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
7:7 How many people in the
pews may not know what a plumb line is, what it does, and what it is for?
7:8 When had the Lord pass
the people of Israel by?
7:9 What and where were the
high places of Isaac? Haw many sanctuaries did Israel have? Who was Jeroboam?
7:10 Why is Bethel
significant? Does the conflict between Amaziah and Amos reflect the conflict
between the exoteric and esoteric forms of the Jewish faith?
7:11 Amos has apparently
spoken truth to power. Who are the
prophets in our day speaking truth to power?
7:12 What is a “seer” and
where do we find such people today?
7:13 As a member of the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) I read this passage as a biblical warrant for
maintaining the Washington Office of the church.
7:14 Is this an example of
feigned humility?
7:15 What does this verse
say about the nature of God’s call?
7:16 Note the formulaic
introduction.
7:17 This is not good news,
nor the sort of news any political figure would want to hear.
82:1 How do we as
monotheists handle passages like this, a passage that speaks of “the divine
council” and God holding judgment “in the midst of the gods”?
82:2 Shall we read this
verse as a prayer having been answered by the prophecy of Amos? Does God ever
judge unjustly or show partiality to the wicked? How do you handle “Selah” in
the public reading of scripture?
82:3 Might this be a lower
and middle class cry?
82:4 Who is or are the
wicked?
82:5 Who has neither
knowledge nor understanding?
82:6 Who is speaking? Who are “gods”?
82:7 Who is this verse
talking about?
82:8 When we pray this
prayer, are we not asking for God to judge us as harshly as other countries?
1:1 Who is the real author
of this letter, Paul or Timothy? Was Timothy not also an apostle?
1:2 Is there a distinction
between “the saints” and “faithful brothers and sisters in Christ” or is this
an example of multiple references to the same group?
1:3 Is the author speaking
of intercessory prayer?
1:4 I wonder who Paul and
Timothy heard this from.
1:5 What hope is laid up
for us in heaven?
1:6 What if the grace of
God is not comprehended?
1:7 What, if anything, do
we know about Epaphras? Is Epaphras the answer to my question about Colossians 1:4?
1:8 What is love in the
Spirit? Why is Spirit capitalized?
1:9 Have Christians in
Colossians not already been so filled?
1:10 How do we grow in the
knowledge of God?
1:11 This blessing could be
used as a benediction. What might Paul have thought Christians in Colossae
might have to endure?
1:12 What is the
inheritance of the saints in light?
1:13 Note the juxtaposition
of darkness in this verse with light in the previous verse.
1:14 Is redemption the same
a forgiveness of sins?
10:25 What is the meaning
of “test”? Why might the lawyer have called Jesus “teacher”? Perhaps this verse
ought to be read in conversation with Colossians 1:12.
10:26 Is Jesus turning the
question back on the lawyer?
10:27 Where did this answer
come from?
10:28 This “right” answer
seems to point toward praxis, that is right belief leading to right actions,
rather than focusing on mere orthodox belief as the test of faith. Note the language: “Do” this and you shall
live, not “Believe” this. Is “living” the same as inheriting eternal life?
10:29 How often, and in
what ways, do we seek to “justify” ourselves rather than relying on God to
justify us? Think about what spiritual and religious insight would have been
lost if the lawyer had not asked this question.
10:30 What would a normal
journey from Jerusalem to Jericho be like?
10:31 What sort of priest?
10:32 What is a Levite?
10:33 What is a Samaritan
and how would a Samaritan contrast with a Levite and a priest?
10:34 The Levite actually did
something! He did not just pray.
10:35 While the Samaritan
paid for the man’s lodging he did not give the two denarii directly to the man.
I have known many churches that would pay for a night’s lodging but not give directly
to the person who needed the lodging.
10:36 What is the meaning
on “neighbor”?
10:37 The lawyer again answers
correctly. How is God like a neighbor?
10:30-37 Have we heard this
parable too many times to hear it as if we are hearing it for the first time
and to hear it in new, fresh, and enlightening ways? How can we hear it anew every time we hear
it?
ADDENDUM
I am currently a Member at Large of Upper Ohio
Valley Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). I am a trained and
experienced Interim Pastor currently available to supply as a fill-in
occasional guest preacher and worship leader or serve in a half-time to
full-time position.
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