Scriptures and Questions for August 24

15 Pentecost, Proper 16
Year A
August 24, 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:
Using Lectio Divina to pray the lections – http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id272.html

We use the Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary.

The Collect

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Ame

n.

The Scriptures Isaiah 51:1-6 Psalm 138 Romans 12:1-8 Matthew 16:13-20 Isaiah 51:1-6 Thus says the Lord: "Listen to me, you that pursue righteousness, you that seek the LORD. Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for he was but one when I called him, but I blessed him and made him many. For the LORD will comfort Zion; he will comfort all her waste places, and will make her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song. Listen to me, my people, and give heed to me, my nation; for a teaching will go out from me, and my justice for a light to the peoples. I will bring near my deliverance swiftly, my salvation has gone out and my arms will rule the peoples; the coastlands wait for me, and for my arm they hope. Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and those who live on it will die like gnats; but my salvation will be forever, and my deliverance will never be ended." _________________ How do you answer the question, "Who are you? Where are you from?" What would it mean to you to fulfill the potential that is in you? What would it mean for our nation to fulfill it's dream, its potential? What lasts forever? __________________________________________________________ Psalm 138 Confitebor tibi I will give thanks to you, O God, with my whole heart; * before the gods I will sing your praise. I will bow down toward your holy temple and praise your Name, * because of your love and faithfulness; For you have glorified your Name * and your word above all things. When I called, you answered me; * you increased my strength within me. All the rulers of the earth will praise you, O God, * when they have heard the words of your mouth. They will sing of the ways of God, * that great is the glory of God, Who is on high, yet cares for the lowly, * and perceives the haughty from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you keep me safe; * you stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies; your right hand shall save me. You will make good your purpose for me; * O God, your love endures for ever; do not abandon the works of your hands. (St. Helena Psalter) __________________ Imagine the circumstances that prompted the Psalmist to pray this way. How might this prayer be incorporated into your prayer to God? _________________________________________________________ Romans 12:1-8 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God-- what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. _______________________ How would you respond to Paul's appeal in this first paragraph if he stopped there an expected you to reply? After your conversation, how might the second paragraph be an appropriate response from Paul to you? __________________________________________________________ Matthew 16:13-20 When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. ____________________ When have you suddenly realized something significant that changed your whole perspective? Has your understanding of God evolved through the years? If so, how? What about your understanding of Jesus? ...of the Holy Spirit? __________________________________________________________ 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: Praying the Scriptures with Lectio (http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id272.html)