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

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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.

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The Lessons

 

Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7
Psalm 66:1-11
2 Timothy 2:8-15
Luke 17:11-19
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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.
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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?

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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

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

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

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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?