2 Advent, Year C

The Scriptures

Baruch 5:1-9
Song of Zechariah
Philippians 1:3-11
Luke 3:1-6
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Baruch 5:1-9

Take off the garment of your sorrow and affliction, O Jerusalem,

and put on forever the beauty of the glory from God.

Put on the robe of the righteousness that comes from God;

put on your head the diadem of the glory of the Everlasting;

for God will show your splendor everywhere under heaven.
For God will give you evermore the name,

"Righteous Peace, Godly Glory."

Arise, O Jerusalem, stand upon the height;

look toward the east,

and see your children gathered from west and east

at the word of the Holy One,
rejoicing that God has remembered them.

For they went out from you on foot,

led away by their enemies;

but God will bring them back to you,

carried in glory, as on a royal throne.

For God has ordered that every high mountain and the everlasting hills be made low

and the valleys filled up, to make level ground,
so that Israel may walk safely in the glory of God.

The woods and every fragrant tree

have shaded Israel at God's command.

For God will lead Israel with joy,

in the light of his glory,
with the mercy and righteousness that come from him.

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Baruch looks forward to God's blessing?
What language might you use to describe the fullness of hope fulfilled for our nation?
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The Song of Zechariah Luke 1:68-79

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; *

he has come to his people and set them free.

He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *

born of the house of his servant David.

Through his holy prophets he promised of old,
that he would save us from our enemies, *

from the hands of all who hate us.

He promised to show mercy to our fathers *

and to remember his holy covenant.

This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, *

to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

Free to worship him without fear, *

holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.

You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

To give people knowledge of salvation *

by the forgiveness of their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God *

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

__________________

Zechariah sees in Jesus the fulfillment of his hopes.
How is Jesus the fulfillment of your hopes? _________________________________________________________

Philippians 1:3-11

I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God's grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.
________________

Paul prays for the congregation in Philippi? How do you pray for those you love? How might others pray for you?
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Luke 3:1-6

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,

"The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord,

make his paths straight.

Every valley shall be filled,

and every mountain and hill shall be made low,

and the crooked shall be made straight,

and the rough ways made smooth;

and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'"

_________________

The Gospel of Luke is grounded in the politics and history of the Roman Empire and the prophecy of ancient Israel? Why was that important to Luke? What does that mean to us?

Readings & Questions for 1 Advent, Nov. 19

1 Advent, Year C

November 29, 2009

Episcopal Revised Lectionary

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). We've written some instructions on how to use Lectio with the Sunday Scriptures at the following link: Using Lectio Divina to pray the lections

Then make a comment on this blog to share your thoughts about the collect and scriptures for this Sunday.

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The Collect

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.


The Scriptures

Jeremiah 33:14-16
Psalm 25:1-9
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Luke 21:25-36
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Jeremiah 33:14-16

The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: "The LORD is our righteousness."
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What does "justice and righteousness in the land" look like to you?
________________________________________________________

Psalm 25:1-9

To you, O God, I lift up my soul;
my God, I put my trust in you; *

let me not be humiliated,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.

Let none who look to you be put to shame; *

let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes.

Show me your ways, O God, *

and teach me your paths.

Lead me in your truth and teach me, *

for you are the God of my salvation;
in you have I trusted all the day long.

Remember, O God, your compassion and love, *

for they are from everlasting.

Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; *

remember me according to your love
and for the sake of your goodness, O God.

Gracious and upright are you; *

therefore you teach sinners in your way.

You guide the humble in doing right *

and teach your way to the lowly.

All your paths are love and faithfulness *

to those who keep your covenant and your testimonies.

St. Helena Psalter

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Read this psalm as though it were your prayer.
Which part of this psalm moved you most deeply?
_________________________________________________________

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

________________

How can your heart be strengthened in holiness?
_________________________________________________________

Luke 21:25-36

Jesus said, "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Then he told them a parable:

"Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

"Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."

_________________

What is the most important part of this reading for you?
In times of trouble or threat, how do you look for Christ's presence?
__________________________________________________________


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)

Last Sunday After Pentecost

Scriptures and Reflection Questions
For Christ the King Sunday
Proper 29, Year B
November 22, 2009

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). We'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
Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Scriptures

2 Samuel 23:1-7
Psalm 132:1-13,
Revelation 1:4b-8
John 18:33-37
____________________________________________

2 Samuel 23:1-7

These are the last words of David:

The oracle of David, son of Jesse,
the oracle of the man whom God exalted,
the anointed of the God of Jacob,
the favorite of the Strong One of Israel:
The spirit of the LORD speaks through me,
his word is upon my tongue.
The God of Israel has spoken,
the Rock of Israel has said to me: One who rules over people justly,
ruling in the fear of God,
is like the light of morning,
like the sun rising on a cloudless morning,
gleaming from the rain on the grassy land.
Is not my house like this with God?
For he has made with me an everlasting covenant,
ordered in all things and secure.
Will he not cause to prosper
all my help and my desire?
But the godless are all like thorns that are thrown away;
for they cannot be picked up with the hand;
to touch them one uses an iron bar
or the shaft of a spear.
And they are entirely consumed in fire on the spot.
__________

What would be the qualities of "one who rules over people justly, ruling in the fear of God"?
________________________________________________________

Psalm 132:1-13

O God, remember David *
and all the hardships he endured;

How he swore an oath to God *
and vowed a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:

"I will not come under the roof of my house, *
nor climb up into my bed;

I will not allow my eyes to sleep, *
nor let my eyelids slumber;

Until I find a place for you, O God, *
a dwelling for you, O Mighty One of Jacob."

"The ark! We heard it was in Ephratah; *
we found it in the fields of Jearim.

Let us go to God's dwelling place; *
let us fall upon our knees before God's footstool."
Arise, O God, into your resting-place, *
you and the ark of your strength.

Let your priests be clothed with righteousness; *
let your faithful people sing with joy.

For your servant David's sake, *
do not turn away the face of your Anointed.

You have sworn an oath to David; *
in truth, you will not break it:

"A son, the fruit of your body, *
will I set upon your throne.

St. Helena Psalter

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David's first priority, the psalmist says, was to provide for the presence of God among the people and to attend to worship. How might we reflect on our own priorities? What is most important to you?
_________________________________________________________

Revelation 1:4b-8

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Look! He is coming with the clouds;
every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him;
and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail.
So it is to be. Amen.

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
________________

The vision imagines Jesus returning to the earth. It describes Jesus as the one who "loves us" and who has "freed us from our sins" and has "made us to be a kingdom, priests serving ...God... forever."
How have you incorporated into your life Jesus' love for you, his liberating forgiveness, and his empowerment of you?
_________________________________________________________


John 18:33-37

Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?" Pilate replied, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?" Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here." Pilate asked him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."
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What is the truth about the nature of Jesus' kingship and rule?
__________________________________________________________


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)

Scriptures and Reflection Questions, Nov. 8

The Scriptures Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 Psalm 127 Hebrews 9:24-28 Mark 12:38-44 ____________________________________________ Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, I need to seek some security for you, so that it may be well with you. Now here is our kinsman Boaz, with whose young women you have been working. See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. Now wash and anoint yourself, and put on your best clothes and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, observe the place where he lies; then, go and uncover his feet and lie down; and he will tell you what to do." She said to her, "All that you tell me I will do." So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When they came together, the LORD made her conceive, and she bore a son. Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without next-of-kin; and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has borne him." Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her bosom, and became his nurse. The women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, "A son has been born to Naomi." They named him Obed; he became the father of Jesse, the father of David. __________ This story is at least PG-13 or R rated video. What is at stake for Ruth and Naomi? It is significant that the women in this story are from Moab. This story was written during a time of ethinic cleansing when inter-tribal marriages were outlawed. ________________________________________________________ Psalm 127 Unless God builds the house, * their labor is in vain who build it. Unless God watches over the city, * in vain the sentries keep their vigil. It is in vain that you rise so early and go to bed so late; * vain, too, to eat the bread of toil, for God gives to the beloved sleep. Children are a heritage from God, * and the fruit of the womb is a gift. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior * are the children of one’s youth. Happy are they who have their quiver full of them; * they shall not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate. (St. Helena Psalter) __________________ How do you think of God leading your life as intimately as the psalmist imagines? _________________________________________________________ Hebrews 9:24-28 Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Holy Place year after year with blood that is not his own; for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. ________________ The author of Hebrews sees that Jesus has utterly changed the sacrificial system. The whole story of sin is over. A new order has begun. How would you describe the new freedom that Jesus intitiates? _________________________________________________________ John 11:32-44 Teaching in the temple, Jesus said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows' houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation." He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on." _________________ Jesus reverses most of the social geography of status and respect. How might you cast the actors in this scene? Who in our society would these characters be? __________________________________________________________ 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)