Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, May 19, 2013, the Day of Pentecost (Year C)

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 2:1-21

2:1 What was the significance of Pentecost before this?  Who was together?  What Place were they in? 

2:2 Did they hear the rush of a violent wind or something likened to the sound of a violent wind?  How does a sound fill a place?

2:3 What is a divided tongue?  What is the difference between tongues as of fire and tongues of fire?  Why is the description in 2:2-3 so imprecise?

2:4 What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit.  Were they empty before this, or did the Holy Spirit replace what was in them, or what?

2:5 What I a devout Jew?

2:6 When was the last time you were bewildered?

2:7 When was the last time you were amazed and astonished?

2:10 What is a proselyte?

2:11 What are God’s deeds of power?

2:12 When was the last time you were perplexed?

2:13 What is significant about new wine?

2:14 Why is Peter usually the first one to speak?

2:15 Does no one get drunk before nine o’clock in the morning?  It must be nine 0’clock in the morning somewhere?

2:16 What do we know about Joel?

2:17-21 Is this an example of prophecy fulfilled?  Midrash?  Both?

2:17 What is significant about “daughters”?

2:18 What is significant about “women”?

2:20 What is the Lord’s great and glorious day?

2:21 What does it mean to call on the name of the Lord?  What Lord?

Psalm- Psalm 104:24-34, 35b

104:24 What does “in wisdom” mean?

104:26 Where would Thomas Hobbes be without this verse?

104:29 What does it mean for God to “hide” the divine face?

104:30 So God spirit creates?

104:32 This sounds like the storm god.

104:24-34 Is this Psalm really the most appropriate for Pentecost?

Second Reading - Romans 8:14-17

8:14 Who ARE led by the Spirit of God?

8:15 Are these the only two spirits?  When do YOU cry “Abba! Father!”?

8:17 How do we suffer with Christ?

Gospel - John 14:8-17 (25-27)

14:8 Finally, someone other than Peter speaks!

14:9 How did Philip not know Jesus?

14:11 What works?

14:13 Whatever we ask in his name?

14:14 Really?

14:15 What commandments?

14:16 Another Advocate?  How many Advocates are there?

14:17 So the Advocate is the spirit of truth?

14:26 So the Advocate is the same as the Spirit of truth  is the same as the Holy Spirit?

14:27 This is one of my favorite verses.

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 12, 2013, the Seventh Sunday of Easter (Year C)

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 16:16-34

16:16 Who are numbered among the “we”?  What makes a place of prayer different from another place? What is a spirit of divination?

16:17 Why would she proclaim such a thing?

16:18 Why might Paul have been annoyed?  What was Paul’s motivation for casting out the demon.

16:19 And the moral of the story is: Do not threaten someone’s livelihood.

16:20 How were Paul and Silas disturbing the city?

16:20-21What customs might Paul and Silas have been advocating and why were these customs not lawful.

16:22 What is a magistrate?

16:25 Is there any significance or symbolism associated with midnight?

16:26 Is this a description of a mere natural phenomena or something more?

16:27 Why was the jailor about to kill himself?

16:30 Might there be malt-valent meanings at work here?

16:31 How can a household be save based on one perosn’s confession of faith?

16:33 Do you think the jailor washed their wounds using the same source of water used for the baptism?

16:34 Even though Paul and Silas were eating a meal in the jailors house, were they still prisoners?

Psalm- Psalm 97:1-12

97:1 Does it make any sense in a democracy to talk about the LORD being king?  What do coastlands symbolize or represent?

97:2 Why are clouds and thick darkness all around the LORD?  What is the relationship between righteousness and justice?

97:3 What does fire symbolize or represent?

97:4 In an eerie example of synchronicity, I  am reading this verse on a day when it has been lightning, thundering, and raining.  How does the earth tremble?

97:5 Is this a description of volcanic activity?

97:6 Project images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope here!

97:7 What about people who do not worship images?  How do gods bow down before the LORD is there are no other gods?

97:9 Who or what are these other gods?

97:11 Do the unrighteousness not see or experience sunrises?

97:12 How can one give thanks to the LORD’s holy name when the LORD’s holy name is not to be pronounced?

Second Reading - Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21

22:12 Who is speaking?  This sounds like a verse in support of “works righteousness”.

22:14 What do washed robes symbolize?  What is the tree of life”?  How else would one enter a city if not by the gates (note the plural)?

22:16 What angel is Jesus referring to?  How can one be both a root and a descendant?  What is “the bright morning star”?

22:17 What is the “water of life” and how does it differ from “the tree of life”?

22:20 Who is testifying to these things?

Gospel- John 17:20-26

17:20 Who are “these”?

17:21 How does “oneness” lead people to belief?

17:22 How does glory promote oneness?

17:24 What would it mean for “those” to be where Jesus is?

17:26 What is the significance or symbolism of making God’s name known?

ADDENDUM

In addition to serving as the half time Pastor of North Church Queens  www.northchurchqueens.org  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 http://www.wyzant.com/Tutors/RidgewoodTutor page and follow the appropriate links.

Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, May 5, 2013, the Sixth Sunday of Easter (Year C)

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 16:9-15

16:9 Was this a dream or a vision?  What is the difference?  How many visions has Paul now experienced?

16:10 What is the meaning of “immediately” as I cannot interpret it literally.

16:11 Who is “we”?  Who is telling this story?  What do we know about Troas, Samothrace, and Neapolis?

16:12 What do we know about Philippi in addition to what we a told in this verse?

16:13 What is “a place of prayer”?  Where there no men gathered there? 

16:14 What is a “worshiper of God”?  What do we know about Thyatira?  Is there any significance to Lydia being a dealer in purple cloth?  How does the Lord open the heart?  Was Lydia spiritual mbut not religious?  Was she “a seeker”?

16:15 Who were in Lydia’s household and why were they baptized?  Is this invitation not a bit scandalous?

Psalm- Psalm 67:1-7

67:1 The “us” makes this a communal rather than a personal psalm.  What does it mean for God’s face to shine on someone?  What is “The Aaronic blessing”?

67:1 Is God’s way the same as God’s saving power, or am I reading too much into the parallelism of the Hebrew Poetry?

67:3 What is the meaning of “peoples”?

67:4 Is there a difference between “nations” and “peoples”?

67:6 What is the “increase” yielded by the earth?

67:7 What is the meaning of “all the ends of the earth”?

Second Reading - Revelation 21:10, 21:22-22:5

21:10 What is the meaning of “in the spirit”?  Who carried the narrator away?  How could Jerusalem come down out of heaven?

21:22 Was the author writing before or after the destruction of the temple?

21:23 Maybe the city does not the light of the sun or moon, but what about their gravitational pull?

21:25 What do open gates symbolize?

21:26 What is the glory and honor of the nations?

21:27 What is the Lamb’s book of life?

22:1 Where did the angel come from?  Are there any river’s in contemporary Jerusalem?  What is the water of life?

22:2 How is a tree on “either” side of a river?  What kind of tree has twelve kinds of fruit?  How can leaves heal?

22:4 Other than names, what is traditionally on foreheads?

22:5 Who are “they” who will reign?

Gospel- John 14:23-29
14:23 Whom did Jesus answer? Is God’s love conditional?

14:24 Is it logical to conclude that if a person keeps Jesus’ words that they will also love Jesus?

14:26 What is the meaning of “advocate” apart from the Holy Spirit?  Why might anyone need or want an advocate? What is the difference between teaching and reminding?

14:27 “Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid” is one of my favorite verses in all of Christian Scripture.  Is fear a form of doubt or lack of faith?

14:29 Can they not believe until after this occurs?

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.

Sebago Canoe Club Season Opener

Saturday, April 27^th, was not only the season opener, the first “official paddle
of the season” for the Sebago Canoe Club in Brooklyn, it was also one of the first post Hurricane Sandy events.  A group of kayakers left the Sebago dock around 10:30 and paddled around Canarsie Pol.  Other paddlers and rowers paddled independently of the organized paddle.  My wife, Vicki, and I were two of those who paddled independently.

Vicki and I put in just after the Canarsie Pol paddlers had taken out.  It was our first paddle of the season, first paddle since Sandy, first paddle since sometime in the fall, and first time to paddle under the newly finished Belt Parkway Bridge over Mill Basin and not under the old bridge which has been removed.  I paddled my Ocean Kayak Drifter, a sit-on-top I probably had not paddled in over a year.  Vicki paddled her Current Designs Sirocco. 

Looking at the Belt Parkway Bridge over Mill Basin

Using an old fashioned mercury thermometer, I checked the water temperature under the bridge.  It was 57°F.  The air temperature was in the mid 60’s.

Vicki and I paddled under the bridge, past buoy 13, and to where the channel to the salt marsh would have been if it had been high tide.  Not wanting to miss the kayak meeting or the food, we turned around there and paddled bcak.  Our total paddle was about only an hour long, but enough to reacquaint us with paddling in Jamaica, especially after Sandy, and to wet our appetite as well as paddles and bats for an upcoming paddling season.

Kayak Committee Mtg Convened by Kayaking Chair, Tony

After getting back to the Sebago dock we carried our boats up to the wash racks where we rinsed both salt water and debris from Sandy off.  Then we attended the Kayak Meeting, held in the club house at 3:00, and convened by Kayak Chair, Tony Pignatello.   After the Kayak Meeting we took a break and headed outside for the General Meeting, convened at 4:15 by Commodore Walter Lewandowski with several other chairs and officers making reports.  We enjoyed food, wine, and fellowship before, during, and after the meetings.

General Mtg Convened by Commodore Walter

I sometimes feel like Sebago is my home away from home, a place to be renewed by water and green space as well as to meet up with old friends and make new friends.  Yesterday’s season opener was no exception.

Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, April 28, 2013, the Fifth Sunday of Easter (Year C)

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 11:1-18

11:1 What Gentiles had accepted the word of God?

11:2 What is the difference between a circumcised and uncircumcised believer?

11:3 What was wrong about Peter eating with uncircumcised men?

11:5 How and why did Peter enter into a trance?  What is a “vision”.  Have you ever been in a trance or experienced a vision?  What is the difference, if any, between a “vision” and a “big dream”?

11:6 What is significant about the animals that Peter describes?

11:7 Did Peter audibly hear a voice that others could have heard or did he hear a voice in his vision that others would not have been able to her?

11:8 What does it mean that something is profane or unclean?

11:9 And what God has made profane, you must not call clean?

11:10-11 It seems that for Peter, things come and happen in threes.  Why?

11:12 What “Spirit” is Peter referring to?  Who is the “us”?  Who are these “six brothers”?

11:14 What is the definition of a “household”?

11:16 Would Peter not have remember this saying of Jesus if the account narrated above had not happened.  What sayings of Jesus might Peter never have remembered and are now long forgotten?

11:17-18 It seems that the Holy Spirit fell upon these Gentile believers before they were baptized.  What is the Church to say today when the Holy Spirit falls upon people we least expect to receive it?

Psalm- Psalm 148:1-14

148:1 Why is God usually praised from the heights but not the valleys?

148:2 Who, or what, are the host?

148:3 How do celestial objects praise God?

148:5 Does this verse refer to one of the creation accounts but not the other?

148:7 What are Biblical sea monsters?

148:8 If elements of weather obey God’s commands, then are natural weather disasters sent by God?

148:12 Does this verse remind you of any other verse or passage from the Jewish Scriptures?

148:13 How can one praise the name of the Lord when the Lords’s is not to be pronounced?

148:14 What is a “horn” and what does it symbolize?

Second Reading – Revelation 21:1-6

21:1 This Sunday we have at least two visions, this one and the one narrated in the First Reading from Acts.  Why do people no longer have visions like these?  When I read this passage I think of how C.S. Lewis described the new heaven and new earth in his Chronicles of Narnia.

21:2 Why are cities feminized?  The story of God’s mighty acts might have started in a garden, but it ends in a city!  Apparently God was into urban renewal.

21:3 Note that the text says God will dwell with God’s people and does not say that God’s will dwell with God.

21:5 Who is seated on the throne?  Write what?

21:6 Where is the spring of the water of life?  Did this passage lead to legends of the “fountain of youth”?  What about the hungry?

Gospel- John 13:31-35
13:31Gone out from where or what?  Who is “the Son of Man” and what does this phrase mean?  Whre does it come from?

13:32 What in the world is John saying here?

13:33 Who are the “little children”?  Why are these “little children” distinguished from the Jews?

13:34 If this is a new commandment, what was the old commandment?

13:35 So the new commandment is that disciples are to love other disciples?  What about people who are not disciples?

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 21, 2013, the Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year C)

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 9:36-43
9:36 Is there anything we need to know about Joppa to help interpret this Passage?  What does the name Tabitha mean?  If Tabitha is not Greek what language is it?  Does her being devoted to good works and charity suggest an appeal to works righteousness?

9:37 Who are “they”?  Is there anything suggestive about her body beinf placed in “an upper room”?

9:38 What do we know about Lydda and why was Peter there?

9:39 Do we need to know anything about weeping widows to help us understand this verse?

9:40 Did anyone remain in the room with Peter, and if so, whom?

9:42 Why would people believe in the Lord rather than believing in Peter?

9:42 Do we know anything else about Simon, other than that he was a tanner?

Psalm- Psalm 23:1-6

23:1 Who is this Psalm speaking about?  Can a first century middle-eastern shepherd image still speak to an industrialized, post modern world?

23:2 People usually do not mind being led, but most people do not want to be “made” to to anything, even lie down in a green pasture.

23:3 How is a soul restored?  What is a right path?

23:4 What is the darkest valley you have ever walked through?  What evil(s), if any do you, or most people fear?  What are rods and staffs used for?

23:5 What does it mean to have a table prepared for you?  Would you want to eat in the presence of your enemies?  Have you ever been anointed with oil?  Have you ever anointed someone with oil?  What does it mean for a cup to overflow?

23:6 I would rather have goodness and mercy precede me rather than following me.  Would you like to dwell in the house of the LORD the rest of your life?  What and where is the house of the LORD?

SecondReading - Revelation 7:9-17

7:9 After what?  What is being described?  Who is robed in white, the lamb or the multitude?

7:10 Did they cry out in one language or many languages?

7:11 How would you describe this scene in your own words?

7:12 What is the symbolism of a sevenfold ascription of praise?

7:13 A rhetorical question?

7:14 How does washing anything in blood make it white?

7:15 Where is this temple?

7:16-17 This is one of my favorite verses, and favorite promises in the Christian Scriptures.

Gospel - John 10:22-30

10:23 What is the portico of Solomon?

10:24 What suspense.  “If”?

10:25 Did Jesus ever really come right out and tell them that he was the Messiah?  What works were Jesus referring to?

10:26 Why did they not belong to his sheep?

10:28-29 What sheep snatcher might Jesus have had in mind?  Is there a difference between eternal and everlasting life?

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 14, 2013, the Third Sunday of Easter (Year C)

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 9:1-6 (7-20)

9:1 What does “meanwhile” tell us about how this passage functions in its literary context?  Was Soul only breathing threats and murder or had he already acted?

9:2 What are “letters to the synagogus” and why did Saul want them or need them?  How many synagogues might have been in Damascus at this time?  What do you know about Damascus?  How would one “belong to the Way” and why is “Way” capitalized?

9:3 What does light from heavenly usually symbolize?

9:4 Whose voice did Saul hear?

9:5 What is the meaning of Saul’s question “Who are you, Lord?”

9:7 Who were travelling with Saul?

9:8 What might Saul’s blindness symbolize?  How might it have been caused?

9:9 What might the “three days” allude to?  Why would he or did he not eat or drink for three days?

9:10 What else do we know about Ananias?  What is a “vision”?  Where before have we heard “Here I am, Lord”?  Why can we not read what Paul experienced as a “vison”?

9:11 What do we know about Straight Street?  How popular of a name was Judas?  Where was Tarsus?  What do you think Saul was praying?

9:12 Why is Saul’s vision not recounted from Saul’s perspective?  What is the symbolism and significance of laying on of hands as it related to healing?

9:13 What had Saul done in Jerusalem?

9:14 Did the chief priests really have the power to bind anyone?  Would Rome have permitted such an action?

9:16 Why must Saul suffer?

9:17 Since when did being filled with the Holy Spirit enter the equation?  Had Jesus told Ananias this or did Ananias come up with this on his own?

9:18 What is the difference between “scales” and “something like scales”?  Does knowing that something physical seemed to fall from Saul’s eyes add or detract from the account?  Who baptized Saul?

9:18 What do you think was happening whith Saul was with the disciples in Damascus? 

9:18 How soon after his baptism and after regaining his strength is “immediately”?  Is “He is the Son of God” the core, the kernel of, the essence of the Gospel, or just Saul’s early proclamation?

9:1-20 This is not the only Biblical account of Paul’s conversion.  Where else can we read about it and how are all the accounts similar and different?

Psalm- Psalm 30

30:1 Drawn up from what or where?

30:2 What does it mean to “cry to God for help”?

30:3 Where or what is Sheol and is it synonymous with the Pit?

30:4 How can one give thanks to the LORD’s  holy name when one is not supposed to pronounce the LORD’s holy name?

30:5 Why must the LORD be angry at all?

30:6 What prosperity?

30:7 How and why does the LORD hide the divine face and why is the Psalmist dismayed?

30:8 Are supplications always accompanied by tears?

30:9 Is the Psalmist bargaining with the LORD?  Is the Psalmist appealing to God’s logic?

30:10 Must those who supplicate the LORD  ask the LORD to hear them, or does the LORD listen to the prayers of all even when not asked to listen?

30:12 Why does the Psalmist praise and give thanks? 

Second Reading - Revelation 5:11-14

5:11 What do voices of angels sound like?  What is the difference between living creatures and elders?  What is a myriad?  Is this hyperbole?

5:12 Note the sevenfold ascription of praise.  Why seven?  When was the last time you heard ayone singing a hymn “with a full” voice, especially in a Presbyterian church?

5:13 Are you surprised that every creature sings?  Apparently, all of critters do indeed have a place in the choir!  Why might these creatures offer only a fourfold ascription of praise?

5:14 Who, or what, are these four living creatures?  Why am I thinking of the Book of Kells?  Who are the elders?  Why do they fall down when the worship?

Gospel - John 21:1-19

21:1 After what things?  Where is the Sea of Tiberias and what do you know about it?

21:2 How many people did Jesus appear before?  Why are the “two others” not named?

21:3 Why is it that Simon is usually the first one to always speak? Might his words have more than one meaning?

21:4 Once again, the resurrected Jesus appears but those who knew him do not recognize him.  What gives?

21:5 Why might Jesus have addressed those in the boat as “Children”?

21:6 What difference does it make what side of the boat you fish from?

21:7 What disciples didn’t love Jesus?  How did this disciple finally know that the person on the beach was Jesus?

21:9 Where did the fish and bread that was on the grill come from?

21:11 Is there any symbolic significance to the number 153?

21:12 We already had a “Last Supper”.  Is this the “First Breakfast”?

21:13 Why do we not serve little pieces of fish when we celebrate communion?

21:15 More than what?

21:17  Why did Peter feel Bad?  Is there any symbolic significance to Jesus asking Peter basically the same question three times?

21:18 What in the world, or in the otherworld, is Jesus talking about?

21:19 How did the Gospel writer know this?

21:1-19 Might we refer to this passage as “Grilling with Jesus” or “Barbecue on the beach”?

ADDENDUM

In addition to serving as the half time Pastor of North ChurchQueens 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 7, 2013, the Second Sunday of Easter (Year C)

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 5:27-32

5:27 Who is bringing whom?  What council?  Who was the high priest and what is the highg priest’s function?

5:28 What in the world is the high priest talking about?  Who is the “we” who gave strict orders.  By what authority could they give such orders?

5:29 Why is only Peter named?  Who might be among the other “apostles”?  “We must obey God rather than any human authority” reminds me of one of the one of the Historic Principles of Church Order (see F-3.0101).

5:30 Note that God raised up Jesus, Jesus did not rise.  Why is the cross often referred to as a tree?

5:31 What is the significance of God’s metaphorical right hand? What is the Greek behind the NRSV “Leader”?

5:32 What “things”? How is the Holy Spirit a witness?  Is there a sense that God gives the Holy Spirit as a reward for obedience?

Psalm- Psalm 118:14-29

118:14 Is there any difference between strength and might?

118:15 When was the last time you heard a really glad song in worship?

118:15b-16 Is this actually the glad song referenced in 118:15?

118:17 What are the deeds of the LORD and could you recount them?

118:18 Is death the ultimate punishment?  Why was the Psalmist punished?  Does this verse presume an angry God of wrath?

118:19 Where are what are the gates of righteousness?

118:20 Where is this gate?

118:21 Does the LORD ever not answer?

118:22 What is the difference between a cornerstone and a keystone?  Why would builders reject a stone?

118:23 What is the LORD’s doing?

118:24 I thought the LORD made all days.

118:25 Note the transition from the singular to the plural.

118:26 What does it mean to come in the name of the LORD?  Where and when have we heard this before?  Where and when will we hear it again?

118:27 What festal procession?  What are the horns of the altar?

118:29 By definition, does not “steadfast love” endure for ever?

118:14-29 Why this Psalm this day?

Second Reading - Revelation 1:4-8

1:4-8 Please note that this reading is from Revelation, NOT Revelations!  What difference does it make?

1:4 Is there anything special about these seven churches, besides the fact that John wrote to them?  What do you know about letter salutations in Greek and Hebrew cultures?  What are the seven spirits?

1:5 Does this verse presume a blood atonement theory?

1:6 How are we a kingdom.  Are we a kingdom of priests?

1:7 How can those who pierced him see him if they are dead when he comes?

1:8 Compare this verse to verse 4.

Gospel - John 20:19-31

20:19 Is the setting our Saturday evening or our Sunday evening?  Why did the disciples fear the Jews.

20:20 Why did Jesus show the disciples his hands and side?

20:21 Why is the “Peace be with you” greeting repeated?

20:22 Why did Jesus breathe on the disciples?  What is the connection between breath and the Holy Spirit?

20:23 Does it make any difference that this is perhaps the latest Gospel when interpreting this verse?

20:24 I wonder where Thomas was, why he was not there.

20:25 Do you know anyone who can honestly say “I have seen the Lord”?  Rather than referring to him as “doubting Thomas” I would rather refer to him as “I am not gullible Thomas”!

20:26 Were the doors also locked?

20:27 Do not doubt what?  Believe what?

20:28 Jesus invited Thomas to touch his wounds, but did Thomas actually do so?  Might “My Lord and My God” be an example of an early statement of faith?

20:29 For whom is this verse written?

20:30 I wonder what other signs Jesus may have done that are not written in John.  I think I feel an historical novel coming on: “The Other Signs of Jesus”!

20:31 This also reads like an early statement of faith.

ADDENDUM

In addition to serving as the half time Pastor of North ChurchQueens 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.