Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 Links to Trinity Sunday through Christ the King/Reign of Christ (Year A)

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 the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible, Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 draws on over thirty-five years of pastoral experience.  Believing that the questions we ask are often more important than any answers we find, without over reliance on commentaries, and with sometimes pointed and snarky comments and Socratic like questions, I attempt 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.

Trinity Sunday
https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/05/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-trinity.html

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time/Proper 6
https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/06/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-2nd.html

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time/Proper 7
https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/06/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-3rd.html

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time/Proper 8
https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/06/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-fourth.html

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time/Proper 9
https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/07/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-5th.html

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time/Proper 10
https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/07/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-6th.html

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time/Proper 11
https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/07/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-7th.html

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time/Proper 12
https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/07/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-17th.html

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time/Proper 13
https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/07/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-18th.html

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time/Proper 14
https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/07/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-19th.html

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time/Proper 15
https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/08/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-20th.html

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time/Proper 16
https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/08/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-21st.html

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time/Proper 17
https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/08/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-22nd.html

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time/Proper 18
https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/08/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-23rd.html

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time/Proper 19
https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/08/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-24th.html

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time/Proper 20
https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/09/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-25th.html

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time/Proper 21
https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/09/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-26th.html

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time/Proper 22
https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/09/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-27th.html

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time/Proper 23
https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/10/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-28th.html

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time/Proper 24
https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/10/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-29th.html

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time/Proper 25
https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/10/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-30th.html

All Saints' Day
https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3404372588940834898/8773471856559511453

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time / Proper 27

http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/10/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-32nd.html

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time / Proper 28

http://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/11/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-33rd.html

Christ the King/Reign of Christ
https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/11/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-christ.html

Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 Links to 1st Sunday in Lent through Day of Pentecost (Year A)

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-five years of pastoral experience.  Believing that the questions we ask are often more important than any answers we find, without over reliance on commentaries, and with sometimes pointed and snarky comments and Socratic like questions, I attempt 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.

We will soon be celebrating the First Sunday in Lent, followed by Easter, the Easter Season, and the Day of Pentecost – Year A, the year of Matthew.  Here are links to the various Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 covering the period from the First Sunday in Lent through the Day of Pentecost (Year A).

1^st Sunday in Lent

https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2018/02/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-1st.html

2^nd Sunday in Lent

https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/02/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-2nd.html

3^rd Sunday in Lent

https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/03/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-3rd.html

4^th Sunday in Lent

https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/03/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-4th.html

5^th Sunday in Lent

https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/03/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-5th.html

Palm/Passion Sunday

https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/03/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-palm.html

Resurrection of the Lord/Easter

https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/04/lectionary-ruminations-25-for.html

2^nd Sunday of Easter

https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/04/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-second.html

3^rd Sunday of Easter

https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/04/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-third.html

4^th Sunday of Easter

https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/04/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-fourth.html

5^th Sunday of Easter

https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/05/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-fifth.html

6^th Sunday of Easter

https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/05/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-sixth.html

7^th Sunday of Easter

https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/05/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-seventh.html

Day of Pentecost

https://summittoshore.blogspot.com/2017/05/lectionary-ruminations-25-for-day-of.html

Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 Links to 1st Sunday of Advent through Transfiguration of the Lord (Year A)

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.

We will soon be celebrating the First Sunday of Advent, followed by Christmas – Year A, the year of Matthew.  Here are links to the various Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 covering the period from the First Sunday of Advent through Transfiguration of the Lord.

Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 for The 1st Sunday of Advent (Year A)

Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 for The 2nd Sunday of Advent (Year A)

Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 for The 3rd Sunday of Advent (Year A)

Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 for The 4th Sunday of Advent (Year A)

Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 for The 1st Sunday after Christmas (Year A)

Lectionary Ruminations 2.0 for the Second Sunday after Christmas (Years ABC)

Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 for The Baptism of the Lord (Year A)

Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 for 2nd Sunday after Epiphany (Year A)

Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 for The 3rd Sunday after Epiphany (Year A)

Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 for The 4th Sunday after Epiphany (Year A)

Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 for the 5th Sunday after Epiphany (Year A)

Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 for the 6th Sunday after Epiphany (Year A)

Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 for The Transfiguration of the Lord (Year A)

Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 for Christ the King / Reign of Christ (Year A)

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.

EZEKIEL 34:11-16, 20-24

34:11 How did God lose these sheep in the first place? Why might God be doing the searching rather than entrusting the searching to a representative?

34:12 Why do sheep scatter and why do shepherds allow them to scatter? Was the scattering caused by the day of clouds and thick darkness, or was the day of clouds and thick darkness a result of the scattering?

34:13 How can one not read this and be a Zionist?

34:14-15 Why am I thinking of Psalm 23?

34:16 What is the difference between the lost and the strayed? Does it seem that God will search out and rescue the 99% while punishing the 1%?

34:20 I am glad to be eating better, exercising more, and to have dropped a few pounds.

34:21 To whom is this addressed?

34:22 Note that God will judge between sheep and sheep, not sheep and goats.

34:23-24 David, King of the 99%!

PSALM 100

100:1 Is “all the earth” a poetic reference to all people or an invitation to rocks and trees as well?

100:2 If we are to worship God with gladness, why do so many worship services feel like a funeral and so many worshipers act like they are mourners?

100:3 How many people in the pew understand the nuance of “LORD” and “God”? Does this verse justify this Psalm being paired with the Ezekiel Reading?  What and where is the LORD’s pasture?

100:4 To what does “gates” refer, the gates of the temple, the gates of the city, or something else? To what does “courts” refer?

100:5 Is it redundant to say his steadfast love endures forever? What does it mean for the LORD to be faithful?

EPHESIANS 1:15-23

1:15 How might Paul have heard of the Ephesians faith and love? Who are the saints?

1:16 I would love to hear Paul praying.

1:17 What is “a spirit of wisdom and revelation?”

1:18-19 Our heart has eyes? I love the phrases “the riches of his glorious inheritance” and “the immeasurable greatness of his power.”

1:20 Is this a reference to the Resurrection as well as the Ascension?

1:21 Yes, this Sunday is Christ the King!

1:22 What does “for the church” mean?

1:23 What does “fills all in all” mean?

MATTHEW 25:31-46

25:31 Who is speaking? How much do we need to know about the theologically loaded title “Son of Man” to responsibly interpret this passage?  Does the mention of a throne justify this being the Gospel Reading for Christ the King? Does this Reading and the Reading from Ephesians offer differing chronologies about the enthronement of Christ?

25:32-33 The Gospel’s “sheep and goats” juxtaposed with the “sheep and sheep” of the Ezekiel Reading seems to offer us a mixed or confused metaphor.

25:33 Is this an example of right-handed prejudice?

25:34 Is the king the same as the Son of Man?

25:35-36 When was the king like this?

25:37 What does it mean to be righteous?

25:38-39 Is this an example of childlike innocence?

25:40 The king identifies with the inhabitants of the kingdom.

25:41 The devil has angels? The Son of Man has angels! (See Matthew 25:31)

25:35-45 How do members of the Tea Party and the 1% read these verses? How might these verses inform any Christian ethical contributions to current debates about tax reform and The Affordable Care Act?

25:46 Must there be eternal punishment?

                                                                  

ADDENDUM

This Sunday is the final Sunday of Liturgical Year A. Next Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent of Liturgical Year B.

I am a Minister Member of Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and am serving as the Pastor of the Bethlehem United Presbyterian Church, Wheeling, WV. Sunday Worship at Bethlehem begins at 10:45 AM. Here is Bethlehem United's Facebook address: https://www.facebook.com/Bethlehem-United-Presbyterian-Church-102482088303980

Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time / Proper 28 (Year A)

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.

JUDGES 4:1-7

4:1 Here we go again.  This is beginning to remind me of déjà vu all over again. How many times did the Israelites do what was evil in the sight of the LORD?  How many times do we? What was, and is, evil in the sight of the LORD?

4:2 Do the names of rulers, commanders, and place names add or detract from the narrative?

4:3 This is beginning to sound like a broken record.  How many times do we cry out to the LORD, asking the LORD to get us out of trouble we have gotten ourselves into?

4:4 What blasphemy, a female prophet!  With regard to any male prophet, how often are we told who their wife was?

4:5 Do you think the Palm of Deborah was known by that name in Deborah’s day? Too bad it was not a Bodhi tree. Why would the Israelites come to her for judgement?

4:6 How dare Deborah speak for God! I wonder how Barak felt taking orders from when those orders were given through a woman.

4:7 What is a Wadi and why does it matter?

PSALM 123

123:1 I thought God was enthroned on the cherubim.  Are the cherubim in heaven or in the Temple?

123:2 So God is a master and maid while we are servants and mistresses.  While the Israelites in the Judges passage cry to the LORD, the psalmist simply looks to the LORD.  Maybe those eyes were sad, droopy puppy dog eyes that the LORD simply could not resist.

123:3 To what contempt is the Psalmist referring? Is their neighbor’s contempt enough to elicit God’s mercy upon Israel?

123:4 To what scorn is the Psalmist referring? Are contempt and scorn synonymous?

1 THESSALONIANS 5:1-11

5:1 What times and seasons? If nothing needs to be written to the Thessalonians about times and seasons then why does Paul bring it up?

5:2 Is this an example of chiastic structure:  “day lord / thief night”? What does Paul mean by “day of the Lord?”

5:3 Since I am of the male persuasion, I chose not to comment on this verse.  If there is anyone of the female persuasion out there who would like to comment, please do so.

5:4-5 There is a lot of “light” and “darkness” to keep track of in these verses. Beware of racial stereotypes. Can the Dead Sea scrolls help us put this passage into context?

5:6 Since the overriding metaphor is staying awake, why does Paul add “sober”?

5:7 What point is Paul trying to make? It must be night somewhere.

5:8 Does the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of salvation, change the metaphor?  Note that a breastplate and a helmet are entirely defensive rather than offensive. Have you ever heard of a type of prayer known in the Celtic tradition as a Lorica?

5:9 Why do my Reformed/Presbyterian ears perk up when I hear this verse?

5:10 Is Paul confusing his “sleep” metaphor and using it to mean more than one thing?

5:11 In other words, keep on keeping on.

MATTHEW 25:14-30

25:14 “It is as if” makes this what, a parable? Why do I have a problem with slave language?

25:15 What is a talent?  Does our English translation help us or leas us astray? Ability to do what?

25:16 This slave should have been a stock broker or banker.

25:17 A 100% return! Not bad.

25:18 What were the abilities of the first and second slaves?  What was the ability of the third slave? Had the man going on a journey misjudged the abilities of his slaves?

25:19 What is a long time and does it matter?

25:20, 22 What if he had made bad business decisions and lost some or all of the five talents?

25:21, 23 What does it mean to enter into the joy of a master?

25:24 Maybe the third slave said too much in addition to not doubling the talent.

25:25 How do we sometimes allow fear to cripple us?

25:26 Was the slave really wicked and lazy or just overly careful?

25:27 If we take this too literally, it begins to break down and seems illogical. After all, the man could have invested his money with bankers to begin with rather than entrusting it to his slaves.

25:28-29 Does the growing disparity between the rich and the poor impact how we might read and interpret these verses?

25:30 Have we heard anything like this before? Where?

                                                                  

ADDENDUM

I am a Minister Member of Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and am serving as the Pastor of the Bethlehem United Presbyterian Church, Wheeling, WV. Sunday Worship at Bethlehem begins at 10:45 AM. Here is Bethlehem United's Facebook address: https://www.facebook.com/Bethlehem-United-Presbyterian-Church-102482088303980

Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time / Proper 27 (Year A)

Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time / Proper 27 (Year A)

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.

JOSHUA 24:1-3a, 14-25

24:1 What do you know about Shechem? The listing of “elders, heads, judges, and the officers” suggests a rather organized society, just forty years after the Exodus.

24:2 Why does Joshua point back one generation to Terah rather than to Abraham?

24:3a Why isn’t Sarah mentioned?

24:14 What is this talk about putting away other gods all about? What other God were the people worshiping? Had the people worshipped the gods of Egypt while enslaved there?

24:15 Joshua presents three choices: Serve the gods ancestors worshiped before God called Abraham, serve the local gods of the Amorites, or serve the LORD. What choices are people presented with today?

24:16 But hadn’t the people forsaken the LORD time and time again while they were in the wilderness?

24:17 Joshua seems to suggest that we worship not because of what the LORDwill do but what the LORD has already done.

24:18 We serve the LORD because the LORD is our God. The LORD is not our God because we serve the LORD.

24:14-18 Are these verses about monotheism, or about recognizing that of all the gods, only one, the LORD, is the one who has saved us? Take another look at Exodus 20:1-3.

24:19 “You cannot serve the LORD”? What is Joshua doing here? Is Johua employing reverse psychology?

24:20 The LORD sounds like a jealous God.

24:21 Is this a confession of faith?

24:22 What does it mean, in this context, to be a witness?

24:23 Did the people actually have statues, physical representations of foreign gods, and idols, or is this a metaphorical “put away”?

24:24 Is this also a confession of faith?

24:25 Is this a third covenant? Is the covenant between Joshua and the people or between the LORD and the people? What statutes and ordinances are being referred to?

PSALM 78:1-7

78:1 Who is the speaking?

78:2 Apparently Jesus was not the only person in the Bible to speak in parables. What are “dark sayings from of old?”

78:3 This sounds like a reference to the oral tradition.

78:4 Why might you want to hide dark sayings from children? What are the Lord’s glorious deeds and wonders? Is this a reference to a early form of religious instruction?

78:5 Is the speaker not a child of his/her ancestors?

78:6 This is really thinking far ahead, to future generations.

78:7 What is the relation between works and commandments?

78:1-7 This Psalm reads like a call to educational ministry and mission.  What would this psalmist say about the state of Biblical literacy, or lack of, in today’s church?

1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-18

4:13 How might we be uninformed?

4:14 What does Paul mean “God will bring with him”? Why “again?”

4:15 What is this all about?

4:16-17 Who is the archangel? Why are there so many trumpets sounding in Scripture?

Does this presuppose a pre-Copernican three tiered universe?  How do we translate this into modern cosmological terms?

4:18 How are these words encouraging?  See item #16 on page 914 in the PC(USA) Book of Common Worship.  See also page 949.

MATTHEW 25:1-13

25:1 Is this a kingdom parable? Is there anything special about the number ten? Is there anything special about bridesmaids? Who might the bride be? Who might the groom be?

25:2 Why five foolish and five wise? What if it were six and four, or three and seven?

25:3-4 Does the oil represent anything or is this just about being prepared?

25:5 What is this about “delay?” Note that both the wise and the foolish become drowsy and fall asleep. Was “delay” the real issue? You might want to juxtapose this verse and passage with the Thessalonians 5:1-11 Reading.

25:6 Why midnight?  Who shouted?

25:7 Why trim a lamp?

25:8 What about those who today are unprepared?

25:9 Were the wise being selfish? Why not share lamps even if the oil could not be shared?

25:10 I wonder how much oil the wise had brought with them. I wonder how long their oil would have lasted if the groom had not come when he did.

25:11 Late is the same as never.

25:12 This sounds curt. What does it mean to be known?

25:13 This point does not fit.  Based on what precedes, the point ought to have been “Be prepared.  Keep a supply of oil.”  Otherwise, the wise bridesmaids should not have slept while the foolish bridesmaids slept.

ADDENDUM

I am a Minister Member of Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and am serving as the Pastor of the Bethlehem United Presbyterian Church, Wheeling, WV. Sunday Worship at Bethlehem begins at 10:45 AM. Here is Bethlehem United's Facebook address: https://www.facebook.com/Bethlehem-United-Presbyterian-Church-102482088303980

Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time / Proper 26 (Year A)

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.

JOSHUA 3:7-17

3:7 Moses’ body is barely cold in the grave and God is already promoting Joshua. How might we apply this to pastoral transitions and pastoral authenticity? Who really needs to know that God is with Joshua, Joshua or the people?

3:8 Indiana Jones, where are you? Why should Joshua stand still in the Jordan?

3:9 How might this verse be used liturgically?

3:10 “By this” refers to what? Joshua seems to tell the people something a little different than what God told him. Who will do the driving out?

3:11 “the LORD of all the earth” is an interesting phrase.  What about “heaven?” Listen for a refrain in verse 13. It sounds like the ark will lead the way and the people will follow.

3:12 I wonder how these men were selected. Why were only men selected?

3:13 How will this be different than the parting of the sea?

3:14-17 Is the Ark taking the place of Moses’ rod?  Is the purpose of this narrative to establish Joshua being equal to Moses? How could the people cross on dry ground if the water had only recently stopped flowing? Wouldn’t the bottom of the Jordan not be muddy? I wonder how deep and wide the Jordan would have been at the place of crossing.

3:16 It sounds like the waters were heaped up far off in the distance. Does this make a difference?

3:17 It sounds like the ark first led the way, then took up position in the middle,  and finally brought up the rear.

PSALM 107:1-7, 33-37

107:1 Is it not redundant to say that steadfast love endures forever?  Then again, this is poetry.

107:2 This is sounding like a call and response.

107:3 Note the four cardinal directions. When where the people gathered in?

107:4 If “some” wandered in desert wastes, what did others do?  Is this a reference to the Exodus, or something else?

107:5 I wonder if this verse influenced any New Testament authors, such as the author of John?

107:6 I think there are many Psalms that express this sentiment.

107:7 Is the “straight way” always the most direct and best way?

107:33-37 Is this an example of the first being last and the last being first, or rather the topsy-turvy world of Divine judgment and grace.

107:35 This is sounding antithetical to the imagery of the First Reading.

1 THESSALONIANS 2:9-13

2:9 Is Paul bragging? Do you think the Thessalonians really remembered?  Would they have remembered without Paul reminding them? By the way, I have never charged you a single cent, or asked you for any donation to help support Lectionary Ruminations 2.5.

2:10 Would Paul be defending his conduct if they had not been some accusation(s)?

2:11 In what other letters does Paul seem to take upon himself the parental function?

2:12 What does a life worthy of God look like?

2:13 Is “constantly” hyperbole? How can one discern the difference between a human word God’s word?

MATTHEW 23:1-12

23:1 What does it mean when a Gospel tells us that Jesus is speaking to both the crowds and to his disciples?

23:2 What and where is “Moses’ seat”?

23:3 Can you think of any current day examples of people whose teachings we should follow but not follow their actions?

23:4 What do you know about phylacteries and fringe?  Are there any Christian comparisons? What burdens do preachers, pastors, and minister types place on others?

23:5 Would a current example be the size of the cross one wears? The Christian bumper stickers on one’s vehicle? The Christian tats on one’s body?

23:6 Where the best seats in Synagogues in the back? Where are the best seats today? Where is the place of honor at banquets?

23:7 If you happen to be ordained and/or serving in a pastoral position, how do people address you and how do you want them to address you?

23:8 I am glad the PC(USA) has abandoned the terminology of  “Teaching Elder” and gone back to “Minister of Word and Sacrament.”

23:9 What can Hallmark do with this on Father’s Day? Has this ever been used against Roman Catholics?

23:10 Ouch! There goes my six years as an adjunct faculty “instructor” of Theology, Religion, and Philosophy down the toilet.

23:11-12 Where have we heard this before? See my rumination on Psalm 107:33-37.

ADDENDUM

I am a Minister of the Word and Sacrament 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.