Readings for February 26, 2012 - Lent 1

Take a moment to centre yourself in prayer…


O God, we thank you for your Lenten walk through ancient lands and into our lives. We thank you for your Word’s healing grace, and teaching challenge; we thank you for the miracle that our small gifts are turned into many opportunities. We thank you for the parables that tease us; the Passover that delivers us; the Passion that deepens us; the cross and empty tomb that call us. Gentle God, we thank you for drawing us into your gospel story and the mission of Jesus, Amen

READ Genesis 9:8-17

The lectionary reading is just the anti-climax of the story – the real story begins at Genesis 1, when God divided waters below and waters above the sky, then divided the waters below with dry land. The ocean waters became the symbol of primordial chaos in the ancient world. They symbolized everything preGod, preCreation.

This is true not just for Israel but for most ancient middle eastern religions, such as the other flood stories found in Egyptian, Sumerian, Chaldean cultures. Also from other parts of the world (Aboriginal, Chinese, Tanzanian…)

They underline the reality that water is necessary for life but, in large quantities, untameable.

In Israel’s story, it is caused by what humanity did wrong - Genesis 6.
God decides to preserve a remnant of humanity – God still has belief in the goodness of creation, so it is not a punishment on all creation, but humanity in particular.

But who is bound by this covenant?
What does God agree to?
What does humanity agree to?
It is unequal, the initiative and commitment all come from God.

In verses 8-10, we are reminded that the covenant is shared by all creation’s children, it is corporate, never individual. And the covenant needs a sign (verse 12) a reminder like a wedding ring. So God literally hangs up the weapon of destruction, the rainbow.

Literary studies show that this was written down in the time of the Babylonian exile or shortly after. Themes of this story – chaos unleashed as punishment; a faithful remnant; a return to covenant – it also fit for the people who longed to return to the promised land.

Question for Reflection: How does this story of God entering into covenant without expectation of humanity influence our own relationships?

READ 1 Peter 3:18-22

The letter is likely not written by Peter, but one who followed him. It refers to current events that took place possibly just before Peter’s execution in Rome, or later, around 80 CE.

It is addressed to the exiles of the dispersion – not the ones who fled in 70 CE, when Rome destroyed Jerusalem, but exiles to Babylon and other places from centuries earlier (586 BCE).

The theme of the letter is keeping faith in the face of persecution.

Translation leaves us with some questions about its meaning:

In verse18a: is it suffered or died, you or us? – is it atonement or self-giving, is it individual or corporate?

In verse 21: Is baptism an appeal to God for a good conscience? Or a pledge to God from a good conscience? Is good conscience a pre-requisite for baptism or is it the result?

Easter used to be the culmination of Lent, with six weeks of lessons and fasting and finally, the celebration of baptism. Noah and his family were saved FROM water; Christians are saved BY water – aligning ourselves with Christ.

1 Peter knew well the apocalyptic tradition of the nephilim/spirits imprisoned (Genesis 6) and explains how Jesus went to proclaim to them (sometime between the cross and the resurrection?)

Jesus’ courage reconciles those who are being persecuted to something greater.
In baptism they are made one with Christ, in suffering and in resurrection

Question for Reflection: Peter’s audience was soothed by the notion of eternal justice. What hope do people suffering today look for?

READ Mark 1:9-15

Mark does not spell out the temptations – they are mixed up with baptism, and moving on to the really important stuff – not a lot of time for rituals!

Everyone expected the Messiah to come from Jerusalem, act like a king, not undergo trial and tribulation or come from Galilee.

Baptism signals the ending of the chaos of old life; the new life and new order of ministry in God’s way.
“Tearing of heavens” Mark uses the same word for the temple veil torn at the crucifixion, both are occasions where the boundaries between heaven and earth are dissolved.

Allusions to Hebrew scripture:
John the Baptist is like Elijah, challenging established order;
Descent of the dove is like the Spirit at creation, moving over the waters;
Psalm 2 – You are my son;
Isaiah 42 – suffering servant – with you I am well-pleased;
Exodus – wandering in the wilderness;
Promised land is not occupation but pre-occupation with God.

Mark is “re-writing the script”

Question for Reflection:
Mark’s hurry to describe the first steps of Jesus’ journey suggest that certain things needed to be in place: cleansing of old life; affirmation; testing; then practice. How do we understand those things happening in our own faith journeys?

Closing Prayer:
Holy God, breathe your spirit of life into us. We are creatures of earth, and we are your children. We are frightened sometimes in this world full of risk and confusion. Sometimes things happen too fast, and we find it hard to make good choices. God, as you created life at the beginning of time, create and shape us anew. We want to be your clay once more, shaped by your hand, connected to your earth. We want to be part of the journey you began in Jesus – where the sick are healed, the oppressed freed and all know your peace. Through your Spirit, in your Spirit, because of your Spirit, let it be, Amen.