Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, March 25, 2012, the Fifth Sunday in Lent (Year B)

Posted each Thursday, Lectionary Ruminations focuses on the Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the following Sunday per the Revised Common Lectionary. Comments and questions are intended to encourage reflection for readers preparing to teach, preach, or hear the Word. Reader comments are invited and encouraged. All lectionary links are to the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings website, but if you prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references may be linked to the NRSV via the oremus Bible Browser.)  Lectionary Ruminations is also cross-posted on my personal blog, Summit to Shore. 

FirstReading - Jeremiah 31:31-34

v. 31 Why does Jeremiah write about coming days rather than a new age? Why the twin construction “Israel” and ”Judah”?

v. 32 God is a husband?

v. 33 How does God put a law in a person?  How does God write on the heart?

v. 34 Note that God is the agent of divine knowledge, not people.

Psalm- Psalm 51:1-12

vs. 1, 2 and 3 Here are examples of Hebrew poetic parallelism.  Are steadfast love and abundant mercy the same thing?

v. 5 If this is not a proof text for original sin, what is it?

v. 6 What is a secret heart?

v. 7 What is hyssop and how does it purge?

v. 8 God has crushed bones?

v. 9 What is the meaning of “Hide your face”?

v. 10 Does having a clean heart mean having a new and right spirit?

vs. 10-11 Is a holy spirit the sane as a new and right spirit? I think we misread this Hebrew Psalm if we bring to it our Christian Trinitarian theology.

v. 12 what is a willing spirit?

SecondReading - Hebrews 5:5-10

v. 5 When did Christ become a high priest? What are the functions of a high priest?  Where have we heard this quote before?

v. 6 Where is this other place?  Who is Melchizedeck and what is the order of Melchizedek?

v. 7 What is the difference between “prayers” and “supplications”?

v. 8 Was learning obedience the purpose of Christ’s suffering?

v.9 How was Christ made perfect?  What is the theological difference between being perfect from before creation and being made perfect at some later time?

Gospel- John 12:20-33

v. 20 What festival?  Who are the Greeks?

v. 21 Who was Philip?  Does his home town matter?  What are the possible meanings of “see”?

v. 22 Why did Philip go and tell Andrew?

v. 23 What hour has come?  Who is the son of man?  What does it mean to be glorified?

v. 24 Why does Jesus often introduce sayings with “Very truly”?  Would Jesus ever not speak truly?

v. 27 Why is Jesus’ soul troubled?

v. 28 Is the voice for the benefit of Jesus or the benefit of the crowd standing  there?

v. 29 Why would some hear thunder and others hear the voice of angels? Do angels speaking sound like thunder?

v. 30 I guess Jesus answered my question for verse28.

v. 31 Has the world already been judged? Who is (or was) the ruler of this world?

v. 32 What is Jesus speaking about, his crucifixion? His ascension?  Both? Something else altogether?

v. 33 Once again, Jesus answers my question.

ADDENDUM

In addition to serving as the half time Pastor of North Church Queens and writing Lectionary Ruminations, I also tutor part time.  If you or someone you know needs a tutor, or if you would like to be a tutor, check out my WyzAnt page and follow the appropriate links.

Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, March 18, 2012, the Fourth Sunday in Lent (Year B)

Posted each Thursday, Lectionary Ruminations focuses on the Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the following Sunday per the Revised Common Lectionary. Comments and questions are intended to encourage reflection for readers preparing to teach, preach, or hear the Word. Reader comments are invited and encouraged. All lectionary links are to the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings website, but if you prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references may be linked to the NRSV via the oremus Bible Browser.)  Lectionary Ruminations is also cross-posted on my personal blog, Summit to Shore.

FirstReading - Numbers 21:4-9

v. 4 Where is Mount Hor?  Why did they avoid Edom?

v. 5 Who is “you”?  What was the miserable food the people detested?

v. 6 Why would the Lord send poisonous snakes. Maybe the people needed St. Patrick as their leader rather than Moses.

vs. 8-9 What do you know about the psychological and spiritual symbolism of the rod of Asclepius?  What might Carl Jung have said about this passage?  Is there anything idolatrous about what Moses has fashioned?  Where might you find a reference to this passage in the Christian Scriptures?

Psalm- Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22

v. 2 Who are the redeemed?

v. 3 Note the four cardinal directions.

v. 17 Must illness be caused by sin only?

v. 19 Who are the “they”?

v. 20 How can a word heal?

vs.21-22 Do these verses refer only to what precedes or to all God’s wonderful works?

SecondReading - Ephesians 2:1-10

v. 1 What sort of death is the author writing about?

v. 2 Who or what is the ruler of the power of the air?

v. 3 Does the argument presume a dichotomy between flesh and spirit?

v. 7 When and what are the ages to come?

v. 10 Is this a reference to the creation of Genesis? The argument seems to be that once saved by grace, good works will follow. Therefore, by extension, good works are evidence of our salvation.

Gospel- John 3:14-21

v. 14 You gotta love John! You may want to look at what John Sanford has to say about this passage in his Jungian/Psychological commentary on John entitled Mystical Christianity. Who is speaking in this verse?

v. 16 Why do so many people quote this verse while ignoring the two before? What is the meaning of “gave”?

v. 17 So why does so much of popular Christianity sound condemnatory?  What is the meaning of “the world”?

v. 18 What is the source of condemnation?

v.19 How can we talk about light and darkness while avoiding racial overtones?  Is “shadows” a better image than “darkness”?

ADDENDUM

In addition to serving as the half time Pastor of North Church Queens and writing Lectionary Ruminations, I also tutor part time.  If you or someone you know needs a tutor, or if you would like to be a tutor, check out my WyzAnt page and follow the appropriate links.

Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, March 11, 2012, the Third Sunday in Lent (Year B)

Posted each Thursday, Lectionary Ruminations focuses on the Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the following Sunday per the Revised Common Lectionary. Comments and questions are intended to encourage reflection for readers preparing to teach, preach, or hear the Word. Reader comments are invited and encouraged. All lectionary links are to the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings website, but if you prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references may be linked to the NRSV via the oremus Bible Browser.)  Lectionary Ruminations is also cross-posted on my personal blog, Summit to Shore. http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/

FirstReading - Exodus 20:1-17

v. 1 How does God speak if God does not have a physical body with vocal chords?

v. 2 Do other people have another god?

v. 3 Can we have other gods after God? Lesser gods after God?

v. 4 With all due respect to Plato, what would the form of something in heaven look like?  Is 

there any place other than heaven above, earth below, or water under the earth?

v. 5 God experiences emotions?  Would God not punish to the fifth generation? 

v. 7 What is rightful use  of God’s name?

v. 8 How do Christians justify worshiping on Sunday rather than Saturday?

v. 12 How do children honor parents?  Is this the only word out of the ten that comes with a cause and effect  promise?

v. 13 What is murder?

v. 15 Define theft.

v. 16 Is it permissible to bear false witness against someone who is not your neighbor?

v.17 Does it bother you that this word seems to categorize a wife as a piece of property?

Psalm- Psalm 19:1-14

v. 1 How do the heavens speak?  Is there any difference between the heavens and the firmament?  Is the Glory of God the same as God’s handiwork?

vs. 2-4d What do you make of these verses?  What are they saying? 

v. 4c Do these verses presume a pre-Copernican universe?

vs. 7-9 How many synonyms do you see for “law”? Is ”fear” in anyway a synonym for” law”?

v. 10 At the close of the market on March 7, 2012, Gold was trading for $1,683.30 an ounce.  How sweet is honey?  Was there any other known sweetener at the time of the psalmist?

v. 11 What is the reward?  Does this verse lead to works righteousness?

v. 12 Do not forget the advice of the oracle at Delphi.  Know thyself.

v. 13 Who are the insolent?

v. 14 Pet Peeve Alert!  This is not a Prayer for Illumination.  Displays of personal piety by praying a personal prayer aloud have no place in the lectern or pulpit before preaching or the classroom before teaching. If you want to pray this silently before you preach or teach, fine, but I do not want to hear you pray aloud for yourself.

SecondReading 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

v. 1 How is the message of the cross foolishness?v. 19 Where is this written?

v. 20 Who is the one who is wise?  Certainly not Socrates! Who is the debater of this age.  Was Paul erecting a straw opponent or might he have had someone specific in mind?

v. 22 And how shall we read John’s book of signs in light of verse and argument?  What is wrong with wisdom?

v.25 God is foolish and weak?

vs. 18-25 Pay particular attention to the various chiastic literary structures of Paul’s argument

Gospel- John 2:13-22

v.13 What does it mean to go “up” to Jerusalem?

v. 14 Why would anyone sell cattle, sheep or doves in the temple?  Why were money changers present in the temple?

v. 15 Did Jesus drive out only the sheep and the cattle?

v. 16 What is wrong with God’s house being a marketplace?

v. 17 Where is this written?

v. 18 See 1 Corinthians 1:22

v. 21 Does this verse add to or detract from the account?

v.22 What was it about the resurrection that reminded the disciples about anything Jesus said?  What “scripture”?

ADDENDUM

In addition to serving as the half time Pastor of North Church Queens  and writing Lectionary Ruminations, I also tutor part time.  If you or someone you know needs a tutor, or if you would like to be a tutor, check out my WyzAnt page and follow the appropriate links. 

Science and Christianity resources: Test of Faith

One of the things I'm always on the lookout for are good quality materials to help folks think seriously about the interface of science and Christianity. It is important that the material not assume much science literacy. It also cannot assume too much biblical or theological literacy either. I'm not happy to type those last two sentences, but that's the reality in my situation. On the other hand, I want material that will help people engage the topic at a reasonably complex level. Today I want to share my experience with a particular curriculum.

The past few weeks, I have used the "Test of Faith" materials with both community college students and an adult class at my church. The materials have worked well with both groups.

"Test of Faith" is a DVD and participant guide that starts with the premise that the basic claims of modern science are true and that the basic tenets of Christianity are true. The aim of the course is to encourage people to think about how science and Christianity "fit" together. They do this by using short video clips of scientists who are Christian speaking about various topics. The materials are set up to use for three to six class sessions. And within each session one can choose from various approaches, from a basic introduction to in-depth discussion. Some of the topics covered include: the ways science and religion might engage each other, the Big Bang, evolution, creationism, and intelligent design, what it means to be human, the mind/brain relationship and the ethics of genetic testing/manipulation. There are also several "bonus interviews" that cover the environment, emergence, the image of God and so on.

One of the things I appreciate about the "Test of Faith" materials is that it doesn't ignore or explain away difficult topics. For example, the topic of suffering is discussed and it is addressed as a serious theological problem. No "answers" are giving. Some approaches to the topic are offered.

There is a wealth of material included on the DVD and it is set up to be very flexible. If your group is particularly interesting in discussing, for example, the fall and suffering or the environment there is adequate material and support in the Leader's Guide to help you do that.

So I encourage you to check out the "Test of Faith" website and see what you think. I would be interested in what science and religion materials you have used and found helpful... or not helpful.

Here is the trailer;

Here is a link to their Youtube channel. You will get a flavor of what the course is like, plus it is just really interesting. 

Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, March 4, 2012, the Second Sunday in Lent (Year B)

Posted each Thursday, Lectionary Ruminations focuses on the Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the following Sunday per the Revised Common Lectionary. Comments and questions are intended to encourage reflection for readers preparing to teach, preach, or hear the Word. Reader comments are invited and encouraged. All lectionary links are to the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings website, but if you prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references may be linked to the NRSV via the oremus Bible Browser.)  Lectionary Ruminations is also cross-posted on my personal blog, Summit to Shore. 

First Reading - Genesis17:1-7, 15-16

v.1 Last week, we encountered Noah and Noahic Covenant.  This week, we encounter Abraham and the AbrahamicCovenant.  How do these two covenants inform our understanding of Lent and Easter?

v. 3 What is the meaning of “felon his face”?

v. 4 What is the meaning of “nations”?

v. 5 Why does God change Abram’s name to Abraham?

v. 7 In verse 2, God promises to establish a covenant with Abraham.  In this verse, the promise is extended to Abraham’s offspring.

v.15 Why does God have Abraham change Sarai’s name to Sarah?  What is the difference between a covenant and a blessing?

Psalm - Psalm 22:23-31

v. 23 Why does the psalmist refer to offspring of Jacob/Israel rather than Abraham?

v. 24 Is the Psalmist the afflicted?

v. 25 What is the great congregation?

v. 27 Remember what?

v. 29 is life being contrasted with death?

vs. 30-31 Is this promise for the church as much as for Abraham and his offspring?

       

Second Reading - Romans4:13-25

v. 13 Did only Abraham have faith, or did his descendants also have faith?

v. 14 Logical

v. 15 Again, logical.

v. 16 What does Paul mean by “the faith of Abraham”?

v. 20 Is distrust the opposite of faith?

v. 21 Faith as trust rather than assent to doctrine.

Gospel - Mark 8:31-38

v. 31 Why does Jesus not begin to preach this until Chapter eight?

v. 32 Did Jesus not always speak openly?  Why did Peter rebuke Jesus.

v. 33 Why did Jesus look at the disciples, rather than looking at Peter, when he rebuked Peter? What might the multi-faceted meaning of “Get behind me Satan”?

v. 34 What cross?

v. 35 I think this is the kernel of wisdom in the husk of this passage.

v. 38 who might Jesus have in mind when he refers to those who are ashamed of him?

ADDENDUM

In addition to serving as the half time Pastor of North Church Queens and writing Lectionary Ruminations, I also tutor part time.  If you or someone you know needs a tutor, or if you would like to be a tutor, check out my WyzAnt page and follow the appropriate links.

Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, February 26, 2012, the First Sunday in Lent (Year B)

Posted each Thursday, Lectionary Ruminations focuses on the Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the following Sunday per the Revised Common Lectionary. Comments and questions are intended to encourage reflection for readers preparing to teach, preach, or hear the Word. Reader comments are invited and encouraged. All lectionary links are to the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings website, but if you prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references may be linked to the NRSV via the oremus Bible Browser.)  Lectionary Ruminations is also cross-posted on my personal blog, Summit to Shore. 

First Reading - Genesis 9:8-17

v.8 God did not speak to the women?

v. 9 The Noahic, not  the Abrahamic covenant.

v. 10 What are the implications for an ecological ethic?

v. 11 Apparently God did not know about global climate change.

vs.12-13  And the name of this sign? Roy G. Biv!

v. 16 Does God really need a rainbow to be reminded of the covenant?

Psalm - Psalm 25:1-10

v. 1 I am used to hearing about the lifting up of the eyes.  I wonder how many instances there are of lifting up of the soul.

v. 2 What is more biblical, trusting in God or believing in God?

v. 6 This sounds like the psalmist is trying to remind a forgetful God.

v. 7 I guess it is all right for God to forget some things, like my sins, but not other things, like God’s mercy and 

steadfast love.

v. 10 What are the paths of the Lord for those who do not keep God’s covenant and decrees?

Second Reading - 1 Peter 3:18-22

v. 19 What spirits in what prison?

v. 20 Was this Second Reading selected in light of the First Reading, or vice versa? I compliment Paul on his theological creativity and seeing in the story of Noah a prefiguration of Christian Baptism.

v. 21 Not a removal of dirt, but what about sin?  Whose good conscience?

Gospel - Mark 1:9-15

v. 9 In what days?

v. 10 Who saw what?

v. 11 Who heard this?

v. 12 How many times in Mark do we find “immediately”?

v. 13 Why “forty days” and not “forty days and nights”?  How did the Angels wait on him?

v. 14 Why did Jesus not come to Galilee until after John was arrested?  What is the “good news of God”?

v. 15 What time is fulfilled?

ADDENDUM

In addition to serving as the half time Pastor of North Church Queens and writing Lectionary Ruminations, I also tutor part time.  If you or someone you know needs a tutor, or if you would like to be a tutor, check out my WyzAnt page and follow the appropriate links.

Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, February 19, 2012, the Transfiguration of the Lord (Year B)

Posted each Thursday, Lectionary Ruminations focuses on the Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the following Sunday per the Revised Common Lectionary. Comments and questions are intended to encourage reflection for readers preparing to teach, preach, or hear the Word. Reader comments are invited and encouraged. All lectionary links are to the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings website, but if you prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references may be linked to the NRSV via the oremus Bible Browser.)  Lectionary Ruminations is also cross-posted on my personal blog, Summit to Shore. 

First Reading - 2 Kings2:1-12

vs. 1-12 How much does this reading influence our understanding of the Transfiguration and inform our interpretation of  Mark 9:2-9?  Can we read Mark 9:29, in part, as Midrash on this reading? What is a whirlwind?

v. 3 Who are the company of prophets here and in verse 5?  Why did Elisha bid them to keep silent?  What do you know about Bethel?

v. 5 What do you know about Jericho?

v. 6 What do you know about the Jordan? Why this travel narrative?

v. 7 Is there anything significant or symbolic about the number fifty?

v. 8 What is a mantel?  Is this a Midrash on Moses’ parting of the Red Sea?

v. 9 What is a double measure of spirit?  I would settle for half of Elijah’s spirit.

v. 11 Why does a chariot of fire and horses of fire appear?  What is their relationship to the whirlwind?

v. 12 Why did Elisha tear his clothes in two?

Psalm - Psalm 50:1-6

v. 1 Does God not summon from the setting of the sun to its rising?

v. 2 What is perfect beauty?

v. 3 Does this verse alone justify this Psalm being paired with the First Reading?

v. 5 Are we to assume from the First Reading  that only Elijah was faithful?

Second Reading - 2Corinthians 4:3-6

v. 3 Is our gospel veiled?  What sort of veil is Paul talking about?

v. 4 Who, or what, is the god of this world? How does this verse illuminate our understanding of the Transfiguration and inform our interpretation of the Gospel Reading?

v. 6 Wherein Scripture did God say “Let light shine out of darkness,”?

Gospel - Mark 9:2-9

v. 2 Six days later, after what?  Why does Jesus always seem to take with him Peter, James and John?  Whatis the meaning of the word “transfigured”?

v. 3 Was this in the days before Clorox and/or Oxi-Clean?

v.4 Why Elisha and Moses?  What do they represent and/or symbolize?  If you had to pick two people from the Jewish Scriptures to appear with you, whom would you pick?

v. 5 Why might Peter have wanted to build three dwellings?

v. 7 Where and when have we heard something like this before?

v.8 What just happened?

v.9 Why would Jesus order Peter, James and John not to tell anyone about what they had just seen?  Why is “Son of Man” used here but not earlier in this account?  Why do the three have to wait untilafter the resurrection?

ADDENDUM

In addition to serving as the half time Pastor of North Church Queens and writing Lectionary Ruminations, I also tutor part time.  If you or someone you know needs a tutor, or if you would like to be a tutor, check out my WyzAnt page and follow the appropriate links.

Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, Sunday, February 12, 2012, the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

Posted each Thursday, Lectionary Ruminations focuses on the Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the following Sunday per the Revised Common Lectionary. Comments and questions are intended to encourage reflection for readers preparing to teach, preach, or hear the Word. Reader comments are invited and encouraged. All lectionary links are to the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings website, but if you prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references may be linked to the NRSV via the oremus Bible Browser.)  Lectionary Ruminations is also cross-posted on my personal blog, Summit to Shore. 

2Kings 5:1-14

v. 1 How many juxtapositions can you find in this verse and the reading in addition to a great man suffering from leprosy?

v. 2 Is this the only Biblical instance of a captured Israelite bringing some sort of salvation to their captors?

v. 3 Who is the “my lord” being referred to?

v. 4 Who is the “his lord” being referred to?

v. 6Why was Naaman sent to the king of Israel rather than the prophet in Samaria?

v. 7 Does the king of Israel ask a rhetorical question?  Why does the king of Israel think the king of Samaria is trying to pick a fight?

v. 8 How might have Elisha heard about what had happened?  Note that in verse 3 the young girl referred to a prophet who is in Samaria, yet in this verse, Elisha refers to a prophet in Israel.

v. 9 Why seven times?

v. 11 What was the source of Naaman’s anger?

v. 12 Is there any difference between the water in the Jordan and the water in the Abana or Pharpar? Why are some rivers, such as the Jordan and the Ganges, considered sacred and holy, while others are not?

Psalm30:1-12

v. 1 What does it mean to “extol” the LORD?  Do you extol anyone  or anything?

v. 2 This verse pairs well with the First Reading, but can you imagine these words, or this Psalm, being spoken by Naaman?

v. 3 Is this verse about resurrection, or something else?

v. 5 I like the contrast between God’s anger and God’s favor.  Why does it seem that some people get this backwards?

v. 6 I hear echoes of other passages here.  How do we read this and the following verse in the midst or, or near the end of, The Great Recession?

v. 9 What logic is the psalmist employing?

vs.  11-12 Is it the promise of God’s grace, or the experience of God’s grace, that leads to mourning turning into dancing?

1Corinthians 9:24-27

v. 24 Yes, we know this.  Although, for some, just finishing a race is reward enough, even if they do not finish first.

v. 25 How might you compare Christian spiritual disciplines to the regimen of athletic training?  What can winning athletes teach us about the Christian life?

v. 27 Is this a call to Christian asceticism, or self flagulation?

Mark1:40-45

v. 40 Recalling the First Reading, I hereby proclaim this Sunday to be “Leper Sunday.”   Oh wait, this Sunday has already been proclaimed “Evolution Sunday”.  What does it mean to be made clean?

v. 41 Do you think Jesus was really moved with, or motivated by, pity?

v. 42 One of Mark’s favorite words: “Immediately”!

vs. 43-44 Why would Jesus sternly warn the man he healed not to anything about itbut to show himself to the priest?  What did Moses command to be offered?

v. 45 Why could Jesus no longer go into towns openly?

ADDENDUM

For those who are observing it, February 12, 2012 is Evolution Sunday.  How might these texts illuminate the relation of science and faith and one’s understanding of creation and evolution?

In addition to serving as the half time Pastor of North Church Queens and writing Lectionary Ruminations, I also tutor part time.  If you or someone you know needs a tutor, or if you would like to be a tutor, check out my WyzAnt page and follow the appropriate links.

Space: An Appropriate Frontier?

Regardless of what you think about Newt Gingrich politics or political aspirations, he did raise some interesting ideas about NASA and the US involvement in space.

Here is a video clip with Mr. Gingrich's proposal and Neil deGrasse Tyson's response.

Some would say we simply can't afford to spend money on the space program - taxes are too high or we ought to spend the money elsewhere.  Here's an article about NASA's budget. Here is an interesting graphic on the national budget.

Some have concerns about privatizing a significant portion of the space program.

Others are concerned that the space program isn't practical, that there are no "real world" benefits for us.   Here is NASA's response to that concern.

So why are we talking about this here?  Because while space exploration is not, strictly speaking, a faith issue there are ethical concerns that people of faith ought to take seriously and be in conversation about.

Can we afford a space program?

Can we afford not to have a space program?

Must we be focused on practical results?

Or is the pursuit of knowledge valuable for its own sake?

Considering how we have treated earth, is it ethical for us to explore space? Or is our divine mandate restricted to earth?

Is there a theological case to be made for or against space exploration?  Or is this a topic about which faith ought to be silent?

OK friends, what do you think?


cross posted at Conversation in Faith

Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, February 5, 2012, the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

Posted each Thursday, Lectionary Ruminations focuses on the Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the following Sunday per the Revised Common Lectionary. Comments and questions are intended to encourage reflection for readers preparing to teach, preach, or hear the Word. Reader comments are invited and encouraged. All lectionary links are to the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings website, but if you prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references may be linked to the NRSV via the oremus Bible Browser.)  Lectionary Ruminations is also cross-posted on my personal blog, Summit to Shore. 

Isaiah40:21-31

vs. 21-31 This is one of the longer readings we have seen in a while.  Note that it is not prose.   How does that affect or influence your interpretation and application?

v. 21 Are these merely rhetorical questions?

v. 22 Who is “he”?  I am surprised by “the circle” of the earth as I would have expected a flat earth with four corners.

v. 24 what are the “they”?

v. 26 What are the “these”?

v. 27 Is there any instance in Scripture of anyone speaking these words?

v. 28 I hear a refrain.  This sounds like a confession of faith.

vs. 30-31 This is one of my favorite passages to read as part of a Service of Witness to the Resurrection.

Psalm147:1-11, 20c

v. 1 Why is it that some worshiping communities simply do not like to sing hymns and spiritual songs?

v. 2 Who are the outcasts of Israel?

v. 3 Are the brokenhearted and wounded the same people as the outcasts of Jerusalem?

v. 4 I wonder what God has to say about all the organizations that, for a small fee, will name a star after someone and register that name.

v. 5 A confession of faith as well as expression of praise.

v. 7 See my comments for v. 1

v. 9 I wish God would get up every morning to feed my dog so that I did not have to.

v. 10 So God is not a sports fan, or least not horse racing or track and field.

v. 11 What is the meaning of “fear”? Do you fear God?

v. 20c Always a good way to end a Psalm and in this case the last/ending line echoes the first/opening line.

1Corinthians 9:16-23

v. 16 If? IF?  IF? I can almost resonate with Paul’s assertion.

v. 18 How do “compensated” preachers handle this one?

v. 20 But Paul WAS a Jew!

v. 21 Who were outside the law?

v. 22 How did Paul become weak?  Can anyone truly be everything to all people?

Mark 1:29-39

v. 29 Where did Simon and Andrew live?

v. 30 Simon was married?  Were he and Andrew living with Simon’s in-laws or were Simon’s in-laws and Andrew living with Simon and his wife?

v. 32 ALL?  Really?  I think this is hyperbole.

v. 33 The whole city? All one thousand of them? Could this be another example of hyperbole?

v. 34 Is this verse an example of messianic secret of Mark?

v. 35 So Jesus was a morning person!  Why pray in a deserted place?

v. 36 Who were Simon’s companions?

v. 39 What if Jesus had proclaimed the message but not cast out demons? What if he had cast out demons but not proclaimed the message?  Must proclaiming the message and casting out demons go hand in hand?

ADDENDUM

In addition to serving as the half time Pastor of North Church Queens and writing Lectionary Ruminations, I also tutor part time.  If you or someone you know needs a tutor, or if you would like to be a tutor, check out my WyzAnt page and follow the appropriate links.