Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, November 11, 2012, the Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (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 - Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17

3:1 Naomi refers to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, as her daughter.

3:2 Boaz would be a kinsman by marriage, not blood.

3:3 Is there anything significant, or symbolic, about “the threshing floor”?

3:4 I think Ruth uncovered more than, or something else than, his feet.  Could this verse be employing a euphemism?

4:13 The LORD “made” her conceive?

4:16 The grandmother nurses her grandson?

4:17 Why would the women say “a son has been born to Naomi” when it was really her grandson, born to Ruth?  What is significant about this lineage?

Psalm - Psalm 127:1-5

127:1 Does the Psalmist have any particular house, or any particular city in mind?

127:2 This seems opposite of our workaholic culture

127:3 Does this verse justify pairing this Psalm with the reading from Ruth?

127:4-5 What do you make of this simile?

Second Reading - Hebrews 9:24-28

9:24 Is this a reference to the Jerusalem temple?

9:25 Does this verse have any bearing on our understanding of the Eucharist?

9:26 Since Priests do not sacrifice themselves; does this analogy break down in the final analysis?

9:26-27 Can you follow the argument in these two verses?

Gospel - Mark 12:38-44

12:38 Whom is Jesus teaching?  What do you know about the scribes?

12:40 How were scribes devouring widow’s  houses?

12:42 These are very common coins, still available from collectors.  With the rate of inflations, what would be their worth today?

12:44 The widow may have demonstrated faith, but was she practicing good stewardship?

ADDENDUM

This Sunday is Veterans Day as well as the Sunday after Election Day and the second Sunday after Sandy.  How do any of the above influence and inform preaching and liturgy?  I see nothing in the texts that lends itself to any of the above.  Maybe I will simply have to preach the Gospel the texts proclaim regardless of the civil calendar.

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.