Blogging toward Sunday

An etching by Jan Luyken from the Phillip Medhurst Collection of Bible illustrations housed at Belgrave Hall, Leicester, England; via Wikimedia Commons

The Lectionary readings for September 2nd are Song of Solomon 2:8-13 and Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23.

Read the passage from Song of Solomon (Song of Songs). It's important to note that this book of the Bible is quite different from other biblical texts. The traditional Jewish understanding of the Song of Solomon is that it is a religious allegory recounting God's love for Israel. For Christians, it is an allegory of Christ's love for the church. In more recent years, many scholars have come to accept it as actual love poetry about the love between a man and his beloved. How do you interpret the overall purpose of the Song? Why?

Now, let's turn our attention to the New Testament reading. For several weeks we have been reading from the Gospel of John. This Sunday we return to the Gospel of Mark. As a way of getting back into the text, let's examine the happenings in Mark prior to our reading:  Jesus has been teaching through parables, Jesus has been healing the sick and performing miracles like feeding the 5000 and walking on water. It's no wonder that news of Jesus is spreading throughout the land. It's no wonder that some Pharisees and scribes come all the way from Jerusalem to witness Jesus in action.

Since the Lectionary readings leave out several "in between" verses, take time to read Mark 7:1-23. This will give you a better understanding of what is happening. Now consider the following: 

1. What do the Pharisees note right away?
2. Why is this important to them?
3. What prophecy does Jesus quote?

After reflecting on this text, meditate on what you believe Jesus is trying to teach all those who hear his voice. Then rewrite the prophecy in your own words.

I hope the following will bless your journey toward Sunday:

Lord,
let our hearts not be
far from you.

Help us reach out to our neighbor,
even when we are busy or tired.
Let us tear down walls
when we’d
rather
let them stand.

Stretch us, please.

Whether we are
visiting a prisoner, offering a smile, feeding the hungry,
be within us so that whatever we do,
we do with your love.

Let the world know we are your disciples
not because our hands are clean,
but because they are soiled
with the mark of your
people.[i]

As always, I look forward to seeing you worship. Don't forget that the "Blessing of the Hands" will be part of the service this Sunday. 

Shalom,

Glenda

---

[i] Copyright © 2012, Anne M. Osdieck. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce for personal or parish use.

Blogging toward Sunday

Building of Solomon's Temple; via Wikimedia Commons

The Scripture readings for Sunday, August 26th include 1 Kings 8:22-30, 41-43 and John 6:56-69. 

Both of our Lectionary readings bring us to the conclusion of several weeks of study focused on a particular area during the Season of Pentecost. From the Old Testament, we have been following the life and times of David and his son, Solomon. David has died and Solomon sits on his throne as a wise and industrious ruler. He has the honor and privilege of overseeing the building of the Temple. To get a fuller picture of what is happening here, take the time to read 1 Kings 8:1-43. By doing so you will learn more about the Ark of the Covenant and important details prior to Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the Temple. 

Turning now to our New Testament reading, this Sunday we come to the end of our venture into John chapter 6, in which Jesus speaks often about being the Bread of Life. Even though you have been hearing these readings, in part, each Sunday, here again I suggest that you take time to include additional verses. Doing so will help you to more fully understand Jesus' teaching. After you have read all of John 6, consider the following:

1. What important events occur in this chapter?
2. What themes are repeated?
3. Why is Jesus' teaching difficult?
4. What is the reaction of many of the disciples? How do the Twelve respond?
5. What confession does Peter make?

In both the Old and New Testament texts, the presence of God is important. While God has been present with the people of Israel since they were chosen by God to be God's special people (blessed to be a blessing), now God is present in a different place, a different "way," if you will. Also, through the eyes of the writer of the Gospel of John, God's presence is now available in a different "way," and that is through Jesus Christ, God's own Son. Might this be one reason some people are offended at the words of Jesus? This is one of the many questions I am asking on my journey toward Sunday.

I look forward to your presence in worship.
Shalom,
Glenda 

Blogging toward Sunday

Image via Wikimedia Commons

Readings for Sunday, August 19th include 1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14 and John 6:51-58.

King David dies and it is his son, Solomon, who takes over his throne. Carefully read the passage and then consider the following: 

1. From the beginning, how is Solomon described?
2. What clue (or foreshadowing) is provided in verse 3 that hints at upcoming problems for Solomon?
3. How did the Lord appear to Solomon?
4. Do you think God still speaks to people in this fashion? Why or why not?

Now, turning to the Gospel of John, the theme is once again: Jesus, the Bread of Life. Prayerfully read the text. Afterward, reflect on these tidbits of information:

1. In the Gospel of John, there are no words of institution regarding the celebration of the Lord's Table. However, this portion of Scripture is widely accepted as the narrative discourse on the Bread of Life--in other words, these are the words of institution for John.
2. In the NRSV, note the repetition of words like "abide," "living," and "live," found in verses 56 and 57.
3. Jesus' words are quite graphic: "eat my flesh," "drink my blood..." 
4. Jesus' words foreshadow his own death, when his life-blood will cease to flow and he will, in fact, give his life for the world. (see verse 51)

Now that you have read the text and reflected upon the comments above, read through John 6:51-58 once more.  What new insights have you gained? What new questions do you have?

On our journey toward Sunday, may God deliver fresh new insights to our hearts and minds so that we may worship together in Spirit and in truth. 
Shalom,
Glenda

Blogging toward Sunday

The gospel reading for Sunday, August 12th is John 6:35, 41-51.

In this reading from John, the theme of Jesus as the "Bread of Life" continues. Why do the Judeans complain about Jesus? What do they think they know about him that would exclude him from being what/whom he claims to be? As you journey toward Sunday, meditate on the gospel reading a few moments each day. 

In addition, may your journey be enriched by the following poem written by Rev. Ken Rookes:

I am the bread,

the bread of living;

come to me.

I have God’s word for you,

food for your heart.

It is a word of joy and of freedom,

surprising in generosity,

intense and glowing.

It tells of peace in the midst of turbulent times,

defiant love in the midst of fear,

hope, when darkness abounds.

This is the word that will answer your hunger,

and confound  your emptiness.

I am the bread of life;

in me the journey begins and ends

and finds its shape.

In me you will discover yourself;

you will also find true community

and the friendship of God.

Sing, rejoice, dance and weep:

I am the bread:

the bread of living;

come to me.

As always, I look forward to seeing you in worship Sunday morning. 

Shalom, Glenda

Blogging toward Sunday

Lectionary texts for Sunday, August 5th, include 2 Sam 11:26-12:13a & John 6:24-35.

In our Old Testament reading, the life and times of King David continues. Last Sunday we learned of his infidelity as well as the death of an innocent man because of David's sin. After reading the text, consider the following:

1. What is David's sin?
2. Who comes calling with a word from God?
3. You may notice that the reading ends at verse 13a ("a" meaning only the first part of verse 13). Why do you think the rest of the verse plus verses 14 and 15 are omitted from the reading?

During our Lectionary group on Tuesdays, the pastors who gather examine Scripture using a variety of Bible translations. It is always interesting to hear what we notice from one reading that completely misses our attention from another reading. With that being said, below are 3 interpretations of John 6:24-35. Read each one and note your own response to delving into Scripture via numerous translations.


[NRSV, New Revised Standard Version]
So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.”Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

[CEB, Common English Bible]  

When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus replied, “I assure you that you are looking for me not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate all the food you wanted. Don’t work for the food that doesn’t last but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Human One will give you. God the Father has confirmed him as his agent to give life.” They asked, “What must we do in order to accomplish what God requires?” Jesus replied, “This is what God requires, that you believe in him whom God sent.” They asked, “What miraculous sign will you do, that we can see and believe you? What will you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, just as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. ”Jesus told them, “I assure you, it wasn’t Moses who gave the bread from heaven to you, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. The bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”They said, “Sir, give us this bread all the time!” Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

[The Message]  

The next day the crowd that was left behind realized that there had been only one boat, and that Jesus had not gotten into it with his disciples. They had seen them go off without him. By now boats from Tiberias had pulled up near where they had eaten the bread blessed by the Master. So when the crowd realized he was gone and wasn't coming back, they piled into the Tiberias boats and headed for Capernaum, looking for Jesus. When they found him back across the sea, they said, "Rabbi, when did you get here?" Jesus answered, "You've come looking for me not because you saw God in my actions but because I fed you, filled your stomachs—and for free. "Don't waste your energy striving for perishable food like that. Work for the food that sticks with you, food that nourishes your lasting life, food the Son of Man provides. He and what he does are guaranteed by God the Father to last." To that they said, "Well, what do we do then to get in on God's works?" Jesus said, "Throw your lot in with the One that God has sent. That kind of a commitment gets you in on God's works." They waffled: "Why don't you give us a clue about who you are, just a hint of what's going on? When we see what's up, we'll commit ourselves. Show us what you can do. Moses fed our ancestors with bread in the desert. It says so in the Scriptures: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" Jesus responded, "The real significance of that Scripture is not that Moses gave you bread from heaven but that my Father is right now offering you bread from heaven, the real bread. The Bread of God came down out of heaven and is giving life to the world." They jumped at that: "Master, give us this bread, now and forever!" Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with me hungers no more and thirsts no more, ever."

As always, I look forward to seeing you in worship on Sunday. May God's blessings rain down upon you this week.

Shalom,

Glenda

 

Blogging toward Sunday

The Lectionary readings for Sunday include 2 Samuel 11:1-15 and John 6:1-21.

Image via Wikimedia Commons

Last Sunday you had the opportunity to hear our Presbytery's Executive Presbyter, Carson Rhyne, preach. If you were in church, you heard a sermon entitled "Let's Eat!" The sermon considered Mark's telling of the story of the feeding of the 5000. Once again this Sunday, you will hear this story, but from John's perspective. Now, don't even consider staying home, thinking "I heard it last Sunday!" No, because even though fish and bread will be on the menu, so will significant other things, particularly from the Old Testament reading.

Speaking of our Old Testament reading, for the past few weeks we have been following the life of King David. Since you missed the text from 2 Samuel last week, be sure and add 2 Samuel 7:1-14 this week. Herein, the prophet Nathan is introduced and you learn of David's desire to build a temple for the Lord. From 2 Samuel 11:1-15, you will see another side of David, a side that is less concerned with the desires of Yahweh and more concerned with the desires of David.

Image via Wikimedia Commons

Read both passages from 2 Samuel as well as the story of the Feeding of the 5000 from the Gospel of John. Then consider the following:

1. How would you describe David when he desires to build a temple for the Lord?
2. What aspects of his character become evident in the second reading?
3. If you compare the boy who shared his fish and loaves with David who took what wasn't his to take, what might you say about each person?
4. The title for Sunday's sermon is "Give or Take." As you prepare for worship on Sunday, meditate on the giving nature of the boy versus the taking nature of David as told in the readings.

I look forward to seeing you in worship Sunday morning.
Shalom,
Glenda

Blogging toward Sunday

Image from Wikimedia Commons

The readings for Sunday, July 22nd will be Psalm 96 and Mark 6:30-44.

After spending time with the Scripture passages, examine the picture above. What do you notice about Jesus and those gathered around him? Just before food is miraculously given to all who are hungry, Jesus instructs his disciples to come away for a while and get some rest for they have had no time--even to eat. 

Rush, rush, rush, hurry, hurry, hurry! It is the way of our lives, more so now than ever, it seems. In light of the rush and the hurry, I offer you this poem on which to reflect, written by Jan Richardson.

Blessing of Rest

Curl this blessing
beneath your head
for a pillow.
Wrap it about yourself
for a blanket.
Lay it across your eyes
and for this moment
cease thinking about
what comes next,
what you will do
when you rise.

Let this blessing
gather itself to you
like the stillness
that descends
between your heartbeats,
the silence that comes
so briefly
but with a constancy
on which
your life depends.

Settle yourself
into the quiet
this blessing brings,
the hand it lays
upon your brow,
the whispered word
it breathes into
your ear
telling you
all shall be well
all shall be well
and you can rest
now.

My prayer for you this week is that the Lord will provide you with everything you need--work, rest, food, wholeness and love...

Shalom,

Glenda