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
1:2 Two weeks ago Amos gave
us the image of a plumb line, and last week he gave us the image of a basket of
summer fruit. This week Hosea gives us
the image of a whore and children with names worthy of a lifetime in therapy. How
is forsaking the LORD equivalent to committing great whoredom? Is this a charge of idolatry?
1:3 Is there any
significance to the names Gomer or Diblaim?
1:4 What does “Jezrell”
mean? In our culture where people name
their children after relatives, movie stars, and sports stars, how can people
in the pews comprehend the symbolic meaning of Hebrew names in general and
“Jezrell” and his siblings in particular?
1:5 What, if any, is the
relation between Jezrell, son of Hosea and Gomer, and the valley of Jezrell?
1:6 What does the name
Lo-ruhamah mean?
1:7 This sounds as though while
God is forsaking Israel, God will save Judah.
Hawkish politicians who place their faith in a strong military ought to
take note of this verse.
1:8 I wonder how close in
time the three children were conceived and born.
1:9 What does the name
Lo-ammi mean?
1:10 Is this a verse of
hope in the midst of judgement? Relatively speaking, is there more sand in the
sea or stars in the sky?
Shall we read this psalm as
Judah’s response to the prophecy of Hosea?
Or shall we read it as Israel’s expected response after a hoped for
restoration?
85:1 What is the
relationship between land and Jacob?
85:2 What this forgiveness
earned or freely given?
85:3 How do deal with a
wrathful, angry God?
85:4 How many times has God
restored the people?
85:6 Does this sound like a
quid pro quo?
85:7 How is God’s steadfast
love related to God’s anger and wrath?
85:8 What does God speak to
people who do not turn to God in their hearts?
85:9 What is the nature of
this fear?
85:10 I like the paired
imagery of this verse.
85:11 I like this imagery
as well, contrasting ground with sky. Bu also consider that the ground here may
point back to the land in 85:1 and 85:9.
85:12 Once again we
encounter land imagery. Is anyone else thinking of the Fisher King legend?
85: 13 How can
righteousness make a path?
2:6 Is there a difference
between “living lives in” Christ Jesus and Jesus living in Christians?
2:7 What does it mean to be
rooted in Christ?
2:8 As an amateur
philosopher, I object! What are the
“elemental Spirits of the universe”?
2:9 Incarnation! Just how
full is deity?
2:10 What does it mean to
“come to fullness” in Christ Jesus?
2:11 What is “spiritual circumcision”?
Are females also spiritually circumcised?
2:12 How are Christians
buried in baptism?
2:13 Is Paul presuming a
Gentile audience?
2:14 Does this verse
presume or demand a penal substitution theory of the atonement? Is there another way to read it?
2:15 How were rulers and
authorities triumphed over?
(2:16-19 What is the author
warning about?)
(2:16 I wonder what festivals,
new moons, and Sabbaths Paul had in mind.)
(2:17 In spite of 2:8 this
sounds very Platonic.)
(2:18 I wonder what self-abasement
Paul was referring to. Who was worshiping angels? Who was dwelling on visions?)
(2:19 This is some pretty
graphic bodily imagery.)
11:1 This is the only
reference in the Gospels that I am aware of that talks about John teaching his
disciples to pray. Was teaching disciples
to pray a pedagogy peculiar to John and Jesus or did other religious leaders of
that the day engage in such teaching? If
John thought it necessary to teach his disciples to pray, and one of Jesus’
disciples asked Jesus to teach his disciples to pray, how much more do we need
to be taught, and once taught, to teach others to pray? While the desire to pray might be innate,
praying well does not come naturally but is an art that can be modeled, taught
and nurtured. Presbyterians in
particular ought to refer to Growing in the Life of Christian Faith, especially the preface. http://www.pcusa.org/resource/growing-life-christian-faith/
11:2-4 The prayer easily
divides into two. Is there a correlation
with the two tables of the law?
11:2 This verse focuses on
God and praising God.
11:3 This and the following
verse focuses on our needs, not wants. What is the meaning of “daily”?
11:4 Is forgiveness
conditional on our forgiving others? What is the time of trail?
11:5 Is there any
significance to the number three?
11:6 Always be prepared.
11:7 How could the friend
answer without getting out of bed, opening the door, or disturbing the
children?
11:8 Is there something
missing here, like maybe a verse or two? What persistence is he referring to?
11:9 We heard about asking
and knocking but this is the first mention of searching.
11:10 What do we say to
people who have earnestly prayed but it appears that their prayers have not
been answered. Does this and the preceding verse open the door to a health and
wealth Gospel?
11:11 Is there any
significance to the imagery of a fish and a snake?
11:12 Where did the egg and
the scorpion come from? Is there any imagery at work here?
11:13 We are evil? So, we can ask, search, and knock, but
regardless of what we ask for, search after, or knock on, all prayer is
answered with the gift of the Holy Spirit? What if I pray for a fish or an egg?
Do I receive the Holy Spirit instead?
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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