Approaching the 22nd Sunday in ordinary time part 3

Where we are heading:

( readings for Sunday 1st September)

Proverbs 25.6-7

Psalm 112

Hebrews 13.1-8, 15-16

Luke 14.1, 7-14

Readings for today

Psalm 112

Proverbs 21.1-4, 24-26

matthew 20.20-28

thought for today

Scholars say that the book of proverbs possibly functioned as a kind of text book in ancient schools. Although the practice was probably redundant as by the time of Jesus, James and John had most certainly had some exposure to the book of proverbs in their life. But perhaps they and their mum had not been listening when these verses about humility that we have been reading over the last few days came up! Its a hard lesson though, especially in a world that wants us to push ourselves forward, be assertive, make something of ourselves. But having genuine humility does not necessarily mean fading into the background, it might lead to coming into the spotlight, but by a very different route.

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

Approaching the 22nd Sunday in ordinary time part 1/2

Where we are heading:

( readings for Sunday 1st September)

Proverbs 25.6-7

Psalm 112

Hebrews 13.1-8, 15-16

Luke 14.1, 7-14

Readings for 29/8

Psalm 112
Proverbs 15.13-17
1 Peter 3.8-12

Readings for today

Psalm 112

Proverbs18.6-12

1 Peter 4.7-11

thought for today

Mercy, Humility, Hospitality. Some core values of the way of discipleship. I am absolutely sure that they are to be encouraged in one another in our daily interaction with the people around us. Today I have no idea how we translate these and other Christian values in to how to help the peoples of Syria. Only pray, Thy Kingdom Come, thy will be done.

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

Reflecting on the 21st Sunday in ordinary time - part 3

Where we have come from: readings for Sunday 25th August Isaiah 58.9b-14 Psalm 103.1-8 Hebrews 12.18-29 Luke 13.10-17

Readings for today

Ezekiel 20:33-44
Luke 6:6-11
Psalm 109:21-31

thought for today

In Ezekiel's vision of a future return from Exile there are many parallels with the Exodus. Only those who have kept the covenant as best they can in the circumstances will return, others will fall on the way. This is a vision of a pure, even a purged new community. And perhaps there have been times in the story of God's dealings with his people when this was necessary. But Jesus way is more inclusive; the man who has been excluded, with a withered hand is now to be included. And what is more the healing transformation that enables that transition takes place on the sabbath. The very rules by which Ezekiel weighed the exiles are now relativised. Jesus Christ is Lord of the Sabbath, Lord over the law, Lord over our lives, and Lord over the world.

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

Reflecting on the 21st Sunday in ordinary time parts 1 and 2

Where we have come from - readings for Sunday 25th August Isaiah 58.9b-14 Psalm 103.1-8 Hebrews 12.18-29 Luke 13.10-17

Readings for yesterday

Ezekiel 20:1-17 Hebrews 3:7— 4:11 Psalm 109:21-31

Readings for today

Ezekiel 20:18-32 Revelation 3:7-13 Psalm 109:21-31

thought for today

Ezekiel berates the elders of Israel because they, and their forebears, have not enabled Israel to live distinctively from the other nations. John the divine speaks God's approval to the church in Philadelphia because, though they have little strength, the have managed to do what ancient Israel and so many Christian communities through the years have struggled to do: to live a distinctive life that is also engaged with God's world,

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

Reflecting on the 20th sunday in ordinary time part 3

Where we have come from - readings for Sunday 18th August Jeremiah 23.23-29 Psalm 82 Hebrews 11.29 - 12.2 Luke 12.49-56

Readings for today

psalm 32

Jeremiah 25.30-38

Luke 19.45-48

thought for today

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

Reflecting on the 20th Sunday in ordinary time part 2

Where we have come from - readings for Sunday 18th August Jeremiah 23.23-29 Psalm 82 Hebrews 11.29 - 12.2 Luke 12.49-56

Readings for today

psalm 32

Jeremiah 25.15-29

Acts 7.44-53

thought for today

Are we comfortable with God's word to jermemiah about the cup of wrath? I for one am not; it is not the way of Jesus. But we need to remember that this word was before the time of Jesus, before the new covenant. God does not overlook the folly of human sin. As the psalmist knows, once confessed before God it can be forgiven - but it cannot just be ignored. As the people of Judah heap unconfessed sin upon unconfessed sin, God warns that there will be consequences. What is interesting here is that Judah is neither let off the hook, nor singled out for punishment. The surrounding nations must take responsibility for their actions too. In the community of sinful nations, Judah is first amongst equals. But God is not washing his hands of these communities; he will stick with them. And when God's promises are fulfilled - they will be for the nations too.

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

reflecting on the 20th sunday in ordinary time part 1

Where we have come from - readings for Sunday 18th August Jeremiah 23.23-29 Psalm 82 Hebrews 11.29 - 12.2 Luke 12.49-56

Readings for today

psalm 32

Jeremiah 23.30-40

1  John 4.1-6

thought for today

The message of Jeremiah's words is very simple. When you think you have heard God's voice telling you to do something, or telling you to tell someone else to do something; be very cautious. Test it test it and test it. The best protection is to seek to discern God's word together, in community.

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

Reflecting on the 19th Sunday in ordinary time (part 1 and 2)

Where we have come from - readings for Sunday 11th August Genesis 15.1-6 Psalm 33.12-22 Hebrews 11.1-3, 8-16 Luke 11.1-13 Readings for yesterday     Psalm 89.1-18 2 Chronicles 33.1-17 Hebrews 11.1-7

Readings for today

	Psalm 89.1-18
	2 Chronicles 34.22-33 Hebrews 11.17-28

thought for today

Sunday's epistle reading dived straight in at chapter 11 - you might want to read the first ten chapters at some point this week

The story of Manasseh's return to God - even conversion in the 2 Chronicles reading for Monday may not be well know to us. Chronicles do not get much of a look in these days it would seem, not getting a single mention in the Sunday lectionary. One intriguing thing is that it contrasts with the parallel story in 1 Kings where Manasseh is unremittingly bad. So, has Chronicles created the conversion account because the author cannot believe that someone in the Davidic line (see psalm) could really be that bad - or has the author of Kings conveniently forgotten about the change in Manassh because it would upset his narrative. I think I am inclined to believe the latter. We so often want to paint people as 2 dimensional - as goodies or baddies. But people are more complicated than that - perhaps Manasseh did have a change of heart. In God's strength perhaps we can all have a change of heart. Today.

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