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.
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