Sunday Scriptures and Reflection Questions for November 14

Scriptures and Reflection Questions
Pentecost 25, Proper 28
November 14, 2010
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Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary
Year C
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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: 

We use the Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary.
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The Lessons

Isaiah 65:17-25
Canticle 9
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Luke 21:5-19

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Isaiah 65:17-25
For I am about to create new heavens
and a new earth;
the former things shall not be remembered
or come to mind.
But be glad and rejoice forever
in what I am creating;
for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy,
and its people as a delight.
I will rejoice in Jerusalem,
and delight in my people;
no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it,
or the cry of distress.
No more shall there be in it
an infant that lives but a few days,
or an old person who does not live out a lifetime;
for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth,
and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed.
They shall build houses and inhabit them;
they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
They shall not build and another inhabit;
they shall not plant and another eat;
for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be,
and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
They shall not labor in vain,
or bear children for calamity;
for they shall be offspring blessed by the Lord--
and their descendants as well.
Before they call I will answer,
while they are yet speaking I will hear.
The wolf and the lamb shall feed together,
the lion shall eat straw like the ox;
but the serpent-- its food shall be dust!
They shall not hurt or destroy
on all my holy mountain, says the Lord.
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A beautiful vision of restored earthly life.
What must we do to move toward this vision?

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Canticle 9

Surely, it is God who saves me; *
I will trust in him and not be afraid.

For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense, *
and he will be my Savior.

Therefore you shall draw water with rejoicing *
from the springs of salvation.

And on that day you shall say, *
Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name;

Make his deeds known among the peoples; *
see that they remember that his Name is exalted.

Sing the praises of the Lord, for he has done great things, *
and this is known in all the world.

Cry aloud, inhabitants of Zion, ring out your joy, *
for the great one in the midst of you is the Holy One of Israel.

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How do you express your trust in God?
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2 Thessalonians 3:6-19

Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away 
from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that
they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were
not idle when we were with you, and we did not eat anyone's bread without paying
 for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden
any of you. This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give
 you an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command:
Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. For we hear that some of you are living
 in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and
exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.

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Some people in the early church quit working in anticipation of the immanent return
of Jesus.  Paul took issue with them.

Are there ways that some people use religion as an excuse for irresponsibility?

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Luke 21:5-19

When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones
and gifts dedicated to God, Jesus said, "As for these things that you see, the days
will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down."

They asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this
 is about to take place?" And he said, "Beware that you are not led astray; for 
many will come in my name and say, `I am he!' and, `The time is near!' Do not go
 after them.

"When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things 
must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately." Then he said to
 them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will
 be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will
 be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.

"But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand
you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors
because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your
minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom
that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be
 betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will 
put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a
 hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls."

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We see terrible omens and the potential for threatening events.  Yet Jesus offers
encouragement:  "Not a hair of your head will perish.  By your endurance you will
gain your souls."
What are your deepest fears?  What does Jesus say to you?
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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: