Lectionary Ruminations 2.0 for Sunday, November 16, 2014, the Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

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.

First Reading – Judges 4:1-7

4:1 Here we go again.  This is beginning to remind me of déjà vu all over again. How many times did the Israelites do what was evil in the sight of the LORD?  How many times do we?

4:2 Do the names of rulers, commanders, and place names add or detract from the narrative?

4:3 This is beginning to sound like a broken record.  How many times do we cry out to the LORD, asking the LORD to get us out of trouble we have gotten ourselves into?

4:4 What blasphemy, a female prophet!  With regard to male prophets, how often are we told who their wife was?

4:5 Do you think the Palm of Deborah was known by that name in Deborah’s day? Too bad it was not a Bodhi tree.

4:6 How dare Deborah speak for God! I wonder why Barak.

4:7 What is a Wadi and why does it matter?

Psalm - Psalm 123:1-4

123:1 I thought God was enthroned on the cherubim.  Are the cherubim in heaven or in the Temple?

123:2 So God is a master and maid while we are servants and mistresses.  While the Israelites in the Judges passage cry to the LORD, the psalmist simply looks to the LORD.  Maybe those eyes were sad, droopy puppy dog eyes that the LORD simply could not resist.

123:3 To what contempt is the Psalmist referring?

123:4 To what scorn is the Psalmist referring? Are contempt and scorn synonymous?

Second Reading - 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

5:1 What times and seasons? If nothing needs to be written to the Thessalonians about times and seasons then why does Paul bring it up?

5:2 Is this an example of chiastic structure:  “day lord / thief night”? What does Paul mean by “day of the Lord”?

5:3 Since I am of the male persuasion, I chose not to comment on this verse.  If there is anyone of the female persuasion out there who would like to comment, please do so.

5:4-5 There is a lot of “light” and “darkness” to keep track of in these verses. Beware of racial stereotypes. Can the Dead Sea scrolls help us put this passage into context?

5:6 Since the overriding metaphor is staying awake, why does Paul add “sober”?

5:7 What point is Paul trying to make?

5:8 Does the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of salvation, change the metaphor?  Note that a breastplate and a helmet are entirely defensive rather than offensive. Have you ever heard of a type of prayer known in the Celtic tradition as a Lorica?

5:9 Why do my Reformed/Presbyterian ears perk up when I hear this verse?

5:10 Is Paul confusing his “sleep” metaphor and using it to mean more than one thing?

5:11 In other words, keep on keeping on.

Gospel - Matthew 25:14-30

25:14 “It is as if” make this what, q parable? Why do I have a problem with slave language?

25:15 What is a talent?  Ability to do what?

25:16 This slave ahould have been a stock broker or banker.

25:17 A 100% return! Not bad.

25:18 What were the abilities of the first and second slaves?  What was the ability of the third slave? Had the man going on a journey misjudged the abilities of his slaves?

25:19 What is a long time and does it matter?

25:21, 23 What does it mean to enter into the joy of a master?

25:24 Maybe the third slave said too much in addition to not doubling the talent.

25:25 How do we sometimes allow fear to cripple us?

25:26 Was the slave really wicked and lazy or just overly careful?

25:27 If we take this too literally, it begins to break down and seems illogical. After all, the man could have invested his money with bankers to begin with rather than entrusting it to his slaves.

25:28-29 Does the growing disparity between the rich and the poor impact how we might read and interpret these verses?

25:30 Have we heard anything like this before? Where?

ADDENDUM

I am currently serving at the Interim Pastor of The Presbyterian Church of Cadiz, worshiping at 154 West Market Street, Cadiz, Ohio, every Sunday at 11:00 AM.