Proper 9, July 5th

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.We use the Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary.

Collect

O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.


The Scriptures

2 Samuel 5:1-5,9-10
Psalm 48
2 Corinthians 12:2-10
Mark 6:1-13

2 Samuel 5:1-5,9-10

All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, and said, "Look, we are your bone and flesh. For some time, while Saul was king over us, it was you who led out Israel and brought it in. The Lord said to you: It is you who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you who shall be ruler over Israel." So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. At Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months; and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years. David occupied the stronghold, and named it the city of David. David built the city all around from the Millo inward. And David became greater and greater, for the Lord, the God of hosts, was with him.

__________________

What leaders in history do you admire? Name their qualities. How are they like or unlike David?
__________________

Psalm 48

God is great and highly to be praised; *
in the city of our God is the holy hill.

Beautiful and lofty, the joy of all the earth, is the hill of Zion, *
the very center of the world and the city of God.

God is in its citadels; *
God is known to be its sure refuge.

Behold, the monarchs of the earth assembled *
and marched forward together.

They looked and were astounded; *
they retreated and fled in terror.

Trembling seized them there; *
they writhed like a woman in childbirth, like ships of the sea when the east wind shatters them.

As we have heard, so have we seen, in the city of the God of hosts, the city of our God; *
God has established it for ever.

We have waited in silence on your loving-kindness, O God, *
in the midst of your temple.

Your praise, like your Name, O God, reaches to the world's end; *
your right hand is full of justice.

Let Mount Zion be glad and the cities of Judah rejoice, *
because of your judgments.

Make the circuit of Zion; walk round about it; *
count the number of its towers.

Consider well its bulwarks; examine its strongholds, *
that you may tell those who come after:

This God is our God for ever and ever *
and shall be our guide for evermore.

St. Helena Psalter

__________________

This is a psalm of praise for the city of Jerusalem. It speaks from a time when Jerusalem was an undefeated city. Imagine what was necesssary for the people who wrote and sang this psalm to be able to sustain their faith when Jerusalem was destroyed and its people exiled. What might our nation and culture do if we faced a similar catastrophe?
__________________

2 Corinthians 12:2-10

I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven -- whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. And I know that such a person -- whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows -- was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

_________________

Paul struggles to use language to communicate a profound mystical experience. He also struggles with a chronic problem or threat. He comes to a resolution.
Recall a time when you have had a spiritual or mystical experience.Do you have a recurring problem or threat?How can you find grace in weakness?
_________________

Mark 6:1-13

Jesus left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, "Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house." And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.

Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them." So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

_____________

Are your attitudes or beliefs different today than the attitudes and beliefs that you were exposed to in your hometown and family? If so, how are they different? How might your new thoughts be received "back home"?When have you traveled in a way that was dependent upon the hospitality of others? What was that like?_________________________________________________________

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.htmlClick here for "Praying the Scriptures with Lectio Divina"