reflecting on the 17th sunday in ordinary time part 3

Where we have come from - readings for Sunday 28th July Genesis 18.20-32 Psalm 138 Colossians 2.6-15 (16-19) Luke 11.1-13

Readings for today

	Psalm 55.16-23
	Esther 7.7 - 8.17 Matthew 5.43-48

thought for today

IF  the book of Esther ended here it would be an easy read, Mordecai is justified, Haman is impaled on his own spike, the Jews are delivered from the pogrom, and Esther rises to a position of genuine influence.

But it doesn't end here - steel yourself friend and read to the end of the book. What place all this bloodshed and revenge? It is certainly not the way of Christ articulated in the sermon on the mount! I for one am still wrestling with what Word God is speaking to me through the book of Esther as a whole and particularly chapter 9. For now I want to stick with Jesus' exhortations.

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

Reflecting on the 17th Sunday in ordinary time part 2

Where we have come from - readings for Sunday 28th July Genesis 18.20-32 Psalm 138 Colossians 2.6-15 (16-19) Luke 11.1-13

Readings for today

	Psalm 55.16-23
	Esther 6.1 - 7.6 Romans 9.30 - 10.40

thought for today

Haman is about to become the victim of his own prejudice against Mordecai, the Jew at the gate. When the King talks honouring someone he assumes he himself is the candidate and struggles to believe it he has to arrange Mordecai's parade of honour. There is worse to come for Haman when he is exposed by Esther as the orchestrator of a terrible plot. Though the text never mentions God, I am sure the psalmist would see God's hand at work as the demure (to this point) Esther frustrates Haman's cunning.  

Esther will succeed in rescuing her people from the threatened pogrom, but Paul longs for a more ultimate salvation for Israel and insists that they are never outside God's purpose.

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

Reflecting on the 17th sunday in ordinary time

Where we have come from Genesis 18.20-32 Psalm 138 Colossians 2.6-15 (16-19) Luke 11.1-13

Readings for today

	Psalm 55.16-23
	Esther 5:1-14 Colossians 2.16 - 3.1

thought for today

Towards the end of the previous chapter, Mordecai has challenged Esther who is fearful of approaching the King, that perhaps she is in Xerxes court 'for such a time as this.' In today's chapter she overcomes her fears and approaches the King. We are find ourselves in different circumstances but perhaps for each one of us there is a task from God coming our way and we find ourselves in just such a position - "for such a time as this." Paul's words remind us that God's time does not necessarily work according to religious time. God's call on us will not necessarily come in the middle of Lent when we might be more likely to be 'spiritually ready,' but maybe when our spiritual discipline has slipped a little in these summer months.


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

Approaching the 17th Sunday in ordinary time

Where we are heading:

Genesis 18.20-32

Psalm 138

Colossians 2.6-15 (16-19)

Luke 11.1-13

Readings for Thursday - July 25

Esther 2:19—3:6 Acts 1:15-20 Psalm 138

Readings for Friday - July 26
	Esther 3:7-15 Acts 2:22-36 Psalm 138

Readings for today

	Esther 4:1-17 Luke 8:22-25 Psalm 138

thought for today

Over the days around Sunday 28th July, the daily lectionary reading scheme is inviting us to read the book of Esther. Now for the Christian this is a curious book, especially its vengeful ending. Never the less Sunday's readings from Genesis and Colossians will invite us to think about our life and death in the contexts of Jesus Life death and resurrection - and there is plenty of life and death - and even new life (for a community) in the book of Esther.                    

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

return to my post part 2

took longer than I thought !

Reflecting on the 16th Sunday in ordinary time

Where we have come from (Sunday 21st July)

Genesis 18.1-10a

Psalm 15

Colossians 1.15-28

Luke 10.38-42

Readings for the last three days

Monday - July 22
	Exodus 18:1-12 Colossians 1:27—2:7 Psalm 119:97-104

Tuesday - July 23
	Proverbs 9:1-18 1 John 2:1-6 Psalm 119:97-104

Today:

Deuteronomy 12:1-12 John 6:41-51 Psalm 119:97-104

thought for today

The people of ancient Israel were given a great gift - the chance to sacrifice and eat 'at the place the Lord will choose' - a symbol of unity in a fractured world. Alongside the sustenance of the scriptures God provided food for the journey. In the new covenant the food is Jesus himself. At communion yes, however we might understand that, but also in every moment along the way of living 'in Christ.

Return to my post

If you excuse the pun!

Sorry for the lack of service over the previous few days. I have not been completely well. Normal service resumes today.

Approaching the 16th Sunday part 1 and 2

Where we are heading

Genesis 18.1-10a

Psalm 15

Colossians 1.15-28

Luke 10.38-42

Readings for yesterday

Psalm 15

Genesis 12.10-20

Hebrews 5.1-6

readings for today

Psalm 15

Genesis 13.1-18

Ephesians 3.14-21

thought for today

Its hard to think ourselves into Abraham and Sarah's world and mindset that would make them take this course of action. It certainly leads to an odd situation for them. Is Pharoah's hospitality genuine?   Or is it in a sense payment for the supposed aquisition of Sarah? God's intervention brings all parties to their senses.  Perhaps there is a call on us to offer and receive true hospitality without any strings in either direction. In doing so we might be learning more about the width and length and height and depth of Christ's love.                         

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

Reflecting on the 15th Sunday in ordinary time part 3

Where we have come from (readings for Sunday 14th July)

Deuteronomy 30.9-14

Psalm 25.1-10

Colossians 1.1-14

Luke 10.25-37

readings for today

Psalm 25.11-20

Ecclesiastes 9.13-18

matthew 25.31-46

thought for today

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

Reflecting on the 15th Sunday in ordinary time part 2

Where we have come from (readings for Sunday 14th July)

Deuteronomy 30.9-14

Psalm 25.1-10

Colossians 1.1-14

Luke 10.25-37

readings for today

Psalm 25.11-20

Proverbs.1-17

I John 3.11-17

thought for today

Its often hard to pick out a theme from a reading from proverbs, with a whole bunch of unconnected sayings tumbling one after the other. And sometimes like today, even when there is a theme to some of them, poverty, they each seem to be saying something different: it is better to be poor and blameless on the one hand, but to be poor will naturally mean all your friends desert you. It is however clear that there is a duty toward the poor, and James in uncompromising about it. And who are the poor and the rich? Well dear reader whatever your circumstances if you are reading this you have access to the internet. And in today's world those who do not can be disadvantaged indeed, so in at least one sense you are rich: use that wealth wisely!

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