Reflecting on the 26th Sunday in ordinary time (part 1)

Where we have come from (readings for Sunday 29th September):

Amos 6.1, 4-7

Psalm 146

1 Timothy 5.6-19

Luke 16.19-31

Readings for today

Psalm 62

Amos 6.8-14

Revelation 3.14-22

thought for today

The psalmist encourages not to trust in extortion. We make think that we would do nothing of the sort. But we do, all too often, put our trust in financial packages and products, even if they are ethical, rather than in God. Are we among the 'complacent' described by Amos and John the Divine? O Lord help us to put our whole trust in you, our rock and salvation; and to share as we are able with all your peoples.

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

Reflecting on the 25th Sunday in ordinary time

Sorry for the missing days

normal service resumes!

Where we have come from (readings for Sunday 22nd September):

Amos 8.4-7

Psalm 113

1 Timothy 2.1-7

Luke 16.1-13

Readings for 23rd September

Psalm 12

Proverbs 14.12-31

Acts 4.1-12

Readings for today

Psalm 12

Proverbs 17.1-5

1 Corinthians 9.19-23

thought for today

As I reflect on the words from the proverbs in light of Jesus parable and statements about money on Sunday, I wonder if the book of proverbs has a fairly subtle view of material wealth.

1. There is some responsibility on us to work and to be wise and prudent to give us the best chance of avoiding poverty.

2. There is a pragmatic observation that those with wealth seem to have an easier time in this world (14.20).

3. Nevertheless it is never appropriate to look down on those who are it this moment financially poor (14.21 and 17.5). I think this means you can never work principle 1 backwards - that is assume that those in poverty are always responsible for the plight.

4 Despite principles 1 and 2 - there are more important goals in life than money (17.1)

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

Reflecting on the 24th Sunday in ordinary time

Where we are heading (readings for Sunday 15th September):

Exodus 32.7-14

Psalm 51.1-10

1 Timothy 1.12-17

Luke 15.1-10

Readings for 16th September

Psalm 73

Amos 1.18-20

1 Timothy 1.18-20

Readings for today

Psalm 73

Jonah 3.1-10

2 Peter 3.8-13

thought for today

As we continue to think about Luke 15 (my friend's 'desert island chapter') we are present with some stories of God dealing with other lost people - the community of Israel that Amos defends and the people of Ninevah that Jonah resented so much. God relents from a punishment which might be considered appropriate. But that does not mean that they and we can do whatever we like: The day of the Lord, like a plumbline, is coming - indeed is already at hand. As we enter God's presence we can capture, if only for a moment, God's perspective on things  - as the writer of Psalm 73 does.

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

Approaching the 24th Sunday in ordinary time

Where we are heading (readings for Sunday 15th September):

Exodus 32.7-14

Psalm 51.1-10

1 Timothy 1.12-17

Luke 15.1-10

Readings for 12th September

Psalm 51.1-10

Genesis 6.1-6

1 Timothy 1.1-11

Readings for today

Psalm 51.1-10

Genesis 7.6-10

2 Peter 2.1-10a

thought for today

A friend of mine calls Luke 15, half of which will be read in churches, his 'desert island chapter.' By which he means - if he was lost on a desert island and his bible fell to pieces and the sheets were blowing along the beach in the wind, Luke 15 would be his priority to save. It is about being lost and found, sinning and forgiving, capture and rescue etc etc. Psalm 51 fits well with it - best to read the whole psalm I think. As does the story of Noah and the flood - again best to read continuously from Gen 6.1 - Gen 8.5 (the ending of the story comes tomorrow). Looking at that story again, it strikes me how despite the behaviour of Adam and Even, And even of Cain, the Bible only begins to talk about pervasive wickedness in Gen 6.5. You could read this as that humans may be foolish, lie, even kill in a moment of passion. but thoroughgoing wickedness takes longer to develop and is this that leads to God's response in the flood. 

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

reflecting on the 23rd Sunday in ordinary time - part 3

Where we are have come from(readings for Sunday 8th September):

Deuteronomy 30.15-20

Psalm 1

Philemon 1-21

Luke 14.25-33

Readings for today

Psalm 101

2 Kings 18.19-25,  19.1-7 luke 18.18-30

thought for today

So Hezekiah's intial submission isn't enough. Sennachrib wants more. 2 Kings does not give us much idea why - but it does lead hezekiah into a new relationship with his prophet, his people and with God. It might seem a huge leap - but in Jesus also asks of the young man farm more than he is expecting. And maybe the same of us.

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

Reflecting on the 23rd Sunday in ordinary time part 2

Where we are have come from(readings for Sunday 8th September):

Deuteronomy 30.15-20

Psalm 1

Philemon 1-21

Luke 14.25-33

Readings for today

Psalm 101

2 Kings 18.9-18 1 Timothy 4.6-16

thought for today

To get the best continuity with yesterday I am sure its best to start the 2 Kings reading at 18.1. The Bible is clear the collapse of the Northern Kingdom was a result of their rebellion against God. Just as they are descending into the last phases  of this under Hoshea, the last King of Israel, Judah annoints one of the few good Kings - Hezekiah. He starts a religous and social reformation. The Assyrians under Shalmaneser do not come south into Hezekiah's territory, but ten years later under Sennacherib they do, in a big way and Hezekiah has a choice to make. He chooses submission, but it doesn't seem to be enough - the Assyrian army comes to the gates of Jerusalem. And.... Next instalment tomorrow (if you can't wait read on in 2 Kings. 

But what does this gripping story have to do with the exhortations in 1 Timothy? Or with our lives today. The author of 1 Timothy (maybe Paul, Maybe not) uses a curious phrase - train yourself to be godly. I think Hezekiah might have been attempting to do this. Among all the self help books about being rich, assertive, healthy or happy I don't see many about being godly, but it might be the most important journey of all.

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