Scriptures and Reflection Questions for February 27, 2011

Scriptures and Reflection Questions
8th Sunday after Epiphany, Year A
February 27, 2011
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Collect

Most loving Father, whose will it is for us to give thanks for all things, to fear
nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on you who care for us: Preserve
us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, that no clouds of this mortal life
may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested
to us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity
of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary
Year A~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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:
http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id272.html

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The Lessons

Isaiah 49:8-16a
Psalm 131
1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Matthew 6:24-34

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Isaiah 49:8-16a

Thus says the LORD:

In a time of favor I have answered you,
  on a day of salvation I have helped you;
I have kept you and given you
  as a covenant to the people,
to establish the land,
  to apportion the desolate heritages;
saying to the prisoners, "Come out,"
  to those who are in darkness, "Show yourselves."
They shall feed along the ways,
  on all the bare heights shall be their pasture;
they shall not hunger or thirst,
  neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them down,
for he who has pity on them will lead them,
  and by springs of water will guide them.
And I will turn all my mountains into a road,
  and my highways shall be raised up.
Lo, these shall come from far away,
  and lo, these from the north and from the west,
  and these from the land of Syene.
Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth;
  break forth, O mountains, into singing!
For the LORD has comforted his people,
  and will have compassion on his suffering ones.
But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me,
  my Lord has forgotten me."
Can a woman forget her nursing child,
  or show no compassion for the child of her womb?
Even these may forget,
  yet I will not forget you.
See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands.
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At a time when the people think that they are forsaken and forgotten, the prophet
speaks for God's intention to establish the land for all, to feed and lead them
with loving compassion.
What would you ask God to do for our people at this time in our history?  How might
God's compassion be expressed in our nation?

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Psalm 131

O God, I am not proud; *
I have no haughty looks.

I do not occupy myself with great matters, *
or with things that are too hard for me.

But I still my soul and make it quiet, like a child upon its mother's breast; *
my soul is quieted within me.

O Israel, wait upon God, *
from this time forth for evermore.

                                           The Saint Helena Psalter

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Be still and quiet, waiting upon God, like a child upon its mother's breast.  Let
yourself be this way for 10 or 20 minutes.  Then observe.  How do you feel?

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1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries.
Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. But with me
 it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court.
I do not even judge myself. I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am
not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce
judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things
now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one
will receive commendation from God.

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What if you gave up judging yourself?  Just do what you need to do, and leave the
judging to God.  How might that ease your burden?
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Matthew 6:24-34

Jesus said,

"No  one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and  love the
other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You  cannot serve God and
 wealth.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you
will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food,
and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow
nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you
 not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to
your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the
field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in
all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass
 of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he
not much more clothe you-- you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying,
`What will we eat?' or `What will we drink?' or `What will we wear?' For it is the
Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows
that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his
righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

___________

What do you worry about?  Why?  How might Jesus' words bring less anxiety to your
life?

What role does money play in your life?

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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 out our website:  www.stpaulsfay.org