After a week of vacation and a national holiday, we are back to discuss the readings for June 3rd, the first Sunday in the long stretch between Pentecost and Reformation Sunday. We may pick up one or two small celebrations between now and the end of October, where we will have Reformation Sunday, All Saints Sunday, and Christ the King Sunday in a span of 4-5 weeks; otherwise, we are in the portion of the liturgical calendar referred to as either "Ordinary Time" or "Time after Pentecost."
The good news is that the readings in the Revised Common Lectionary will build off of one another from week to week. The second reading each week will work through some of the letters within the New Testament. The Gospel reading each week will pick up where the previous week's reading left off or will pick up after a short jump in the story. Therefore, it will be easier to follow what is happening in the second readings and the Gospel readings from week to week. (Note: the first reading is either a) chosen as a connection to the Gospel reading and the psalm is chosen as a response to the first reading, or b) a series of semi-continuous readings (working through books of the Old Testament with large gaps between readings so that we get the high points in the larger story) with psalms chosen as a response to the first reading.)
As always, I will share the readings with my responses (in italics) to each reading. If you have a response of any kind (affirmation, question, thoughtful criticism), start the conversation in the comments below.
Deuteronomy 5:12 - 15
12Observe the sabbath day and keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you. 13Six days you shall labor and do all your work. 14But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, or your son or your daughter, or your male or female slave, or your ox or your donkey, or any of your livestock, or the resident alien in your towns, so that your male and female slave may rest as well as you. 15Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm; therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the sabbath day.
Deuteronomy is a longer reflection on the Sabbath and the purpose for the Sabbath. The Sabbath is meant to be a day of worship and rest. In our modern society, what does it mean to rest? What does it look like and feel like to truly unplug from everything and relax?
Psalm 81:1 - 10
Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob.
2 Raise a song, sound the tambourine, the sweet lyre with the harp.
3 Blow the trumpet at the new moon, at the full moon, on our festal day.
4 For it is a statute for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob.
5 He made it a decree in Joseph, when he went out over the land of Egypt. I hear a voice I had not known:
6 "I relieved your shoulder of the burden; your hands were freed from the basket.
7 In distress you called, and I rescued you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah
8 Hear, O my people, while I admonish you; O Israel, if you would but listen to me!
9 There shall be no strange god among you; you shall not bow down to a foreign god.
10 I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.
Psalm 81 focuses on the worship portion of the Sabbath. The psalmist speaks for God, calling the Israelites to worship the Lord in thanksgiving for the Lord rescuing the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Verses 11 – 15 set a context in which the Israelites have turned away from the Lord, so that Lord released them to follow their own desires, and the people wandered their way into trouble. The Lord promises to sustain the people of Israel and defeat their enemies, but this proclamation seems to be conditional, depending on the people of Israel returning to the Lord.
2 Corinthians 4:5 - 12
5We do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. 6For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. 8We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. 11For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. 12So death is at work in us, but life in you.
2 Corinthians 4 is a popular passage for its imagery of clay jars and its certainty that we will face hardships but they will never destroy us. For this community, which has faced a lot of hardship over the last 3.5 months (now up to 7 funerals since Ash Wednesday), the image of carrying the light and life of Christ in clay jars may resonate. In our combined grief and sorrow, we may feel our clay cracking or even feel like pieces have fallen out of place. But a light in a whole clay jar will never be seen because the light cannot get through the clay. The light and life of Christ shines through those cracks and gaps in our jars. We can try to patch up these cracks and gaps and act like nothing is wrong, or we can acknowledge where we are broken and point to where Christ and the Holy Spirit are at work within us so that others may see and believe.
Mark 2:23 - 3:6
23One sabbath [Jesus] was going through the grainfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. 24The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?” 25And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need of food? 26He entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and he gave some to his companions.” 27Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; 28so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”
3:1Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. 2They watched him to see whether he would cure him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him. 3And he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Come forward.” 4Then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. 5He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. 6The Pharisees went out and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.
In Mark 2 and 3, we see that the invitation to observe the Sabbath has become oppressive under the leadership of the Pharisees. The definition of “work” is so limited that life-giving actions from foraging for food to healing a deformed hand are considered sins against God. Jesus invites us to see a difference between that which is work and that which is life-giving for ourselves and/or others. The Sabbath is meant to be life-giving for us, so engaging in life-giving activities on the Sabbath is encouraged.
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
Monday, May 14, 2018
Monday Thoughts on the Readings for Pentecost Sunday (May 20th, 2018)
This coming Sunday, the Church celebrates the festival of Pentecost. It is a festival with Jewish roots, but has taken on a different meaning within the Church. The Church celebrates Pentecost as the moment when the Holy Spirit descended among the disciples in a form that looked like tongues of fire. This appearance of fire is why the color of the day for Pentecost (and for any day on the liturgical calendar that celebrates the work of the Holy Spirit) is red.
In this congregation, we also use this occasion for the Rite of Confirmation. Four of our younger members will affirm their baptisms, declare that they are taking responsibility for the promises made by their parents at their respective baptisms, and become full-fledged members of the congregation. Preaching on this day must take both of these occasions into consideration.
As always, if you have a question, comment, or response to either the Bible readings or my initial responses to the readings, leave a comment below and share your thoughts with me!
Acts 2:1 - 21
1When the day of Pentecost had come, [the apostles] were all together in one place. 2And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
5Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”
14But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
17‘In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.
18Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
in those days I will pour out my Spirit;
and they shall prophesy.
19And I will show portents in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
20The sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
21Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ ”
During yesterday’s Bible study, one participant asked about the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues (i.e. non-native languages). Some Christian traditions do not focus on this gift; other Christian traditions believe that one does not have the Holy Spirit unless one has experienced a moment of speaking in tongues. Which leads to this question: how do we recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives?
If we placed all of these nations/regions on a map, how large of an area would it cover? Just how far had the Jewish diaspora spread since the time of exile?
Last week, a colleague pointed out (through Facebook) that the prophecy of both male and female slaves prophesying opens the door for the Church to include and welcome pastors and prophets who are female or who come from other nations.
In this congregation, we also use this occasion for the Rite of Confirmation. Four of our younger members will affirm their baptisms, declare that they are taking responsibility for the promises made by their parents at their respective baptisms, and become full-fledged members of the congregation. Preaching on this day must take both of these occasions into consideration.
As always, if you have a question, comment, or response to either the Bible readings or my initial responses to the readings, leave a comment below and share your thoughts with me!
Acts 2:1 - 21
1When the day of Pentecost had come, [the apostles] were all together in one place. 2And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
5Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”
14But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
17‘In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.
18Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
in those days I will pour out my Spirit;
and they shall prophesy.
19And I will show portents in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
20The sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
21Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ ”
During yesterday’s Bible study, one participant asked about the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues (i.e. non-native languages). Some Christian traditions do not focus on this gift; other Christian traditions believe that one does not have the Holy Spirit unless one has experienced a moment of speaking in tongues. Which leads to this question: how do we recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives?
If we placed all of these nations/regions on a map, how large of an area would it cover? Just how far had the Jewish diaspora spread since the time of exile?
Last week, a colleague pointed out (through Facebook) that the prophecy of both male and female slaves prophesying opens the door for the Church to include and welcome pastors and prophets who are female or who come from other nations.
Psalm 104:24 - 34, 35b
24 O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
25 Yonder is the sea, great and wide, creeping things innumerable are there, living things both small and great.
26 There go the ships, and Leviathan that you formed to sport in it.
27 These all look to you to give them their food in due season;
28 when you give to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
29 When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.
30 When you send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the ground.
31 May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works--
32 who looks on the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke.
33 I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
34 May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD.
35b Bless the LORD, O my soul. Praise the LORD!
The key verse in Psalm 104 for this day is verse 30: “You send forth your Spirit, and they are created; and so you renew the face of the earth.” The Spirit was present at the first moment of creation; some translations suggest that a “wind” blows over the waters prior to the moment of creation, but the Hebrew word for wind, ‘ruah,’ is also the word for “spirit.” The psalm affirms that the Spirit is present at the creation of all things. We can also bring in the prologue of the Gospel of John to claim that Jesus is present at the creation of all things, and thus the Trinity works together to create all things…but Holy Trinity Sunday is next Sunday.
Romans 8:22 - 27
22We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 23and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
26Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. 27And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
26Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. 27And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
The Romans reading is edited so that we focus on the work of the Holy Spirit. If we started the reading at verse 18, we would focus on the end of the age and the image of Creation giving birth to a new age.
When we are not able to pray, the Holy Spirit prays on our behalf. We could argue that this happened in Exodus 1, when the Israelites cried out to no one in particular. This also happens when we are so deep in our grief and depression that we find ourselves unable to pray.
John 15:26 - 27; 16:4b - 15
[Jesus said,] 26“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. 27You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning.
16:4b“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. 7Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9about sin, because they do not believe in me; 10about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; 11about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.
12“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”
16:4b“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. 7Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9about sin, because they do not believe in me; 10about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; 11about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.
12“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”
Note that no one is condemned in John 16 other than “the ruler of this world.”
John 16:12 speaks to our confirmands this week: “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” There is still much to learn about the faith we share, but we must grow into some of it. When the time is right, the Holy Spirit will teach you through others and lead you to new understandings and insights. Your faith will continue to grow and change because of the Holy Spirit’s work within you.
Monday, April 30, 2018
Monday Thoughts on the Readings for Sunday, May 6th, 2018
I wanted to get a fresh post up last week, but my time and energy for writing went towards e-mail communications, a newsletter article, and other administrative work. This week, I am getting this post up early in the week so that I can get back on schedule.
Many of our readings this week are continuations of previous weeks. The 1 John 5 and the John 15 readings pick up where last weeks readings from 1 John 4:7-21 and John 15:1-8 left off. The Acts 10 reading picks up where our first Easter morning reading, Acts 10:34-43, left off. Any themes from these readings build off of what we heard and know from these previous readings. Previous themes include: no distinction between Jews and Gentiles (Acts 10); God is love, God shares that love will all people, and we are called to share that love with all people (1 John 4); and we must remain connected to Jesus so that the fruits of our faith may grow (John 15).
These readings bring up a lot of questions, so I have included several comments below some of these readings. If you have different questions, or if you have responses to my questions, I invite you to share in the comments below.
Acts 10:44 - 48
44While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. 45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, 46for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, 47“Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.
- Peter asks the key question: “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” What barriers do we put around baptism? Are these legitimate barriers? Or do these barriers serve only to make us feel better about our role in baptism?
- We can ask the same questions about Holy Communion. What barriers do we put around the Communion table? Are these legitimate barriers? Or do these barriers serve only to make us feel better about our role in Communion?
- We often ask whether children know enough about Holy Communion before they receive the sacrament for the first time. We might wonder whether their parents and grandparents know enough to receive the sacrament today. But what role does our knowledge and understanding play in the sacrament of Holy Communion?
- Acts 10:24 describes the group which Cornelius had gathered together to receive Peter and his companions.
Psalm 98
O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory.
2 The LORD has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
5 Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody.
6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD.
7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it.
8 Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy
9 at the presence of the LORD, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.
The “victory” celebrated in Psalm 98 is undefined. Have the people won a great battle or repelled an invasion? We don’t know because everybody in that place and time already knows what happened, so the psalmist did not see the need to define it. But the emphasis is on the community’s response to what the Lord has done. Everyone is invited to grab their various instruments and praise the Lord through music. Creation adds the sounds of its natural instruments to our music.
Many of our readings this week are continuations of previous weeks. The 1 John 5 and the John 15 readings pick up where last weeks readings from 1 John 4:7-21 and John 15:1-8 left off. The Acts 10 reading picks up where our first Easter morning reading, Acts 10:34-43, left off. Any themes from these readings build off of what we heard and know from these previous readings. Previous themes include: no distinction between Jews and Gentiles (Acts 10); God is love, God shares that love will all people, and we are called to share that love with all people (1 John 4); and we must remain connected to Jesus so that the fruits of our faith may grow (John 15).
These readings bring up a lot of questions, so I have included several comments below some of these readings. If you have different questions, or if you have responses to my questions, I invite you to share in the comments below.
Acts 10:44 - 48
44While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. 45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, 46for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, 47“Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.
- Peter asks the key question: “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” What barriers do we put around baptism? Are these legitimate barriers? Or do these barriers serve only to make us feel better about our role in baptism?
- We can ask the same questions about Holy Communion. What barriers do we put around the Communion table? Are these legitimate barriers? Or do these barriers serve only to make us feel better about our role in Communion?
- We often ask whether children know enough about Holy Communion before they receive the sacrament for the first time. We might wonder whether their parents and grandparents know enough to receive the sacrament today. But what role does our knowledge and understanding play in the sacrament of Holy Communion?
- Acts 10:24 describes the group which Cornelius had gathered together to receive Peter and his companions.
Psalm 98
O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory.
2 The LORD has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
5 Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody.
6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD.
7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it.
8 Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy
9 at the presence of the LORD, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.
The “victory” celebrated in Psalm 98 is undefined. Have the people won a great battle or repelled an invasion? We don’t know because everybody in that place and time already knows what happened, so the psalmist did not see the need to define it. But the emphasis is on the community’s response to what the Lord has done. Everyone is invited to grab their various instruments and praise the Lord through music. Creation adds the sounds of its natural instruments to our music.
1 John 5:1 - 6
1Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. 2By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, 4for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. 5Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
6This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth.
6This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth.
- 1 John 5 seems to take the definition of “the love of God” in a new direction. To this point, explanations of “the love of God” have pointed to what the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit do. Suddenly, the definition includes us and how we “obey his commandments.” Which commandments are these? Do these include the 600+ laws in the Torah (i.e. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy)? Do these include just the Ten Commandments?
- Also, what does “victory” mean in 1 John? It seems to include our faith, but how does our faith conquer the world?
John 15:9 - 17
[Jesus said:] 9“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. 10If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
12“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. 16You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. 17I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.”
12“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. 16You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. 17I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.”
- Again, what “commandments” are we keeping? Is this a reference to the “new commandment” Jesus gave to the disciples, that they love one another as Jesus had loved them? Does this include commandments to carry out Jesus’ ministry and mission after his death?
- But in this, Jesus says that we are friends because he has revealed everything that he has heard from the Father. Jesus does not withhold secret knowledge from us; this goes directly against organizations with “secret knowledge” available only to insiders.
- John 15:13 typically gets used in a military context. How else can we hear this verse?
Thursday, April 19, 2018
Thursday Thoughts on the Readings for Sunday, April 22nd, 2018
Last week, I mentioned that two funerals in two weeks has put a note of sadness within our celebration of Easter. Within 24 hours of that post, another member of the congregation died. As a congregation, we are going through many emotions of joy, grief, thanksgiving, shock, and sadness as we gather on Sundays. We mourn for those who are no longer physically present among us even as we proclaim that we are still connected to them through the Body of Christ.
This week is the so-called "Good Shepherd Sunday," the Sunday of each year that reads from John 10 as Jesus proclaims that he is the good shepherd. There is much to say about the other readings as well. If you would like to add to the conversation, use the comments below or comment on my Facebook post where I share this blog entry.
Thanks for reading! I would love to hear your impressions and discuss your questions.
Acts 4:5 - 12
5The next day [the] rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, 6with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, 10let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. 11This Jesus is
‘the stone that was rejected by you, the builders;
it has become the cornerstone.’
12There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4 is a continuation of the story from last week (Acts 3, where Peter heals a man in Jesus’ name and proclaims the Gospel among the people at the Temple who react to the miracle). The religious leaders are offended that Peter and John are invoking Jesus’ name in connection with God, so they arrested them and are trying them within the Sanhedrin (Jewish religious leadership council). The council would like to kill Peter and John for heresy, but they know that the people will turn against them if they do so. The council warns Peter and John to not preach in Jesus’ name and then releases them. Peter, John, and the rest of the disciples prayed for the strength to continue proclaiming the Gospel in the face of opposition. In response, the Holy Spirit entered the room and strengthened them.
“There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12, spoken by Peter) This is the key claim from Peter’s speech. We still wrestle with this particular claim: we may profess it with our lips, but in our hearts and minds, we wonder whether this is enough. So we turn to charismatic leaders, who tell us to follow their teachings so that Jesus will love us enough to save us. We listen to our inner voice which wants to feel like we did something to deserve salvation. But salvation is not something we earn; it is a gift from the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit that we can only receive by the faith provided by the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 23
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;
3 he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff-- they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD my whole life long.
Psalm 23 is one we hear at least once a year on Sundays. We also hear it at 3 out of 4 funerals (2 out of the 3 I have presided over this month). I always wonder whether we are so awash in sentimentality that we do not reflect on the claims within the psalm. The Lord will lead us to all that we need (hence the green pastures and still waters). We take comfort from the Lord’s rod and staff because they can be used to fend off attackers as well as gently guide us on our journeys. The Lord welcomes us at the Lord’s banquet table. We are currently dwelling with the Lord and we will continue to dwell with the Lord. Each of these is a significant claim in its own right; together, they form an expansive vision of the Lord’s provision and blessing. Do we miss this when we hear this psalm in worship because it is so familiar and we have memories attached to it?
1 John 3:16 - 24
16We know love by this, that [Jesus Christ] laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. 17How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?
18Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 19And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him 20whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; 22and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him.
23And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.
When 1 John 3 talks about sin, does it mean all sin or does it mean failing to uphold the two great commandments: love the Lord and love your neighbor as yourself? Such love must be expressed in all forms including word, speech, truth, and action.
I can read this in such a way that we would take away from this passage a promise that the Lord will give us whatever we pray for if we are good enough or perfect. I do not believe that is the point of the passage, but I can see how someone might walk away with that impression.
John 10:11 - 18
[Jesus said:] 11“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. 14I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. 18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”
John 10 is the “Good Shepherd” chapter because Jesus calls himself the “Good Shepherd” multiple times. In this part of the chapter, Jesus claims that he is the Good Shepherd because he is willing to die so that the sheep may have life; this is something that the hired hand is not willing to do because the hired hand cares more about the salary than the sheep. Jesus will lay down his life for the sheep…and he will pick his life back up again. In society, we praise those who risk their lives or give up their lives so that others may have life; the difference between them and Jesus is that Jesus was raised from the dead and that Jesus accomplished many things through his death and resurrection.
(Tying John 10 to 1 John 3) What does it look like for us love our neighbors enough to lay down our lives for the sake of someone else? There are many stories and songs that depict this, but this is the one that came to my mind: Nickel Creek, "The Hand Song"
This week is the so-called "Good Shepherd Sunday," the Sunday of each year that reads from John 10 as Jesus proclaims that he is the good shepherd. There is much to say about the other readings as well. If you would like to add to the conversation, use the comments below or comment on my Facebook post where I share this blog entry.
Thanks for reading! I would love to hear your impressions and discuss your questions.
Acts 4:5 - 12
5The next day [the] rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, 6with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, 10let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. 11This Jesus is
‘the stone that was rejected by you, the builders;
it has become the cornerstone.’
12There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4 is a continuation of the story from last week (Acts 3, where Peter heals a man in Jesus’ name and proclaims the Gospel among the people at the Temple who react to the miracle). The religious leaders are offended that Peter and John are invoking Jesus’ name in connection with God, so they arrested them and are trying them within the Sanhedrin (Jewish religious leadership council). The council would like to kill Peter and John for heresy, but they know that the people will turn against them if they do so. The council warns Peter and John to not preach in Jesus’ name and then releases them. Peter, John, and the rest of the disciples prayed for the strength to continue proclaiming the Gospel in the face of opposition. In response, the Holy Spirit entered the room and strengthened them.
“There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12, spoken by Peter) This is the key claim from Peter’s speech. We still wrestle with this particular claim: we may profess it with our lips, but in our hearts and minds, we wonder whether this is enough. So we turn to charismatic leaders, who tell us to follow their teachings so that Jesus will love us enough to save us. We listen to our inner voice which wants to feel like we did something to deserve salvation. But salvation is not something we earn; it is a gift from the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit that we can only receive by the faith provided by the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 23
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;
3 he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff-- they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD my whole life long.
Psalm 23 is one we hear at least once a year on Sundays. We also hear it at 3 out of 4 funerals (2 out of the 3 I have presided over this month). I always wonder whether we are so awash in sentimentality that we do not reflect on the claims within the psalm. The Lord will lead us to all that we need (hence the green pastures and still waters). We take comfort from the Lord’s rod and staff because they can be used to fend off attackers as well as gently guide us on our journeys. The Lord welcomes us at the Lord’s banquet table. We are currently dwelling with the Lord and we will continue to dwell with the Lord. Each of these is a significant claim in its own right; together, they form an expansive vision of the Lord’s provision and blessing. Do we miss this when we hear this psalm in worship because it is so familiar and we have memories attached to it?
1 John 3:16 - 24
16We know love by this, that [Jesus Christ] laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. 17How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?
18Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 19And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him 20whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; 22and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him.
23And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.
When 1 John 3 talks about sin, does it mean all sin or does it mean failing to uphold the two great commandments: love the Lord and love your neighbor as yourself? Such love must be expressed in all forms including word, speech, truth, and action.
I can read this in such a way that we would take away from this passage a promise that the Lord will give us whatever we pray for if we are good enough or perfect. I do not believe that is the point of the passage, but I can see how someone might walk away with that impression.
John 10:11 - 18
[Jesus said:] 11“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. 14I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. 18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”
John 10 is the “Good Shepherd” chapter because Jesus calls himself the “Good Shepherd” multiple times. In this part of the chapter, Jesus claims that he is the Good Shepherd because he is willing to die so that the sheep may have life; this is something that the hired hand is not willing to do because the hired hand cares more about the salary than the sheep. Jesus will lay down his life for the sheep…and he will pick his life back up again. In society, we praise those who risk their lives or give up their lives so that others may have life; the difference between them and Jesus is that Jesus was raised from the dead and that Jesus accomplished many things through his death and resurrection.
(Tying John 10 to 1 John 3) What does it look like for us love our neighbors enough to lay down our lives for the sake of someone else? There are many stories and songs that depict this, but this is the one that came to my mind: Nickel Creek, "The Hand Song"
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Wednesday Thoughts on the Readings for Sunday, April 15th, 2018
In most congregations, this is a joyful season. We are still shouting "Alleluia!" and "Hallelujah!" as we celebrate Jesus' resurrection from the grave. Our hymns are joyful and upbeat. Our readings and sermons proclaim the good news and wonder what happens now that Christ has risen. The congregation I serve also uses this time to celebrate the planting season and ask for the Lord's blessing on this year's grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and flowers.
This year, however, there is a note of sadness within the celebration. On two occasions since Easter Sunday, the congregation I serve has gathered to commend one of the congregation's members into the hands of God following the members' respective deaths. In the midst of our celebrations, we also grieve the loss of these two members from our families and from our shared community.
Both the celebration and the grieving are on my mind as I look over the readings from the Revised Common Lectionary for this Sunday. Below, you can see how these things influence how I read the chosen readings for this Sunday. After each reading, you will find my thoughts in italics. If something in the readings or in my reflections grabs your attention and/or leads you to ask a question, I invite you to share your thoughts and questions in the comments below.
Acts 3:12 - 19
12[Peter] addressed the people, “You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk?13The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. 14But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, 15and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you.
17“And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. 19Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out.”
17“And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. 19Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out.”
We do not get the entire story in Acts 3. We do not hear the encounter between the man who was “lame from birth” and Peter and John. What we get is Peter’s comments to those who witnessed the miracle. The man was healed “on the basis of faith in His name” (New American Standard Bible translating the Greek preposition ‘epi’) and restored to perfect health. We can think of our future resurrection as having the same outcome: we will be raised from dead and decayed or dead and completely consumed/absorbed by the Earth to perfect health (physical, mental, emotional). Peter also testifies that Jesus is the Messiah and references the prophecies that the Messiah must suffer to answer the (non-asked) question of how Jesus could be the Messiah if he had died on the Cross. The reading cuts Peter off in mid-sentence; perhaps we can extend the reading to verse 21 so that we also hear Peter’s proclamation of Jesus’ future return and how Jesus’ death and resurrection does more than just wiping out our sin.
Psalm 4
Answer me when I call, O God of my right! You gave me room when I was in distress. Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.
2 How long, you people, shall my honor suffer shame? How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies? Selah
3 But know that the LORD has set apart the faithful for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.
4 When you are disturbed, do not sin; ponder it on your beds, and be silent. Selah
5 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.
6 There are many who say, "O that we might see some good! Let the light of your face shine on us, O LORD!"
7 You have put gladness in my heart more than when their grain and wine abound.
8 I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O LORD, make me lie down in safety.
I don’t get much
from Psalm 4, though I recognize that verse 7’s claim that the Lord has “put
gladness in my heart, more than when grain and wine abound” may speak to the
farmers of this community.
1 John 3:1 - 7
1See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. 3And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
4Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him. 7Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.
4Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him. 7Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.
The first paragraph of the 1 John 3 reading is an Easter reading (the second is a works-righteousness reading). We are children of God NOW, not later, because we are baptized (my extension of the thought). When Jesus is revealed, we will be like him, for we will (be raised from the dead like Jesus was and, with our newly-restored bodies, we will) see him as he is.
Luke 24:36b - 48
36bJesus himself stood among [the disciples] and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate in their presence.
44Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things.”
The Gospel reading is Luke’s account of the first post-resurrection meeting between Jesus and the disciples; we heard John’s account of this meeting last Sunday. While John focused on the blessing Jesus gave to the disciples, Luke focuses on Jesus’ efforts to prove that he is not a ghost. Jesus asks for food and eats in their presence to prove that he is present in bodily form. He then reviews the OT prophecies that he has fulfilled through his death and resurrection.
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