Scriptures and Reflection Questions for September 18

Scriptures and Reflection Questions
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Proper 20, Year A, Track 1
September 18, 2011
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Collect


Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly;
and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast
to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns 
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary
Year A
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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: 
www.stpaulsfay.org/id272.html
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The Lessons


Exodus 16:2-15
Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45
Philippians 1:21-30
Matthew 20:1-16


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Exodus 16:2-15


The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the
wilderness. The Israelites said to them, "If only we had died by the hand of the
 LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread;
for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with
hunger."


Then the LORD said to Moses, "I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and 
each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will
test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not. On the sixth day, when
they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other
days." So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, "In the evening you shall 
know that it was the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and in the morning
you shall see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your complaining against
the LORD. For what are we, that you complain against us?" And Moses said, "When 
the LORD gives you meat to eat in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning,
because the LORD has heard the complaining that you utter against him-- what are
 we? Your complaining is not against us but against the LORD."


Then Moses said to Aaron, "Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, `Draw
near to the LORD, for he has heard your complaining.'" And as Aaron spoke to the
 whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked toward the wilderness, and the
glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud. The LORD spoke to Moses and said, "I have
heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, `At twilight you shall eat
 meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know
 that I am the LORD your God.'"


In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was
 a layer of dew around the camp. When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface
of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. When
the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, "What is it?" For they did not 
know what it was. Moses said to them, "It is the bread that the LORD has given you
to eat."


_________


In the misery of their wilderness, God feeds the people.  They see God's glory.


When have you been in the wilderness?  What happened?


Have you ever been upheld in your own experience of wilderness?


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Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45


We give you thanks, O God, and call upon your Name; *
     we make known your deeds among the peoples.


We sing to you; we sing your praise *
     and speak of all your marvelous works.


We glory in your holy Name; *
     let the hearts of those who seek you rejoice.


We search for you and your strength; *
     we continually seek your face.


We remember the marvels you have done, *
     the wonders and the judgments of your mouth.


O offspring of Abraham, your servant, *
     O children of Jacob, the chosen ones.


You led out your people with silver and gold; *
     in all their tribes there was not one that stumbled.


Egypt was glad of their going, *
     because they were afraid of them.


You spread out a cloud for a covering *
     and a fire to give light in the night season.


They asked, and quails appeared, *
     and you satisfied them with bread from heaven.


You opened the rock, and water flowed, *
     so the river ran in the dry places.


For you remembered your holy word *
     and Abraham your servant.


So you led forth your people with gladness, *
     your chosen with shouts of joy.


You gave your people the lands of the nations, *
     and they took the fruit of others' toil,


That they might keep your statutes *
     and observe your laws. Alleluia!


                          The Saint Helena Psalter


_________


Feel the joy of this Psalm.  
How might you express similar joy to God for the blessings
in your own life?


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Philippians 1:21-30


For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that
means fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which I prefer. I am hard pressed
 between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better;
but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. Since I am convinced of this,
I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy
 in faith, so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when 
I come to you again.


Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether
I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing
firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel,
and are in no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their
destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God's doing. For he has graciously
granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for 
him as well -- since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had and now
 hear that I still have.


________


Sense the perseverance that Paul expresses in this passage.


In what ways do you persevere in your own life?


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Matthew 20:1-16


Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the
 morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for
 the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine
o'clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and he said to them, `You
also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' So they went. 
When he went out again about noon and about three o'clock, he did the same. And 
about five o'clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to 
them, `Why are you standing here idle all day?' They said to him, `Because no one
has hired us.' He said to them, `You also go into the vineyard.' When evening came,
the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, `Call the laborers and give them 
their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.' When those hired
about five o'clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the
first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received
 the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner,
saying, `These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who
 have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.' But he replied to one
 of them, `Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual
daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same
as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? 
Or are you envious because I am generous?' So the last will be first, and the first
will be last."


__________


An employer is generous, and gives a daily wage, a living wage, to everyone, not
 just to those who had worked the whole day?   What does this story mean to you?


With whom do you identify?  The all-day workers?  The late comers?


Who in our economy might read this story and feel encouraged?


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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
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