Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 is a further revision and refinement of my Lectionary Ruminations and Lectionary Ruminations 2.0.  Focusing on The Revised Common Lectionary Readings for the upcoming Sunday from New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible, Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 draws on over 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 sometimes pointed and sometimes snarky comments and Socratic like questions, to encourage reflection and rumination for readers preparing to lead a Bible study, draft liturgy, preach, or hear the Word. Reader comments are invited and encouraged.

JEREMIAH 18:1-11

18:1 How did the word come to Jeremiah?

18:2 Why does the location matter?

18:3 Is it any coincidence that the potter was working at his wheel?

18:4 In light of the second creation account, why is this imagery significant? No two pieces of handmade pottery are exactly alike! Once pottery is fired it is no longer malleable.

18:5 Note that in verse 1 the word came to “Jeremiah.” The narration is from the third person.  Here, it comes to “me.” The narration is first person. Does this change signal a shift in perspective?

18:6 What is the underlying threat and promise?

18:7 Note that the LORD is talking in generalities, not yet specifically about Israel.

18:8 How can a perfect, all knowing deity change its mind? Does anything other than Process Theology give an acceptable answer?

18:9 Building and planting are very different images and metaphors.

18:10 What is the difference between the LORD’s intentions and actions?

18:11 This is not the interpretation I would have offered. I prefer to think that the LORD is shaping Israel, not evil against Israel, that like the potter in 18:4 the LORD might pound down Israel into a lump in order to reshape Israel. The LORD might reshape us but never ignore us.

PSALM 139:1-6, 13-18

139:1 Note that this is past, not present tense. What tense does the Hebrew suggest?

139:2 I don’t care who knows when I sit down or rise up but care greatly about anyone knowing my thoughts from far away or even close at hand unless I tell them.

139:3 What is the meaning of path? Does the lying down in this verse pair with the rising up in the previous verse

139:4 What about words that don’t make it to my tongue? What about Freudian slips?

139:5 How does the LORD hem us in? Does the LORD entrap us?

139:1-5 I find it both troubling and humbling to think that the LORD knows me better than I know myself.

139:6 What knowledge is too wonderful, the LORD’s knowledge of us, or our knowing that God knows us better than we know ourselves?

139:13 How does this verse impact discussion and debate about freedom of choice?  Should it even inform the discussion and debate?

139:14 What does it mean to be fearfully made?  If the LORD’s works are wonderful, and I am one of the LORD’s works, then I am wonderful! The LORD doesn’t make junk! I think this verse supports the concept of Original Blessing rather than a fall/redemption theology that includes Original Sin.

139:15 Was I knit together in my mother’s womb or intricately woven in the depths of the earth? Why the change of metaphor? Or is the Psalmist referring to "mother earth?"

139:16 What book is being referred to?  Can I buy this book at Amqzon.com? Is this a proof text for predestination?

139:17 How much do thoughts weigh? What is the sum of God’s thoughts? The Lord discerns our thoughts from afar (139:2). How do we know anything about God’s thoughts?

139:18 Is this a poetic reference to infinity? What does the Psalmist mean “I am still with you?”

PHILEMON 1-21

1 How is Paul a prisoner of Christ Jesus? What was Timothy’s status? In what way is Philemon a co-worker?

2 Who were Apphia and Archippus? Were the Philemon’s relatives? Why does Paul refer to Apphia as a sister and to Archippus as a fellow soldier? Whose house was the church meeting in?

3 How do Trinitarians deal with a non-Trinitarian blessing?

4 What is the meaning of “remember?”

5 Are you surprised by the “faith toward” construction rather than “faith in” or “faith of?”

6 Whom does Paul mean by “we?”

7 Whom de you receive joy and encouragement from?

8 What gives Paul the right or power to command anything of anybody?

9 How old might Paul have been?

10 Does the child/father relationship depend on chronological age as well as faith? What does Christian tradition tell us about Onesimus?

11 How and why was Onesimus useless? How is he now useful to both Paul and Philemon?

12 How did Onesimus end up being with Paul in the first place?

13 What does Paul mean by “service”?

14 What good deed is Paul referring to?

15 How could Philemon have Onesimus back forever?

16 What is the meaning of “both flesh and in the Lord?”

17 Does Philemon consider Paul a partner? Does Paul consider Philemon a partner?

18 To what account does Paul refer? How could Paul pay off an account if he were in prison?

19 Did Paul not write the preceding with his own hand? I think Paul just said something about what he said he would not say anything about.

20 What benefit is Paul referring to?

21 Considering verse 17, since when is a partner called upon to be obedient to another partner?
1-21 I consider this letter very personal but also very manipulative. Why do you think the early Christian Community chose to preserve and disseminate it?

LUKE 14:25-33

14:25 What is the difference between a small crowd and a large crowd? What does it mean that they were traveling with Jesus?

14:26 It sounds like it is time to throw conservative family values out the window. How does James Dobson exegete this verse? Hate seems such a strong, un-Christlike word!

14:27 How does one carry the cross?  How can Jesus say this before the crucifixion? Note that this verse talks about “the cross” and not their own cross, as in some translations.

14:28 Is it at all significant that Jesus chose a “tower” over any other kind of structure?

14:29 Where else in the Gospels do we hear about foundations?

14:30 Do any examples from your experience come to mind?

14:31 The point being? I wish Jesus had not used militaristic imagery.

14:32 Is Peace itself not a worthy goal and not just a way to avoid defeat?

14:33 What does giving up one’s possessions have to do with counting the cost of building a tower or calculating the cost of going to war? To whom was Jesus talking, the large crowds following him, his disciples, or us?
14:25-33 Is the cost of discipleship something that can really be calculated and considered? How might Bonhoeffer help us here?

                                                                  

ADDENDUM

I am a Minister Member of Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and am serving as the Interim Pastor of the Richmond United Presbyterian Church, Richmond, Ohio. Sunday Worship at Richmond begins at 11:00 AM. Some of my other blog posts have appeared on PRESBYTERIAN BLOGGERS and The Trek.

Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time/Proper 8 (Year C)

Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 is a further revision and refinement of my Lectionary Ruminations and Lectionary Ruminations 2.0.  Focusing on The Revised Common Lectionary Readings for the upcoming Sunday from New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible, Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 draws on over 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 sometimes pointed and sometimes snarky comments and Socratic like questions, to encourage reflection and rumination for readers preparing to lead a Bible study, draft liturgy, preach, or hear the Word. Reader comments are invited and encouraged.

2 KINGS 2:1-2, 6-14

2:1 The Elijah narrative continues. Is there any significance to a whirlwind? What do we know about Gilgal?

2:2 Why Bethel? Why might Elijah have wanted Elisha to stay behind?

2:6 Note the repetitive nature of the dialogue. What is the meaning of the formulaic “As the LORD lives?”

2:7 What is the company of prophets? Who were these prophets, where did they come from, and why were they there?

2:8 Elijah parts the Jordan. Is this the feat that earns him a place with  Moses on the Mount of Transfiguration? Compare and contrast Elijah’s mantle and what he does with his mantle with Moses’ rod and what Moses does with his rod.

2:9 What was the value of Elijah’s spirit and how could it be doubled?  I might be willing to settle for half. How can one person’s spirit be passed on to another person? How does this verse inform our understanding of Pentecost?

2:10 What is the nature of this seeing?

2:11 What is the connection between the chariot of fire pulled by horses of fire and the whirlwind?

2:12 Who is the “Father” Elisha was exclaiming to or about? Why did Elisha tare his clothes?

2:13 Why does Elijah leave his mantle behind?  What does it symbolize?

2:14 What an odd question! What is your mantle and who bequeathed it to you?  Where does your spirit symbolically reside?

PSALM 77:1-2,11-20

77:1 What does crying aloud to God sound like?

77:2 Day and night means all the time. What does an outstretched hand represent?

77:11 What are the deeds and wonders of the LORD? Note the change from speaking of the LORD in the third person to the second person direct address.

77:12 What might the Psalmist mean by “meditate?” Are God’s mighty deeds ever your muse?  They certainly were for this psalmist.

77:13 Is this a rhetorical question? What other gods are there?

77:14 Who are the peoples?

77:15 Does language like this lead toward anthropomorphizing of God?

77:16 Do we usually attribute feelings, even fear, to inanimate things like water? Is the Psalmist alluding to the parting of the Reed Sea or the parting of the Jordan? This psalmist seems to like repeating phrases (see 77:1 as well.)

77:17 Is this an illusion to the God of the storm or merely a reference to God’s power over nature?

77:18 It was likely the mention of the “whirlwind” that prompted the lectionary committee to pair this psalm with today’s first reading.  How does this psalm ”interpret” or expand upon today’s first reading? I wonder how common thunder storms are in Palestine.

77:19 Is this a reference to the Exodus?

77:20 Moses and Aaron were apparently shepherds standing in for God.

GALATIANS 5:1, 13-25

5:1 Who needs verses 13-25?  This first verse can serve as the text for several sermons, especially so close to the United States’ celebration of Independence Day. What is the nature of Christian freedom? What does it mean to stand firm?

5:13-15, 16-25 As freedom is contrasted with slavery, so too is flesh contrasted with Spirit, and the works of the flesh are contrasted with the fruits of the Spirit.

5:13 Is slavery in freedom anything like responsibility?

5:14 I wonder where Paul got this idea.

5:15 This is good advice, especially in this presidential primary season. I wonder what Paul meant by “bite and devour”. Was Paul alluding to cannalbalism?

5:16 How does one live by the Spirit?

5:17 Why might Paul have set up this dichotomy between Spirit and flesh?

5:18 What is the relation between the Spirit and the law?

5:19-21, 22-23 Does it mean anything that there are more “works of the flesh” listed than there are “fruits of the Spirit” listed?

5:19 Obvious to Paul, perhaps.

5:20 In my mind there is a BIG difference between idolatry and something like jealousy or anger.

5:21 “Things like these” can be broadly interpreted. When and where had Paul warned them before?

5:22-23 Is this meant to be an exhaustive list? Why no “and things like these?” Note that in 5:19 “works” is plural while in 5:22 “fruit” is singular.

5:23 How could there be a law against such things?

5:24 How have those who belong to Christ crucified the flesh?

5:25 How might living by the Spirit be different from being guided by the Spirit?

LUKE 9:51-62

9: 51 Why “days” (plural) rather than “the day” (singular)? What, exactly, does the author of Luke mean by “taken up?”

9:52 I wonder about the identity of these messengers. Why might Jesus have needed advance preparations? I find it interesting that they entered a village of the Samaritans.

9:53 What was it about Jesus setting his face toward Jerusalem that caused the Samaritans not to receive him?

9:54 Where do such thoughts come from? Did James and John really have the power to do this?

9:55 Is this perhaps the only “rebuke” in the Gospels other than Jesus rebuking Peter?

9:56 Was the other village not in Samaria?

9:57 Could one of the disciples have said this?

9:58 What is the meaning of this enigmatic saying?

9:59 The first person (5:57) volunteered to follow. Now, Jesus calls on someone else to follow. Does this second person not make a reasonable request?

9:60 Another puzzling saying? How can the dead bury the dead?

9:61 This request does not seem as reasonable as the one before it.

9:62 Yet one more perplexing saying. What happens when one plows ahead while looking behind?

9:57-62 Notice the progression:  A person says they will follow.  Jesus calls a second person to follow. A third person says they will follow.  Apparently, none of the three do follow.  What about you?

                                                                  

ADDENDUM

I am a Minister Member of Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and am serving as the Interim Pastor of the Richmond United Presbyterian Church, Richmond, Ohio. Sunday Worship at Richmond begins at 11:00 AM. Some of my other blog posts have appeared on PRESBYTERIAN BLOGGERS and The Trek.

Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 for 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 is a further revision and refinement of my Lectionary Ruminations and Lectionary Ruminations 2.0.  Focusing on The Revised Common Lectionary Readings for the upcoming Sunday from New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible, Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 draws on over 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 sometimes pointed and sometimes snarky comments and Socratic like questions, to encourage reflection and rumination for readers preparing to lead a Bible study, draft liturgy, preach, or hear the Word. Reader comments are invited and encouraged.

2 SAMUEL 1:1, 17-27

1:1 Why Ziklag and why two days?

1:17 What does “intoned” mean?

1:18 I envision an Indiana Jones sequel entitled “Searching for the Book of Jashar.”

1:19 Note that in the NRSV verses 19-27 are formatted as poetry, not prose. What does “high places” refer to?

1:20 Why not in Gath and Ashkelon?

1:21 Where is Gilboa?

1:22 Why did Jonathan have a bow when Saul had a sword?

1:23 Where else do we find eagle and lion imagery?

1:24 Who are the daughters of Zion?

1:25 Note the refrain of 1:19. Is David lamenting and praising Jonathan more than Saul?

1:26 What does David me when he says “passing the love of women?”

1:27 How many times have we now heard the refrain “How the mighty have fallen”?  Why is it repeated?

PSALM 130

130:1 Where are the depths and how deep are they?

130:2 How do we deal with Psalms that anthropomorphize God? Does God have physical ears?

130:3 Does God mark, or not mark, iniquities?

130:4 Keep in mind that this “forgiveness” proceeds the ministry of Jesus.

130:5-6 What does it mean to “wait for the LORD”?  I am inclined to think of contemplative prayer.

130:7 This psalm already introduced forgiveness in 130:4.  Now it introduces love and redemption.  This sounds like New Testament Christian theology to me.

130:8 What were Israel’s iniquities?

2 CORINTHIANS 8:7-15

8:7 What generous undertaking would that be?

8:8 In other words, I do not have the power to command you, but I can embarrass you. This sounds a little like a televangelist.

8:9 Let’s pour on the guilt.  Is this Paul’s idea of a Stewardship sermon? How was Jesus rich?

8:10-11 Is Paul reminding the Corinthians of a previous but unfulfilled financial pledge?

8:13-14 This is beginning to sound like a sermon to the 1% about helping the 99%.

8:15 Some inequality is ok, but not extreme wealth in the midst of extreme poverty? Where is this written? How much to too much?

Mark 5:21-43

5:21 When had Jesus crossed before? The other side of what?

5:22 Why would Jairus fall at the feet of Jesus? I wonder which synagogue Jairus was a ruler of?

5:23 What is so special about the laying on of hands?  Why do Presbyterians not usually associate prayer for healing with the laying on of hands when it is so biblical?

5:24 When does a crowd become large? Note that it was great crowd in 5:21 but now it is a large crowd.

5:25-34 Why does this account interrupt the story?

5:25 Is there anything special about “twelve years”?

5:26 It seems medical care for the poor has not progressed much. When portrayed as a healer, is Jesus also portrayed as a physician?

5:27 What had she heard?  Why did she touch his cloak? IS there anything special about cloaks?

5:28 What would lead the women to think and believe this?

5:29 What do you make of “immediately?”

5:30 What might power going forth from oneself feel like?

5:31 There is touching and there is “touching.”

5:32 Why did Jesus want to know who touched him?

5:33 Why fear and trembling?

5:34 Is this not an after the fact proclamation? Who or what was the agent of healing? Was it Jesus? Whas it Jesus’ clothes? Was it the woman’s faith?

5:35 As I was saying … back to the main story.

5:36 Are the words “Do not fear, only believe” meant for Jairus or for someone else? Had the woman of 5:25-34 conquered fear and embraced belief?

5:37 An example of the inner three being given an inside track. Why are we told who John’s brother was?

5:38 The people are in mourning. Why do westerners, especially we Presbyterians, not mourn like this?

5:39 What is the difference between death and sleep?  I hate the euphemism putting pets “to sleep” and prefer the verb “euthanize.”

5:40 Weeping and wailing turn to laughter but for all the wrong reasons. Why does Jesus send away all but a few?

5:41 Why take her by the hand?  Why might the gospel preserve the original Aramaic?

5:42 When was the last time you, or anyone you know, were overcome with amazement?

5:43 Why would Jesus order that “no one should know this?”  Know what?

ADDENDUM

I am a Minister Member of Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and am serving as the Interim Pastor of the Richmond United Presbyterian Church, Richmond, Ohio. Sunday Worship at Richmond begins at 11:00 AM. My various blog posts have appeared on PRESBYTERIAN BLOGGERS and Appalachian Trials.