reflecting on the fifth sunday after epiphany part 1

Where we have come from: 

readings for Sunday Feb. 9 - Fifth Sunday after Epiphany 

Isaiah 58:1-9a [9b-12] 

Psalm 112:1-9 [10] 

I Corinthians 2:1-12 [13-16] 

Matthew 5:13-20 

Readings for Today -  Monday, Feb. 10 

Psalm 119:105-112 

II Kings 22:3-20 

Romans 11:2-10 

Thought for Today

Hilkiah find the book of the law in the temple of the Lord (often identified as Deuteronomy), the psalmist sings the praises of that law, but Paul reflects on how hard it is to live by it and the extent to which Israel has tried on failed. God's law, which we can regard chiefly as the ten commandments, is at the same time straightforward and difficult to understand and to live by. Chastened by this knowledge we are left with throwing ourselves on God's mercy shown in Jesus.

As an aside - the story from 2 Kings has the marvellous detail that Josiah did not require any accounting from those working on the temple, because they were trustworthy. It would make life, including church life, so much simpler if we could be trusted, and if we could bring ourselves to trust others.

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

Approaching the fifth sunday in ordinary time part 3

Where we are heading: 

readings for Sunday 9th February (Fifth Sunday after Epiphany)

Isaiah 58:1-9a [9b-12] 

Psalm 112:1-9 [10] 

1 Corinthians 2:1-12 [13-16] 

Matthew 5:13-20 

Readings for  Fri., Feb. 7

Psalm 112:1-9 [10] 

Isaiah 29:1-12 

James 3:13-18 

Readings for today  - Sat., Feb. 8

Psalm 112:1-9 [10] 

Isaiah 29:13-16 

Mark 7:1-8 

Thought for Today

Is our worship of God genuine? Is it from the heart, sincere? Or is it sometimes going through the motions - following human rules. Isaiah's analysis of the shallow nature of much of human worship of God is sincere and thorough. Jesus quotes only a few lines, but I think his original hearers would have understood much more (as an aside, the reason that there is a small difference between the words of the quote in Mark and in most english translations of Isaiah is that Mark in his editing uses the Septuagint).

The challenge for us is to spend less time looking at 'other christians' and criticising where they seem to be following too many 'human customs,' and instead examine ourselves. Whatever our Christian tradition, however we worship on Sundays and through the week - is that worship sincere? Can we confess our shortcomings before God honestly, and ask to be transformed?

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

Approaching the fifth sunday after epiphany part 1

Where we are heading: 

readings for Sunday 9th February (Fifth Sunday after Epiphany)

 Isaiah 58:1-9a [9b-12] 

Psalm 112:1-9 [10] 

1 Corinthians 2:1-12 [13-16] 

Matthew 5:13-20 

Readings for Today  - Thurs., Feb. 6

Psalm 112:1-9 [10] 

Deuteronomy 4:1-14 

1 John 5:1-5 

Thought for Today

The brackets represent 'longer forms' of the readings, or optional verses. My instinct would always be to read them, and, as I am a suspicious soul, to try to guess why the lectionary compliers have made them optional!

Both the psalmist and John seem to be regard living the covenant, old or new as not burdensome, as possible. That one can truly keep the obey the law given through Moses or the commands of Jesus. I think most of it find it more of a struggle. Perhaps what they mean is that it is not necessary at the end of the day to learn and remember a long legal code. In that way it is not burdensome. But rather we are invite to follow and to imitate a person. As we do so we will grow in righteousness. But does that really mean we will be rewarded by being so confident in our blessing that no bad news will come? Perhaps rather it means that the depth of our character means that what ever bad news arrives we will be able to cope with it in God's strength - and so need not fear.

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

Reflecting on the fourth Sunday after epiphany part 3

Where we have come from: 

readings for Sunday 2nd February (Fourth Sunday after Epiphany)

Micah 6:1-8 

Psalm 15 

I Corinthians 1:18-31 

Matthew 5:1-12 

Readings for Today -  Wed., Feb. 5 

Psalm 37:1-17 

Ruth 3:1-13; 4:13-22 

Luke 6:17-26 

Thought for Today

Today we have more from Ruth - if you have time read the whole story - pick up where we left off yesterday at the end of chapter 2 and read to the end of the book. The reading from Luke's gospel is his version of the beatitudes - part of what is sometimes called the sermon on the plain. The are possibly more hard hitting here, partly because of the categories - the poor, the hungry, and the weeping (compared with poor in spirit, hungry for righteousness, mourning), and partly because of the corresponding 'woes' that follow. What are we to make of these woes? They don't seem to fit with the pictures of Jesus that we often draw for ourselves. What might us especially uncomfortable is that if we have a computer, access to the internet, and time to be writing or reading blogs we might well be in the categories of the woes rather than the blessings. Only God in Christ can turn us around.

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

Reflecting on the fourth sunday after epiphany part 2

Where we have come from: 

readings for Sunday 2nd February (Fourth Sunday after Epiphany)

Micah 6:1-8 

Psalm 15 

I Corinthians 1:18-31 

Matthew 5:1-12 

Readings for Today Tues., Feb. 4 

Psalm 37:1-17 

Ruth 2:1-16 

James 5:1-6 

Thought for Today

the whole book of Ruth is too good to miss bits out. Yesterday's reading only took us to verse 18 of chapter 1, best to read to the end of chapter one and right through to the end of chapter 2 today to keep with the story.

We might find this ancient welfare practice of allowing gleaning does not quite suit our modern sensibilities. Surely it would be demeaning for those concerned. But we need to try to divest ourselves of our modern eyes, and resist making comparisons with the modern welfare state. It was part of a system of caring for those who were in danger of becoming destitute, but obviously was most effective in a agricultural situation. Hundreds of years later James is writing to (probably) Jewish Christians in a (probably) more urban situation. Some of them seem to have forgotten the ancient customs, or found any contemporary equivalent. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness.

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

Reflecting on the fourth sunday after epiphany (part 1)

Where we have come from: 

readings for Sunday 2nd February (Fourth Sunday after Epiphany)

Micah 6:1-8 

Psalm 15 

I Corinthians 1:18-31 

Matthew 5:1-12 

Readings for Today (Mon., Feb. 3)

Psalm 37:1-17 

Ruth 1:1-18 

Philemon 1-25 

Thought for Today

We might view these three readings as case studies in three of the beatitudes. Psalm 37.1-17 a meditation on the meek who will inherit the earth. Ruth as a story of mourning women who nonetheless find God's blessing. And Paul writing a carefully worded letter as a peacemaker between Philemon and Onesimus. 

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

Approaching the fourth sunday after epiphany part 3 (Saturday)

Saturday 1st February 2014

Where we are headed:

readings for Sunday -  Fourth Sunday after Epiphany 

Micah 6:1-8 

Psalm 15 

1 Corinthians 1:18-31 

Matthew 5:1-12 

Readings for Today  Sat., Feb. 1 

Psalm 15 

Micah 3:1-4 

John 13:31-35 

Thought for the day

The reading on Sunday (tomorrow) from Micah is the one containing the well known verse "He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" but I wonder how well we know the rest of this little book. This little excerpt from chapter 3 in a way sets the scene for the words we will hear tomorrow: the leaders of the people of Israel have not looked after the people - particularly the vulnerable well. Micah's God's eye view of this is that God is not happy about it. micah uses some very striking language to describe how the people have been treated. When Jesus speaks of loving one another, I am sure he means NOT treating each other with the treatment that Micah denounced in chapter 3 and instead acting according to Micah 6.8

If you have the chance today reading the whole of Micah will give you even more context for Micah 6.6-8.

Approaching the 4th sunday after epiphany - part 2

Friday 31st January 2014

Where we are headed:

readings for Sunday -  Fourth Sunday after Epiphany 

Micah 6:1-8 

Psalm 15 

1 Corinthians 1:18-31 

Matthew 5:1-12 

Readings for Today

Thurs., Jan. 30 

Fri., Jan. 31 

Psalm 15 

Deuteronomy 24:17—25:4 

1 Timothy 5:17-24

Thought for the day

As the saying goes "if I had a pound for every..." Well, I suspect that if I had a penny for every page written on these words from I Timothy I would be a rich man. Most of them have been written by people in my tradition trying to make sense of the 'plural' ministry left to us by the Swiss Reformation. I'm certainly not going to weigh in to the discussion here! Instead I am more interested in the theme of justice that is developing from our readings yesterday and today as we move toward Sunday. Justice in all our dealings with other human beings. That includes how we function in the church, and how those with important ministries, lay and ordained, paid and voluntary, part time and full time, work together to help the whole community of the church be kingdom orientated. But, if we never get further than that, we are falling short. 'Do not muzzle the ox' in Deuteronomy is part of a sequence of verses yearning for justice in interpersonal relationships. And, the most startling thing for us, in an age of austerity and drives for efficiency - is the command to stop short of being 100% efficient, for the sake of the poor. So where in our lives might a little less efficiency and a little more generosity be transformative for those around us?

Approaching the fourth Sunday after Epiphany (Thursday 30th January 2014)

Thursday 30th January 2014

Where we are headed:

readings for Sunday -  Fourth Sunday after Epiphany 

Micah 6:1-8 

Psalm 15 

1 Corinthians 1:18-31 

Matthew 5:1-12 

Readings for Today

Thurs., Jan. 30 

Psalm 15 

Deuteronomy 16:18-20

1 Peter 3:8-12 

Thought for the day

Wow - what a world if we could only live like this. Speaking the truth, avoiding slander, and living peacefully, honestly, justly and with generosity. We know full well that we cannot meet the psalmists standards, we cannot of ourselves ascend the mountain of the Lord. But we can do so at the invitation of Jesus, purged by his cross, in the strength of the spirit. And then just maybe we can begin to rise to challenge of the lifestyle set out in these three readings. These values may be rare in the world, they may have been absent in our lives to date, but we can begin the process of transforming them. And then despite the folly and chaos and bribery present in the world, the Kingdom of God might just be visible.

reflecting on the third sunday after epiphany

Wednesday 29th January


Where we have come from: 
readings for Third Sunday after Epiphany
Isaiah 9:1-4
Psalm 27:1, 4-9
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Matthew 4:12-23

Tuesday 28th January

Psalm 27:7-14 

Judges 7:12-22 

Philippians 2:12-18 

 readings for today

Psalm 27:7-14 

Genesis 49:1-2, 8-13, 21-26 

Luke 1:67-79 

thought for the day.

A curious combination: Jacob's words to two of his sons, and the song of Zechariah which we often know as the Benedictus. As an old man Jacob passes the last of his wisdom over to all his sons, in some he sees God's promise, in others more worrying possibilities. For the full picture read the whole chapter. Perhaps the enduringly surprising thing is that the oldest brothers - Reuben, Simeon and Levi, are to and passed over and the covenant promise is to be maintained primarily through Judah with a supporting role from Joseph.

The words of the benedictus are a clear link between old testament and new, in a sense they are part of the trajectory from Jacob's words for Judah, leading to Jesus's death and resurrection for the world. Many Christians say these words every day - you can perhaps see why.

Reflecting on the third sunday after Epiphany

Monday 27th January


Where we have come from: 
readings for Third Sunday after Epiphany 
Isaiah 9:1-4 
Psalm 27:1, 4-9 
1 Corinthians 1:10-18 
Matthew 4:12-23 

readings for today

Psalm 27:7-14 

Judges 6:11-24 

Ephesians 5:6-14 

thought for the day.

Ever year the sunday readings towards the end of February (the 2nd and 3rd after Epiphany), help is reflect on Call. The call on Jesus, and on the disciples, and indeed on us. We are all inclined to be like Gideon, casting doubt on God's presence in the world, making excuses and looking for signs. We all need to hear the encouraging words from Ephesians, challenging us, again, to wake up and rise from the dead in response to the call that God issues to us.

As an aside - interesting that today's psalm is the same one used on Sunday, and for thursday - saturday next week, just different, but overlapping, verses. How does it feel dipping into Psalm 27 in a different way? Perhaps we should tray reading Psalm 27 in its entirety over the next few days.

Friday 24th January
Where we are heading, readings for Sunday 26th January (Revised Common Lectionary)

 Third Sunday after Epiphany 

Isaiah 9:1-4 

Psalm 27:1, 4-9 

1 Corinthians 1:10-18 

Matthew 4:12-23 

 

Readings for today

 

Fri., Jan. 24
Psalm 27:1-6
1 Samuel 9:27—10:8
Galatians 2:1-10

 

Thought for the day

Thursday 23rd January 2013

Thursday 23rd January
Where we are heading, readings for Sunday 26th January (Revised Common Lectionary)


Readings for today

 Third Sunday after Epiphany 

Isaiah 9:1-4 

Psalm 27:1, 4-9 

1 Corinthians 1:10-18 

Matthew 4:12-23 

 Thurs., Jan. 23 

Psalm 27:1-6 

1 Samuel 1:1-20 

Galatians 1:11-24 

Thought for the day

One of the themes of last Sunday and this coming Sunday is is 'call:' the call of God on the suffering servant to save the world and consequently the call of God on the first disciples, and you and I to an abundant life of service in the Kingdom of God.

This familiar old testament story is about a boy who is being called to service before he was born, before he was conceived even. In the extended Christian family I am part of this is a challenging story today as a boy, named Samuel with thought and care, was buried last week after being reunited with God at a few days old. His family would say that this tiny baby fulfilled his call in the joy he brought to those that met him.

If we truly believe in the God of the Bible then we too, whatever our circumstances, wherever and whenever we knew God's voice, were also called long before we were conscious of it. And maybe, like Samuel and Samuel, before we were born.