Scriptures & Reflection Questions for September 3

Here are the scripture readings for this upcoming Sunday.

Suggestion: Print this and read a different passage each day and think about it (some questions are offered to help stimulate your reflection).

You'll find your experience of worship on Sunday will be intensified.

If you would like to comment on these scriptures or have some on-line conversation about them, please go to sundayscriptures@blogspot.com and click the "comments" button at the bottom.

(St. Paul's uses the Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary readings which are a little different from the Prayer Book Lections. The recent General Convention authorized the RCL as our official lectionary.)

September 3, 2006
13th Sunday after Pentecost; Proper 17, Year B
Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary

Deuteronomy 4:1-2,6-9
Psalm 15
Jamess 1:17-27
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 4:6-9
So now, Israel, give heed to the statutes and ordinances that I
am teaching you to observe, so that you may live to enter and
occupy the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is
giving you. You must neither add anything to what I command you
nor take away anything from it, but keep the commandments of the
Lord your God with which I am charging you.
You must observe them diligently, for this will show your
wisdom and discernment to the peoples, who, when they hear all
these statutes, will say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and
discerning people!" For what other great nation has a god so near
to it as the Lord our God is whenever we call to him? And what
other great nation has statutes and ordinances as just as this
entire law that I am setting before you today? But take care and
watch yourselves closely, so as neither to forget the things that
your eyes have seen nor to let them slip from your mind all the
days of your life; make them known to your children and your
children's children.
________________

There is great wisdom in our ancient laws, customs and moral traditions.
What are some of the principles you would include in a list of eternal verities?
_____________________________________________________

Psalm 15
1 Lord, who may dwell in your tabernacle? *
who may abide upon your holy hill?
2 Whoever leads a blameless life and does what is right, *
who speaks the truth from his heart.
3 There is no guile upon his tongue;
he does no evil to his friend; *
he does not heap contempt upon his neighbor.
4 In his sight the wicked is rejected, *
but he honors those who fear the Lord.
5 He has sworn to do no wrong *
and does not take back his word.
6 He does not give his money in hope of gain, *
nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
7 Whoever does these things *
shall never be overthrown.
________________

A psalm which describes the virtues of a good person.
Which of these qualities describe you?
Which of these are qualities that you need to develop?
_____________________________________________________

James 1:17-27
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from
above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is
no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfillment of his own
purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would
become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick
to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not
produce God's righteousness. Therefore rid yourselves of all
sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with
meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.
But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive
themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they
are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at
themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were
like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of
liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers
who act -- they will be blessed in their doing.
If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues
but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. Religion that is
pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for
orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained
by the world.
_______________

When have your actions not lived up to your words?
What can you learn from this passage?
___________________________________________________

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21, 23
Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come
from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they noticed that some of
his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without
washing them. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat
unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the
tradition of the elders; and they do not eat anything from the
market unless they wash it; and there are also many other
traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and
bronze kettles. ) So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him,
"Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the
elders, but eat with defiled hands?" He said to them, "Isaiah
prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written,
'This people honors me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me;
in vain do they worship me,
teaching human precepts as doctrines.'
You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human
tradition."
Then he called the crowd again and said to them, "Listen to
me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a person
that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are
what defile."
For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions
come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness,
deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these
evil things come from within, and they defile a person."
_____________

What habits of thought, speech or action come from within you and seem to have a defiling effect?
Can you think of some outward practices of piety or moralism that seem without substance to you?
What signs do you look for as signs of inner integrity?
_____________________________________________________

To subscribe or unsubscribe to receive this via email, go to our Subscriptions page and follow the instructions.

On most weekdays I send a Morning Reflection to this same list, offering a thought about the readings from the Daily Office.

Lowell

The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR

Scriptures & Reflection Questions for September 3

Here are the scripture readings for this upcoming Sunday.

Suggestion: Print this and read a different passage each day and think about it (some questions are offered to help stimulate your reflection).

You'll find your experience of worship on Sunday will be intensified.

If you would like to comment on these scriptures or have some on-line conversation about them, please go to sundayscriptures@blogspot.com and click the "comments" button at the bottom.

(St. Paul's uses the Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary readings which are a little different from the Prayer Book Lections. The recent General Convention authorized the RCL as our official lectionary.)

September 3, 2006
13th Sunday after Pentecost; Proper 17, Year B
Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary

Deuteronomy 4:1-2,6-9
Psalm 15
Jamess 1:17-27
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 4:6-9
So now, Israel, give heed to the statutes and ordinances that I
am teaching you to observe, so that you may live to enter and
occupy the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is
giving you. You must neither add anything to what I command you
nor take away anything from it, but keep the commandments of the
Lord your God with which I am charging you.
You must observe them diligently, for this will show your
wisdom and discernment to the peoples, who, when they hear all
these statutes, will say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and
discerning people!" For what other great nation has a god so near
to it as the Lord our God is whenever we call to him? And what
other great nation has statutes and ordinances as just as this
entire law that I am setting before you today? But take care and
watch yourselves closely, so as neither to forget the things that
your eyes have seen nor to let them slip from your mind all the
days of your life; make them known to your children and your
children's children.
________________

There is great wisdom in our ancient laws, customs and moral traditions.
What are some of the principles you would include in a list of eternal verities?
_____________________________________________________

Psalm 15
1 Lord, who may dwell in your tabernacle? *
who may abide upon your holy hill?
2 Whoever leads a blameless life and does what is right, *
who speaks the truth from his heart.
3 There is no guile upon his tongue;
he does no evil to his friend; *
he does not heap contempt upon his neighbor.
4 In his sight the wicked is rejected, *
but he honors those who fear the Lord.
5 He has sworn to do no wrong *
and does not take back his word.
6 He does not give his money in hope of gain, *
nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
7 Whoever does these things *
shall never be overthrown.
________________

A psalm which describes the virtues of a good person.
Which of these qualities describe you?
Which of these are qualities that you need to develop?
_____________________________________________________

James 1:17-27
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from
above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is
no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfillment of his own
purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would
become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick
to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not
produce God's righteousness. Therefore rid yourselves of all
sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with
meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.
But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive
themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they
are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at
themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were
like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of
liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers
who act -- they will be blessed in their doing.
If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues
but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. Religion that is
pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for
orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained
by the world.
_______________

When have your actions not lived up to your words?
What can you learn from this passage?
___________________________________________________

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21, 23
Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come
from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they noticed that some of
his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without
washing them. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat
unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the
tradition of the elders; and they do not eat anything from the
market unless they wash it; and there are also many other
traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and
bronze kettles. ) So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him,
"Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the
elders, but eat with defiled hands?" He said to them, "Isaiah
prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written,
'This people honors me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me;
in vain do they worship me,
teaching human precepts as doctrines.'
You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human
tradition."
Then he called the crowd again and said to them, "Listen to
me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a person
that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are
what defile."
For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions
come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness,
deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these
evil things come from within, and they defile a person."
_____________

What habits of thought, speech or action come from within you and seem to have a defiling effect?
Can you think of some outward practices of piety or moralism that seem without substance to you?
What signs do you look for as signs of inner integrity?
_____________________________________________________

To subscribe or unsubscribe to receive this via email, go to our Subscriptions page and follow the instructions.

On most weekdays I send a Morning Reflection to this same list, offering a thought about the readings from the Daily Office.

Lowell

The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR

Scriptures & Questions for August 20

Here are the scripture readings for this upcoming Sunday.

Suggestion: Print this and read a different passage each day and think about it (some questions are offered to help stimulate your reflection).

You'll find your experience of worship on Sunday will be intensified.

If you would like to comment on these scriptures or have some on-line conversation about them, please go to sundayscriptures@blogspot.com and click the "comments" button at the bottom.

(St. Paul's uses the Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary readings which are a little different from the Prayer Book Lections. The recent General Convention authorized the RCL as our official lectionary.)

August 20, 2006
11th Sunday after Pentecost; Proper 15, Year B
Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary

Proverbs 9:1-6
Psalm 34:9-14
Ephesians 5:15-20
John 6:51-58

Proverbs 9:1-6
Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn her seven pillars. She
has slaughtered her animals, she has mixed her wine, she has also
set her table. She has sent out her servant girls, she calls from
the highest places in the town, "You that are simple, turn in
here!" To those without sense she says, "Come, eat of my bread
and drink of the wine I have mixed. Lay aside immaturity, and
live, and walk in the way of insight."
__________________

From what wisdom have you drunk? What insight have you consumed?
If you were to write for the NPR series "This I Believe", what would you write?
______________________________________________________

Psalm 34:9-14
9 Fear the Lord, you that are his saints, *
for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger, *
but those who seek the Lord lack nothing that is good.
11 Come, children, and listen to me; *
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Who among you loves life *
and desires long life to enjoy prosperity?
13 Keep your tongue from evil-speaking *
and your lips from lying words.
14 Turn from evil and do good; *
seek peace and pursue it.
____________________

What does "the fear of the Lord" mean to you?
How can you practice verses 13 and 14 in your life?
______________________________________________________

Ephesians 5:15-20
Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise,
making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not
be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not
get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with
the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs
among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your
hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for
everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
_____________________

What wise and what unwise habits and practices are part of your life?
______________________________________________________

John 6:51-58
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats
of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for
the life of the world is my flesh."

The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this
man give us his flesh to eat?" So Jesus said to them, "Very truly,
I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his
blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink
my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day;
for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat
my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the
living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever
eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down
from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died.
But the one who eats this bread will live forever."
_______________

These words disturbed those who first heard them. In some places, early Christians were rumored to be cannibals.
What does this reading mean to you?
_____________________________________________________

To subscribe or unsubscribe to this email list, go to our Subscriptions page and follow the instructions.

On most weekdays I send a Morning Reflection to this same list, offering a thought about the readings from the Daily Office.

Lowell

The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR

Scriptures for August 13

Here are the scripture readings for this upcoming Sunday.

Suggestion: Print this and read a different passage each day and think about it (some questions are offered to help stimulate your reflection).

You'll find your experience of worship on Sunday will be intensified.


(St. Paul's uses the Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary readings which are a little different from the Prayer Book Lections. The recent General Convention authorized the RCL as our official lectionary.)

August 13, 2006
10th Sunday after Pentecost; Proper 14, Year B
Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary

1 Kings 19:4-8
Psalm 34:1-8
Ephesians 4:25-5:2
John 6:35, 41-51

1 Kings 19:4-8
But Elijah himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came
and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might
die: "It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no
better than my ancestors." Then he lay down under the broom tree
and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him,
"Get up and eat." He looked, and there at his head was a cake
baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and
lay down again. The angel of the Lord came a second time, touched
him, and said, "Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too
much for you." He got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the
strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the
mount of God.
______________

Elijah has just finished the successful conflict with the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel where he demonstrated the power of God and killed these rivals. He has called for an end of the drought and the rain began. Yet, Jezebel has sworn to kill Elijah, so in fear Elijah flees for his life. He travels to Horeb (also called Sinai) the mountain of God, nurtured by the angel and fasting like Moses forty days and forty nights.

Have you ever accomplished something important only to find yourself stuck or challenged beyond your capacity? What happened? What did you do? What does this story say about those situations?
____________________________________________________________

Psalm 34:1-8
1 I will bless the Lord at all times; *
his praise shall ever be in my mouth.
2 I will glory in the Lord; *
let the humble hear and rejoice.
3 Proclaim with me the greatness of the Lord;
let us exalt his Name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me *
and delivered me out of all my terror.
5 Look upon him and be radiant, *
and let not your faces be ashamed.
6 I called in my affliction and the Lord heard me *
and saved me from all my troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encompasses those who fear him, *
and he will deliver them.
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; *
happy are they who trust in him!
_______________

This is the psalm of one who is living with great threat and fear.
Remember a time when you were greatly afraid. Re-read this psalm. What does it say to you?
____________________________________________________

Ephesians 4:25-32, 5:1-2
So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to
our neighbors, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do
not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not
make room for the devil. Thieves must give up stealing; rather
let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to
have something to share with the needy. Let no evil talk come out
of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there
is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. And
do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked
with a seal for the day of redemption. Put away from you all
bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander,
together with all malice, and be kind to one another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has
forgiven you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children,
and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a
fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
________________

There is conflict within the church underlying these admonitions. How does this read to you as advice given for people who live as a community that is experiencing conflict?
_________________________________________________________

John 6:35, 41-51
Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me
will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be
thirsty.

Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said,
"I am the bread that came down from heaven." They were saying,
"Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we
know? How can he now say, 'I have come down from heaven'?" Jesus
answered them, "Do not complain among yourselves. No one can
come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise
that person up on the last day. It is written in the prophets,
'And they shall all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and
learned from the Father comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the
Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father.
Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am
the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the
wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from
heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living
bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will
live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the
world is my flesh."
_________________________

In John's Gospel, the people who listen to the words of Jesus and think of them literally always miss the point and fall into argument. Those who can listen metaphorically and believe receive the gift of "eternal life." (And in John's Gospel, "eternal life" is a quality of life, not a quantity of life.)

What does the metaphor "I am the bread of life" mean to you?
___________________________________________________________

To subscribe or unsubscribe to this email list, go to our Subscriptions page and follow the instructions.

On most weekdays I send a Morning Reflection to this same list, offering a thought about the readings from the Daily Office.

Lowell

The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR