Sunday, October 25, 2015

Lectionary Ruminations 2.0 for Sunday, November 1, 2015, All Saints' Day (Year B)

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.

PREFACE:
Please note that while the hot links to the readings work the readings themselves do not seem to be complete the last I checked them. Some verses seem to be dropped from the beginning or ending.

26:6 What mountain? Does “all peoples” suggest universalism? Does this verse inform our understanding of the Eucharist?
26:7 What shroud? Could this shroud or sheet sometimes be as thin as gossamer?
26:8 Why were the people crying? What was the people’s disgrace?
26:9 Who will say this? Was there salvation before Christ?

Be aware that the above link offers only the odd numbered verses and not the even numbered verses.
24:1 Can this verse inform an environmental ethic?
24:2 Is this perhaps an allusion to the first creation account or does it simply reflect the thrier tiered cosmology of its day?
24:3 What and where is the hill of the Lord? How could you answer the Psalmist’s question?
24:4 Is it permissible to swear if it is not deceitful?
24:5 This is the second mention of Salvation (see Isaiah 25:9) and we have not yet heard a reading from the New Testament!
24:6 Who is in this company? How do you “Selah” when it is found in a Psalm?
24:7 How do gates lift up their heads? How are doors lifted up? Who is the King of glory?
24:8 Who or what “LORD” is being spoken of here?
24:9 Do I hear a refrain?
24:10 Who are the hosts?

5:1 My image what this verse describes is somewhat informed by the conclusion of C. S. Lewis Chronicles of Narnia series. What is the significance of the sea being no more?
5:2 Someone once pointed out to me that creation might start in a garden but it ends in a city. Who is the groom?
5:3 Whose voice is heard?  Where was God’s home before this?
5:4 I am hearing echoes of Isaiah 25:8.
5:5 Who was seated on the throne? What words are to be written?
5:6 What is done? Who are thirsty? Where is the spring of the water of life?

11:32 Which Mary is this? Is Mary blaming Jesus?
11:33 Why were the Jews weeping? When was the last time you were greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved?
11:34 Laid who? Why might they have wanted Jesus to come and see?
11:35 Yes, the Bible’s shortest verse!
11:36 Are tears always a sign of a close relationship?
11:37 Had Jesus ever kept anyone from dying? Are people doubting Jesus’ power?
11:38 Why is Jesus “again” greatly disturbed? Is this a prefiguration of Jesus’ resurrection?
11:39 When did Martha enter the scene? How did four days pass?
11:40 Do we know when Jesus told her this?
11:41 Why did Jesus look up? If this had taken place somewhere in the south Pacific would Jesus still have looked up?
11:42 Have you ever prayed a private prayer aloud so that people would hear what you were praying?
11:43 Was Jesus really calling Lazarus or was this also for affect?
11:44 Is anyone else thinking “Zombie”? If his feet were bound, how could he come out? If his was covered with strips of cloth how could he see where he was going? Are there perhaps multiple meanings to “Unbind him, and let home go”?

ADDENDUM
I am currently serving at the Interim Pastor of The Presbyterian Church of Cadiz, worshiping at 154 West Market Street, Cadiz, Ohio, every Sunday at 11:00 AM.  Please like The Presbyterian Church of Cadiz on facebook.

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