Sunday Scriptures and Reflection Questions for October 24

Scriptures and Reflection Questions

21st Sunday After Pentecost

Proper 24, Year C; Track 1

Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary
October 17th, 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

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Collect
Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

______________

The Lessons    Joel 2:23-32 Psalm 65 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 Luke 18:9-14 ________________________   Joel 2:23-32  O children of Zion, be glad and rejoice in the LORD your God;      for he has given the early rain for your vindication,      he has poured down for you abundant rain,      the early and the later rain, as before. The threshing floors shall be full of grain,      the vats shall overflow with wine and oil. I will repay you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten,      the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter,      my great army, which I sent against you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,      and praise the name of the LORD your God,      who has dealt wondrously with you.      And my people shall never again be put to shame.   You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel,      and that I, the LORD, am your God and there is no other.   And my people shall never again be put to shame.   Then afterward      I will pour out my spirit on all flesh;      your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,      your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female slaves,      in those days, I will pour out my spirit.   I will show portents in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD comes. Then everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved; for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the LORD has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the LORD calls.________________ Joel has a vision of an abundant new world, with food and security for all.  God's Spirit dwells with God's people.  He imagines God saving all who call upon the Divine.  What does this vision mean to you? _________________________________________________________ Psalm 65    You are to be praised, O God, in Zion; *      to you shall vows be performed in Jerusalem. To you that hear prayer shall all flesh come, *      because of their transgressions. Our sins are stronger than we are, *      but you will blot them out. Happy are they whom you choose and draw to your courts to dwell there; *      they will be satisfied by the beauty of your house, by the holiness of your temple. Awesome things will you show us in your righteousness, O God of our salvation, *      O Hope of all the ends of the earth and of the seas that are far away. You make fast the mountains by your power; *      they are girded about with might. You still the roaring of the seas, *      the roaring of their waves, and the clamor of the peoples. Those who dwell at the ends of the earth will tremble at your marvelous signs; *      you make the dawn and the dusk to sing for joy. You visit the earth and water it abundantly; you make it very plenteous; *      the river of God is full of water. You prepare the grain, *      for so you provide for the earth. You drench the furrows and smooth out the ridges; *      with heavy rain you soften the ground and bless its increase. You crown the year with your goodness, *      and your paths overflow with plenty. May the fields of the wilderness be rich for grazing, *      and the hills be clothed with joy. May the meadows cover themselves with flocks,  and the valleys cloak themselves with grain; *      let them shout for joy and sing.   St. Helena Psalter _______________ From the seat of worship, the people receive forgiveness and blessing.  God extends that blessing to the whole earth.  How can you use your worship to extend God's blessing to you and to the whole earth? ________________________________________________________ 2 Timothy 4:6-8-8:16-18   I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing. At my first defense no one came to my support, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. _______________ How have you known God to rescue you? ________________________________________________________   Luke 18:9-14 Jesus told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, `God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, `God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted."_______________ What does this story mean to you?  When do you see yourself as the Pharisee?  When do you see yourself as the tax collector? ________________________________________________________   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)

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Lowell

The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR

The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church
is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Our Rule of Life:
We aspire to...
    worship weekly
    pray daily
    learn constantly
    serve joyfully 
    live generously. 

Check our website:  www.stpaulsfay.org

Sunday Scriptures and Reflection Questions for October 17

Scriptures and Reflection Questions

21st Sunday After Pentecost

Proper 24, Year C; Track 1

Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary
October 17th, 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

____________

The Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession 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 31:27-34
Psalm 119:97-104
2 Timothy 3:14-4:5
Luke 18:1-8    

 

________________________

 

Jeremiah 31:27-34

 

The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of humans and the seed of animals. And just as I have watched over them to pluck up and break down, to overthrow, destroy, and bring evil, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, says the LORD. In those days they shall no longer say:

"The parents have eaten sour grapes,
and the children's teeth are set on edge."
But all shall die for their own sins; the teeth of everyone who eats sour grapes shall be set on edge.

The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt-- a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, "Know the LORD," for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.
________________

Jeremiah changes the ancient paradigm dating from at least the days of the Ten Commandments, saying that innocent descendants will no longer bear the guilt of their ancestors' sins.  He imagines a day when God's law will be in our hearts, not just written legalisms.

How is God's will present and planted in your heart?
How do you need to grow and transform to live fully and authentically as God's person?

_________________________________________________________


Psalm 119:97-104   

Oh, how I love your law! *
     all the day long it is in my mind.

Your commandment has made me wiser than my enemies, *
     and it is always with me.

I have more understanding than all my teachers, *
     for your decrees are my study.

I am wiser than the elders, *
     because I observe your commandments.

I restrain my feet from every evil way, *
     that I may keep your word.

I do not shrink from your judgments, *
     because you yourself have taught me.

How sweet are your words to my taste! *
     they are sweeter than honey to my mouth.

Through your commandments I gain understanding; *
     therefore I hate every lying way. 
 

St. Helena Psalter

_______________

 Can you express your devotion to God's Word and God's Will?  What would you say?

________________________________________________________

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

 

As for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.
_______________

What part of this message speaks to you? 
What questions might it raise for you?

________________________________________________________

 

Luke 18:1-8

Jesus told his disciples a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, `Grant me justice against my opponent.' For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, `Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.'" And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"_______________

What is Jesus' point in this parable?
When you pray, how do you approach God?

Sunday Scriptures and Reflection Questions for October 10

20 Pentecost; Proper 23, Year C (track 1)

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

_____________________

The Collect

Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; 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 29:1, 4-7
Psalm 66:1-11
2 Timothy 2:8-15
Luke 17:11-19
________________________

 

Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7

 

These are the words of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining elders among the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.

Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
________________

Jeremiah writes to a captured and exiled people who have been taken into enemy territory.  He tells them to settled and build lives there, and to pray for the welfare of those who have captured them.  How do you think that message was received?  Why would Jeremiah tell them such a thing?  What does it say to us?

_________________________________________________________


Psalm 66:1-11   

 O be joyful in God, all you lands; *
      sing the glory of God's Name; sing the glory of God's praise.

Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds; *
     because of your great strength your enemies cringe before you.

All the earth bows down before you, *
     sings to you, sings out your Name."

Come now and see the works of God, *
     how wonderful are these doings for all people.

God turned the sea into dry land, so that we went through the water on foot, *
     and there we rejoiced in God,

Whose might rules for ever; whose eyes keep watch over the nations; *
     let not the rebellious lift up their heads.

Bless our God, you peoples; *
      let the sound of praise be heard;

God holds our souls in life, *
     and will not allow our feet to slip.

For you, O God, have proved us; *
     you have tried us just as silver is tried.

You brought us into the snare *
     and laid heavy burdens upon our backs.

You let enemies ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, *
     but you brought us out into a place of refreshment.

 

St. Helena Psalter

_______________

How might we speak this psalm in our time and our place?

________________________________________________________

2 Timothy 2:8-15

 

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David -- that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. The saying is sure:

If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he will also deny us;
if we are faithless, he remains faithful --
for he cannot deny himself.

Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.
_______________

In what ways have you died with Christ so that you live with him?

________________________________________________________

 

Luke 17:11-19

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then he said to him, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well."_______________

Who are the """lepers" in our society?

Who might be a "Samaritan" in our culture?  (remember, the Samaritans were heretics of another, foreign faith)
How might you re-write this story using today's characters?