Readings for March 11 2012 - Lent 3

Take a moment and centre yourself in prayer:

May the words of all our mouths be acceptable unto you, O God, our rock and our redeemer. May the meditations of all our hearts be acceptable unto you, O God, our morning sun and our salvation. May the actions of all our hands be acceptable unto you, O God, our tall tree and our inspiration. May the pathways of all our lives be acceptable unto you, O God, our misty lake and our creator. May the way we live in all creation be acceptable unto you, O God, our holy presence and the one who so loves our world, Amen.

READ Exodus 20:1-17

This passage opens the “Sinai pledge” – a compilation of the law are found between Exodus 20 and Numbers 10:10. These 10 are first and therefore most important.
They might have originally been independent of the rest, older from the Oral Tradition: no accident that there are 10 - counting them on your fingers to remember; they follow a pattern (negative particle followed by a verb in imperfect) – categorical law, these commands are “unconditional”.

Two tables or groupings: 1-4 relationship between people and God; 5-10
relationship between people within the community.

The subject is YOU singular.

1st commandment – (verse 3) Does not rule out that there are other gods, just Jehovah is YOUR God.
2nd commandment – (verses 4-6) Condemns making of idols, specifically YOUR God, your God is jealous and will not be put in a box!

3rd – (verse 7) Cannot manipulate God – God’s power cannot be used to serve human interests.

4th (verses 8-11) Sabbath – not for worship but for rest; the only way to keep/recover right relationship with God.


5th – (verse 12) only one of ten to have a positive rather than negative command.
Not for children, but for adult children – it was revolutionary for its time: raises mother up with father, makes women equal.

6th – (verse 13) Against killing in socially unacceptable ways – does not include war, execution by the community, even sometimes revenge killing. What is illegal is what we would call manslaughter.

7th – (verse 14) The Hub of this law is the legitimacy of children – divorce, polygamy, concubines, even prostitution were legal.

8th – (verse 15) For protection of private property – even kings were curtailed in later history. Community need - Right of the poor to glean, taxes, fines, etc.

9th – (verse 16) Not lying but perjury in “court”, which compromises neutrality of judges; challenge of the prophets to king, officials “false” witness, wisdom.

10th – (verse 17) Moves from public act to private attitude – not simply an emotional response (nice car!) but a plan to take away or obtain one oneself – putting it before faithfulness.

Question for Reflection: If you had to write “rules” for your own right relationship with God and others, what would they be?

READ Psalm 19

We have heard 10 commandments “the community’s commandments for us.” This psalm is about God’s rules for creation (including us): compare them – what matches, what doesn’t match.

Translation of “law” is Torah – less a legal code than a pattern of life, a trust. God self-discloses natural law in creation – not just scripture.
May we live in Torah – final prayer – demonstrates humility.

Question for Reflection: What “laws” or patterns do you practice that keep you in touch with the earth?

READ 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Corinth held their learning and wisdom in high esteem – they loved nothing better than to win a debate! Found Jewish cultures, perspectives very rough, unlearned, poorly spoken, foolish.
Corinth was a big travel centre, being located between 2 seaports, the population was culturally diverse, enterprising and rich.

Divisions were rivalling, partly over leadership but also class divisions.

Paul’s writing good, but his speech was contemptible according to 2 Cor 10:10.
But what others see as Paul’s weakness, Paul proclaims a strength: Logou – eloquent, versus logos – message, meaning.

Ironically he uses clever word play to make his point!

As “wisdom of this world, this age” the Greek philosophical and Jewish wisdom traditions blind us to God’s wisdom, WHICH is foolishness.

Question for Reflection: What “wisdom” have you outgrown? What “foolishness” have you grown into?

READ John 2:13-22

Surprise – John places it early in the gospel, the other gospels place it after Palm Sunday.
FIRST public appearance - how to make an impression!

Synoptics – Jesus criticizes the gouging of pilgrims, but in John – no marketplace at all. Jesus criticizes the distraction from prayer.

Jesus brings new spirit to worship not dependent on temple cult

John’s use of The Jews” not to average member but those who reject Jesus because he contradicts their authority.

They ask for signs – already have miracles, but they are apparently not enough.

Question for Reflection: Jesus gives a first impression of anger – is this something that appeals or repels you from his ministry?

Closing Prayer:
Into a dark world, a snowdrop comes
A blessing of hope and peace
Carrying within it a green heart,
Symbol of God’s renewing love.
Come to inhabit our darkness, Lord Christ,
For dark and light are alike to you.
May nature’s white candles of hope
Remind us of your life
And lighten our journey through Lent and beyond.