Reflecting on the the twelfth Sunday in ordinary time (part 1).

Where we have come from  (readings for Sunday Jun 23):

Isaiah 65.1-9

Psalm 22.19-28

Galatians 3.23-29

Luke 8.26-39

Readings for today, Monday Jun 24

Psalm 64

Job 18.1-21

1 Corinthians 1.18-31

Brief thoughts for today

Taking a text out of its context is always risky, in all forms of writing. This is also true of the Bible, and perhaps 

especially so in the case of the book of Job. Our text for today is one of the speeches of Bildad, one of Job's

'comforters.' These three men offer variations on a theme of the standard outlook of the day (and sometimes of

today) that those who are good will prosper and those who are evil will flounder; the implication being that

because Job is having a rough time then he cannot be good. The book as a whole questions this 'wise' world

view. Paul proclaims to the churches in Corinth that though the 'greeks,' ie those who are not Jewish, demand

wisdom, this is not on offer. Or at least wisdom that would be recognised as such is not. For the only true wisdom, the wisdom of God, appears as foolishness to the world. That's why the Corinthians continued to struggle to

grasp it, and perhaps we do too.

Revised Common Lectionary copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts. Used by permission