Transfiguration Sunday, August 5

How to use this page:

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.

For a method to read and pray with the scriptures you might try to use the ancient practice of Lectio Divina (Divine Reading). I've written some instructions on how to use Lectio with the Sunday Scriptures at the following page: Click to Pray with these readings using Lectio Divina

We use the Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary.

The Collect

O God, who on the holy mount revealed to chosen witnesses your well-beloved Son, wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistening: Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may by faith behold the King in his beauty; who with you, O Father, and you, O Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Scriptures

Exodus 34:29-35
2 Peter 1:13-21
Luke 9:28-36
Psalm 99 or 99:5-9

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.

_________________

When have you felt so close to God that it seemed that your life tingled with a new quality? What opened you to that awareness? How can you cultivate that reality as a regular sense of your identity?
__________________________________________________________

Psalm 99 or 99:5-9 Dominus regnavit

God reigns; let the people tremble; *
God is enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth shake.

God is great in Zion *
and is high above all peoples.

Let them confess God's Name, which is great and awesome; *
God is the Holy One.

"O mighty Ruler, lover of justice, you have established equity; *
you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob."

We proclaim your greatness, O God, and fall down before your footstool; *
you are the Holy One.

Moses and Aaron among your priests, and Samuel among those who call upon your Name, *
they called upon you, and you answered them.

You spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud; *
they kept your testimonies and the decree that you gave them.

"O Holy God, you answered them indeed; *
you were a God who forgave them, yet punished them for their evil deeds."

Proclaim the greatness of our God and worship on God's holy hill, *
for our God is the Holy One.

(St. Helena Psalter)

__________________

When have you sensed awe and presence during worship?
_________________________________________________________

2 Peter 1:13 - 21

I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to refresh your memory, since I know that my death will come soon, as indeed our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased." We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.

So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
_______________________

What habits, discipline, practice or ritual is part of your life to help you remember your identity as a Child of God?
__________________________________________________________

Luke 9:28-36

About eight days after Jesus had foretold his death and resurrection, 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 experienced something that seemed to be filled with awe and significance? How do you remember and treasure that memory?

Scriptures for July 20

The Collect
Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our necessities before we ask
and our ignorance in asking: Have compassion on our weakness, and mercifully give
us those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we
cannot ask; through the worthiness of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

___________________________________________________________

How to use this page:

Print this and read a different passage ach 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.

For a method to read and pray with the scriptures you might try to use the ancient
practice of Lectio Divina (Divine Reading). I've written some instructions on how
to use Lectio with the Sunday Scriptures at the following link:
www.stpaulsfay.org/id272.html

We use the Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Scriptures

Isaiah 44:6-8
Psalm 86:11-17
Romans 8:12-25
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43


Isaiah 44:6-8

Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel,
and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts:
I am the first and I am the last;
besides me there is no god.
Who is like me? Let them proclaim it,
let them declare and set it forth before me.
Who has announced from of old the things to come?
Let them tell us what is yet to be.
Do not fear, or be afraid;
have I not told you from of old and declared it?
You are my witnesses!
Is there any god besides me ?
There is no other rock; I know not one.
_________________

How do you express your praise and adoration of God?
Are there some things that you tend to regard ahead of God?
__________________________________________________________

Psalm 86: 11-17 Inclina, Domine

Teach me your way, O God, and I will walk in your truth; *
knit my heart to you that I may fear your Name.

I will thank you, my God, with all my heart, *
and glorify your Name for evermore.

For great is your love toward me; *
you have delivered me from the nethermost Pit.

The arrogant rise up against me, O God, and a band of the violent seeks my life; *
they have not set you before their eyes.

But you, O God, are gracious and full of compassion, *
slow to anger, and full of kindness and truth.

Turn to me and have mercy upon me; *
give your strength to your servant and save the child of your handmaid.

Show me a sign of your favor,
so that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, *
because you, O God, have helped me and comforted me.

(St. Helena Psalter)

__________________

When have you been delivered from a threat?
How did you express your relief and thanksgiving?
What do you pray when you are desperate?
_________________________________________________________

Romans 8:12-25

Brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh-- for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ-- if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
_______________________

What does it mean to you to be a child of God?
What do you hope for because of your inherited status as God's child?
__________________________________________________________

Matthew 13:24-30,36-43

Jesus put before the crowd another parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, `Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?' He answered, `An enemy has done this.' The slaves said to him, `Then do you want us to go and gather them?' But he replied, `No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'"

Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field." He answered, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!"

____________________

What does it mean to you that the Master tells the slaves not to pull up the weeds until the harvest?

__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

For a way to Pray with these scriptures, go to the following link for instructions
about how to use Lectio Divina with the Sunday readings:
http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id272.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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.

Check our website: www.stpaulsfay.org

Scriptures for July 13

Proper 10, Year A
Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary

Collect

O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant
that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have
grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who
lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

9th Sunday after Pentecost; Proper 10
Year A
July 13, 2008
Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How to use this page:

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.

For a method to read and pray with the scriptures you might try to use the ancient
practice of Lectio Divina (Divine Reading). I've written some instructions on how
to use Lectio with the Sunday Scriptures at the following link:
www.stpaulsfay.org/id272.html

We use the Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Scriptures

Isaiah 55:10-13
Psalm 65: 9-14
Romans 8:1-11
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23


Isaiah 55:10-13

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do not return there until they have watered the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,

and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
For you shall go out in joy,
and be led back in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
shall burst into song,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;
instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;
and it shall be to the LORD for a memorial,
for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
_________________

What promises of God's word are important to you?
__________________________________________________________

Psalm 65: 9-14 Te decet hymnus

You visit the earth and water it abundantly; you make it very plenteous; *
the river of God is full of water.

You prepare the grain, *
for so you provide for the earth.

You drench the furrows and smooth out the ridges; *
with heavy rain you soften the ground and bless its increase.

You crown the year with your goodness, *
and your paths overflow with plenty.

May the fields of the wilderness be rich for grazing, *
and the hills be clothed with joy.

May the meadows cover themselves with flocks,
and the valleys cloak themselves with grain; *
let them shout for joy and sing.

(St. Helena Psalter)
__________________

How are natural powers of creation an expression of God's providence to you?
In what ways do you live in harmony with the natural processes of health and creation?
In what ways do you live out of harmony with natural health and balance?
_________________________________________________________

Romans 8:1-11

There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the
Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending
his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned
sin in the flesh, so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in
us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those
who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but
those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life
and peace. For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God;
it does not submit to God's law-- indeed it cannot, and those who are in the flesh
cannot please God.

But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells
in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But
if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life
because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells
in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies
also through his Spirit that dwells in you.
_______________________

What parts of your life are consistent with life in the Spirit? What parts of your
life are under the influence of the flesh?
__________________________________________________________


Matthew 13:1-9,18-23

Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. Such great crowds gathered around
him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach.
And he told them many things in parables, saying: "Listen! A sower went out to sow.
And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up.
Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang
up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched;
and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and
the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth
grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!"
"Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and
does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the
heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground,
this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such
a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution
arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was
sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world
and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was
sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed
bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another
thirty."

____________________

Imagine that the field is your life -- your heart and mind and soul and behavior
-- describe the seeds and produce.
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

For a way to Pray with these scriptures, go to the following link for instructions
about how to use Lectio Divina with the Sunday readings:
http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id272.html