor of North Church Queens
<a href="http://www.northchurchqueens.org/">www.northchurchqueens.org</a> 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 <a href="http://www.wyzant.com/Tutors/RidgewoodTutor">WyzAnt</a> page and follow the appropriate links.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">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 </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> but not here.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">If you have been following
these posts, please migrate over to my personal blog, Su<a href="http://www.blogger.com/continue%20posting%20Lectionary%20Ruminations%20to%20my%20personal%20blog,%20%20%20Summit%20to%20Shore%20http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/">mmit to Shore</a>.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587008.post-53901806076793887772012-12-20T00:30:00.000-08:002012-12-20T00:30:01.251-08:00Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, December 23, 2012, the Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year C)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s1600/0203100009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s200/0203100009.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Posted each Thursday, <i>Lectionary Ruminations</i> focuses on the
Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the
following Sunday per </span><a href="http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/index.html"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">the Revised Common Lectionary</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">. 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 (</span><a href="http://www.ncccusa.org/newbtu/aboutnrs.html"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">NRSV</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">)
of the Bible </span><a href="http://www.pcusa.org/devotions/index.htm"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings
website</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">, but if you
prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references may
be linked to the NRSV </span><a href="http://bible.oremus.org/"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">via the oremus Bible Browser</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">.)
<i>Lectionary Rumin</i>ations is also
cross-posted on my personal blog, <a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/">Summit to Shore</a>. </span><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/12/23/#first-reading">First Reading - Micah 5:2-5a</a></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">5:2 What is the meaning of “Bethlehem”? What is the significance, or insignificance,
of Ehhpratah? What sort of origin is
from of old? When were ancient days?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">5:3 Who is giving up?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Who is being given up?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Who is in labor?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Whose kindred shall return?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">5:5a What does it mean to
be “the one of peace”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/12/23/#canticle">Canticle - Luke 1:46b-55</a></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:46b What is the first
word in the Latin Vulgate translation of this verse? How does one’s soul magnify the LORD?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:48 What is the nature of
this lowliness? What does it mean to be
called blessed?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:50 What is the nature of
this fear?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:51 What does “in the
thoughts of their hearts” mean?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:54 What is the meaning of
“in remembrance of his mercy”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:55 What promise is being
referred to?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/12/23/#second-reading">Second Reading - Hebrews 10:5-10</a></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:5 What came before this “consequently”? Is it not essential to the argument? Where did Christ say the following? What body has been prepared? What, or where, is the scroll of the book?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:9 The “first” and the “second”
refers to what?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:10 Does this verse
presume, or require, any specific theory of the atonement?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/12/23/#gospel">Gospel Luke 1:39-45</a></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:39 What days were those
days? Why did Mary go with haste?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:40 Why did Mary not greet
Zechariah?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:41 What is the meaning of
the child’s leaping? Was it the child’s
leaping that filled Elizabeth with the Holy Spirit? If not, when was she filled?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:44 How did Elizabeth know
it was joy and not some other emotion?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><b>ADDENDUM</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.75pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">In addition to serving as
the half time Pastor of <a href="http://www.northchurchqueens.org/">North Church Queens</a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> 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 <a href="http://www.wyzant.com/Tutors/RidgewoodTutor">WyzAnt</a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">page and follow the appropriate links.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<h4 style="margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">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, <a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/">Summit to Shore</a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> but
not here. If you have been following
these posts, please migrate over to my personal blog.</span></h4>
<h4 style="margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">Here is a <a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-prayer-for-newtown.html">link</a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-prayer-for-newtown.html"> to a prayer</a> I wrote and used last Sunday, December 16, in in response to the
violence at Newtown.</span></h4>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587008.post-90801736065897085532012-12-13T00:30:00.000-08:002012-12-13T00:30:02.745-08:00Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, December 16, 2012, the Third Sunday of Advent (Year C)<br />
<h4 style="margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
</h4>
<h4 style="margin-top: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Posted each Thursday, </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Lectionary Ruminations</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> focuses on the Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the following Sunday per </span><a href="http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/index.html" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">the Revised Common Lectionary</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">. 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 (</span><a href="http://www.ncccusa.org/newbtu/aboutnrs.html" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">NRSV</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">) of the Bible </span><a href="http://www.pcusa.org/devotions/index.htm" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings website</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">, but if you prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references may be linked to the NRSV </span><a href="http://bible.oremus.org/" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">via the oremus Bible Browser</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">.)</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Lectionary Rumin</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">ations is also cross-posted on my personal blog, <a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/">Summit to Shore</a>.</span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/12/16/#first-reading">FirstReading Zephaniah 3:14-20</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">3:14 Why is Zion/Jerusalem
referred to as a daughter?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">3:15 Who made judgments
against Israel? Who were Israel’s
enemies?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">3:16 What day? Who will say this to Israel?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">3:17 I do not like
militaristic imagery being applied to God.
This is what gave us the Crusades.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">3:19 Are these oppressors
the same as the enemies of verse 15?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="font-weight: normal;">3:20 We are they now if
they are not home?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/12/16/#canticle">Canticle Isaiah 12:2-6</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">12:2 What is the
relationship between trust and fear?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">12:3 What, and where, are
the wells of salvation? Can water from
the wells of salvation be bottled and sold?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">12:4 What day? How does one call on the name of the LORD
when the LORD’s name is not to </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -0.5in;">be pronounced? </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -0.5in;">What are the deeds of the LORD?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="font-weight: normal;">12:6 Who is the Holy One of Israel?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/12/16/#second-reading">Second Reading Philippians4:4-7</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">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?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">4:5 How do you define “gentleness”? Near is a relative term. How near is the Lord?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">4:6 This must be Bobby
McFerrin’s favorite Bible verse. What is
the difference, if any, between prayer and supplication?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="font-weight: normal;">4:7 Are “hearts” and “minds”
all inclusive? What about body and soul?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/12/16/#gospel">Gospel Luke 3:7-18</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">3:7 What do you think was
the size of the crowds?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">How often do
evangelists insult those they are preaching to?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">What wrath is coming?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">3:8 What fruits are worthy
of repentance? What stones? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">3:9 Does this verse
contribute to the imagery of Dante’s inferno?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">3:11 This is not good news
for the 1% Let’s tweet this verse to Republican members of the House of Representatives!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">3:10-14 What do you make of
the fact that tax collectors and soldiers are the only two groups or people
mentioned?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">3:15 What if John had been
the Messiah? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">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?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">3:17 Oh no, more fire! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="font-weight: normal;">3:18 I wonder what the
other exhortations were? Did the above
really sound like good news to you?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">ADDENDUM<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</h4>
<h4 style="margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">In addition to serving as the half time Pastor of <a href="http://www.northchurchqueens.org/">North ChurchQueens</a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> 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 <a href="http://www.wyzant.com/Tutors/RidgewoodTutor">WyzAnt</a> </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">page and follow the appropriate links.<o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<h4 style="margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">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, <a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/">Summit to Shore</a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> but
not here. If you have been following
these posts, please migrate over to my personal blog.</span></h4>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587008.post-49497950041912680892012-12-06T00:30:00.000-08:002012-12-06T00:30:02.879-08:00Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, December 9, 2012, the Second Sunday of Advent (Year C)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Posted each Thursday, <i>Lectionary Ruminations</i> focuses on the
Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the
following Sunday per </span><a href="http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/index.html"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">the Revised Common Lectionary</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">. 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 (</span><a href="http://www.ncccusa.org/newbtu/aboutnrs.html"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">NRSV</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">)
of the Bible </span><a href="http://www.pcusa.org/devotions/index.htm"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings
website</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">, but if you
prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references may
be linked to the NRSV </span><a href="http://bible.oremus.org/"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">via the oremus Bible Browser</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">.)
<i>Lectionary Rumin</i>ations is also
cross-posted on my personal blog, <a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/">Summit to Shore</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/12/9/#first-reading"><b>First Reading - Malachi 3:1-4</b></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:1 I would expect “Hear”
rather than “see”. Who is speaking? Note that in the NRSV the first occurrence is
“Lord” and the second occurrence is “LORD”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">3:2 Is this a rhetorical
question?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">What is a refiner’s fire
like?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">What is fuller’s soap?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:3 who are the descendants
of Levi? How are gold and silver
refined?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:4 Why would an offering
not be pleasing to the LORD? How has the
offering changed compared to times past?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/12/9/#canticle"><b>Canticle - Luke 1:68-79</b></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:68 What is the first word
in the Latin Vulgate?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:69 Is there any savior
that is not mighty?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:70 Is there a grammer
problem with a single “mouth” but plural “prophets”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:72 Had the Lord God of
Israel forgotten the covenant?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:76 What child?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:78 What is “the dawn from
on high”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:79 How does death cast a
shadow?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/12/9/#second-reading">Second Reading Philippians 1:3-11</a></div>
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<a href="" name="gospel"></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:3
when, and how often, does the author remember the Philippians?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:5 How does one share in
the gospel?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:6 who began the work?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:8 What is meant by
“compassion of Jesus Christ”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:9 What knowledge? What is full insight?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/12/9/#gospel">Gospel Luke 3:1-6</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:1 What year would this
have been? Why are all these people and
their positions named?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:2 Why was John in the
wilderness? Was this a prelude to desert
spirituality? What is so special about
fierce landscapes?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:3 Would this be both
banks of the Jordan? Is this the Jordan
before it flows into the Sea of galilee or after it flows out from the Sea of
Galilee toward the Dead Sea?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:4 Where in Isaiah is the
following written? Did the prophecy
dictate that John had to be in the wilderness, or did John’s being in the
wilderness lend itself to this prophecy? </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">How does one make
straight paths?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:5 Why fill a valley? Why make a mountain low. In light of mountaintop removal mining, this
verse raises images of bad stewardship of the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:6 Does “all flesh”
include non-human flesh?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><b>ADDENDUM</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.75pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">In addition to serving as
the half time Pastor of <a href="http://www.northchurchqueens.org/">North Church Queen</a>s</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> 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 <a href="http://www.wyzant.com/Tutors/RidgewoodTutor">WyzAnt</a> </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">page and follow the appropriate links.</span></h4>
<div>
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.75pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">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, <a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/">Summit to Shore</a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> but
not here. If you have been following
these posts, please migrate over to my personal blog.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></h4>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587008.post-11785204729786890532012-11-29T00:30:00.000-08:002012-11-29T00:30:02.846-08:00Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, December 2, 2012, the First Sunday of Advent (Year C)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s1600/0203100009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s200/0203100009.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Posted each Thursday, <i>Lectionary Ruminations</i> focuses on the
Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the
following Sunday per </span><a href="http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/index.html"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">the Revised Common Lectionary</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">. 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 (</span><a href="http://www.ncccusa.org/newbtu/aboutnrs.html"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">NRSV</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">)
of the Bible </span><a href="http://www.pcusa.org/devotions/index.htm"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings
website</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">, but if you
prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references may
be linked to the NRSV </span><a href="http://bible.oremus.org/"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">via the oremus Bible Browser</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">.)
<i>Lectionary Rumin</i>ations is also
cross-posted on my personal blog, <a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/">Summit to Shore</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span>
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<br /></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/12/2/#first-reading">First Reading - Jeremiah33:14-16</a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">33:14 The author of Jeremiah
surely had Advent in mind when he wrote about the days that are surely
coming.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">What promise did the LORD make
with Israel and Judah?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">33:15 what is the
difference between “in those days” and “at that time”? Is this a mere literary device, or is
something else going on here? In the
NRSV, why is “Branch” capitalized? What
is the difference between justice and righteousness?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">33:16 Is salvation synonymous
with safety? What is the “it” that will
be called “The LORD is our righteousness” and is there one word that is translated
“The LORD is our righteousness”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/12/2/#psalm">Psalm - Psalm 25:1-10</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">25:1 How do you lift up
your soul to the LORD?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">25:2 What is the
difference, if any, between trust and faith?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">25:3 Is the Psalmist
appealing to the LORD’s sense of justice?
The LORD’s vanity?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">25:4 Is this a prayer of
supplication or surrender?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">25:6 Can the LORD ever
forget?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">25:7 Apparently the LORD can forget.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">25:8 As if there were any doubt
that the LORD is good and upright.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">25:9 Does the LORD lead the
humble, or do the humble follow?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">25:10 How many paths of the
LORD are there? What is the difference
between covenant and decrees?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/12/2/#psalm"><b>Second Reading - 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13</b></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">3:9 Who
is the “you”?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:10 Is it possible to pray
a prayer that is not earnest? What is
lacking in your faith? How </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">can it be
restored?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:11 What are the possible
meanings of “our way”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:12 In other words, be
like us?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:13 What is the
grammatical relationship between “the coming of our Lord Jesus” and “with all
his saints”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/12/2/#gospel">Gospel - Luke 21:25-36</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">21:25 This sounds like
reason enough for an interest in astronomy, but how do we interpret this
pre-modern and pre-Copernican text in a postmodern, post-Copernican world?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">How show residents of coastal New York and
New Jersey interpret this passage in a post-Sandy state of disaster?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">21:25 There will be no fear
and foreboding if people in general, and politicians in particular, ignore or
even deny the signs of global climate change.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">21:27 Who ius the “Son of
Man” and what kind of cloud will accompany his return? Cirrus?
Cumulus? Mushroom? How can we interpret
this imagery when some want to take it literally, some want to take it metaphorically,
and some discount it all together?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">21:29 I have recently
learned from a new awareness of fig trees, the ripe fruit will not last long
before it falls off the branch and rots.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">21:32 How did early
Christians cope with disappointment when this prophecy was not (apparently)
realized?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">21:33 Heaven will pass
away?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">21:34 Dissipation? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">21:36 How can one escape
these things?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><b>ADDENDUM</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.75pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">In addition to serving as
the half time Pastor of <a href="http://www.northchurchqueens.org/">North Church Queens</a> </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">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 <a href="http://www.wyzant.com/Tutors/RidgewoodTutor">WyzAnt</a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">page and follow the appropriate links.<o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.75pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">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, <a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/">Summitto Shore</a> </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> but
not here. If you have been following
these posts, please migrate over to my personal blog.</span></h4>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587008.post-72577380828964223282012-11-21T00:30:00.000-08:002012-11-21T00:30:01.884-08:00Lectionary Ruminations for for Sunday, November 25, 2012, Christ the King (Reign of Christ) Sunday (Year B)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s1600/0203100009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s200/0203100009.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Posted each Thursday, <i>Lectionary Ruminations</i> focuses on the Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the following Sunday per </span><a href="http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/index.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">the Revised Common Lectionary</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">. 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 (</span><a href="http://www.ncccusa.org/newbtu/aboutnrs.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">NRSV</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">) of the Bible </span><a href="http://www.pcusa.org/devotions/index.htm"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings website</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">, but if you prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references may be linked to the NRSV </span><a href="http://bible.oremus.org/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">via the oremus Bible Browser</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">.) <i>Lectionary Rumin</i>ations is also cross-posted on my personal blog, <a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/">Summit to Shore</a>. </span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">This Sunday, Christ the
King 2012, marks the end of “Year B” in the three year lectionary cycle.. Next Sunday, The First Sunday of Advent 2012,
will be the First Sunday of the “Year C” in the lectionary cycle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Because this coming Thursday is Thanksgiving, I am posting the edition of Lectiuonary Ruminations on Wednesday rather than Thursday.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/11/25/#first-reading"><b>FirstReading - 2 Samuel 23:1-7</b></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">23:1 What is an
oracle?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">What is the significance of the
fourfold designation, three of which relate to God?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">23:2 Prior to any Christian
doctrine of the Trinity, how did David understand and mean to use “Spirit”</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Is David describing a continual state of
affairs, or the situation this oracle only?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">23:2-3 The Spirit speaks
“through” David but God speaks “to” David.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">23:4 Is David touting his
own horn, or laying the foundation for how future monarchs will be judge?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">23:4 From a later
perspective, how did David’s “house” measure up?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/11/25/#psalm"><b>Psalm - Psalm 132:1-12(13-18)</b></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">132:1 What hardships did
David endure?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">132:3-5 Did David keep his
word?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">132:6 Is there anything
particularly significant about Ephrathah or the fields of Jaar?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">132:7 Whose dwelling place
and whose footstool.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">132:8 This makes it sound
like the LORD is a localized, place-significant LORD.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">132:10 Must David and the
Lord’s anointed be one and the same?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">132:11 How many sons did
David have?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">132:12 This sounds
conditional.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">132:13 What is the meaning
of the word “Zion” and where did the word originate?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">132:14 Read this in light
of verse 8.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">132:15 What are its
“provisions”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">132:17 What is a
“horn”? Is the horn the lamp?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">132:18 This is q</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">uite a contrast between the anointed and his enemies.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/11/25/#second-reading"><b>Second Reading - Revelation 1:4b-8</b></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:4b a Classic
Christianized Greco-Roman Salutation. Who, or what, are the seven spirits?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">1:6 How are Christians a
kingdom of priests?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">What is the
dirrefence between glory and dominion?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:7 Is there any
significance to the admonition being “look” rather than “listen”? Why will all the tribes of the earth wail?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:8 Is there any difference
between Alpha and Omega in contrast to first and last?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><b><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/11/25/#gospel">Gospel - John 18:33-37</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">18:33 What headquarters;
headquarters of what?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">18:34 What sort of question
is this?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">18:35 Is Pilate’s first
question a rhetorical one? What <u>has</u>
Jesus done?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">18:36 This must have
sounded rather cryptic and enigmatic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">18:37 Was Pilates deduction
correct? Did Pilate really say that
Jesus is a king? What is “the truth”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">ADDENDUM<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">In addition to serving as
the half time Pastor of <a href="http://www.northchurchqueens.org/">North Church Queens</a> 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 <a href="http://www.wyzant.com/Tutors/NY/Ridgewood/7718702/#ref=1QXEFE">WyzAnt</a></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><a href="http://www.wyzant.com/Tutors/NY/Ridgewood/7718702/#ref=1QXEFE"> </a>page and follow the appropriate links.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587008.post-39442024635942496742012-11-15T00:30:00.000-08:002012-11-15T00:30:03.236-08:00Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, November 18, 2012, the Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year B)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Posted
each Thursday, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lectionary Ruminations</i>
focuses on the Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version,
for the following Sunday per </span><a href="http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/index.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">the
Revised Common Lectionary</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">. 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 (</span><a href="http://www.ncccusa.org/newbtu/aboutnrs.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">NRSV</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">)
of the Bible </span><a href="http://www.pcusa.org/devotions/index.htm"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">via the PC(USA)
Devotions and Readings website</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, but if you prefer another translation, feel
free to use that instead. (Other references may be linked to the NRSV </span><a href="http://bible.oremus.org/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">via the oremus Bible Browser</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lectionary
Rumin</i>ations is also cross-posted on my personal blog, <a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/">Summit to Shore</a>.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/11/18/#first-reading">First Reading - 1 Samuel 1:4-20<o:p></o:p></a></span></span></b><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1:4
Were Peninnah’s sons and daughters not also Elkanah’s sons and daughters?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1:5
Was Hannah related to Elkanah?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1:6
Who was Hannah’s rival?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1:8
How many wives did Elkanah have?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So much
for family values!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they were honest,
how would most wives answer the Question Elkanah asked Hannah?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1:9
Who is “they” and why are “they” at Shiloh?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1:11
What is Hannah’s misery?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1:13
When you pray silently, do your lips move?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1:14
Read this in light of the First Christian Pentecost.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1:15
What does it mean to pour out one’s soul before the LORD?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1:17
How could Ely say this when he did not know Hannah’s petition?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who or what gave Ely the right—the power—to
answer prayer?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1:19
What do you know about Ramah?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ya gotta
love these Biblical euphemisms. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1:20
Who do we no longer give children names with personal, existential meaning?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/11/18/#canticle">Canticle - 1 Samuel 2:1-10<o:p></o:p></a></span></span></b></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1:1
Did Hannah pray, or did Hannah sing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who
said , paraphrasing, “the person who sings their prayer </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">prays
twice”?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1:2
What, or who, do you think of when you hear the phrase “holy one”?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1:3-5
Is this the 99% speaking of the 1%, or maybe the 47% speaking of the 53%?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1:6-7
So what?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1:8
What does the second half of this verse have to do with the first half?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1:9
This verse seems to echo 1:4-5.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1:10
How does this verse relate to the verses preceding it?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/11/18/#second-reading"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Second Reading - Hebrews 10:11-25<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></a></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10:11
How are you like a priest?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10:12
What single sacrifice did Christ offer?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10:12-13
What source, if any, is being quoted?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10:15-18
Where did the Holy Spirit say this?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10:19
What sanctuary?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does the blood of Jesus
give us confidence or is it a ticket of entry?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10:20
What curtain might this be alluding to?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How was Christ’s flesh like a curtain?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Think about that one long and hard!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10:22
How can hearts be sprinkled clean from an evil conscience?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Note that while hearts are sprinkled clean,
our bodies are washed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10:23
What is the confession of our hope?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
is our hope?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do we confess it?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10:25<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to what does this “meeting toghether” refer?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/11/18/#gospel">Gospel - Mark 13:1-8</a></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">13:1
Who came out of the temple and what had he been doing in there?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This sounds like something a tourist to New
York says on their first visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those of
us who have lived in the Bifg Apple hardly notice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was this a particular disciple’s first visit
to Jerusalem and the temple?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">13:2
Is this prescient or a post AD 70 author reading back into a supposedly earlier
event?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">13:3
It was usually Peter, James and John who were privy to special moments with
Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is Andrew doing here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why two sets of brothers?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">13:4
Think again about the question I raised in relation to 13:2.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">13:6
To whom was Jesus, or the writer of the Gospel, referring?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">13:8
Whew!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least there is no mention of
hurricanes or nor’easters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After both
within eight day, I was beginning to expect a plague of locusts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do birth pangs signify?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is this describing the end of things as they
are, or the birth of something new?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ADDENDUM<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In
addition to serving as the half time Pastor of <a href="http://www.northchurchqueens.org/">North Church Queens</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">and writing Lectionary Ruminations, I also
tutor part time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you or someone you
know needs a tutor, or if you would like to be a tutor, check out my <a href="http://www.wyzant.com/Tutors/RidgewoodTutor">WyzAnt</a> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">page and follow the
appropriate links. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587008.post-70761533289770796432012-11-08T00:30:00.000-08:002012-11-08T00:30:02.729-08:00Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, November 11, 2012, the Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s1600/0203100009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s200/0203100009.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Posted each Thursday, <i>Lectionary Ruminations</i> focuses on the
Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the
following Sunday per </span><a href="http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/index.html"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">the Revised Common Lectionary</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">. Comments and questions are intended to
encourage reflection for readers preparing to teach, preach, or hear the Word.
Re</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">ader comments are invited
and encouraged. All lectionary links are to the New Revised Standard Version (</span><a href="http://www.ncccusa.org/newbtu/aboutnrs.html"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">NRSV</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">)
of the Bible </span><a href="http://www.pcusa.org/devotions/index.htm"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings
website</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">, but if you
prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references may
be linked to the NRSV </span><a href="http://bible.oremus.org/"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">via the oremus Bible Browser</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">.)
<i>Lectionary Rumin</i>ations is also
cross-posted on my personal blog, <a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/">Summit to Shore</a>. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/11/11/#first-reading">First Reading - Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">3:1 Naomi refers to Ruth,
her daughter-in-law, as her daughter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:2 Boaz would be a kinsman
by marriage, not blood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:3 Is there anything significant,
or symbolic, about “the threshing floor”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3:4 I think Ruth uncovered
more than, or something else than, his feet.
Could this verse be employing a euphemism?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">4:13 The L</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">ORD</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> “made” her conceive?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">4:16 The grandmother nurses
her grandson?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">4:17 Why would the women
say “a son has been born to Naomi” when it was really her grandson, born to
Ruth? What is significant about this
lineage?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/11/11/#psalm">Psalm - Psalm 127:1-5</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">127:1 Does the Psalmist have
any particular house, or any particular city in mind?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">127:2 This seems opposite
of our workaholic culture<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">127:3 Does this verse justify
pairing this Psalm with the reading from Ruth?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">127:4-5 What do you make of
this simile?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/11/11/#second-reading">Second Reading - Hebrews 9:24-28</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">9:24 Is this a reference to
the Jerusalem temple?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">9:25 Does this verse have
any bearing on our understanding of the Eucharist?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">9:26 Since Priests do not
sacrifice themselves; does this analogy break down in the final analysis?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">9:26-27 Can you follow the
argument in these two verses?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/11/11/#gospel">Gospel - Mark 12:38-44</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">12:38 Whom is Jesus teaching?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">What do you know about the scribes?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">12:40 How were scribes devouring
widow’s houses?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">12:42 These are very common
coins, still available from collectors.
With the rate of </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">inflation, what would be their worth today?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">12:44 The widow may have
demonstrated faith, but was she practicing good stewardship?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">ADDENDUM<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">This Sunday is Veterans Day
as well as the Sunday after Election Day and the second Sunday after
Sandy. How do any of the above influence
and inform preaching and liturgy? I see
nothing in the texts that lends itself to any of the above. Maybe I will simply have to preach the Gospel
the texts proclaim regardless of the civil calendar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.75pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">In addition to serving as
the half time Pastor of <a href="http://www.northchurchqueens.org/">North Church Queens</a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> 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 <a href="http://www.wyzant.com/Tutors/RidgewoodTutor">WyzAn</a>t </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">page and follow the appropriate links.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></h4>
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<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587008.post-35188091067191664322012-11-01T00:30:00.000-07:002012-11-01T00:30:06.029-07:00Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, November 4, 2012, the Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s1600/0203100009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s320/0203100009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Posted each Thursday, </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Lectionary Ruminations</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> focuses on the
Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the
following Sunday per </span><a href="http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/index.html" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">the
Revised Common Lectionary</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">. 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 (</span><a href="http://www.ncccusa.org/newbtu/aboutnrs.html" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">NRSV</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">)
of the Bible </span><a href="http://www.pcusa.org/devotions/index.htm" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">via the PC(USA)
Devotions and Readings website</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">, but if you prefer another translation, feel
free to use that instead. (Other references may be linked to the NRSV </span><a href="http://bible.oremus.org/" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">via the oremus Bible Browser</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">.)</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Lectionary
Rumin</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">ations is also cross-posted on my personal blog, <a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/">Summit to Shore</a>. </span><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/11/4/#first-reading">First Reading - Ruth 1:1-18</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">How shall we interpret this
reading in light of the upcoming election and political debate about
immigration?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:1 What do you know about
Moab?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:2 Why so much
information?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:2-3 Why is all this
background important?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:11 What does Naomi mean?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:14 To what do you
attribute the difference between Orpah and Ruth?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:16 How many times have
you heard this verse quoted?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/11/4/#psalm">Psalm - Psalm 146:1-10</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">146:1-2 This is a statement
of faith!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">146:2-3 This is important
to hear two days before our national elections.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">146:5-9 These are important
verses for us in the North East as we will be hearing them in the aftermath of Hurricane
Sandy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/11/4/#second-reading">Second Reading - Hebrews 9:11-14</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">9:11 What are “the good things”
and “the greater and perfect tent”?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">9:12 What and where is “the
Holy Place” and when did Christ enter it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">9:14 What is the
difference, if any, between atonement and sanctification?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/11/4/#gospe">Gospel - Mark 12:28-34</a></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">12:28 Who are the “them”
that were disputing?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">12:29 The Shema!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">12:31 The scribe asked for
the greatest commandment. Why does Jesus
answer with two?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">12:29-31 What about The Ten
Commandments?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">12:32-33 Read these verses
in light of today’s Epistle! This might
offer an opportunity for a juxtaposition of the Epistle and Gospel for a
theological dialectic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">12:34 How much farther does
this scribe need to go to enter the kingdom of God?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">ADDENDUM<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.75pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">In addition to serving as
the half time Pastor of <a href="http://www.northchurchqueens.org/">North Church Queens</a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> 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 <a href="http://www.wyzant.com/Tutors/RidgewoodTutor">WyzAnt</a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">page and follow the appropriate links.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<div>
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">This past week, I was writing Lectionary Ruminations while hunkered down for the onslaught of Hurricane Sandy. For some personal reflections, with photos, read some of my recent posts on <a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/">Summit to Shore</a>.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587008.post-28650755757667324172012-10-25T00:30:00.000-07:002012-10-25T00:30:06.097-07:00Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, October 28, 2012, the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s1600/0203100009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s200/0203100009.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Posted each Thursday, </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Lectionary Ruminations</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> focuses on the
Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the
following Sunday per </span><a href="http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/index.html" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">the
Revised Common Lectionary</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">. 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 (</span><a href="http://www.ncccusa.org/newbtu/aboutnrs.html" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">NRSV</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">)
of the Bible </span><a href="http://www.pcusa.org/devotions/index.htm" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">via the PC(USA)
Devotions and Readings website</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">, but if you prefer another translation, feel
free to use that instead. (Other references may be linked to the NRSV </span><a href="http://bible.oremus.org/" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">via the oremus Bible Browser</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">.)</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Lectionary
Rumin</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">ations is also cross-posted on my personal blog, <a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/">Summit to Shore</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/10/28/#first-reading">First Reading - Job42:1-6, 10-17</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">42:1 What would you answer
The L</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt;">ORD</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">42:2 The classic question:
Can God make a rock so heavy that God cannot lift it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">42:3 Is Job eating humble
pie?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">42:4 Is Job planning to
cross examine God?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">42:6 Despicable me?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">42:10 What is the moral of
this story? What lesson has been learned
and is being taught?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">42:11 The L</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">ORD</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> had brought evil upon Job?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">42:12-13 Are these numbers symbolically
significant?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">42:14 What do these names
mean?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">42:15 Did daughters usually
receive an inheritance?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">42:16 is 140 symbolically significant? Should it be taken literally?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/10/28/#psalm">Psalm - Psalm 34:1-8 (19-22)</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">34:1 Is this a promise, a
vow, or an expressed intention and desire?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">34:2 How does one’s soul
make its boast in the L</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">ORD</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">34:3 How does one magnify
the L</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">ORD</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">?
Is this a mini Magnificat? How
does one exalt the L</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">ORD</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">’s name when the L</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">ORD</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">’s name is unpronounceable?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">34:4 How does the L</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">ORD</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> answer us today?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">34:7 Who is the angel of
the L</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">ORD</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">34:8 How does one taste
that the L</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">ORD</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> is good?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">34:19 If the L</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">ORD</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> rescues the righteous, why are the
righteous afflicted?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">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?</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/10/28/#second-reading">Second Reading - Hebrews 7:23-28</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">7:23 What came before the “furthermore”?
Who were the former priests?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">7:25 Is there a change in
emphasis from Christ as sacrifice to Christ as intercessor?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">7:26 How is it fitting?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">7:27 In light of 7:25, it
sees we are back to understanding Christ as sacrifice rather than intercessor?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">7:28 What is “the word of
the oath”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/10/28/#gospel"> </a></span><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/10/28/#gospel">Gospel - Mark10:46-52</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">10:46 Who came to Jericho?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Is there anything about Jericho that makes it
more than just a setting for this story? “Bartimaeus</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">son of Timaeus” seems redundant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:47 What do you know
about the <i>The Philokalia</i>, Hesychasm, and
The Jesus Prayer?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:48 who were the many and
why did they order him to be quiet?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:49 Why did Jesus have
Bartimaeus brought to him rather than going to Bartimaeus?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:50 Is there any
symbolism in his throwing off his cloak?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:51 Did Jesus really need
to ask this question? What is the
significance of Bartimaeus calling Jesus “My teacher”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:52 What faith? How did it make him well? What does “followed
him on the way” mean?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><b>ADDENDUM</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h4 style="margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">In
addition to serving as the half time Pastor of <a href="http://www.northchurchqueens.org/">North Church Queens</a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> 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 <a href="http://www.wyzant.com/Tutors/RidgewoodTutor">WyzAnt</a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">page and follow the appropriate links.</span></h4>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587008.post-48083828003431503782012-10-18T00:30:00.000-07:002012-10-18T00:30:05.717-07:00Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, October 21, 2012, the Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s1600/0203100009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s1600/0203100009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s200/0203100009.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Posted each Thursday, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lectionary Ruminations</i> focuses on the
Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the
following Sunday per </span><a href="http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/index.html"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">the Revised Common Lectionary</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">. 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 (</span><a href="http://www.ncccusa.org/newbtu/aboutnrs.html"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">NRSV</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">)
of the Bible </span><a href="http://www.pcusa.org/devotions/index.htm"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings
website</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">, but if you
prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references may
be linked to the NRSV </span><a href="http://bible.oremus.org/"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">via the oremus Bible Browser</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lectionary Rumin</i>ations is also
cross-posted on my personal blog, <a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/">Summit to Shore</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/10/21/#first-reading">First Reading - Job 38:1-7 (34-41)<o:p></o:p></a></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">38:1 What was the L</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9pt;">ORD</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> doing in a whirlwind?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">38:2 What examples are
there today of words without knowledge?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What is the difference between a word with and without knowledge?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">38:3 Whose masculinity was
in question?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is this going to be a trial
or an interrogation?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">38:4 And the answer is?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">38:5-7 How would you
classify these questions?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">38:34-41 Who asks these
kind of questions anymore?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/10/21/#psalm"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Psalm - Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">104:1-9 Can you find all
four classical elements—earth, air, water, and fire—in this reading?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">104:1-4 How can an urbanized and
industrialized Christianity still find any meaning in this psalm?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">104:24 There are fewer
species on the earth than there once were. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">104:35 Perhaps the earth,
Gaia, will consume the sinners threatening death to the planet God has entrusted
to our care. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will any humans survive?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/10/21/#second-reading">Second Reading - Hebrews 5:1-10</a></span></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">5:1 Who are our high priests today? In what ways are you like a high
priest?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">5:2 Who are the ignorant and wayward of our day?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">5:4 I think anyone who desires to be a priest (of any faith tradition)
without a little fear and trepidation about actually serving as one is headed
for trouble.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">5:5 Who said this to Christ, and when and where?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">5:6 and where might this other place be?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Who was Melchizedek?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This has got
to be one of the most bizarre, mysterious verses of Scripture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">5:7 what is the difference between a prayer and a supplication?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">5:9 How was Jesus made perfect?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was
he not perfect before being made perfect?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What is the meaning of perfection?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">5:10 In addition to Melchizedek and Jesus, who else might have been or is a
high priest according to the order of Melchizdek?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/10/21/#gospel">Gospel - Mark 10:35-45<o:p></o:p></a></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:35 could anyone else
other than these two have asked this question?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:36 Did the Teacher no
know their hearts and minds?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:37 Had their Teacher
granted their request, would the brothers have been content with where Jesus
sat them?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:37 What cup?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John’s baptism?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:40 For whom do you think
it has been prepared?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:42 To whom was Jesus
referring?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:43-44 The classic
reversal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:45 Assuming Jesus s
talking about himself, why did he always refer to himself as the Son of
Man?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does this verse rule out any but a
ransom theory of the Atonement?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">ADDENDUM<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">In addition to serving as the half time Pastor of <a href="http://www.northchurchqueens.org/">North ChurchQueens</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">and writing Lectionary Ruminations, I also
tutor part time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you or someone you
know needs a tutor, or if you would like to be a tutor, check out my <a href="http://www.wyzant.com/Tutors/RidgewoodTutor">WyzAnt</a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">page and follow the appropriate links.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><em><span style="color: #4f81bd;"> <o:p></o:p></span></em></span><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587008.post-70945604289743810392012-10-11T00:30:00.000-07:002012-10-11T00:30:07.032-07:00Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, October 14, 2012, the Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Posted each Thursday, <i>Lectionary Ruminations</i> focuses on the
Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the
following Sunday per </span><a href="http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/index.html"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">the Revised Common Lectionary</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">. 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 (</span><a href="http://www.ncccusa.org/newbtu/aboutnrs.html"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">NRSV</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">)
of the Bible </span><a href="http://www.pcusa.org/devotions/index.htm"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings
website</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">, but if you
prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references may
be linked to the NRSV </span><a href="http://bible.oremus.org/"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">via the oremus Bible Browser</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">.)
<i>Lectionary Rumin</i>ations is also
cross-posted on my personal blog, <a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/">Summit to Shore</a>. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/10/14/#first-reading">Job 23:1-9, 16-17</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">23:1 Whom is Job answering?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">23:2 What is Job’s
complaint? What is a “bitter”
complaint? Whose hand is heavy?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">23:3 Whom does Job not know
where to find?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">23:4 Job is sounding like a
trial attorney.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">23:6 Why does Job think he
would not be contended with?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">23:8 Has Job really gone in
all directions? Like the Khan character
in <i>The Wrath of Khan</i>, Job is a two
dimensional thinker. In a Copernican
universe, three dimensions might be enough, but in a post-Einstein universe, we
must posit at least four dimensions.
Where do we look for God in a four or more dimensional world?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">23:9 Is Job’s terror
anything like Rudolph Otto’s Mysterium Tremendum?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">23:16 Does Job’s “if only”
indicate the futility of trying to hide from God?<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/10/14/#psalm">Psalm 22:1-15</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">22:1 Where have we heard
this before, every one to three years?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">22:2 How many times have
you felt this way?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">22:3 I think this “yet” is
a one word statement of faith.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">22:6 But I am not like my
ancestors?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">22:9 God takes us from the
womb?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">22:10 This reads as if life
begins at birth, not conception.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">22:12 What is a bull of
Bashan?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">22:14 Mixed
metaphors/images?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">22: 15 Give this Psalmist a
drink of cool, refreshing water of life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/10/14/#second-reading">Hebrews 4:12-16</a></span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">4:12 How can a word, any
word, be living and active?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">What does it
mean to separate soul from spirit?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">4:13 Were Adam and Eve
still naked even after they attempted to cover themselves?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">4:14 What is a high
priest? What is a great high priest? Why
the plural “heavens”? How many heavens
are there? What confession?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">4:15 Are there high priests
who are unable to sympathize with our weaknesses? Is there a difference between being tested
and being tempted? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">4:16 In the context of this
verse, how do you define “boldness”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/10/14/#gospel">Mark 10:17-31</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">10:17 Who was setting out,
where was he setting out from, and where was he heading to? Is there any
significance to the many using the word “inherit”?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">What words, other than “inherit”, do we
usually hear associated with “eternal life”?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:18 What has the Church
and Christian community not learned from this verse?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:19 Why does Jesus refer
only to the second tablet of the law rather than both tablets?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:20 This man is a saint!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:21 The conundrum: give
away your riches and you will have what you lack.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:22 Was he grieving
because he gave up eternal life for riches, or because he gave up riches for
eternal life?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:23 Do you hear this, 1%?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:24 The kingdom of heaven
must be like flying with all one’s possessions in a carry on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:25 It is easier to drive
a car through the Queens Blvd. overpass on the Jackie Robinson Pkwy than it is
for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:26 Is the answer not obvious? The poor can be saved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:27 So even God can
enable a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:28 Peter, also known as “open mouth, insert foot”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:29 What relative is not
mentioned?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:30 I can do without the
persecution part.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:31 The classical Christian
inversion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">ADDENDUM<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.75pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">In addition to serving as
the half time Pastor of <a href="http://www.northchurchqueens.org/">North Church Queens</a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> 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 <a href="http://www.wyzant.com/Tutors/RidgewoodTutor">WyzAnt</a> </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">page and follow the appropriate links.</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h4>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587008.post-35653124762675495862012-10-03T15:21:00.000-07:002012-10-03T15:21:54.940-07:00Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, October 7, 2012, the Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s1600/0203100009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s200/0203100009.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Posted each Thursday, </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Lectionary Ruminations</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> focuses on the
Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the
following Sunday per </span><a href="http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/index.html" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">the
Revised Common Lectionary</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">. 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 (</span><a href="http://www.ncccusa.org/newbtu/aboutnrs.html" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">NRSV</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">)
of the Bible </span><a href="http://www.pcusa.org/devotions/index.htm" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">via the PC(USA)
Devotions and Readings website</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">, but if you prefer another translation, feel
free to use that instead. (Other references may be linked to the NRSV </span><a href="http://bible.oremus.org/" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">via the oremus Bible Browser</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">.)</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Lectionary
Rumin</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">ations is also cross-posted on my personal blog, <a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/">Summit to Shore</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/10/7/#first-reading">Job 1:1, 2:1-10</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">1:1 Is this similar to “once
upon a time”?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">What do you know about the
land of Uz?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">What does it mean that he “feared
God”?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:1 How many heavenly
beings are there? What is the meaning of
the name “Satan”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:2 Would not an omniscient
God not have to ask this question? Do I
hear an echo of Genesis chapter 3 verse 9?
Did Satan prefer the earth to heaven?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:3 Why did the LORD bring
up the topic of Job? Since Satan had
just been on the earth, is this a put down of Satan, God saying to Satan “Job
is better than you”?\<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:4 What is the meaning of “skin
for skin”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:5 What does it mean
to touch bone and flesh?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:6 Is this going to be a
test of Job’s integrity or Satan’s power?
Is God testing, even tempting, Satan?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:7 Is there a double
meaning at work here?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:8 Some days, we anyone of
us may feel like Job.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:9 Why do Republicans not
accuse Job’s wife of constituting the first death panel?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:10 Job is, above all, a
man of clear logic. Job may not have
sinned with his lips, but what about with his heart or mind?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/10/7/#psalm">Psalm 26:1-12</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">26:1 Yep, this sounds like
something Job would have said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">26:2 What about lead me not
into temptation?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">26:4 If I did this, how
could I stay in the church?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">26:6 This Psalmist is
beginning to sound self-righteous.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">26:7 What are God’s
wondrous deeds?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">26:8 Can we truly say this
when God is omnipresent? This seems to
reflect worship of a domesticated God confined to the Temple rather than a wild
and primitive wandering God sometimes abiding in a tent, a cloud, and a column
of fire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">26:11 Is the Psalmist
pleading his case before God’s bench?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">26:12 What is “the great
congregation”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/10/7/#second-reading">Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">1:1 “</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">A long time ago in a
galaxy far, far away...." S</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">orry, wrong story. What were the many and various ways God spoke
by the prophets?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:2 What does the author
mean by “last days”? Why the plural “worlds”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:3 What is the difference
between a reflection and an imprint?
What is his powerful word? Does “purification
for sins” presume any particular understanding of the atonement?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">1:4 What name did he
inherit and from whom did he inherit it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:5 What is the coming
world?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:6 What is the source of
this saying?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:9 Is death suffering, of
did Jesus suffer in a way that no human has suffered and died?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:10 Who are God’s many
children? What is perfection?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2:12 Where in the Gospels does
Jesus say this?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/10/7/#gospel">Mark 10:2-16</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">10:2 How many Pharisees,
two, twenty, two hundred?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Were the Pharisees
seeking to “test” Jesus as God tested Job and the Psalmist?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">What could Jesus know about a man having a
wife?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:3 What did Moses, or
what did God command you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:4 So much for family
values.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:5-9 This seems to answer
a question about divorce, or rather the afterlife, not marriage, let alone same
sex marriage. Speaking of same sex
marriage, check out this Stand For Love link: <a href="http://www.mlp.org/2012/10/03/stand-for-love/">http://www.mlp.org/2012/10/03/stand-for-love/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:10 In whose house? Where the disciples also seeking to test
Jesus?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:11-13 How have Biblical
literalists arguing against same sex marriage seem to ignore the fact that
Jesus said nothing about same sex marriage but said this about heterosexual marriage
and divorce?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:13 Ouch. This sounds ugly in light of recent sexual
abuse of young boys by priests and football coaches. I would prefer “laying on of hands” rather than “touch”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:14 How can the kingdom
og God belong to little children. Can we
grow to big or too old for God’s kingdom?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:15 I think a whole
sermon could be preached based on this single verse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10:16 Who do we bless and
how do we bless them?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><b>ADDENDUM</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.75pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">In addition to serving as
the half time Pastor of <a href="http://www.northchurchqueens.org/">North Church Queens</a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> and writing <i>Lectionary Ruminations</i>, 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 <a href="http://www.wyzant.com/Tutors/RidgewoodTutor">WyzAnt</a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">page and follow the appropriate links.</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h4>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587008.post-59564500607490567162012-09-27T00:30:00.000-07:002012-09-27T00:30:04.954-07:00Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, September 30, 2012, the Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)<br />
<h2 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Posted each Thursday, </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Lectionary Ruminations</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> focuses on the
Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the
following Sunday per </span><a href="http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/index.html" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">the
Revised Common Lectionary</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">. 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 (</span><a href="http://www.ncccusa.org/newbtu/aboutnrs.html" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">NRSV</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">)
of the Bible </span><a href="http://www.pcusa.org/devotions/index.htm" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">via the PC(USA)
Devotions and Readings website</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">, but if you prefer another translation, feel
free to use that instead. (Other references may be linked to the NRSV </span><a href="http://bible.oremus.org/" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">via the oremus Bible Browser</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">.)</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Lectionary
Rumin</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">ations is also cross-posted on my personal blog, Summit to Shore. </span><a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/</a></span></h2>
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<b><span lang="EN"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/9/30/#first-reading">First Reading - Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9:20-22</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">v. 1 Who is the king and
what is he king of?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">What is the
relationship between Haman and Esther?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 2 On the second day of
what?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 3 Who are Esther’s
people and why does she ask for her life and the life of her people?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 5 How could the king not
know about this?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 9 Does it matter that
Harbona was a eunuch? How could Harbona
know what was going on when the King did not know?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 10 The height of irony.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 20 Why did Mordecai
record these things? Why did he send
letters? I think it would be a find of
great historical significance if one of these letters were ever discovered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 21-22 The feast on these
days commemorating all these events is called what?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/9/30/#psalm">Psalm - Psalm 124:1-8</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">v. 1 Must the LORD be on
any one’s side?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 1-2 This sounds like a
responsive call and response.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 3-5 Thus, the victory
belongs to the LORD.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 8 This is not the
confession of a national security state.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/9/30/#second-reading">Second Reading - James 5:13-20</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">v. 13 is this an admonition
or a restriction?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Shall the suffering
only pray?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">How many congregations on
Sunday morning really sound cheerful?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 14 How many PC(USA)
Teaching and Rulings Elders do you know who will anoint with oil?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 15 Is this a reference to
faith healing? What is the relation, if
any, between faith and healing?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 16 How is the prayer of
the righteous powerful and effective?
What about the prayer of the unrighteous?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 17 How do we wander from
the truth?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/9/30/#gospel">Gospel - Mark 9:38-50</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">v. 38 What do you think of
the situation John describes?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">What is
your take on “demons”?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 39 What do you think of
Jesus’ advice?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 40 Is the enemy of my
enemy my friend?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 41 What reward?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 42 What is a stumbling block? Of the sixteen occurrences of “stumbling
block” in the NRSV, consider especially 1 Cor. 1:23. Who are “these little ones”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">vs. 43-47 How do children
and others who understand Scripture literally understand these verses?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 48 Why do many of our
contemporary images of hell include flames but not worms?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 49 What does it mean to
be salted with fire?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 50 How does this verse
follow from the verse that precedes it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">ADDENDUM<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.75pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">In addition to serving as
the half time Pastor of <a href="http://www.northchurchqueens.org/">North Church Queens</a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> 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 <a href="http://www.wyzant.com/Tutors/RidgewoodTutor">WyzAnt</a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">page and follow the appropriate links.</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h4>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587008.post-42189739848077169952012-09-20T00:30:00.000-07:002012-09-21T04:39:56.215-07:00Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, September 23, 2012, the Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Posted each Thursday, </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Lectionary Ruminations</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> focuses on the
Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the
following Sunday per </span><a href="http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/index.html" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">the
Revised Common Lectionary</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">. 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 (</span><a href="http://www.ncccusa.org/newbtu/aboutnrs.html" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">NRSV</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">)
of the Bible </span><a href="http://www.pcusa.org/devotions/index.htm" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">via the PC(USA)
Devotions and Readings website</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">, but if you prefer another translation, feel
free to use that instead. (Other references may be linked to the NRSV </span><a href="http://bible.oremus.org/" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">via the oremus Bible Browser</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">.) </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Lectionary
Rumin</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">ations is also cross-posted on my personal blog, </span><a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Summit to Shore</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">. </span><br />
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/9/23/#first-reading">First Reading - Proverbs 31:10-31</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">v. 10-31 Is this an example
of a sexist Lectionary, not necessarily because the reading itself is sexist,
but because there is no “capable husband” text to balance it? </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> If Jesus had a wife, would she have been the sort of wife described in this Reading?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">v. 10 On the other hand,
comparing a woman to a physical item could be seen as sexist, suggesting that a
capable wife is a possession, mere “arm candy”, like a “trophy wife”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 18 Is there a double
meaning here?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 26 At least this verse
does not seem sexist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 28 How would a wife who
is childless, perhaps not by choice, hear this verse?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/9/23/#psalm">Psalm - Psalm 1</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">v. 1 Where do scoffers sit?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 2 What does it mean to
meditate on God’s law?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 3 To borrow a phrase
going around facebook, following the law of the LORD bears fruits, not nuts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 4 What process is being
alluded to here?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 6 Is thee a difference
between the LORD watching over the way of the righteous and watching over the
righteous? Note that it is not the
wicked who perish but the way of the wicked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/9/23/#second-reading">Second Reading - James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">v. 13 Socrates, Plato and
Aristotle might agree.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 14 what is the relation
between wisdom and truth?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 15 There seems to be at
least two types of wisdom, earthly and spiritual.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 18 In or out of context,
this is one of my favorite verses and one we should all keep in mind. Why does the United States have a Defense
Department (formerly the Ward Department) but has never had a Peace
Department. We have Military Academies
but no nationally funded Peace Academy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 1 Is this a naïve understanding
of conflict? How much of our conflict is
based on psychological projection? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 2 I can not disagree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 3 This is sounding like
an indictment of the consumerist economy and marketing that appeals to selfish
emotions. How would this verse play out
on Mad Men?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 7 I can do without devil
language.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 8 This makes sense to me
and based on personal experience seems somewhat true.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/9/23/#gospel">Gospel - Mark 9:30-37</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">v. 30 Who are “they” and
where was “there”? Why did he not want
anyone to know it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 31 Do you think that
when Jesus teaches his disciples he is teaching the church, and that when he
speaks to the crowd, he is speaking to the wider culture? Why is Jesus portrayed as using “Son of Man”
imagery and no other imagery?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 32 How often to people
in the pews or in the classroom not understand the preacher/teacher but are
afraid to ask a question?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 32 What do you know
about Capernaum? Whose house might he
have been in? Disciple’s arguing?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 34 Is Jesus not the
greatest? Oh, right, he is the least!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 35 Why did Jesus sit
them down?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 36 Where did the little
child come from?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 37 So welcoming a little
child and holding him or her in my arms is akin to welcoming Jesus and thus God? I can live with that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">ADDENDUM<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.75pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">In addition to serving as
the half time Pastor of <a href="http://www.northchurchqueens.org/">North Church Queens</a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> 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 <a href="http://www.wyzant.com/Tutors/RidgewoodTutor">WyzAnt</a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">page and follow the appropriate links.</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h4>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587008.post-74734903506155191762012-09-13T00:30:00.000-07:002012-09-13T00:30:01.579-07:00Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, September 16, 2012, the Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s1600/0203100009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s200/0203100009.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Posted each Thursday, <i>Lectionary Ruminations</i> focuses on the
Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the
following Sunday per </span><a href="http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/index.html" style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">the Revised Common Lectionary</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia, serif;">. 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 (</span><a href="http://www.ncccusa.org/newbtu/aboutnrs.html" style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">NRSV</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia, serif;">)
of the Bible </span><a href="http://www.pcusa.org/devotions/index.htm" style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings
website</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia, serif;">, but if you
prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references may
be linked to the NRSV </span><a href="http://bible.oremus.org/" style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">via the oremus Bible Browser</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia, serif;">.)
<i>Lectionary Rumin</i>ations is also
cross-posted on my personal blog, </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">
</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia, serif;">http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/</a>.</span><br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/9/16/#first-reading">First Reading -Proverbs 1:20-33</a></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">v. 20 This passage seems to
personify wisdom in the feminine, so why not use the original Greek “Sophia”
rather than the English translation “Wisdom”?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This verse also seems to display the Hebraic poetic device of
repetition.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 22 Does this verse
contrast the simple with the wise? Are
the simple the same as scoffers and fools?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 23 Who is speaking? Can all thoughts be expressed in words, or
must some thoughts be expressed through non-lingual representative arts? Does DaVinci’s Last Supper or Dali’s Last
Supper say something about the Last Supper that words can not express?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 29 Is knowledge the same
as the fear of the LORD? Is knowledge
the same as wisdom?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/9/16/#psalm">Psalm - Psalm 19:1-14</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">v. 1 The Astronomer’s
Bible/Gospel!</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">What is a firmament?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 2. What is the
relationship between speech and knowledge?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">vs. 3-4 How does a voice go
out through all the earth if it is not heard?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">vs. 4b-6 How do you
interpret and apply a passage that assumes a pre-Copernican three-tiered
universe in a post-Copernican world?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 7 How did we transition
from the heavens to the law?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 10 At the close of the
market on Tuesday, gold was selling for $1,728.7/ounce.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 14 One of my personal
pet peeves is that this verse should not be used as a public prayer by a
preacher before the preaching of a sermon, ESPECIALLY after a Prayer of
Illumination has already been prayed before the reading of Scripture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/9/16/#second-reading">Second Reading - James 3:1-12</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">v 1. Using PC(USA)
nomenclature, is James referring to “Teaching” Elders in particular, Sunday
School Teachers, or teachers of faith in general?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 2 How true! Who, but Jesus, is perfect?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 3 What is the equivalent
of a verbal bridle?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 4 Ahhhhhh, sometimes the
will of the pilot is overcome by the wind, lack of piloting skill, poor
equipment, etc. I wish I could always
guide my C&C 24 wherever I want it to go, but that is not always the case.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 5a The tongue not only
boasts of great exploits but can take us places we never wished to go. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 5b-6a I doubt the author
had in minds the tongues of fire associated with Pentecost.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 6b But the same member
that curses can also bless. The same
tongue that expounds hate can also verbalize love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 7 I think this is not
true. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 8 What do you think?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">vs. 9-10 See my rumination
for verse 6b.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 11 Not at the same time,
but perhaps alternately.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 12 True, true, but what
about reverse osmosis and distillation?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">vs. 1-12 In the age of
social media and the internet, is the tongue really the problem, or is it the
mind that tells the tongue what to say and the fingers to type?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/9/16/#gospel">Gospel - Mark 8:27-38</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">v. 27 Was Caesarea a
village and Philippi a village?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Like
Minneapolis / St. Paul?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Who do people in
our culture say that Jesus is?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 29 This is the question
Jesus asks each and every one of us. Who
do you say Jesus is? Does your answer
depend on who is asking the question?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 30 Why the order not to
tell anyone about him? What do you know
about “the Messianic Secret”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 31 John the
Baptist, Elijah, one of the prophets,
one Messiah, the Son of Man? So many
identities, titles, and names! Why did
Jesus refer to himself as the Son of Man?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 32 Why did Peter rebuke
Jesus?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 33 Why did Jesus call
Peter “Satan”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 34 What does it mean to
take up one’s cross? What is your cross?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 35 This reads like a
conundrum.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 36 Does this matter at
all to a generation that is embracing YOLO?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 38 How was Jesus’
generation adulterous and sinful?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">ADDENDUM<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.75pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">In addition to serving as
the half time Pastor of <a href="http://www.northchurchqueens.org/">North Church Queens</a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> 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 <a href="http://www.wyzant.com/Tutors/RidgewoodTutor">WyzAnt</a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">page and follow the appropriate links.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20587008.post-63887280549966485562012-09-06T00:30:00.000-07:002012-09-06T00:30:05.733-07:00Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, September 9, 2012, the Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s1600/0203100009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2heYzAq8AwfSitsW7vWqK0SoiE5YYUKOD7wTyXOXrg5rnnm5gmtclRauoK3pZxOuR7CRANRh4lylBXrTHRxM-oKje0FQnbMKikGpyYazIw25oHX7stf9p26mpaFH2TEgStoO/s200/0203100009.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<h2 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal;">Posted
each Thursday, <i>Lectionary Ruminations</i>
focuses on the Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version,
for the following Sunday per </span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/index.html"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">the Revised Common
Lectionary</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal;">. 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 (</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.ncccusa.org/newbtu/aboutnrs.html"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">NRSV</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal;">) of the Bible </span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.pcusa.org/devotions/index.htm"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">via the PC(USA)
Devotions and Readings website</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal;">,
but if you prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other
references may be linked to the NRSV </span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://bible.oremus.org/"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">via the oremus Bible
Browser</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal;">.) <i>Lectionary
Rumin</i>ations is also cross-posted on my personal blog, <a href="http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/">Summit to Shor</a>e. </span></h2>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/9/9/#first-reading">First Reading - Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9,22-23</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">v. 1 What is the history
and meaning of your name?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">What name is
above every other name?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">What is “favor”?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 2 Is this ALL they have
in common?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 8 Let the politicians
beware.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">vs. 22-23 This reads like a
passage for the 99%<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/9/9/#psalm">Psalm - Psalm 125:1-5</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">v. 1 How do you define
trust?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 2 What is it about being
surrounded by mountains that is good news?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 3 What is a scepter and
what does it symbolize?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">vs. 3-4 Is there a theology
of reward and punishment informing this Psalm?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/9/9/#second-reading">Second Reading - James 2:1-10 (11-13)14-17</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">v. 1 What “acts of
favoritism” are being referred to?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 2-4 Have you ever
witnessed any such thing?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 5-7 Some more Scripture
for the 99%.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 8 Why is this law
referred to as “the royal law”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 11 This verse seems to
me to get it backwards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 12 What is “law of
liberty”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 14 Can faith save YOU?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 17 Faith, without works,
might be dead. But what are works
without faith?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/revised-common-lectionary/2012/9/9/#gospel">Gospel - Mark 7:24-37</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">v. 24 From where?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">What do you know about Tyre?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Why did Jesus not want anyone to know he was
in the house?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 25 How do post-modern,
scientifically informed people of faith handle passages, like this one, that
speak of “unclean spirits”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 26 What difference does
it make that she was a Gentile? Of
Syrophoenician origin?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 27 How do you react to
the fact that Jesus said this?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 29 Why was her response
rewarded?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 30 How could Jesus heal
someone without that person even being present for laying on of hands?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 31 What do you know of
Sidon?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 32 What sort of
impediment do you imagine?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 33 Why in private? Why put fingers in ears and touch tongues
instead of laying on hands?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 34 What language is
“Ephphatha”? Where else in Scripture do
we hear a world like this?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 36 What do you know
about “the Messianic secret”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">v. 37 When was the last
time you, or members of the congregation you are associated with, were astounded?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">ADDENDUM<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.75pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">In addition to serving as
the half time Pastor of <a href="http://www.northchurchqueens.org/">North Church Queens</a> </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">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 <a href="http://www.wyzant.com/Tutors/RidgewoodTutor">WyzAnt</a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">page and follow the appropriate links.</span></h4>
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