Lectionary
Ruminations 2.0 is a revised continuation of Lectionary Ruminations. Focusing on The Revised Common Lectionary Readings for the upcoming Sunday from New Revised
Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible, Lectionary
Ruminations 2.0 draws on nearly thirty years of pastoral experience. Believing that the questions we ask are often
more important than any answers we find, without overreliance on commentaries I
intend with comments and questions to encourage reflection and rumination for
readers preparing to teach, preach, or hear the Word. Reader comments are
invited and encouraged. All lectionary
links are to the via
the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings website.
FOR
AN UPDATED AND REVISED VERSION, GO TO THIS LINK
32:1 The people grow
impatient with Moses and in the vacuum left by his leadership turn to
Aaron. What lesson might pastors learn
from this? Did the people think Aaron would do for them what Moses would not?
32:2 Gold is currently
selling for about $1,200/oz.
32:3 Is this an an example
of group think?
32:4 Why a calf? Why is “calf” singular and “gods” plural?
32:5 What good is a golden
calf without an altar?
32:6 This sounds like a
party.
32:7 The LORD finally
speaks up but it seems like the LORD is placing the blame for the idolatry or
the responsibility for correcting entirely on Moses.
32:8 Did the golden calf
represent other gods, or was it meant to represent the LORD?
32:9 What does stiff necked
mean?
32:10 Is the LORD offering
Moses a bribe? A reward? A temptation?
32:11 Note that the LORD is
the God of Moses, not of the people. Is
Moses buttering-up God? Compare this verse to 32:7.
32:12 Is Moses appealing to
the LORD’s pride?
32:13 Does the LORD really
need to be reminded? Why are the women never mentioned?
32:14 The LORD changes the
divine mind? God repents?
106:1 Must love endure
forever in order to be steadfast?
106:2 Is this a rhetorical
question?
106:3 Can anyone then be
happy?
106:4 What does it mean to
be remembered by God?
106:5 This is beginning to
sound like a nationalistic Psalm.
106:6 Here is a good phrase
to include in a prayer of confession of sin, but how does it follow from what precedes
it?
106:19 Are we to read this
as a comment on how our ancestors in verses 6 sinned?
106:20 Can glory ever be
captured by any image?
106:21 Is the issue really
forgetfulness or is it idolatry?
106:22 What were the works
in the land of Ham?
106:23 Is Moses an
illustration of what it means to “stand in the breach”? Who created the breach
and how?
4:1 I hate it when a
Reading begins with “therefore” because we are not hearing what came before. How
and why are the Philippians Paul’s “joy and crown”?
4:2 If Euodia and Syntyche
are conflicted, it seems Paul is not taking sides.
4:3 Whom is Paul addressing
as “my loyal companion”? What does this
verse possible say about women serving as leaders in the early church? Is “The Book of Life” available from
Amazon.com and/or available for download on a kindle? Of all Paul’s coworkers,
why are only Euddia, Syntyche, and Clement named?
4:4 This is surely an often
quoted verse but usually out of context.
4:5 What does letting your
gentleness be known have to do with the Lord being near?
4:6 Does the advice of this
verse depend on the fact that “The Lord is near” or is this advice good
anytime?
4:7 What do you understand
the peace of God to be?
4:8 This is quite a list of
adjectives. What are you thinking about right now?
4:9 What do you think the
Philippians learned, received, heard, and saw?
22:1 In seems the author is
aware that Jesus often spoke in parables.
22:2 Here is “a kingdom
parable”. Must we equate the king with
God and the son with Jesus?
22:3 How do we deal with
slave language with all its connotations? How is this parable similar to the parable
in Matthew 21:33-46 from last week?
22:4 Any connection between
the “oxen” and “calves” of this passage and Exodus 32:1-14 is purely
coincidental.
22:5 What does it mean to
“make light of” something?
22:6 Once again, see
Matthew 21:22-46.
22:7 Was the King’s
response a reasonable one?
22:8 Why I am thinking of Wayne’s World?
22:9 If the city was burned
(22:7), who would be hanging out on the main streets?
22:10 So the kingdom of God
is filled with both good and bad?
22:11 What is a wedding
robe?
22:12 I think he should
have answered “Your slaves invited me and I was gathered in with everyone else
here”.
22:13 I know this is only a
parable, but still, this seems like harsh punishment simply for showing up at a
royal wedding underdressed. What do you
think?
22:14 What is the
difference between being “called” and “chosen”.
Some Presbyterians might read this as “many are cold but few are frozen.”
ADDENDUM
1 comment:
Matthew 22:8 :)
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