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.
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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
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
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, the river
________________________
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
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
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?
___________________________________________________________
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On most weekdays I send a Morning Reflection to this same list, offering a thought about the readings from the Daily Office.
The Rev. Lowell Grisham
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.
posted by Lowell @ 9:02 PM
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