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 over reliance 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
PREFACE:
This Sunday is generally recognized as World Communion Sunday, and in the PC(USA) the designated day to receive the Peace & Global Witness Offering. How do any or all of the day’s readings allow themselves to be a springboard for a sermon leading to or pointing to The Lord’s Table and lifting up the ministry of Peace, Peacemaking, and Global Witness?
1:1 I think this verse addresses
the reality of cities like Detroit and others in the industrial heartland of
America. What other once great cities, other than Jerusalem, might this verse
speak to?
1:2 Who were her lovers?
1:3 Might this speak to
other exiled peoples?
1:4 Might this also
describe back roads and side roads in America after the advent of the
Interstate system.
1:5 Who is to blame, the
LORD or the former inhabitants of the city?
1:6 Zion is the daughter of
whom?
3:19 What is wormwood? What is gall?
3:20 Might the Book of Job
be of any help here?
3:21 Is this example of
something from the past serving as a springboard into the future?
3:22 If this is true, then
why 1:1-6?
3:23 Ergo every morning
brings new hope.
3:24 What is a portion?
3:25 How log shall we wait
upon the LORD? How does the soul seek
the LORD? How are waiting and seeking related?
3:26 I cannot but help hear
this verse in light of contemplative prayer.
137:1 What ARE the rivers
of Babylon? Is anyone else thinking of a song from the Broadway Musical Godspell?
137:2 What might willows
symbolize? Why were the harps hung up?
137:3 Can mirth be feigned?
What ARE the songs of Zion?
137:4 Why could one NOT
sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?
137:5 Does “forget” refer
to memory only? Consider this verse in light of today’s First Reading.
137:6 What does the tongue
clinging to the roof of the mouth symbolize or signify?
137:7 Who were the
Edomites?
137:8 Why is Babylon
referred to as a daughter?
137:9 Yes, this is one of
the more problematic passages of Scripture, but note that is the exiles
speaking, not God. It expresses their
profound anger born of grief and exile.
1:1 Why does Paul need to
state his credentials in a personal letter to Timothy?
1:2 Why does Paul refer to
Timothy as his “beloved child”? Is there
any significance to the tripartite “Grace, mercy, and peace” greeting? Note
that there is no “Trinitarian” greeting/blessing here.
1:3 Why would Paul, or
anyone, worship God without a clear conscience? What is Paulk talking about?
1:4 What would account for
Timothy’s tears?
1:5 Do we know anything
else about Lois and Eunice? Was Timothy nurtured in the Christian faith by his
mother and grandmother or was he old enough at the time to convert as an Adult
with them?
1:6 How can the laying on
of hands rekindle the gift of God within a person? What is this “gift of God” Paul refers to?
1:7 Is Paul speaking of the
Holy Spirit?
1:8 Do you think Timothy
was ashamed? Have you ever been ashamed
of testimony about our Lord? Personally,
I am sometimes ashamed of those who in my mind pervert the Gospel and inflict
pain and persecution in the name of Christ.
For instance, I am ashamed of Medieval Crusades and the contemporary
exploits of the Westboro Baptist Church.
1:9 Preexistent grace?
1:10 Preexistent grace only
now revealed?
1:11 Is there any
differences between herald, apostle, and teacher? Do the titles refer to different functions
and roles?
1:12 What shame is Paul
referring to? What did Paul entrust?
1:13 What gives Paul, or
any individual, the right to establish a standard of sound teaching? In the
Reformed Tradition, only councils can establish such standards, and councils
can sometimes ere.
1:14 What is the good
treasurer to which Paul refers? Paulk finally mentions the Holy Spirit!
17:5 All the apostles or
just some of the apostles? How does one
measure faith? Are Fowler’s stages of
faith in any way a measurement?
17:6 I think Jesus, or the
Gospel writers, were sometimes prone to hyperbole. Why would anyone want a
mulberry tree to be uprooted and planted in the sea?
17:7 Why am I, a white
American living 150+ years after the end of slavery in America, cringing when I
read this?
17:8 An interesting verse
in light of America’s growing economic inequality.
17:9 And some bosses and
managers treat hired workers just this way.
17:10 I do not like this
verse. It sounds to puritan to my ears.
17:7-10 How do these verses
relate to, inform, or follow from Luke 17:5-6?
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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