Scriptures for September 24

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.)

September 24, 2006
16th Sunday after Pentecost; Proper 20, Year B
Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary

Wisdom 1:16-2:1,12-22
Psalm 54
James 3:13-4:3,7-8a
Mark 9:30-37

Wisdom 1:16-2:1, 12-22
But the ungodly by their words and deeds summoned death; considering him a friend, they pined away and made a covenant with him, because they are fit to belong to his company. For they reasoned unsoundly, saying to themselves, "Short and sorrowful is our life, and there is no remedy when a life comes to its end, and no one has been known to return from Hades.
"Let us lie in wait for the righteous man, because he is inconvenient to us and opposes our actions; he reproaches us for sins against the law, and accuses us of sins against our training. He professes to have knowledge of God, and calls himself a child of the Lord. He became to us a reproof of our thoughts; the very sight of him is a burden to us, because his manner of life is unlike that of others, and his ways are strange. We are considered by him as something base, and he avoids our ways as unclean; he calls the last end of the righteous happy, and boasts that God is his father. Let us see if his words are true, and let us test what will happen at the end of his life; for if the righteous man is God's child, he will help him, and will deliver him from the hand of his adversaries. Let us test him with insult and torture, so that we may find out how gentle he is, and make trial of his forbearance. Let us condemn him to a shameful death, for, according to what he says, he will be protected."
Thus they reasoned, but they were led astray, for their wickedness blinded them, and they did not know the secret purposes of God, nor hoped for the wages of holiness, nor discerned the prize for blameless souls.
__________________

"Might makes right," some have said. Where in our society do you see examples where the strong victimize the weak or the immoral take advantage of good people.
_______________________________________________________

Psalm 54 Deus, in nomine
Save me, O God, by your Name; *
in your might, defend my cause.
Hear my prayer, O God; *
give ear to the words of my mouth.

For the arrogant have risen up against me, and the ruthless have sought my life, *
those who have no regard for God.
Behold, God is my helper; *
it is the Lord who sustains my life.

Render evil to those who spy on me; *
in your faithfulness, destroy them.
I will offer you a freewill sacrifice *
and praise your Name, O Lord, for it is good.

For you have rescued me from every trouble, *
and my eye has seen the ruin of my foes.
__________________

This is the prayer of someone in a desperate condition.
Have you ever been in a situation where these might be your words?
Who can you think of might pray in this way?
_________________________________________________________

James 3:13-4:3,7-8a
Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.
Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.
______________

How does your desire increase your conflict and lack of peace?
What are the qualities of wisdom as described in this passage?
How might you nurture these qualities in your life?
______________________________________________________________

Mark 9:30-37
They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again." But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.
Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me."
______________________

Look for examples of willing vulnerability and real servant leadership this week.
How often can you discover people living into the values that Jesus teaches in this passage?
Compare what you've seen with the examples of people who use their power or position to control or dominate rather than to serve?
_____________________________________________________

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 & Questions for September 17

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 17, 2006

15th Sunday after Pentecost; Proper 19, Year B

Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary

Isaiah 50:4-9a

Psalm 116:1-9

James 3:1-12

Mark 8:27-38

Isaiah 50:4-9a

The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens-- wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting.

The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?

___________

Have you ever had to stand up for something you felt was right and bear some discomfort or conflict because of your stand? What was that like? Did you feel God's presence or support?

___________________________________________________

Psalm 116:1-8 Dilexi, quoniam

I love the Lord, because he has heard the voice of my supplication, *

because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him.

The cords of death entangled me; the grip of the grave took hold of me; *

I came to grief and sorrow.

Then I called upon the Name of the Lord: *

"O Lord, I pray you, save my life."

Gracious is the Lord and righteous; *

our God is full of compassion.

The Lord watches over the innocent; *

I was brought very low, and he helped me.

Turn again to your rest, O my soul, *

for the Lord has treated you well.

For you have rescued my life from death, *

my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling.

I will walk in the presence of the Lord *

in the land of the living.

_______________

Have you ever had a threatening situation eased because of God's presence, comfort or rescue?

______________________________________________

James 3:1-12

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.

How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue--a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.

_________________

How do you work through those times when you really mess up royally?

...when you say something, and wish it had never come out of your mouth?

How do your react inwardly? What do you do about it?

__________________________________________________________

Mark 8:27-38

Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" And they answered him, "John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Messiah." And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.

Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things."

He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

____________

If someone asked you, "Who do you say 'Jesus' is?", how would you answer?
What does it mean to you to lose your life for Christ's sake?

Scriptures for September 10

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 10, 2006
14th Sunday after Pentecost; Proper 18, Year B
Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary

Isaiah 35:4-7a
Psalm 146
James 2:1-10,(11-13),14-17
Mark 7:24-37

Isaiah 35:4-7a
Say to those who are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible
recompense. He will come and save you."
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of
the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the
tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth
in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand
shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water.
___________________

Imagine living your life with no fears. How does that feel?
What would it take to trust God so much that you had no fear?
___________________________________________________

Psalm 146
1 Hallelujah!
Praise the Lord, O my soul! *
I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
2 Put not your trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth, *
for there is no help in them.
3 When they breathe their last, they return to earth, *
and in that day their thoughts perish.
4 Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help! *
whose hope is in the Lord their God;
5 Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; *
who keeps his promise for ever;
6 Who gives justice to those who are oppressed, *
and food to those who hunger.
7 The Lord sets the prisoners free;
the Lord opens the eyes of the blind; *
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
8 The Lord loves the righteous;
the Lord cares for the stranger; *
he sustains the orphan and widow,
but frustrates the way of the wicked.
9 The Lord shall reign for ever, *
your God, O Zion, throughout all generations.
Hallelujah!
________________

What differences does this psalm emphasize between the rule of human powers and the rule of God?
What attitudes reflect the priorities of God?
__________________________________________________

James 2:1-17
My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism
really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? For if a person
with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and
if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, and if you take
notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, "Have a seat
here, please," while to the one who is poor you say, "Stand
there," or, "Sit at my feet," have you not made distinctions
among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen,
my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in
the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that
he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored
the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who
drag you into court? Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent
name that was invoked over you?
You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if you
show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one
point has become accountable for all of it. For the one who said,
"You shall not commit adultery," also said, "You shall not murder."
Now if you do not commit adultery but if you murder, you have
become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those
who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be
without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy
triumphs over judgment.
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have
faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or
sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to
them, "Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill," and yet you do
not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith
by itself, if it has no works, is dead.
__________________

Where do you see advocacy for the poor in our culture?
Where do you see partiality against the poor?
What does it mean to say that "mercy triumphs over judgment"?
What does it mean to say that faith without works is dead?
__________________________________________________

Mark 7:24-37
From there he set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He
entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet
he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had
an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and
bowed down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of
Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of
her daughter. He said to her, "Let the children be fed first, for
it is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the
dogs." But she answered him, "Sir, even the dogs under the table
eat the children's crumbs." Then he said to her, "For saying
that, you may go -- the demon has left your daughter." So she went
home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.
Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of
Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis.
They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his
speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him
aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his
ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven,
he sighed and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." And
immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he
spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the
more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They
were astounded beyond measure, saying, "He has done everything
well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."
___________________

Who in our age do some think of as the dogs under the table?
When have you felt that you have had an experience of opening?
When have you found yourself being given voice to some new consciousness?
_____________________________________________________

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