Scriptures & Questions for March 4

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.)

March 4, 2007
Second Sunday in Lent, Year C
Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary

The Collect
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious
to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them
again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and
hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ
your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.



The Scriptures
Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
Psalm 27
Philippians 3:17-4:1
Luke 13:31-35

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a
vision, "Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward
shall be very great." But Abram said, "O Lord God, what will you
give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is
Eliezer of Damascus?" And Abram said, "You have given me no
offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir." But
the word of the Lord came to him, "This man shall not be your
heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir." He
brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven and count the
stars, if you are able to count them." Then he said to him, "So
shall your descendants be." And he believed the Lord; and the
Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.
Then he said to him, "I am the Lord who brought you
from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess."
But he said, "O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall
possess it?" He said to him, "Bring me a heifer three years old,
a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove,
and a young pigeon." He brought him all these and cut them in
two, laying each half over against the other; but he did not cut
the birds in two. And when birds of prey came down on the
carcasses, Abram drove them away.
As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon
Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him.
When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking
fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that
day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your
descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great
river, the river Euphrates.
________________________

When have you trusted something from your gut? What happened?
What ritual or symbolic act has been meaningful to you?
____________________________________________________

Psalm 27
1 The Lord light and my salvation;
whom then shall I fear? *
the Lord is the strength of my life;
of whom then shall I be afraid?
2 When evildoers came upon me to eat up my flesh, *
it was they, my foes and my adversaries, who
stumbled and fell.
3 Though an army should encamp against me, *
yet my heart shall not be afraid;
4 And though war should rise up against me, *
yet will I put my trust in him.
5 One thing have I asked of the Lord;
one thing I seek; *
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days
of my life;
6 To behold the fair beauty of the Lord*
and to seek him in his temple.
7 For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe
in his shelter; *
he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling
and set me high upon a rock.
8 Even now he lifts up my head *
above my enemies round about me.
9 Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblation
with sounds of great gladness; *
I will sing and make music to the Lord.
10 Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I call; *
have mercy on me and answer me.
11 You speak in my heart and say, "Seek my face." *
Your face, Lord, will I seek.
12 Hide not your face from me, *
nor turn away your servant in displeasure.
13 You have been my helper;
cast me not away; *
do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.
14 Though my father and my mother forsake me, *
the Lord will sustain me.
15 Show me your way, O Lord; *
lead me on a level path, because of my enemies.
16 Deliver me not into the hand of my adversaries, *
for false witnesses have risen up against me,
and also those who speak malice.
17 What if I had not believed
that I should see the goodness of the Lord *
in the land of the living!
18 O tarry and await the Lord's pleasure;
be strong, and he shall comfort your heart; *
wait patiently for the Lord
_____________________

What do you want more than anything?
________________________________________________

Philippians 3:17 - 4:1
Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who
live according to the example you have in us. For many live as
enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them,
and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction;
their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their
minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in
heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the
Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation
that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power
that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for,
my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
__________________

What example do you see in our culture of those whom Paul would criticize? What would it mean to stand firm?
__________________________________________________

Luke 13:31-35
At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, "Get away
from here, for Herod wants to kill you." He said to them, "Go and
tell that fox for me, 'Listen, I am casting out demons and
performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I
finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be
on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed
outside of Jerusalem.' Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills
the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have
I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her
brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house
is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the
time comes when you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the
name of the Lord.'"
_______________________

What was it about Jesus that provoked conflict and opposition?
___________________________________________________________

To subscribe or unsubscribe to this email list,
go to our Subscriptions page -- http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id137.html 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

The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Our Rule of Life:
We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.

1 Lent, Feb. 25

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.)

February 25, 2007
First Sunday in Lent, Year C
Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary

The Collect
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be
tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted
by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of
each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through
Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.


The Scriptures
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Psalm 91:1-2,9-16
Romans 10:8b-13
Luke 4:1-13

Deuteronomy 26:1-11
When you have come into the land that the Lord your God is giving
you as an inheritance to possess, and you possess it, and settle
in it, you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the
ground, which you harvest from the land that the Lord your God is
giving you, and you shall put it in a basket and go to the place
that the Lord your God will choose as a dwelling for his name.
You shall go to the priest who is in office at that time, and say
to him, "Today I declare to the Lord your God that I have come
into the land that the Lord swore to our ancestors to give us."
When the priest takes the basket from your hand and sets it down
before the altar of the Lord your God, you shall make this
response before the Lord your God: "A wandering Aramean was my
ancestor; he went down into Egypt and lived there as an alien,
few in number, and there he became a great nation, mighty and
populous. When the Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us,
by imposing hard labor on us, we cried to the Lord, the God of
our ancestors; the Lord heard our voice and saw our affliction,
our toil, and our oppression. The Lord brought us out of Egypt
with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with a terrifying
display of power, and with signs and wonders; and he brought us
into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk
and honey. So now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground
that you, O Lord, have given me." You shall set it down before
the Lord your God and bow down before the Lord your God. Then
you, together with the Levites and the aliens who reside among
you, shall celebrate with all the bounty that the Lord your God
has given to you and to your house.
________________________

When you offer your alms or make your contribution to the church, what is your prayer? With what attitude do you make your gift to God?
__________________________________________________

Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, *
abides under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 He shall say to the Lord,
"You are my refuge and my stronghold, *
my God in whom I put my trust."
9 Because you have made the Lord your refuge, *
and the Most High your habitation,
10 There shall no evil happen to you, *
neither shall any plague come near your dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over you, *
to keep you in all your ways.
12 They shall bear you in their hands, *
lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13 You shall tread upon the lion and adder; *
you shall trample the young lion and the serpent
under your feet.
14 Because he is bound to me in love,
therefore will I deliver him; *
I will protect him, because he knows my Name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; *
I am with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and bring him to honor.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, *
and show him my salvation.
________________________

How do you reconcile this psalm of protection with the story of Jesus' temptation?
__________________________________________________________

Romans 10:8b-13
"The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart" (that is,
the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with
your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God
raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes
with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the
mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, "No one who believes
in him will be put to shame." For there is no distinction between
Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to
all who call on him. For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the
Lord shall be saved. "
_______________________

What is near you or within your heart that calls forth hope in you?
__________________________________________________________

Luke 4:1-13
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was
led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was
tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days,
and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him,
"If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf
of bread." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live
by bread alone.'"
Then the devil led him up and showed him in an
instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him,
"To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it
has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If
you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours." Jesus answered
him, "It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only
him.'"
Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on
the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, "If you are the Son of
God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, 'He will
command his angels concerning you, to protect you,' and 'On their
hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot
against a stone.'" Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'Do not put
the Lord your God to the test.'" When the devil had finished
every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.
__________________________

When do you feel most weak and vulnerable?
What temptation hits you then?
___________________________________________________________

To subscribe or unsubscribe to this email list,
go to our Subscriptions page -- http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id137.html 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

The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Our Rule of Life:
We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday Service Schedule
Eucharist with imposition of ashes
7:30 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
12:15 p.m.
1:30 p.m. @ Butterfield Trail Village
5:30 p.m. Family Service
7:00 p.m. with Choir


Here are the scripture readings for Ash Wednesday.

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.)

February 21, 2007
Ash Wednesday, Year C
Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary

The Collect
Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have
made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and
make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily
lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission
and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen.


The Scriptures
Isaiah 58:1-2
Psalm 103:8-14
2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21


Isaiah 58:1-12
Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet!
Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob
their sins. Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know
my ways, as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness
and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me
righteous judgments, they delight to draw near to God. "Why do
we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not
notice?" Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day, and
oppress all your workers. Look, you fast only to quarrel and to
fight and to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do
today will not make your voice heard on high.
Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself?
Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth
and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?
Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice,
to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and
to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the
naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing
shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the
glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call,
and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will
say, Here I am.

If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of
the finger, the speaking of evil, if you offer your food to the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in
the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday. The Lord will
guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places,
and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered
garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. Your
ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations
of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
the restorer of streets to live in.
____________________

How do you see the connection between your worship on Sunday and the issues of justice that Isaiah brings up -- workers' wages, poverty, hunger, homelessness, scandal? Do you prefer just sticking to "spiritual" things on Sundays?
________________________________________________________

Psalm 103:8-14
8 The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, *
slow to anger and of great kindness.
9 He will not always accuse us, *
nor will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, *
nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, *
so is his mercy great upon those who fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, *
so far has he removed our sins from us.
13 As a father cares for his children, *
so does the Lord care for those who fear him.
14 For he himself knows whereof we are made; *
he remembers that we are but dust.
________________

Is this the way you think of God?
_________________________________________________________

2 Corinthians 5:20b-21, 6:1-10
We entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For
our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we
might become the righteousness of God.
As we work together with him, we urge you also not to
accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, "At an acceptable time
I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you."
See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of
salvation! We are putting no obstacle in anyone's way, so that
no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God
we have commended ourselves in every way: through great
endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings,
imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by
purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit,
genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the
weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left;
in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are
treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet are
well known; as dying, and see--we are alive; as punished, and yet
not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet
making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing
everything.
________________________

How energetically do you pursue your spiritual growth and your relationship with God?
_______________________________________________________

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
"Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be
seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in
heaven.
"So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet
before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the
streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell
you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do
not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so
that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in
secret will reward you.
"And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites;
for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street
corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you,
they have received their reward. But whenever you pray,
go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father
who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
"And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the
hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that
they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that
your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is
in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth
and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store
up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor
rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For
where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
_____________________

How much of what you do has some reference to what others might think?
What moments in your life are truly self-authentic?
___________________________________________________________

To subscribe or unsubscribe to this email list,
go to our Subscriptions page -- http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id137.html 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

The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Our Rule of Life:
We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.

Scriptures for February 18

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.)

February 18, 2007
Last Sunday after Epiphany, Year C
Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary

The Collect
O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son
revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that
we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be
strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his
likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever. Amen.


The Scriptures
Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
Luke 9:28-36 (37-43)

Exodus 34:29-35
Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the
mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses
did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been
talking with God. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses,
the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come
near him. But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders
of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them.
Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in
commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai.
When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his
face; but whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with
him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he
came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, the
Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face
was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again,
until he went in to speak with him.
_________________

Have you ever been with someone whose personality or sense of presence was so remarkable that they seemed to glow, or to appear vibrantly alive?
Who seems like a charismatic person to you?
_____________________________________________________

Psalm 99
1 The Lord is King; let the people tremble; *
he is enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth shake.
2 The Lord is great in Zion; *
he is high above all peoples.
3 Let them confess his Name, which is great and awesome; *
he is the Holy One.
4 "O mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity; *
you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob."
5 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God
and fall down before his footstool; *
he is the Holy One.
6 Moses and Aaron among his priests,
and Samuel among those who call upon his Name, *
they called upon the Lord, and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud; *
they kept his testimonies and the decree that he gave them.
8 O Lord our God, you answered them indeed; *
you were a God who forgave them,
yet punished them for their evil deeds.
9 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God
and worship him upon his holy hill; *
for the Lord our God is the Holy One.
______________________

Have you ever experienced the presence of God?
What happened?
_____________________________________________________

2 Corinthians 3:12 - 4:2
Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, not
like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of
Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set
aside. But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day,
when they hear the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is
still there, since only in Christ is it set aside. Indeed, to
this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their
minds; but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now
the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is,
there is freedom. And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the
glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being
transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to
another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.
Therefore, since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in
this ministry, we do not lose heart. We have renounced the
shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or
to falsify God's word; but by the open statement of the truth we
commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of
God.
__________________

When has something confusing or troublesome been resolved through insight or intuition for you?
Can you remember some things that troubled you years ago but seem resolved now?
What do you feel that you truly know about God? About Jesus?
____________________________________________________

Luke 9:28-36
Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him
Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray.
And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and
his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men,
Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were
speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at
Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with
sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and
the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him,
Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let
us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for
Elijah"--not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a
cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they
entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said,
"This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" When the voice had
spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those
days told no one any of the things they had seen.
_________________

When have you seen something that so grasped your attention that you experienced a sense of awe and wonder?
When have you looked at someone you love, and they seemed beautifully transfigured?
Which seems more real? These unusual experiences or your ordinary consciousness?
___________________________________________________________

To subscribe or unsubscribe to this email list,
go to our Subscriptions page -- http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id137.html 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

The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Our Rule of Life:
We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.

Readings & Questions for Feb. 11

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.)

February 11, 2007
6th Sunday after Epiphany, Year C
Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary

The Collect
O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you:
Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness
we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your
grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please
you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever. Amen.


The Scriptures
Jeremiah 17:5-10
Psalm 1
1 Corinthians 15:12-20
Luke 6:17-26

Jeremiah 17:5-10
Thus says the Lord: Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals and make mere flesh their strength, whose hearts turn away from the Lord. They shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when relief comes. They shall live in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.
Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit.
The heart is devious above all else; it is perverse-- who can understand it? I the Lord test the mind and search the heart, to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings.
____________________

When have you had to trust in the strength of God?
When have you depended upon your own strength and found yourself strained?
How do you know the truth of your heart?
How can you tell when you are faking even yourself?
___________________________________________________________

Psalm 1 Beatus vir qui non abiit

1 Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked, *
nor lingered in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seats of the scornful!

2 Their delight is in the law of the Lord, *
and they meditate on his law day and night.

3 They are like trees planted by streams of water,
bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither; *
everything they do shall prosper.

4 It is not so with the wicked; *
they are like chaff which the wind blows away.

5 Therefore the wicked shall not stand upright when judgment comes, *
nor the sinner in the council of the righteous.

6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, *
but the way of the wicked is doomed.
____________________

When do you find yourself feeling anxious and distracted?
What kind of situations provoke such discomfort in you?
When do you feel grounded and secure?
...like a tree planted by streams of water.
...bearing fruit?
________________________________________________________

1 Corinthians 15:12-20
Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ -- whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died.
____________________

What does it mean to you when we say that Christ has been raised from the dead?
When have you seen the power of resurrection?
___________________________________________________________

Luke 6:17-26
Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them. Then he looked up at his disciples and said:
"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
"Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled.
"Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
"Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.
"But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
"Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry.
"Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep.
"Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.
____________________

Imagine these words begin spoken today in the following contexts...
...a gathering for a political party.
...a stock-holders' meeting.
...a university class on ethics; ...on political science; ...on business.
...a hospital board meeting.
...a Salvation Army shelter.
...a Vestry meeting.
...a Bible study.
How would the hearers respond?
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Lowell

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

The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Our Rule of Life:
We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.