Scriptures and Reflection Questions for September 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).  We've written some instructions on how to use Lectio:  Using Lectio Divina to pray the lections

We use the Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary

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The Collect

Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

_______________

The Lessons

 

Jeremiah 18:1-11
Psalm 139:1-5, 13-17
Philemon 1-21
Luke 14:25-33
________________________

 

Jeremiah 18:1-11

 

The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: "Come, go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear my words." So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel. The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him.

Then the word of the Lord came to me: Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the Lord. Just like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. At one moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, but if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will change my mind about the disaster that I intended to bring on it. And at another moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, but if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will change my mind about the good that I had intended to do to it. Now, therefore, say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: Thus says the Lord: Look, I am a potter shaping evil against you and devising a plan against you. Turn now, all of you from your evil way, and amend your ways and your doings.

________________

How might the potter of our nation describe the qualities and flaws of our society in the metaphor of the pot?  Would the potter need to break it and start over or reshape it and restore it? 

_________________________________________________________

Psalm 139:1-5, 13-17 Domine, probasti   

O God, you have searched me out and known me; *
     you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts from afar.

You trace my journeys and my resting-places *
     and are acquainted with all my ways.

Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, *
     but you, O God, know it altogether.

You press upon me behind and before *
     and lay your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; *
     it is so high that I cannot attain to it.

I will thank you because I am marvelously made; *
      your works are wonderful, and I know it well.

My body was not hidden from you, *
     while I was being made in secret and woven in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes beheld my limbs, yet unfinished in the womb; all of them were written in your book; *
     they were fashioned day by day, when as yet there was none of them.

How deep I find your thoughts, O God; *
     how great is the sum of them!

If I were to count them, they would be more in number than the sand; *
      to count them all, my life span would need to be like yours.
 

St. Helena Psalter

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What does it mean to you to be known in your thoughts and ways?
How do you experience God's creative power in your life?

________________________________________________________

 Philemon 1-21

 

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon our dear friend and co-worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus. I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ. I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.

For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love-- and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me. I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel; but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother-- especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.

 

_______________

Onesimus is an escaped slave, and a Christian brother.  Paul is returning him to his slave owner Philemon.  Paul urges compassion and equality for Onesimus.  Why do you think Paul doesn't use his apostolic authority to command Philemon to free Onesimus?  Why doesn't Paul condemn slavery as an institution?  Get into the nuance of this letter. 

________________________________________________________

 

Luke 14:25-33

Now large crowds were traveling with Jesus; and he turned and said to them, "Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, `This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions."_______________

What does Jesus mean when he tells us we cannot be his disciple unless we "hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers, and sisters, ...and even life itself?"
What does he man when he tells us we must give up all our possessions?

Scriptures and Reflection Questions for August 29

14 Pentecost

Proper 17 Year C

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

 

We use the Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary.

The Collect

Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lessons

 

Jeremiah 2:4-13
Psalm 81:1, 10-16
Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16
Luke 14:1, 7-14
________________________

 

Jeremiah 2:4-13Hear the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel. Thus says the LORD: What wrong did your ancestors find in me

that they went far from me,

and went after worthless things, and became worthless themselves? They did not say, "Where is the LORD

who brought us up from the land of Egypt,
who led us in the wilderness, in a land of deserts and pits,
in a land of drought and deep darkness, in a land that no one passes through, where no one lives?"

I brought you into a plentiful land to eat its fruits and its good things.
But when you entered you defiled my land,

and made my heritage an abomination.

The priests did not say, "Where is the LORD?"

Those who handle the law did not know me; the rulers transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal, and went after things that do not profit.

Therefore once more I accuse you, says the LORD,

and I accuse your children's children.

Cross to the coasts of Cyprus and look,

send to Kedar and examine with care; see if there has ever been such a thing.

Has a nation changed its gods,

even though they are no gods?

But my people have changed their glory

for something that does not profit.

Be appalled, O heavens, at this,

be shocked, be utterly desolate, says the LORD,

for my people have committed two evils:

they have forsaken me, the fountain of living water, and dug out cisterns for themselves, cracked cisterns that can hold no water. 

________________
How might Jeremiah's words be spoken to us and to our nation?

_________________________________________________________

Psalm 81:1, 10-16   

Sing with joy to God our strength, *

and raise a loud shout to the God of Jacob.

I am your God,
who brought you out of the land of Egypt and said, *

"Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it."

And yet my people did not hear my voice, *

and Israel would not obey me.

So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their hearts, *

to follow their own devices.

Oh, that my people would listen to me, *

that Israel would walk in my ways!

I should soon subdue their enemies *

and turn my hand against their foes.

Those who hate me would cringe before me, *

and their punishment would last for ever.

But Israel would I feed with the finest wheat *

and satisfy them with honey from the rock.

 

St. Helena Psalter

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In what ways are we faithful to the voice of God?
In what ways are we unfaithful to God's calling?

________________________________________________________

 

Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you." So we can say with confidence,

"The Lord is my helper;

I will not be afraid.

What can anyone do to me?"

Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

_______________

How would you score yourself and our society on the admonitions in this first paragraph?
What good deeds and sharing might you point to as sacrifices that are pleasing to God?

________________________________________________________

 

Luke 14:1, 7-14

On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely.

When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, `Give this person your place,' and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, `Friend, move up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

He said also to the one who had invited him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."_______________

Whom do you think of as greater and less than yourself?
Have you ever given a banquet like Jesus recommends? 
If so, what happened?  If not, why not?

Scriptures and Reflection Questions for August 22

Scriptures and Reflection Questions

Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Proper 16, Year C
August 22, 2010

 

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

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. Amen

____________

 

The Lessons

 

Jeremiah 1:4-10
Psalm 71:1-6
Hebrews 12:18-29
Luke 13:10-17
________________________

 

Jeremiah 1:4-10
The word of the LORD came to me saying,

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
 and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations."
Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy." But the LORD said to me,
     "Do not say, 'I am only a boy';
      for you shall go to all to whom I send you,
      and you shall speak whatever I command you,
     Do not be afraid of them,
     for I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD."
Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the LORD said to me,
     "Now I have put my words in your mouth.
     See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms,
          to pluck up and to pull down,
          to destroy and to overthrow,
          to build and to plant." ________________

Why does it seem like God has called you into being?

_________________________________________________________


Psalm 80:1-2, 8-18   

In you, O God, have I taken refuge; *
     let me never be ashamed.

In your righteousness, deliver me and set me free; *
     incline your ear to me and save me.

Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe; *
      you are my crag and my stronghold.

Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, *
     from the clutches of the evildoer and the oppressor.

For you are my hope, O God, *
     my confidence since I was young.

I have been sustained by you ever since I was born;
from my mother's womb you have been my strength; *
    my praise shall be always of you.
 

St. Helena Psalter

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Let this psalm be your prayer to God.
Then listen.  See if you sense a response from God.

________________________________________________________

 

Hebrews 12:18-29 

You have not come to something that can be touched, a blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that not another word be spoken to them. (For they could not endure the order that was given, "If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned to death." Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I tremble with fear.") But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

See that you do not refuse the one who is speaking; for if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject the one who warns from heaven! At that time his voice shook the earth; but now he has promised, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven." This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of what is shaken-- that is, created things-- so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; for indeed our God is a consuming fire.

_______________

What is your unshakable foundation?

________________________________________________________

 

Luke 13:1-17

Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, "Woman, you are set free from your ailment." When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day." But the Lord answered him and said, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?" When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing._______________

What weighs you down and bends you over?  What would it mean to be free?
Where do you see conflicts like this?  Some people wishing to protect the sanctity of the Sabbath object to Jesus doing this good work on this day.

Scriptures and Reflection Questions for August 15

Scriptures and Reflection Questions 

Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost

Proper 15, Year C
August 15, 2010

 

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

 

We use the Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary.

 

Collect

Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  

 

The Lessons

 

Isaiah 5:1-7
Psalm 80:1-2, 8-18
Hebrews 11:29-12:2
Luke 12:49-56
________________________

 

Isaiah 5:1-7 

Let me sing for my beloved

     my love-song concerning his vineyard:

My beloved had a vineyard

     on a very fertile hill.

He dug it and cleared it of stones,

     and planted it with choice vines;

he built a watchtower in the midst of it,

     and hewed out a wine vat in it;

he expected it to yield grapes,

     but it yielded wild grapes.

And now, inhabitants of Jerusalem

     and people of Judah,

judge between me

     and my vineyard.

What more was there to do for my vineyard

     that I have not done in it?

When I expected it to yield grapes,

     why did it yield wild grapes?

And now I will tell you

     what I will do to my vineyard.

I will remove its hedge,

     and it shall be devoured;

I will break down its wall,

     and it shall be trampled down.

I will make it a waste;

     it shall not be pruned or hoed,

     and it shall be overgrown with briers and thorns;

I will also command the clouds

     that they rain no rain upon it.

For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts

     is the house of Israel,

and the people of Judah

     are his pleasant planting;

he expected justice,

    but saw bloodshed;

righteousness,

    but heard a cry!

________________
The punchline is int the last sentence.  God made the country a pleasant planting, but the people have failed to create a society of justice and righteousness.  The prophet declares terrible consequences.

What might Isaiah say about our country and our society?

_________________________________________________________

Psalm 80:1-2, 8-18   

Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; *
     shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.

In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, *
      stir up your strength and come to help us.

You have brought a vine out of Egypt; *
     you cast out the nations and planted it.

You prepared the ground for it; *
     it took root and filled the land.

The mountains were covered by its shadow *
     and the towering cedar trees by its boughs.

You stretched out its tendrils to the Sea *
     and its branches to the River.

Why have you broken down its wall, *
     so that all who pass by pluck off its grapes?

The wild boar of the forest has ravaged it, *
     and the beasts of the field have grazed upon it.

Turn now, O God of hosts, look down from heaven; behold and tend this vine; *
     preserve what your right hand has planted.

They burn it with fire like rubbish; *
     at the rebuke of your countenance let them perish.

Let your hand be upon those at your right hand, *
     those whom you have made so strong for yourself.

 So we may never turn away from you, *
     give us life, that we may call upon your Name.

Restore us, O God of hosts; *
     show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
 

St. Helena Psalter

_______________

The consequences prophesied by Isaiah have now happened.  The psalmist prays for God's deliverance.

What might we pray to God for our deliverance?

________________________________________________________

 

Hebrews 11:29-12:2 

By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so they were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace.

And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets-- who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented-- of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

_______________

What does the writer want to inspire us toward by using these historical examples of faith?  What historical character inspires you toward your best?

________________________________________________________

 

Luke 12:49-56

Jesus said, "I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided:
 

father against son

and son against father,

mother against daughter

and daughter against mother,

mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law

and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."

He also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, `It is going to rain'; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, `There will be scorching heat'; and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?"_______________

Where do you see divisions within families?  ...within communities?  ...within the church?  ...within the nation?  ...within the planet?  In what ways are these divisions the kind of divisions Jesus talked about?