Lectionary Ruminations 2.5 for the 31st 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.

HABAKKUK 1:1-4; 2:1-4

1:1 What is an oracle? Why are oracles seen rather than heard? What is the difference between an oracle and a vision?

1:2 It sounds like Habakkuk is growing impatient. Was the LORD not listening or was that just Habakkuk’s impression?

1:3 This sounds very timely in our contemporary context.

1:4 What law is Habakkuk saying is becoming slack?

2:1 Is this a physical or a metaphorical watchpost and rampart?

2:2 Why has the “oracle” of 1:1 become a “vision?”   Can a vision always be translated into words?  Are the tablets an allusion to the Torah?  What kind of writing is required to be read by a runner?

2:3 So this is a vision of an impending, yet to come vision?

2:4 Is it impossible to be both proud and righteous, righteous and proud?

PSALM 119:137-144

119:137 What a smooth segue from Habakkuk 2:4 to this verse! Does a righteous God not presume right judgements?

119:138 What is the relationship between righteousness and faithfulness?

119:139 Have you ever been consumed by zeal?

119:140 What promise? What does “well tried” mean?

119:141 Small in comparison to what or whom?

119:142 Is God’s law true by itself, or true because it is God’s law?

119:143 What commandments is the Psalmist referring to?  Would most Christians today consider God’s commandments a delight?

119:144 What sort of understanding is the Psalmist praying for? How does understanding lead to life?

119:137-144 How many synonyms for “law” can you find in this reading? After the Frist Reading, I can almost hear Habakkuk speaking these words.

2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12

1:1 What do you know about Silvanus?  What do you know about Thessaloniki?

1:2 How do Trinitarians deal with a non-Trinitarian greeting?

1:3 How does Paul know that the Thessalonians’ faith is growing, and their love is increasing?  What were his metrics?

1:4 What persecutions and afflictions was Paul referring to?

1:11 Why I am I thinking of the movie Wayne’s World?

1:12 Is the name of Jesus Christ glorified in you?  Are you glorified in him?

LUKE 19:1-10

19:1 What do you know about Jericho?

19:2 What matters more—the man’s name, occupation, or that he was rich?

19:3 Why do people want to see important and famous people?  Might “short in stature” refer to more than this man’s physical height?

19:4 Is there anything special, significant, or symbolic about sycamore trees?

19:5 How did Jesus know Zacchaeus was there?  How did Jesus know his name?  What is the meaning of “must?” Does Jesus invite himself into anyone else’s home in the Gospels?

19:6 Who would have been unhappy to welcome Jesus?

19:7 Might “All who saw it” be a hyperbole?   How could “all who saw it” know that Zacchaeus was a sinner? What was the nature of his sin?

19:8 What might have motivated what Zacchaeus said? Should we hold up “half” and “four times” as benchmarks?

19:9 What might be the meaning of “Today salvation has come to this house?”  Would salvation have come to his house if he were not a son of Abraham? Was Jesus the salvation?

19:10 Why does Jesus often refer to himself as “the Son of Man?”  Does what Jesus say mean that Zacchaeus was in fact lost but is now saved?

                                                                  

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 31st 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.

RUTH 1:1-18

1:1 In what days did judges rule? What do you know about Moab? I find it interesting that the man, and his family, were from Bethlehem!

1:2 Why so much information? What is an Ephrathite?

1:2-3 Why is all this background important? What would have happened to Naomi when her husband Elimelech died if they had remained in Bethlehem?

1:4 Why does it matter that Mahlon and Chilion took Moabite wives?

1:5 Three woman alone, without husbands! Now what!

1:6 Why would Naomi return to Bethlehem rather than remaining in Moab?

1:7 Naomi was going back or returning, but Orpah and Ruth were headed there for the first time.

1:8 Why would Naomi send her two daughters-in-law to their mother’s house rather than their father’s house?

1:9 Where to go to their mother’s house, as in the previous verse, or to their dead husband’s house?

1:10 Why might they have wanted to go with Naomi?

1:11 What does Naomi mean?

1:12 What is Naomi referring to and/or thinking about?

1:13 Has the hand of the LORD really turned against Naomi?

1:14 To what do you attribute the difference between Orpah and Ruth?

1:15 Note that ‘gods” now enter the story! What was Naomi talking about?

1:16 How many times have you heard this verse quoted? Is it that easy to adopt another’s God?

PSALM 146

146:1-2 This appears to me to be a statement of faith!

146:2-3 This is important to hear two days before our national election!

146:5 I am often surprised by references to the “God of Jacob” rather than to the “God of Abraham.”

146:6 According to the ancient schema of the three-tiered universe, heaven/earth/sea is all there is. A more contemporary expression might be “who made the universe” or “who made the cosmos.”

146:7-9 These are not 1% verses but rather 99% verses! These verses should also inform any “Christian” immigration policy and the maintenance of the social safety net.

146:10 Political arties and candidate rise and fall, but the LORD will reign forever.

HEBREWS 9:11-14

9:11 What are the good things? What is the greater and perfect tent? I currently own three tents and have previously owned at least three or four others before they wore out. I could use a greater and perfect tent for backpacking and cycle-touring.

9:12 What and where is “the Holy Place” and when did Christ enter it?

9:13 Can post-modern people identify with this?

9:14 What is the difference between atonement and sanctification?

MARK 12:28-34

12:28 Who were disputing and what were they disputing about? Is this a question about placement or degree? For a similar type question: “Which right in the Bill of Rights is first of all?”
12:29 The Shema! Note that this refers to the Lord our God, not the Lord your God!

12:30 What is there beyond heart, soul, mind, and strength?
12:31 The scribe asked for the greatest commandment.  Why does Jesus answer with two commandments?

12:29-31 What about The Ten Commandments?
12:32 What is the significance of the scribe addressing Jesus as “Teacher?”

12:33 Read this verse in juxtaposition to Hebrews 9”11-14!
12:34 How much farther does this scribe need to go to enter the kingdom of God? How far is close and how far is too far?

                                                                  

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 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.