Lectionary
Ruminations 2.0 is a revised continuation of Lectionary Ruminations. Focusing on The Revised Common Lectionary Readings for the upcoming Sunday from New Revised
Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible, Lectionary
Ruminations 2.0 draws on nearly thirty years of pastoral experience. Believing that the questions we ask are often
more important than any answers we find, without overreliance on commentaries I
intend with comments and questions to encourage reflection and rumination for
readers preparing to teach, preach, or hear the Word. Reader comments are
invited and encouraged. All lectionary
links are to the via the PC(USA) Devotions and
Readings website.
FOR AN UPDATED AND REVISED VERSION, GO
TO THIS LINK
22:1 After what
things? What is the meaning of “tested”?
How many times and from how many people in the Hebrew Scriptures do we hear “Here
I am”? What was the alternative response, “I am not here” or simply ignoring
God?
22:2 Is there anything significance
to the location Moriah? How has this verse informed the Christian understanding
of John 3:16? How has john 3:16
influenced how Christians read this passage of Hebrew Scripture?
22:3 I wonder if and when
the other two young men figured out what Abraham had in mind.
22:4 How might the phrase
“On the third day” influenced the Gospel story?
22:5 Was Abraham lying, or being
prescient, when he said to the young men “we will come back to you”?
22:7 I find it interesting
that Abraham responds to Isaac with the same “Here I am” as in 22:1. How how
this verse informed the Gospel understanding of Jesus as the Lamb of God?
22:8 Again, was Abraham
lying or prescient when he told Isaac “God will provide the lamb for a burnt
offering? From a Christian perspective, God HAS provided the lamb, but not for
a burnt offering.
22:9 Thus the usual way of
referring to this passage: “The Binding of Isaac”. What was the age of Isaac when this took
place? Do you think Isaac physically
resisted when his father started to bind him?
22:10 Many will find this
verse offensive. How do we address the emotions it can elicit?
22:11 Note that in 22: 1
God calls Abraham by name once but that in this verse an angel of the Lord
calls Abraham by name twice. Is the “Angel of the Lord” the same as God? Abraham
responds with the quintessential “I am” of 22:1 and 22:7.
22:12 How do you understand
the word “fear”? Do you “fear” God? Some
consider this the most dangerous and scariest verse, in the whole Bible. What do you think?
22:13 Does a found ram
really fulfill the requirements of a burnt offering?
13:1 If this Psalm is in
the lectionary today to function as a response to or interpretation of Genesis
22:1-14, then I would rather God forget me than call me to sacrifice my only
child (if I had a child). Is it even possible for the LORD to forget? What does it mean for God to hide the divine
face?
13:2 Sometimes the length
of time we bear pain is worse than the intensity of the pain. I wonder what
enemy the Psalmist had in mind.
13:3 Is any answer better
than no answer at all? What is the “sleep of death”?
13:4 Never let your foes
see you shake.
13:5-6 Note that “trusted” and
“has dealt” is in the past tense while “shall rejoice” and “will sing” is in
the future tense. Is this nothing more
than a Hebraic poetic device?
6:12 I hate it when
lectionary readings, especially from the Pauline corpus, start with
“Therefore”.
6:13 What do you make of
the plural “members” and “yourselves”?
6:14 How do you reconcile this
verse with 6:12?
6:15 I think Paul’s argument
is logically weak. If we are not under the law how can we sin?
6:16 How do we deal with
this slavery language? According to Paul’s logic, does sin correlate with law
the same way obedience equates with grace?
6:17 What is the meaning of
“obedient from the heart”? What “form of teaching” is Paul referring to?
6:18 How do we reconcile
the concept of “slaves to righteousness” with the idea of free will?
6:19 What does Paul mean by
“human terms” and “Natural limitations”?
I would say more, but I feel limited by my human nature. Sometimes I
wish Paul had been more of a poet and less a didactic theologian.
6:20 Sometimes our freedom
in relation to things is not good?
6:21 What things are the
Romans now ashamed of? What does Paul mean by “end”?
6:22 How does enslavement
lead to sanctification?
6:23 Is Paul mixing
metaphors by shifting from enslavement/freedom language to wage/gift language?
10:40 To who is Jesus
speaking? What does it mean to “welcome”?
10:41 What does this “in
the name of” language mean? What is a prophet’s reward? What is the reward of the righteoius?
10:42 Who are these “little
ones”? Which disciple’s name would you
like to affix to the water fountain? I recall a neighboring church located on a
parade route regularly handing out free bottles of water labeled with the
church’s name, address and worship hours to the thirsty watching various
parades. What is the reward that won’t be lost?
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