Posted
each Thursday, Lectionary Ruminations
focuses on the Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version,
for the following Sunday per the
Revised Common Lectionary. Comments and questions are intended to
encourage reflection for readers preparing to teach, preach, or hear the Word.
Reader comments are invited and encouraged. All lectionary links are to the New
Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible via
the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings website, but if you prefer
another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references may be
linked to the NRSV via
the oremus Bible Browser.)
23:1 Who are these shepherds? Why would any shepherd destroy and scatter sheep they are responsible for?
23:2 How have the shepherds
scattered the flock? How have the
shepherds driven sheep away? How do we
read this passage after nearly a half century of membership decline in the mainline
church?
23:4 It sounds that in the
midst of the failure of the old order shepherds that God will raise up new
shepherds in their place. What might
this mean in a mainline church where many Teaching Elders (Ministers) are
younger than the governing body of Ruling Elders?
23:5 Will this righteous branch
be like a new shepherd, replacing the old shepherds? From a Christian perspective, have these
coming days already been fulfilled?
23:6 How else might we
translate “The LORD is our righteousness”?
The PC(USA) Devotions and Readings website identifies this as a Gospel reading but it functions as a Psalm or Canticle. Does it make a difference how we label or identify it?
1:68 Who is speaking? Why
does this sound so familiar?
1:69 Does it make a
difference that this mighty savior has been raised up “in” the house of David
rather than “from” the house of David?
1:70 All the prophets or
just some of the prophets?
1:71 So this savior saves
from enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. Note that sin is not mentioned.
1:72 Which covenant is
being remembered?
1:73 What oath did God swear? Why would God swear an oath? What would be our recourse if God did not
keep this oath?
1:74 Does this mean that we
are saved for service?
1:75 How do we serve in
holiness and righteousness?
1:76 What child? Is the profit going to prepare the way for
the LORD God, or for the mighty savior?
1:77 What is salvation if
we are not aware of it? How does
forgiveness of sins save from enemies and from the hand of all that hate us?
(see 1:71)
1:78 Is there a difference
between mercy and tender mercy? Is
tender mercy different from stern mercy?
I love the poetic and metaphorical “dawn from on high” because it leaves
so much to the creative imagination.
1:79 How do we handle the
image of sitting in darkness with racial sensitivity? How does the image of giving light to those
who sit in darkness naturally flow from the image of the dawn from on high? Can we be guided in the way of peace without
light?
1:11 This verse reminds me of a modern Celtic caim by David Adam which includes the petition “Keep strength within, keep weakness out.”
1:12 is this the same light
as in Luke 1:79? Who re the saints in
the light and what is their inheritance?
1:13 Why do I keep being
drawn back to Luke 1:79. I am also being
drawn to the John’s Prologue.
1:14 Is redemption synonymous
with salvation?
1:15 How can anything serve
as an image of something, or someone that is invisible? What is the difference between being the
firstborn and pre-existence?
1:16 Does this verse justify
equating Christ with the Sophia of Proverbs?
What does it mean that “in him” all things were created, and created “through
him and for him”?
1:17 I would love for a
theoretical astro-physicist to reflect and expound on this image, especially as
it relates to cosmology and cosmogony.
Perhaps this could be worked into a future episode of The Big Bang Theory.
1:18 Where else have we
encountered this body metaphor? Does being the firstborn of the dead have anything
to do with being the firstborn of all creation? (see 1:15)
1:19 What is the meaning of
“dwell”? Does this suggest anything less
than permanent? How does this relate to
essence?
1:20 Why do all things need
to be reconciled to God? How can peace
be made through the blood of Christ’s cross?
23:33 When who came? What place is called “The Skull”? Who crucified Jesus?
23:34 For who was Jesus
praying? What does it mean to cast lots?
23:35 How had Jesus saved
others? Why did Jesus not save himself?
23:36 Is “mocking” the same
as the “scoffed” of the previous verse? How is offering sour wine a type of
mocking?
23:37 Is this a mere
re-phrasing of 23:35?
23:38 How does this
inscription negate the questions raised in verses 35 and 37?
23:39 Once again, this
sounds like an echo of verses 35 as well as verse 37.
23:40 What are we to make
of the juxtaposition of these two criminals and their statements and attitudes?
23:41 How did this criminal
now that Jesus had done nothing wrong?
23:42 Why am I once again
thinking of The Jesus Prayer and The
Philokelia?
23:43 What are we to make
of the “today”? What is paradise?
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