Lectionary Ruminations 2.0 for Sunday, April 26, 2015, the Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year B)

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 over reliance 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 

First Reading - Acts 4:5-12

4:5 What happened the day before?  Who are “they” of the “their”?

4:6 Annas and Caiaphas I am familiar with.  Who are John and Alexander?

4:7 What prisoners?  Did what? How are “power” and “name” connected? Consider this in the context of Luke 20:2.

4:8 Was Peter filled with the Holy Spirit prior to this or just for this? Consider this in the context of Luke 12:11-12

4:10 Juxtapose this verse and its “name” with Psalm 23:3 and 1 John 3:23

4:8-10 Peter’s response might have been better received if he had not accused his interlocutors of crucifying Jesus.

4:11 What is Peter quoting or alluding to?

4:12 This sounds like confessional language. How is healing (4:10) akin to salvation?

Psalm - Psalm 23:1-6 

23:1-6 Is this Psalm too familiar for us to hear it anew? IF the Shepherd image no longer fowrks for most people, what other images might we employ – dog walker, day care worker, home health aid?

23:1 Note that in the NRSV, LORD is all uppercase.  So what?

23:2 Have you ever lied down in a green pasture?  Have you ever been led by still waters?

23:3 Juxtapose with Acts 4:10 and I John 3:23

23:4 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?

23:5 Have you ever eaten a meal in the presence of your enemies?  Has your head ever been anointed with oil? What is the meaning of an overflowing cup?

23:6 What and where is the house of the LORD?

Second Reading - 1 John 3:16-24

3:16 Who is “he”?  What  does it mean to lay down one’s life? Consider John 10:11-18

3:17 Ouch!

3:18 Why the moniker “little children”?

3:19 It is beginning to sound like “truth” is being personified.

3:20-21 It sounds like one’s heart is the same as one inner voice or conscience. How and when do our hearts condemn us?

3:22 Whaat has been asked? Whose commandments? Which commandments?

3:23Where have I heard something like this before? Juxtapose this verse with Acts 4:10 and Psalm 23:3. What does it mean to believe in a name?

3:23-24 Consider this in the context of John 15:1-17.

Gospel - John 10:11-18

10:11 And which Psalm are you know thinking of?

10:12-13 Who is the hired hand?

10:14 Should we make anything of the “I am” language?

10:15 Is Jesus referring to the crucifixion?

10:16 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? What is the difference between a fold and flock?

10:17 Does the Father need a reason to love the Son? Does the notion of Jesus taking up his life again conflict in any way with Jesus being raised rather than rising?

10:18 What command?

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. Please like The Presbyterian Church of Cadiz on facebook.