Readings for November 11 2012

Take a moment to centre yourself in prayer:


Source of Life, of all that has been, of all that is, and of all that is yet to come: I come now to this time of study, with all that I am and all that I have, with all that I am not and all that I have not, to encounter the sacred, in myself and in your Word, for the sacred is all around! Spirit of all things great and small, awaken me, I pray. Amen

Al-hijra falls on November 15 – the Muslim New Year – marking the day when Muhammed moved his believers from Mecca to Medina, as a way of breaking with the tribalism of the past and beginning a new  universal, multi-cultural tradition.

A good opening to our first reading:

READ Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17

Naomi and Ruth were victims of 2 prejudices in Israel:

Patriarchy - no protection from a male relative;
Ruth, a Moabite was a foreigner/outsider.

Naomi is “crafty” – one needs to be in order to redeem an imperfect world!  It is Naomi who knows the laws and plans their salvation.  In verse 3:1 Naomi does it for Ruth, returning the favour hesed meaning loving kindness. 

In verse 3, she tells Ruth to wash, anoint and dress, to symbolize the end of mourning, preparing like a bride.
Then “uncover his feet and lie down” – the metaphor directs our attention to his lower parts!

Ruth asks “cover me with your cloak” in verse 9 – a symbol of his protection.  In verse 11, Boaz promises to claim her in front of everyone.

Then it is Boaz who gets “crafty” and wins Ruth from a greedy relative, who only wanted the land, not the responsibility.  Boaz' public declaration demonstrates that Hesed has brought success to both women, that boundaries can be crossed and that the law can work God’s way when used creatively!

Ruth is a kind of wisdom story, in that goodness is rewarded, and it has universal appeal.

Question for Reflection:
Loving kindness mixed with creativity = success: How does this strategy work in our world?


READ Hebrews 9:24-28

Written to Jewish followers of Jesus, who know a lot about the temple traditions, high priests, and sacrifices.

High level of greek language and philosophy:  Earth dirty – vs – Heaven pure and holy.

Former priests sacrifice always tainted by earthiness; Jesus enters purity of heaven as pure being, also as high priest, and once and for all offers himself as sacrifice FOR ALL!

In the temple, there were always 2 sacrifices: one for the priest himself, the second for the people.  Jesus didn’t have to sacrifice for himself; the first was for others; the second coming is not to deal with sin, but to save those waiting for him.  It is a definitive end to the struggle between good and evil.
3 contrasts:
Reality versus Simulation
Effective versus Endless repetition
Salvation versus Judgement – obsession with Judgement denies Christ's power.

Question for Reflection:
In Reformed Churches, clergy rarely play the priestly role, we are all part of the Holy Priesthood. How do you see yourself as “priest”?


READ Mark 12:38-44
Beware the scribes! Religious functionaries also need to prove their trustworthiness…

Temptation to hypocrisy – in verse 38 – “scribes” or Levites were a “tribe” born to function in the temple culture, as teachers, bureaucrats, enforcers – usually literate, gave them some power. 
Not all were good, not all were bad – again, the faithful need to be crafty and discerning.

Jesus says: Look out for those who love prestige; who look for power in the agora (marketplace).
They also seek religious power; want the best seat “of Moses” given to scholars, though they are not wise.
They are victims of materialism – ignore the widow, devours her house (in their legal capacity?)

Contrast with the widow who has genuine trust in God, and who offers all that she has.  
True faith leads to costly discipleship – faith is not easy or comfortable. 

Question for Reflection:
Do you think we attract others to faith by making it easy or by making it hard??

For closing, read a paraphrase of Psalm 127

Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain;

Unless there is room for God in the stocked pantry,
Or the designer shoe closet
Or taking up at least as much space as the flat screen TV…
Those who live there, seek happiness in vain.

Unless the Lord guide the city, the guard keeps watch in vain;

Unless there is justice for the vulnerable,
Or a voice for the powerless
Or a safety net for those who fall between the cracks…
Those who guard it, lock themselves out.

God keeps watch over those who delight in God’s blessing
Those who live with a clenched fist cannot feel it.

Keep your eye trained on the young to know what delight means.
There is true strength!
May it be so in our lives, O God, may it be so, Amen