Scriptures & Reflection Questions for Nov. 9

Pentecost 26, Proper 27
Year A
November 9, 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 address: http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id272.html
Click to go to Using Lectio with the Scriptures

Post your comments or thoughts about these scriptures -- click the "Comments" link below

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Collect
O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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The Scriptures

Amos 5:18-24
Psalm 70
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Matthew 25:1-13


Amos 5:18-24

Thus says the Lord, the God of hosts, the Lord:
Alas for you who desire the day of the LORD!
Why do you want the day of the LORD?
It is darkness, not light;
as if someone fled from a lion,
and was met by a bear;
or went into the house and rested a hand against the wall,
and was bitten by a snake. Is not the day of the LORD darkness, not light,
and gloom with no brightness in it?

I hate, I despise your festivals,
and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them;
and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals
I will not look upon.
Take away from me the noise of your songs;
I will not listen to the melody of your harps.
But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an everflowing stream.

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Where do you see people living a religious life but frustrating the values of justice?
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Psalm 70

Be pleased, O God, to deliver me; *
O God, make haste to help me.

Let those who seek my life be ashamed and altogether dismayed; *
let those who take pleasure in my misfortune draw back and be disgraced.
Let those who say to me "Aha!" and gloat over me turn back, *
because they are ashamed.

Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; *
let those who love your salvation say for ever, "Great is the Holy One!"

But as for me, I am poor and needy; *
come to me speedily, O God.

You are my helper and my deliverer; *
O God, do not tarry.

(St. Helena Psalter)

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Whom do you think of as needing God's deliverance?
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1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel's call and with the sound of God's trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
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The early church was worried about those who died before Jesus' return. Would they be left out? Paul says, "No." They will meet Jesus as he returns to the earth and form a procession to greet Jesus as he returns to create a new age on earth.
What does this passage mean to you?
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Matthew 25:1-13

Jesus said, "Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, `Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, `Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise replied, `No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, `Lord, lord, open to us.' But he replied, `Truly I tell you, I do not know you.' Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

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What conflictive issues tend to be issues of foresight and lack of forsight?
When have you had people who have made poor decisions try to get you to take responsibility for their bad consequences?
Have you ever been caught in a dependency/co-dependency trap?
(Recommended: the classic book "Co-dependent No More")
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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