Blogging toward Sunday

The Widow's Mite by James Tissot via Wikimedia Commons

Scripture readings for Sunday, November 11 include Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17 and Mark 12:38-44. It is interesting to note that both readings involve widows. Take a few moments to read about Ruth and Naomi. Then consider the following:

1. What is Naomi's plan?
2. Why does she even need a plan?
3. What is the result of Naomi's plan?

Now, turn to the gospel reading. As you read, what stands out for you? About what would you like to know more? After giving these questions some thought, sit a while with the artistic rendition of "The Widow's Mite" that is provided. What do you notice? Has this creative interpretation caused you to ask different questions? If so, what?

I pray that you are having a blessed week, and that in your spiritual journey you are being a blessing to others. Come, let us worship together on Sunday!

Shalom,
Glenda

Blogging toward Sunday

Image via Wikimedia Commons

The Lectionary readings for Sunday include Ruth 1:1-18 and Mark 12:28-34.

In preparation for worship, I invite you to find a nice, comfy place to sit with your Bible and journal (or whatever you like to use to write down thoughts, prayers, etc.). First, consider Ruth. Read through the passage and note what intrigues you. Jot it down. Read through the passage a second time, slowly and prayerfully. Do you come away with any new learning this time? If so, make note of it. 

Now, consider the following:

1. What is your favorite part of the story of Ruth?
2. Generally, how does our culture portray the relationship between a daughter and her mother-in-law?
3. In what ways is this story extraordinary?

Let us turn to the gospel reading. Using the same method, read through the text at least twice. Note what strikes you about Jesus' encounter with this religious expert.

Now, consider the following:

1.  How is this interaction between Jesus and a religious expert different than most?
2. What was the confrontation over in the text just prior to this reading?
3. Why do you think no one asked Jesus any more questions after this episode?

Take a few moments to examine your own faith journey. How have you lived a life loving God and loving others? Take a moment to confess to God those times when you have failed to be loving--toward God, toward others, toward yourself. Then rest in God's mercy and love. Take a moment to give thanks for those times when God has empowered you to be loving--toward God, toward others, toward yourself. Then rest in God's strength and grace. Yes, you are a beloved child of God, whom day by day God is forming into the person God wishes you to be. Thanks be to God!

Remember that Sunday we celebrate All Saints' Day. I look forward to seeing you then.

Shalom,
Glenda

Blogging toward Sunday

The texts for Sunday, October 28, include Job 42:1-6, 10-17 and Mark 10:46-52.

Image via Wikimedia Commons

 

 

 

The above image is entitled "Christ Giving Sight to Blind Bartimaeus" by William Blake. As a prayerful meditation practice, first read Bartimaeus' story found in Mark 10:46-52. Then take a few moments to gaze at the picture. What do you find most interesting about this piece of art? What new insight does it provide you about this well-loved story?

Now read the poem provided below, penned by John Newton:

Bartimaeus

Mercy, O thou Son of David!
Thus blind Bartimaeus prayed;
Others by thy word are saved,
Now to me afford thine aid:
Many for his crying chid him,
But he called the louder still;
Till the gracious Saviour bid him
Come, and ask me what you will.

Money was not what he wanted,
Though by begging used to live;
But he asked, and Jesus granted
Alms, which none but he could give:
Lord remove this grievous blindness,
Let my eyes behold the day;
Strait he saw, and won by kindness,
Followed Jesus in the way.

O! methinks I hear him praising,
Publishing to all around;
Friends, is not my case amazing?
What a Saviour I have found:
O! that all the blind but knew him,
And would be advised by me!
Surely, would they hasten to him,
He would cause them all to see.

When the blind man approached Jesus, what did Jesus ask him? Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" Imagine for a moment that Jesus stands before you right now. Perhaps you bow humbly before him as he asks you the same question he asked Bartimaeus: "What do you want me to do for you?" What will be your response? In your heart of hearts, above all else, what do you wish for your Savior to do for you? 

Then you must ask yourself one more question: How will you respond? Bartimaeus responded with his life for he followed Jesus on the way. Are you following Jesus? Is your following an act of thanks? 

May God bless you and your loved ones this week on the journey toward Sunday. As always, I look forward to seeing you in worship.

Shalom,

Glenda

Blogging toward Sunday

The Lectionary texts for Sunday, September 23 include Psalm 1 and Mark 9:30-37.

Image via Wikimedia Commons

In the gospel reading, Jesus continues trekking along with the disciples, in "teacher-mode." He instructs them of his impending sacrifice. Then, he teaches them an important lesson. What lesson does Jesus impart?

Sunday's sermon will be on Psalm 1. How often have you heard sermons on Psalms? I'm guessing that your answer is, "Not often." As I reflect on the sermons I have heard over the years, I can only recall one based on Psalms, other than funeral homilies preached using Psalm 23.

This week, take some time to read over Psalm 1. Read it several times and, if you have a variety of translations at hand, use them to get a wider view of this text. What speaks to you as you meditate on God's Holy Word? If you are a tree planted by streams of water, what kind of tree are you?

The following is a Meditation on Psalm 1 written by Joan Stott. May her words bless you as they blessed me.

Meditation on Psalm 1[i]

My faithful God, how I love the imagery of this Psalm - the first prayer in this ancient Prayer Book – which, through our fellowship with God, helps all who yearn to lead a faithful life to discover the path to follow, and how to walk in the way that lead to holiness and grace. Day and night, I know I can rely on God’s presence as I try to respond to the Holy One, who created me to be only me, and not anyone else! This means that I do not have to try to be different to that which I am already, and to rejoice that my deep roots are stretching down into God’s blessedness, and that the fruits of my God-given gifts and graces are developing through God’s love for me.

Creative pause: I am who God made me, and no one else.

I find my greatest delights in serving my God, with my over-gown of fresh green leaves sparkling in the sunshine of God’s love; and despite the winds of change and trouble, these leaves do not wither or fall off; because of the nurturing strength that is given to them, because of the deep roots that are nourished by the flowing waters of God’s Spirit. This nurturing strength sets for me a path of right living, just as long as I remain connected to these gracious and supportive gifts from God.

Creative pause: I delight in the strong roots and green leaves God has given me.

O God, my prayers are for those people who choose not to follow the paths of right living, and who never seem to find in life what they are yearning and searching for. Do they realize what they are missing out on in life by ignoring God’s claims on their life? Don’t they understand that God’s paths lead to Life in all its fullness, giving creative growth and purpose for living? Don’t they know that rejection of those paths lead to death? Don’t they recognize that without God traveling with them, that life has little purpose or meaning when God is shut out of their commitments? O God, may the reality of your love grow in them, and so meet all their needs.

Creative pause: I pray for the people who turn their back on God.

As always, I look forward to seeing you this Sunday. May God bless you on your journey.

Shalom,

Glenda

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[i]
© 2012 Joan Stott – "The Timeless Psalms" RCL Psalm Year B, used with permission.

Blogging toward Sunday

The Lectionary readings for Sunday, September 26 include Proverbs 1:20-33 and Mark 8:27-38. Read both texts, paying particular attention to the gospel and then consider the following:

1. What word of wisdom does Proverbs have for you today?
2. How is wisdom portrayed in this reading?
3. Concerning the Gospel, where are Jesus and his disciples?
4. What does Jesus want to know?
5. Describe Jesus' encounter with Peter.

Now, take a moment to read Mark 7:27-38 from The Message: 

Jesus and his disciples headed out for the villages around Caesarea Philippi. As they walked, he asked, “Who do the people say I am?”

“Some say ‘John the Baptizer,’” they said. “Others say ‘Elijah.’ Still others say ‘one of the prophets.’” He then asked, “And you—what are you saying about me? Who am I?” Peter gave the answer: “You are the Christ, the Messiah.”

Jesus warned them to keep it quiet, not to breathe a word of it to anyone. He then began explaining things to them: “It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the elders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and after three days rise up alive.” He said this simply and clearly so they couldn’t miss it. But Peter grabbed him in protest. Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. “Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works.”

Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for? “If any of you are embarrassed over me and the way I’m leading you when you get around your fickle and unfocused friends, know that you’ll be an even greater embarrassment to the Son of Man when he arrives in all the splendor of God, his Father, with an army of the holy angels.”

Did this reading provide a different perspective for you? Did something "new" catch your attention? If so, what? Finally, rest with the following words of wisdom:

Jesus asked them,
Who do you say that I am? 
Elijah, Prophet, Rabbi. 
Son of God, Messiah, Christ.
The Way, The Truth, The Life.
Savior, Shepherd, Friend.
The last, the least, the lost.
Jesus asked Peter.
Jesus asked Pilate.
Jesus asks us.
Who do you say that I am?

May God bless you on  your journey this week. May God lead you safely into our house of worship this Sunday.

Shalom,
Glenda

Blogging toward Sunday

Lectionary readings for Sept.9, 2012 are Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 & Mark 7:24-37.

Image via Wikimedia Commons; Juan De Flandes, circa 1500

After reading some of the wisdom that Proverbs has to offer, sit with the gospel for a while. Upon first reading of the text, what questions do you have? Take a moment and write down your first impressions of the reading. Take notice of how many stories are included in the reading, who are the characters, who speaks and who doesn't. Now, prayerfully read through the text again. Did a second reading provide new insight? If so, what?

During Lectionary group today, the discussion about the faith of the foreign woman and the healing of the deaf man was a lively and interesting one. Allow me to share with you a few of the questions or comments that came up among the pastors gathered around the table:

1. The region of Tyre was largely Gentile and despised by the Jews, which begs the question, "Why did Jesus go there in the first place?
2. Why is he being rude to the woman?
3. In these stories, Jesus is breaking several boundaries in his culture.
4. What boundaries need to be broken down in our time and place?
5. Jesus heals the deaf mute, who is also a Gentile. What significance does this have?
6. Why does Jesus sigh?

On your spiritual journey this week, ponder the readings, artwork, and the meandering of your pastor. Then, come and join us in worship on Sunday and we will continue the conversation together.

Shalom,
Glenda

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

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