Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, May 27, 2012, the Day of Pentecost (Year B)

Posted each Thursday, Lectionary Ruminations focuses on the Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the following Sunday per the Revised Common Lectionary. Comments and questions are intended to encourage reflection for readers preparing to teach, preach, or hear the Word. Reader comments are invited and encouraged. All lectionary links are to the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings website, but if you prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references may be linked to the NRSV via the oremus Bible Browser.) 

First Reading - Acts 2:1-21

v. 1 How did early Christians know the day of Pentecost had arrived when they had not yet been filled with the Holy Spirit? Who are “they” and what does it mean (existentially and theologically) that “they  were all together in one place”?

v. 2 Why were they sitting in a house?

v. 3 What is a divided tongue?

v. 4 Do you think some of them spoke in other languages better than others?

v. 5 What is the difference between a devout Jew and a Jew?

v. 6 When was the last time you were bewildered?

v. 7 When was the last time worship where you usually attend left you or anyone else amazed and astonished?

v. 10 What is the difference between a Jew and a proselyte?

v. 11 What are God’s deeds of power?

v. 12When was the last time your sermon or Bible study amazed and perplexed anyone? I would settle for people simply asking “What does this mean?”.

v. 13 What is the difference between new wine and old wine? Can not both intoxicate?

v. 14 Why Peter?

vs. 17-21 Do  you think Peter really said this, or are some words being putin to his mouth at a later time?

v. 17 If God poured out the Spirit on all flesh, sons as well as daughters, (both male and female slaves inverse 18), then why does Peter address only “men” in verse 14?

Psalm - Psalm 104:24-34, 35b

v. 24 What works?

v. 26 All the ships are in NYC this week for Fleet Week and OpSail 2012.  Is this Hobbes’ Leviathan?

v. 29 What does it mean for God to hide the divine face?

v. 30 Does this verse alone justify pairing this Psalm with the Acts passage and to read on Pentecost Sunday?

v. 32 Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions! Is it bad science, and bad theology, to associate natural geologic phenomena with God?

Second Reading - Romans 8:22-27

v. 22 Who is “we”?  Read this verse in light of Psalm 104:32. Does this verse legitimize Christians speaking of “mother earth”?

v. 23 What does it mean to groan inwardly?

v. 24-25 Is Paul making the distinction between hope and truth? Faith and fact?

v. 26 Why do we not know how to pray as we ought?  Can prayer be taught?  Is there any comparison between “sighs too deep for words” and glossolalia?

v. 27 Does this verse suggest that the Spirit resides in individuals in the heart (rather than the mind)?

Gospel John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15

v. 26 Is the Fourth Gospel the only New Testament writing to refer to the Spirit as the Advocate.  How do you reconcile this verse with the filioque clause of the Nicene Creed?

v. 7 Why can the Advocate not come to believers until after Jesus leaves them?

v. 11 Who is “the ruler of this world”?

v. 12 What else do you think Jesus wanted to say that he did not say?

v. 13 Where does the Spirit of Truth hear what he (or she?) speaks?

ADDENDUM

In addition to serving as the half time Pastor of North Church Queens and writing Lectionary Ruminations, I also tutor part time.  If you or someone you know needs a tutor, or if you would like to be a tutor, check out my WyzAnt page and follow the appropriate links.

Second Sail of the season

Yesterday,Vicki and I enjoyed our second sail of the season.  For our friend Bonnie, it was her first sail of the season,and she brought her camera along.  Check out her blog for a sampling of her great photos.

Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, May 20, 2012, the Seventh Sunday of Easter (Year B)

Posted each Thursday, Lectionary Ruminations focuses on the Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the following Sunday per the Revised Common Lectionary. Comments and questions are intended to encourage reflection for readers preparing to teach, preach, or hear the Word. Reader comments are invited and encouraged. All lectionary links are to the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings website, but if you prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references may be linked to the NRSV via the oremus Bible Browser.)  

FirstReading - Acts 1:15-17, 21-26

v. 15 What and when were “those days”?  When did “those days” begin and when did they end?  UIs there anything significant about the number 120?

v. 16 What is the scripture (note that it is singular) to which Peter refers? I find this to be an interesting collection: Friends, the Holy Spirit, David, Judas, those who arrested Jesus.

v. 17 Do I detect regret combined with disbelief?

vs. 21-22 Why must this be so? Is the author referring to John’s baptism of Jesus, or John’s ministry of baptism, which began before John baptized Jesus?  What does it mean to be a “witness to the resurrection”?  Could not a woman have fulfilled this role?

v. 23 Were Joseph and Matthias the only two people who fulfilled the criteria of vs. 21-22?

vs. 24-25 How might God answer this prayer?

v. 26 How does one cast lots and why do we not make decisions in the church this way today?

Psalm- Psalm 1:1-6

v. 1 Are the wicked, sinners, and scoffers poetic synonyms?

v. 2 When was the last time you took delight in any law?  How do Christians not familiar with meditation understand this passage?

v. 3 Is there a Torah riparian zone?  Does this passage make any more sense in light of last Sunday’s Gospel reading?

v. 4 What is chaff and why is it exposed to the wind?

v. 6 How does this verse influence, and how is it influenced by, our belief that Jesus is the way?

SecondReading - 1 John 5:9-13

v. 9 Who are “we”? How does God give testimony if not through humans?

vs. 10-11 What testimony?  What testimony?

vs. 12-13 Is life the same as eternal life?

GospelJohn 17:6-19

v. 6 How do Christians reconcile Jesus saying this with Jewish conception of the unpronounceable name of God?

v. 7 How do “they” know this?

v.8 What words?

v. 10 How has Jesus been glorified in those given to him by God?

v. 11 At the time Jesus prayed this prayer, what did he mean when he prayed “I am no longer in the world”?

v. 12 Why the past tense?  What scripture?

v. 15 Who is the evil one?

v. 17 Sanctify them in the word?

v.19 Theologically, how does Jesus sanctify  himself?

ADDENDUM

In addition to serving as the half time Pastor of North Church Queens and writing Lectionary Ruminations, I also tutor part time.  If you or someone you know needs a tutor, or if you would like to be a tutor, check out my WyzAnt page and follow the appropriate links.

Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, May 13, 2012, the Sixth Sunday of Easter (Year B)

Posted each Thursday, Lectionary Ruminations focuses on the Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the following Sunday per the Revised Common Lectionary. Comments and questions are intended to encourage reflection for readers preparing to teach, preach, or hear the Word. Reader comments are invited and encouraged. All lectionary links are to the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings website, but if you prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references may be linked to the NRSV via the oremus Bible Browser.)

FirstReading - Acts 10:44-48

v. 44 How does the Holy Spirit fall?  Does hearing refer to physical or spiritual phenomena, or both?

v. 45 When was the last time someone in your worshiping community was astounded?  What is the gift of the Holy Spirit and how is it poured out?

v. 45 What was more astounding, the people speaking in tongues, or the people extolling God?

v. 46 Is this a rhetorical question?

v. 48 How do we reconcile baptism in the name of Jesus Christ with Trinitarian baptismal formula?

Psalm- Psalm 98:1-9

v. 1 What is a new song?  Are old songs not good enough?  How can we talk about God’s right hand and holy arm without over anthropomorphizing God?  Is this a right hand conspiracy?

v. 2 How has the LORD revealed vindication?

v. 3 I think this is hyperbole, or wishful thinking, on the Psalmist’s part.

v. 4 What sort of noise is joyful?  Does “all the earth” refer only to human beings or to all living creatures? Could “all the earth” also refer to waterfalls, wind, the sound of waves against the beach,

etc?

vs. 5-6 What?  No organ?  No piano?

v. 7 I think my question raised by the fourth verse was just answered.

v. 8 I have heard floods literally clap, but I have never heard hill literally, only 

metaphorically, sing.

v. 9 Will God judge all the earth, or only human beings?

SecondReading 1 John 5:1-6

v. 1 Is it also true that every one born of God believes that Jesus is the Christ?  Id being “born of God” the same as being born anew, or born from above?

vs. 1-2 Note the transition from the singular “child” to the plural “children”.  To what commandments is the author referring?

v. 4 What is the meaning of “conquer”?  What is the meaning of “faith”?

v. 5 Is there a difference between believing and  saying that “Jesus is the Son of God”?

v. 6 To what is the author referring when writing about “water and the blood”?  How does the “Spirit” testify?  What does the author mean “the Spirit is the truth”?

GospelJohn 15:9-17

v.9 Who is speaking?  How does one abide in anyone’s love?

v. 10 Whose commandments?  What are these commandments?  If we keep the Son’s commandments, can we then ignore the Father’s commandments?

v.11 Is your complete?

v. 12 Is this the answer to my question raised in relation to verse 10?

v. 13 What does it mean to lay down one’s life?

v. 14 So this friendship is conditional?

v. 16 This is sounding very Reformed!  The Father will give us whatever we ask only if we bear everlasting fruit?

v. 17 I heard only one command in verse 12, so why the plural?

ADDENDUM

In addition to serving as the half time Pastor of North Church Queens  and writing Lectionary Ruminations, I also tutor part time.  If you or someone you know needs a tutor, or if you would like to be a tutor, check out my WyzAnt page and follow the appropriate links. 

The First Moonlight Paddle of the 2012 Season

In spite of a forecast of possible thunderstorms, eight paddlers enjoyed a calm Jamaica Bay under a spectacular super moon Friday evening, May 4, 2012.

Paddlers started arriving at the Brooklyn Club House a little after 7 PM.  I built a fire in the wood stove to take the chill off the Club House and to provide for a warmer space to return to.  With an announced "on the water" time of 8:00 PM, all paddlers were finally on the water before 8:15 PM. I was the last one to leave the dock.

The evening was one of firsts. Not only was it the first Moonlight Paddle of the 2012 season, it was also the first I led and my wife Vicki assisted.  It was also the first time I paddled my Necky Chatham 17, a demo boat I bought in January.  For Laurie G., it was her first Moonlight Paddle ever but will certainly not be her last.  Walter and Dottie each paddled with their new Greenland paddles for the first time. For Tony, it was the first time he used his new deck light.

Embarking at high tide under a nearly full moon, we easily paddled  over the mirror smooth water, under the Belt Parkway Bridge, and out into a beautiful moonlit Jamaica Bay.  After crossing the channel to Canarsie Pol, we circumnavigated the island counterclockwise.  On the back side of the Pol we encountered a large flock of birds which darkened the moonlit sky and created a "thumping"sound across the water.  A few jets, landing lights blazing, were also descending into JFK.

Crossing back from the Pol toward the home, we waited for a party boat to move up channel before crossing.  Other than the small fishing boat we passed by near the bridge, we encountered no other traffic.

Back at the Club House, gear rinsed and stowed, the eight of us enjoyed assorted snacks and beverages while also watching the recently released and colorized  1902 Le Voyage Dans La Lune with soundtrack by Air.

Another version of this post is available on the Sebago Canoe Club Blog.

Lectionary Ruminations for for Sunday, May 6, 2012, the Fifth Sunday of Easter (Year B)

Posted each Thursday, Lectionary Ruminations focuses on the Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the following Sunday per the Revised Common Lectionary. Comments and questions are intended to encourage reflection for readers preparing to teach, preach, or hear the Word. Reader comments are invited and encouraged. All lectionary links are to the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings website, but if you prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references may be linked to the NRSV via the oremus Bible Browser.)  

First Reading - Acts8:26-40

v. 26 How do YOU deal with angels?  Why Philip? So what that this is a wilderness road?

vs. 27-28 There is a lot in this verse to unpack.  Why are we told so much about this man?

v. 29 Has the angel become the spirit?

vs. 30-31Why read anybody read anything on their own if they need a guide to help them understand it?

vs. 32b-33 Where is this found in Isaiah?

v. 36 Was there a reason or not?

v. 37 This sure sounds like confessional language.

v. 39 Why would the Spirit snatch Philip away?

v. 40 What do you know about Azatos?

Psalm - Psalm 22:25-31

v. 25 Who, or what, is the great congregation?  What vows?

v. 27 How many ends does the earth have? How many  families of the nations are there?

v. 31 Done what?

Second Reading - 1 John4:7-21

v. 8 What does it mean to say that God is love?

v. 9 How can a sacrifice atone?

v. 12 What does not seeing God add to the argument?

v. 13 Is it logical to shift from so abruptly from loving to abiding?  From the Son to the Spirit?

v. 16b I think this is not only good poetry but good theology.

v. 17b “as he is, so are we”?

v. 18 I like this verse.  What does this verse say to hell, fire and damnation sermons?

v. 20 How does this verse inform Christian ethics?

v. 21 How does this relate to the new Commandment of John’s Gospel?

Gospel John 15:1-8

v. 1 Is there a difference between the vine and the true vine?

v. 2 Even fruit producing vines are occasionally cut back.

v. 3 is cleansing the same as pruning?

v. 4 How do we abide?

v. 6 I think it is wrong to, in any way, connect this verse to any concept of hell or fires of hell.

v. 7 Anything? ANYTHING? Really?

ADDENDUM

In addition to serving as the half time Pastor of North Church Queens and writing Lectionary Ruminations, I also tutor part time.  If you or someone you know needs a tutor, or if you would like to be a tutor, check out my WyzAnt page and follow the appropriate links.

Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, April 29, 2012, the Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year B)

Posted each Thursday, Lectionary Ruminations focuses on the Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the following Sunday per the Revised Common Lectionary. Comments and questions are intended to encourage reflection for readers preparing to teach, preach, or hear the Word. Reader comments are invited and encouraged. All lectionary links are to the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings website, but if you prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references may be linked to the NRSV via the oremus Bible Browser.) 

First Reading - Acts 4:5-12

v. 5 What happened the day before?  Who are “they” of the “their”?

v. 6 Annas and Caiaphas I am familiar with.  Who are John and Alexander?

v. 7 What prisoners?  Did what?

vs. 8-10 Peter’s response might have been better received if he had not accused his interlocutors of crucifying Jesus.

v. 11 What is Peter quoting, or quoting from?

v. 12 This sounds like confessional language.

Psalm - Psalm 23:1-6

vs. 1-6 Is this Psalm too familiar for us to hear it anew?

v. 1 Note that in the NRSV, LORD is all uppercase.  So what?

v. 2 Have you ever lied down in a green pasture?

v. 4 What is the darkest valley you have ever walked through?  Are a rod and a staff two different things or is this an example of Hebraic poetic repetition?

v. 5 Have you ever eaten a meal in the presence of your enemies?  Has your head ever been anointed with oil?

v. 6 What and where is the house of the LORD?

Second Reading - 1 John3:16-24

v. 16 Who is “he”?  What  does it mean to lay down one’s life?

v. 17 Ouch!  Here is a verse for the 99% of Occupy Wall Street.

v. 18 Why the moniker “little childen”?

v. 19 Considering verse 16, it is beginning to sound like “truth” is being personified.

vs. 20-21 It sounds like one’s heart is the same as one inner voice or conscience.

vs.23-24 Where have I heard something like this before?

Gospel - John 10:11-18

v. 11 And which Psalm are you know thinking of?

v. 12 Who is the hired hand?

v. 16 I love this verse and its invitation to think about Christian universalism.  What does it mean for there to be many folds in one flock?

v. 17 Does the Father NEED a reason to love the Son?

v. 18 What command?

ADDENDUM

In addition to serving as the half time Pastor of North Church Queens and writing Lectionary Ruminations, I also tutor part time.  If you or someone you know needs a tutor, or if you would like to be a tutor, check out my WyzAnt page and follow the appropriate links.

Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, April 22, 2012, the Third Sunday of Easter (Year B)

Posted each Thursday, Lectionary Ruminations focuses on the Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the following Sunday per the Revised Common Lectionary. Comments and questions are intended to encourage reflection for readers preparing to teach, preach, or hear the Word. Reader comments are invited and encouraged. All lectionary links are to the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings website, but if you prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references may be linked to the NRSV via the oremus Bible Browser.) 

First Reading - Acts3:12-19

v. 12 When Peter saw what?

v. 13 What about Sarah, Rebecca, Leah, Rachel, Zilpa and Bilha?

v. 15 Is this the only occurrence of “Author of life”?  What was witnessed, the killing or the raising?

v.16 Whose faith?  What is faith in a name?

Psalm - Psalm 4:1-8

v. 1 God of my ight?   What about God of my left?  What does the Psalmist mean by “You gave me room”?

v. 2 Are vain words the same as lies?

v. 4 Sin only when you are not disturbed?  Ponder what?

v. 7 Who are the they of “their”?

vs. 1-8 Why was this Psalm paired with the First Reading?  What is their theological or thematic unity?

Second Reading - 1 John 3:1-7

v. 1 It is one thing to be called a child of God. It is another thing altogether actually to be one.

vs. 2-3 Whom will be revealed?  God?  Christ? Jesus?   Was God not already revealed in Jesus Christ?  Does John have a another, a second, revelation in mind?

v. 4 I though sin is separation from God.  John’s definition of sin seems more instrumental and less existential than I am comfortable with.

v. 7 What is the difference between being a child and a little child?  Does this verse, especially in light of verse 4, lead to a theology of works righteousness?

Gospel - Luke 24:36b-48

v. 36 Where was Jesus standing and among whom was he standing?  What is the meaning of “peace be with you” and does it mean anything more than usual when spoken by the resurrected Jesus?

v. 37 What is the difference between being “startled” and being ”terrified”?

v. 38 What doubts was Jesus referring to?

v.39 The resurrected Jesus may have had flesh and bones, but resurrected flesh and bones, and therefore something inherently different than our pre-resurrected flesh and bones.

v. 41 Do ghosts eat?

v. 45 How does Jesus open OUR minds to understand the scriptures?

v. 46 Where is it thusly written?

v. 48 Witnesses of what things?

  

ADDENDUM

In addition to serving as the half time Pastor of North Church Queens and writing Lectionary Ruminations, I also tutor part time.  If you or someone you know needs a tutor, or if you would like to be a tutor, check out my WyzAnt page and follow the appropriate links.

Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, April 8, 2012, the Resurrection of the Lord (Easter Day) (Year B)

Posted each Thursday, Lectionary Ruminations focuses on the Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the following Sunday per the Revised Common Lectionary. Comments and questions are intended to encourage reflection for readers preparing to teach, preach, or hear the Word. Reader comments are invited and encouraged. All lectionary links are to the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings website, but if you prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references may be linked to the NRSV via the oremus Bible Browser.)  

First Reading - Acts10:34-43

v. 34 To whom is Peter speaking?

v. 35 What does Peter mean by “nation”?

v. 38 What is the difference between being anointed with the Holy Spirit and being anointed with power?

v. 39 Who are “they”?

v. 43 All the prophets? Really?

Psalm - Psalm 118:1-2,14-24

v. 1 By definition, does not “steadfast  love” endure “forever”?

v. 2 This reads like common liturgy, that is liturgy for use in common, or public, worship.

vs. 15b-16 Do you think that the Psalmist might actually be quoting a Psalm that never made it into the Psalter? What is so special about the “right hand” of the LORD?  Is this an example of a bias toward right-handedness?

v. 17 What are the ‘deeds” of the LORD?

v. 19 What, and where, are the gates of righteousness?

v. 20 What is “this”?

v. 22 What stone might the Psalmist had in mind?

v. 24 What day has the LORD made?

Second Reading 1Corinthians 15:1-11

v. 2 How does one hold firmly to a message?

v. 3 How did Paul receive what he is now handing on, and when did he receive it?  Where does Paul begin the narrative? Did he leave anything out?

v.9 While Paul considers himself the least of the apostles, he still considers himself an apostle.

Gospel John 20:1-18

v. 1 Who removed the stone? How and when was it removed?

v. 2 Which disciple is “the one whom Jesus loved”?  Why did Mary say “we”? Why the shift from the singular to the plural?

v. 5 Why might the disciple not have gone in right away?

vs. 6-8  What do you make of Peter seeing, but the other disciple seeing and believing?

v. 9 How do you reconcile this verse with the preceding one?

v. 11 It seems the Mary is alone, so why the “we” back in verse 2?

v. 12 Would you recognize an angel if you saw one?

v. 13 Do you hear an echo here?  Now it is “I”, not “we”.

v. 14 If you saw Jesus, would you recognize him?

v. 15 I definitely hear an echo.

v. 16 Does it make any difference that at first Jesus addresses Mary as “Woman” but late addresses her by name?

v. 17 As if Mary could hold on to Jesus after the ascension?

v.18 I think this makes Mary the first “witness” of the resurrection.

Christ is risen!  He is rise, indeed!

ADDENDUM

In addition to serving as the half time Pastor of North Church Queens and writing Lectionary Ruminations, I also tutor part time.  If you or someone you know needs a tutor, or if you would like to be a tutor, check out my WyzAnt page and follow the appropriate links. 

Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, Sunday, April 1, 2012, Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday) (Year B)

Posted each Thursday, Lectionary Ruminations focuses on the Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the following Sunday per the Revised Common Lectionary. Comments and questions are intended to encourage reflection for readers preparing to teach, preach, or hear the Word. Reader comments are invited and encouraged. All lectionary links are to the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings website, but if you prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references may be linked to the NRSV via the oremus Bible Browser.) 

Liturgy of the Palms Reading:

Mark 11:1-11

v. 1 Why would Jesus send two disciples rather than one?  Which two do you think he sent?

v. 2 How did Jesus know there would be a colt there?

v. 8 What is the meaning of spreading cloaks and leafy branches on the road?  What might be a modern equivalent?

vs. 9-11 What is being quoted?

Liturgy of the Passion Readings:

First Reading - Isaiah50:4-9a

v. 4 I take this verse personally.

v. 6 Who is speaking?

v. 7 What does it mean to set one’s face like flint?

vs. 4-9a How does this passage inform our observance of Passion Sunday and how does our observance of Passion Sunday influence how we might read and interpret this passage?

Psalm - Psalm 31:9-16

v. 9 Is this a proof-text for the Hebrew understanding of the ensouled body?

v.14 How might the psalmist maintain trust in God in spite of all the psalmist’s suffering?

v. 16 What does itme for God’s facetto shine upon us?

Second Reading -Philippians 2:5-11

v. 5 What mind was in Christ Jesus?

v. 6 What is God’s form?

v. 7 Was Jesus born in human likeness or was he born as human?

v. 10 There are beings in heaven with knees?  What beings under the earth have knees?

Gospel - Mark 15:1-39

v. 1 what do you know about all the different players; the chief priests, the elders, the scribes, and the whole council?

v. 2 Did Pilate say that Jesus was the King of the Jews?

v. 10 Was Pilate’s analysis correct.  Was it jealousy that really motivated the chief priests?

vs. 16-23 I think John Shelby Spong makes a strong argument for reading this as Midrash of Psalm22.

v. 21 Why are Simon, Alexander and Rufus named?

v. 32 I know this is Mark, but I hear echoes of the ending of John.

v. 34 Where have we heard or seen Jesus’ words before?

v. 38 What symbolic statement is being made?

v. 39 What is the irony here?

ADDENDUM

In addition to serving as the half time Pastor of North Church Queens and writing Lectionary Ruminations, I also tutor part time.  If you or someone you know needs a tutor, or if you would like to be a tutor, check out my WyzAnt page and follow the appropriate links.

Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, March 25, 2012, the Fifth Sunday in Lent (Year B)

Posted each Thursday, Lectionary Ruminations focuses on the Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the following Sunday per the Revised Common Lectionary. Comments and questions are intended to encourage reflection for readers preparing to teach, preach, or hear the Word. Reader comments are invited and encouraged. All lectionary links are to the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings website, but if you prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references may be linked to the NRSV via the oremus Bible Browser.)  

FirstReading - Jeremiah 31:31-34

v. 31 Why does Jeremiah write about coming days rather than a new age? Why the twin construction “Israel” and ”Judah”?

v. 32 God is a husband?

v. 33 How does God put a law in a person?  How does God write on the heart?

v. 34 Note that God is the agent of divine knowledge, not people.

Psalm- Psalm 51:1-12

vs. 1, 2 and 3 Here are examples of Hebrew poetic parallelism.  Are steadfast love and abundant mercy the same thing?

v. 5 If this is not a proof text for original sin, what is it?

v. 6 What is a secret heart?

v. 7 What is hyssop and how does it purge?

v. 8 God has crushed bones?

v. 9 What is the meaning of “Hide your face”?

v. 10 Does having a clean heart mean having a new and right spirit?

vs. 10-11 Is a holy spirit the sane as a new and right spirit? I think we misread this Hebrew Psalm if we bring to it our Christian Trinitarian theology.

v. 12 what is a willing spirit?

SecondReading - Hebrews 5:5-10

v. 5 When did Christ become a high priest? What are the functions of a high priest?  Where have we heard this quote before?

v. 6 Where is this other place?  Who is Melchizedeck and what is the order of Melchizedek?

v. 7 What is the difference between “prayers” and “supplications”?

v. 8 Was learning obedience the purpose of Christ’s suffering?

v.9 How was Christ made perfect?  What is the theological difference between being perfect from before creation and being made perfect at some later time?

Gospel- John 12:20-33

v. 20 What festival?  Who are the Greeks?

v. 21 Who was Philip?  Does his home town matter?  What are the possible meanings of “see”?

v. 22 Why did Philip go and tell Andrew?

v. 23 What hour has come?  Who is the son of man?  What does it mean to be glorified?

v. 24 Why does Jesus often introduce sayings with “Very truly”?  Would Jesus ever not speak truly?

v. 27 Why is Jesus’ soul troubled?

v. 28 Is the voice for the benefit of Jesus or the benefit of the crowd standing  there?

v. 29 Why would some hear thunder and others hear the voice of angels? Do angels speaking sound like thunder?

v. 30 I guess Jesus answered my question for verse28.

v. 31 Has the world already been judged? Who is (or was) the ruler of this world?

v. 32 What is Jesus speaking about, his crucifixion? His ascension?  Both? Something else altogether?

v. 33 Once again, Jesus answers my question.

ADDENDUM

In addition to serving as the half time Pastor of North Church Queens and writing Lectionary Ruminations, I also tutor part time.  If you or someone you know needs a tutor, or if you would like to be a tutor, check out my WyzAnt page and follow the appropriate links.