Preparing for Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010

Take a moment to centre yourself in prayer:

Holy God, you have opened our hearts to hear your Word, and our mouths to proclaim your truth. Open our eyes this day to see in the symbols of our faith the revelation of your love. Through Jesus the healer, the teacher, the savior, the crucified, may we truly become the body of Christ, in our world so full of crosses and broken hearts. We pray in his name, and in you, our Creator, and in the holy Spirit, who gives us the power of faith to overcome all obstacles, Amen.

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The readings for Sunday skip past the realities of Good Friday, and parachute us right into the happy-ending Easter story. To appreciate what choices led Jesus to resurrection, we begin by focussing on some of the scripture readings and symbolism of Holy Week:

1) READ Luke 19:45-48

Then he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling things there; and he said, ‘It is written,“My house shall be a house of prayer”; but you have made it a den of robbers.’
Every day he was teaching in the temple. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people kept looking for a way to kill him; but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were spellbound by what they heard.

Now imagine a bag of coins scattered on the temple floor...

How desireable money seems in the midst of everyday life, but how inappropriate to make profit our focus in the house of God. What is your focus in God’s house of prayer?
silent meditation

2) READ Luke 22:7-23, 31-34

Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, ‘Go and prepare the Passover meal for us that we may eat it.’ They asked him, ‘Where do you want us to make preparations for it?’ ‘Listen,’ he said to them, ‘when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him into the house he enters and say to the owner of the house, “The teacher asks you, ‘Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ ” He will show you a large room upstairs, already furnished. Make preparations for us there.’

So they went and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal. When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. He said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.’ Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, ‘Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’ Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!’ Then they began to ask one another which one of them it could be who would do this. ‘

Now imagine a goblet and loaf of bread…

The original communion service was a celebration of Passover, which commemorates the Israelites’ escape from slavery. What is the liberation that Jesus offers us?
silent meditation

3) READ Luke 22:39-53

He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he said to them, ‘Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.’ Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, ‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.’ Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground. When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, and he said to them, ‘Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.’
While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; but Jesus said to him, ‘Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?’ When those who were around him saw what was coming, they asked, ‘Lord, should we strike with the sword?’ Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, ‘No more of this!’ And he touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders who had come for him, ‘Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!’

Now imagine a flowering branch from a garden…

It is in the most beautiful place that Jesus felt the abandonment of his friends and isolation even from God. Yet, even in that stark experience of aloneness, he did not turn away from his purpose. Where did he find his courage?
silent meditation

4) READ Luke 22:54-23:25

Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house. But Peter was following at a distance. When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and said, ‘This man also was with him.’ But he denied it, saying, ‘Woman, I do not know him.’ A little later someone else, on seeing him, said, ‘You also are one of them.’ But Peter said, ‘Man, I am not!’ Then about an hour later yet another kept insisting, ‘Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean.’ But Peter said, ‘Man, I do not know what you are talking about!’ At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly. Now the men who were holding Jesus began to mock him and beat him; they also blindfolded him and kept asking him, ‘Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?’ They kept heaping many other insults on him.
When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought him to their council. They said, ‘If you are the Messiah, tell us.’ He replied, ‘If I tell you, you will not believe; and if I question you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.’ All of them asked, ‘Are you, then, the Son of God?’ He said to them, ‘You say that I am.’ Then they said, ‘What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips!’ Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. They began to accuse him, saying, ‘We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.’ Then Pilate asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ He answered, ‘You say so.’ Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, ‘I find no basis for an accusation against this man.’ But they were insistent and said, ‘He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place.’ When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies. Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and said to them, ‘You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. I will therefore have him flogged and release him.’ Then they all shouted out together, ‘Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!’ (This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; but they kept shouting, ‘Crucify, crucify him!’ A third time he said to them, ‘Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.’ But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished.

Now imagine a crown of thorns…

It is one thing to have a crowd of strangers turn their coats and welcome Jesus at the beginning of the week, only to condemn him a few days later, but Peter, Jesus’ trusted companion? Should this lack of faith condemn Peter forever? What burdens of guilt do you still carry?
silent meditation

5) READ Luke 23:26-56

As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are surely coming when they will say, “Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.” Then they will begin to say to the mountains, “Fall on us”; and to the hills, “Cover us.” For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?’
Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!’ The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’ There was also an inscription over him, ‘This is the King of the Jews.’
One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’ It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.’ Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, ‘Certainly this man was innocent.’ And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

Now imagine a candle blowing out…

In moments of deepest despair, what is it that keeps us going?
silent meditation

Easter readings:

READ John 20:1-18

As we shift from the readings of Holy Week to Easter Sunday, it is good to begin with Mary’s story from the gospel of John. There is a good, long transition between grief and joy in this account of the resurrection.

Mary was alone when she came to the tomb, and it was still dark, still somber in the shadow of her grief. She found the stone rolled away, and the tomb empty.
- In the story where Lazarus was raised, the stone needed to be rolled away by human hands, but in this resurrection, the stone was already moved by unseen power.
- Lazarus’ gravecloths needed to be unwound, but Jesus’ cloths never left the tomb.

Question for Reflection: What are your experiences of cemeteries – do you find them peaceful, or unnerving? Does the Easter story influence your thoughts about death?

Mary feared the worst (graverobbers?), and sounded the alarm, bringing Peter and “the beloved disciple” to the tomb. John’s detailed description of who got there first, etc, and gives us an idea of the competition between followers of Peter and John in years to come. They witnessed the empty tomb and each drew their own conclusions.

Verse 9 suggests that neither one understood fully, for they did not know “the scripture”, John implying how Jesus fulfilled the law and the prophets.

Mary was left alone at the graveside to witness the arrival of two “angels” who asked her a question, but she was too distraught to seek answers from them. Breaking away from their brightness, she turned away and encountered a very human figure – a gardener, she thought, who might know where Jesus’ body had been taken. When he spoke her name, she recognized him as “rabbouni”, her teacher.
- In John 10:14, Jesus taught that as the good shepherd, he knew his flock by name and that they would recognize his voice.

Rather than trying to hang on to him, Jesus told Mary to go and tell his “brothers” what she had seen. It was important for her to understand this was not the end of the story: he needed to ascend, and he needed ALL the disciples to continue the witness. The story of the resurrection is not just past history, but a commissioning to go forth faithfully into the unknown future.

Question for Reflection: In what ways do you “witness” to resurrection in your life?

READ Isaiah 65:17-25

A passage likely written after the Jews have left their exile in Babylon/Persia and returned to Jerusalem. It reflects their high expectations of what a “faithful people” could become as a nation. In this passage, clearly, God is at the root of the New Creation. This will transform not only the land and their circumstances but the people as well.

In this passage, as in the Easter story, there is a sense of optimism which we read cynically, knowing that their promise has not been fulfilled… yet! They are reminders to all of us that we are still God’s promise in the making.

Question for Reflection: How can we embody this new life in the midst of our day to day realities?

READ Acts 10: 34-43

The setting for this passage is Peter’s response to Cornelius, a Roman who had been convinced in a vision by an angel to speak to Peter and learn from him. Peter had had his own vision, one where God asked him to eat foods that were considered ritually unclean. Because of that vision, Peter has figured out that God did not create the boundaries between different groups that Peter has always observed as a Jew. He then goes on to testify to his understanding of Jesus Christ:
- God anointed Jesus with Spirit and power;
- Jesus healed the sick and exorcized demons;
- He was crucified by Rome;
- God raised him and showed him to some of his followers, even eating and drinking with them to prove it was a physical resurrection;
- They are now commissioned as witnesses;
- Everyone who believes in Jesus receives forgiveness through him.

The Christian gospel in a nutshell!

Question for Reflection: If you had to explain your faith to someone who had never heard of it before, what words or images would you use?

Closing Prayer:
based on Psalm 118 – a psalm used in Passover celebrations:

O God, we give you thanks, for you are good; your steadfast love endures forever.
You have always been our strength and our support; but now you have become our hope for all time. We sing glad songs in our homes and on our journeys, for your hand opens to us, and raises us to new life! You have not given us up to death, but open for us the gates of righteousness. We will enter and give thanks to God! For this is your doing, marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that our God has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it! Amen

Palm and Passion Sunday: Part 2

Passion Readings:Isaiah 50:4-9a • Luke 22:14-23:56

We now consider some of the readings for the Passion.

Prayer: Life-giver, Pain-bearer, Love-maker,day by day you sustain the weary with your word and gently encourage us to place our trust in you.

Awaken us to the suffering of those around us;save us from hiding in denials or taunts that deepen the hurt;give us grace to share one an other's burdens in humble service. Amen.

Isaiah 50:4-9

• "The tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word." Sustaining the weary with a word. That's a gift; that's power. Who can accomplish this feat? Isaiah, apparently! Isn't this part of what we do in the Christian community, speaking the Word on Sunday, in readings, in sermon. With God's Word, we can sustain the weary. Have you ever been sustained by a word, a kind word , a hopeful word...?
  
• "I gave my back . . . and my cheeks . . . I did not hide the face." Let us not think that there is nothing of Jesus' 'turn the other cheek' teaching in the Old Testament, that the OT only speaks of 'an eye for an eye' - this passage show us its just not so.
  
• "I have set my face like flint." Jesus is said to have set his face like flint as he walks towards Jerusalem. Can you think of a time when you have done this, been determined, steadfast, resolute as you take on a challenge

Luke 22:14-23:56

I guess you have to ask: why is this huge, all encompassing text read on Palm Sunday when much of this material will be included later in Holy Week? The answer, on the practical side, is that is many in our congregations won't be back again until Easter Sunday - won't be at Maundy Thursday or Good Friday. They need to know how we get from Palm Sunday to Easter Morning. Imagine a Christianity that went from Palm celebrations to easter celebrations. What would be lost if we just skipped the betrayal and passion and cross?

And also, there is something profound in the contrast of starting a service with the joy of the Palms and then ending with the reality of the cross.

This text as a whole is almost too huge to comment on. It is to be read. reflected on. heard. Felt. Experienced. Try watching a movie version of this Biblical scene. I am partial to the the film: The Gospel of John - an excellent word for word film rendition of the gospel story.

"But all his acquaintances . . . stood at a distance, watching these things." I wonder what was going on in their minds as they watched. Horror? Shock? Helplessness? Overwhelmed? Giving up? Where would you be in that crowd? What would you be feeling?

From "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord" to "Crucify, crucify him." ...this speaks to the reality of who Jesus was and is, and particularly the reality of our struggle as humans to respond to him and his call to us.

Readings for Palm and Passion Sunday

Palm Readings : Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 • Luke 19:28-40


Passion Readings:Isaiah 50:4-9a • Psalm 31:9-16 • Philippians 2:5-11 • Luke 22:14-23:56 or Luke 23:1-49


Prayer for Holy Week
Compassionate God,your love finds full expression in the gift of Jesus Christ your Son,who willingly met betrayal and death to set us free.Give us courage to live faithfully in these days until we greet the glory of our risen Savior. Amen.






This Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. It begins with the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Let us look at the Palm Sunday readings first.



















Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
This is a Psalm of joy, of celebration and of thanksgiving. It is a song of entrance. Originally the psalm marks the entrance of someone, a king or a worshipper, as they enter the holy Temple in Jerusalem .


This Psalm presents a dialogue between someone who is on the inside and one who is entering. There is a reminder to the one coming in that all who enter need be righteous. This reflects the priestly understanding that all who approach the altar of God need to be pure.



Bind the festal procession with branches...These words reflect a liturgical rite. Branches are brought to the altar. In the feast of tabernacles, olive branches were used in worship


The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. These verses are frequently quoted in the New Testament, e.g. Matthew 21:42; Acts 4:11; 1 Corinthians 3:11; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:7-8. They were very important for the early Church in their attempt to understand the rejection and execution of Jesus by his people.



Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the house of the LORD. This is a priestly blessing extended to those who are entering...



This Psalm with it branches and it s celebration of the entrance of one who is righteous, reflects the mood of Palm Sunday; Jesus enters Jerusalem and is greeted with palm branches strewn on his way.


Reflections:

• "The stone that the builders reject has become the chief cornerstone." Such a powerful verse, used to describe Christ by the prophets. But good for us too: when others reject us, God accepts us. In God, we can become the cornerstone, not a rejected scrap. Hope!


• "This is the Lord's doing." Giving credit where credit is due. We're not so good at that many times. What do we need to remember is "the Lord's doing."


• "This is the day that the Lord has made." This is such a popular opening to worship. Why do we like this verse so much? It does a good job of reminding us of the fact that each day is God's precious gift to us.


• “Come on in and disturb our perfect lives. You are the Christ for us today.” These words are from Benedictine Joan Chichester; they reflect the welcome that is to be extended to anyone who comes to our gate, our doorway. The righteous are welcomed. The rejected too. As Christ enters Jerusalem, so many come through our church doors. How do we welcome them?

Luke 19:28-40

The triumphant palm procession, reenacted around the world on Palm Sunday.

Jesus intended a demonstration as he approached Jerusalem.Luke draws this out for the readers in echoing Zecheriah 9 9-10 and in his redaction of Psalm 118.26. This is the blessing pronounced on pilgrims coming up to the temple for a festival now changed to King or Lord to highlight the belief that we are to presume the disciples believe themselves to be taking part in a coronation procession for a Messiah – the donkey stressing the non- military – the passive authority that will establish the universal kingdom of peace.

• "Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there . . . " Not necessarily Jesus prophesying, as some have interpreted. Just Jesus telling them of the plans he has made ahead of time. We never seem satisfied with things just happening in the realm of the natural - we always seem to want to add a supernatural element to scripture, as if it is not powerful enough ...


• "began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power they had seen" I wonder why it is we praise God ? So why praise God? Because God is God!? Because God does things for us? Because we want to stay on God's good side?"


• saying, 'peace on earth'" Ironic that they would say these words what they really wanted was for Jesus to become a revolutionary leader, sword in hand. Peace for whom?
  

There is a dark backdrop to the celebrations of Palm Sunday. The readings for passion Sunday will be considered in the next post.

Lent 4 - readings for March 14, 2010

What emotion do you perceive in the father's eyes?

Take a moment as you centre yourself in prayer:

O God of outstretched arms, you welcome us to times of deeper reflection – that we might find once again our wholeness and our peace in you. Expand our hearts, O God, breathe into our thinking, that we might find in your word, the courage to shape the world around us. Amen

READ Luke 15:1-3

Today’s gospel reading is the last parable in a series of 3 (including the lost sheep, lost coin) which portray God as seeking the lost. These first three verses give us the background of Jesus’ explanation – they contrast his understanding of “right relationship” according to certain “Pharisees and scribes.”

This is not an attack on all Jews – Amy Jill Levine writes that when Christians hear Pharisee, we think “evil, self-righteous, hypocrites” – that is Luke’s influence, not Jesus’. Luke rejected the Pharisees because they refused to follow Paul to Jesus.
- Jesus accepted their invitations to supper; and they warned him about Herod; so there was a certain collegiality between them.
- Jesus might have recognized they were good, holy people, and certainly did not condemn them personally, only an attitude of self-righteousness (in general)
- Amy Jill Levine even suggests that their over-abundance of faith overflowed and might even have helped the “sinners” that Luke shows them putting down.

Question for reflection:
Who would be our contemporary sinners and our contemporary Pharisees?

READ Luke 15:11b-24

What is the name usually given this parable? Prodigal Son. Yet the word prodigal means spending freely, even wastefully. So it could as well be called the parable of the Prodigal Father, who pours out his love in an abundant, wasteful way, like God.

Verse 11b: “There was a man who had two sons…” Think of similar stories of two brothers from Hebrew scripture and you will find family conflict: Cain and Abel, Ishmael and Isaac, Esau and Jacob – first century Jewish ears were primed for conflict to follow.

v. 12 – Inheritance was usually divided in 3 for 2 sons: 1 third of the estate for each son, the third part going to elder son as birthright after his father’s death. When the younger son leaves, and demands his inheritance liquidated, it is as if he is saying his father is dead to him. “Gimme” is the attitude we are supposed to grow out of, and yet “inheritance” can be interpreted as a sign of how much we are worth to that person. He demands proof that his father loves him.

v.13 – selling ancestral lands was shocking behavior, disrespectful to family and God.

v.14 Famine is a reversal of the usual formula, where Israel went looking for food in other nations. It would shock the audience and send the message this is not your usual parable.

v.15 A swine-keeper was not only lowly, but unclean in Jewish law.

v. 17 “But when he came to himself…” The words suggest he began to see himself as he really was, in the wrong place, but not completely worthless – he could still work in his father’s household, if not return as a son.

Question for Reflection:
Have you ever had one of those moments, where you “came to yourself?”

v.18 “I will go and say to my father…” he has his strategy worked out, knows his place. “I have sinned against heaven and you.” His wrongdoing not just personal but cosmic.

v.20 – Father runs, loses all decorum, makes plans to celebrate, honour him as a son, not hire him as a worker.

v. 23 A fatted calf was usually kept for a family celebration like a wedding. Was it the elder son’s wedding?

READ Luke 15:25-31

The elder son asks the question we are all wondering: What did my brother ever do to deserve this?

Father’s perspective: If we are to forgive, we are to forgive utterly and completely.

A story about giving love and being able to receive it in the right spirit – not because we deserve it, or it is our right.

Lenten season – prepares us for the story of Easter and the miracle of moving from death to new life; loss to reconciliation.

Question for Reflection: Who do you relate to? Why?

READ Joshua 5:9-12

An unusual passage without much context, chosen because it is a homecoming.

Preparations to take promised land: (1) affirm new leader, Joshua; (2) spies make alliance with Rahab; (3) ark of the covenant leads parade into promised land; (4) 12 stones set up as holy markers for 12 tribes; (5) all males circumcized

v.9 Gilgal means “rolled away” usually referring to circle of stones with holy significance. Play on words, YHWH “rolls away” the disgrace of Egypt.

v.10-12 The Israelites celebrate passover, old tradition. They also begin to rely on the food of the land, instead of manna from heaven, but it doesn’t change in significance, it is still God who is feeding them, new tradition. They are celebrating the familiar and unfamiliar at the same time.

Question for Reflection:
Rites of passage, like baptism, marriage, funerals, are constantly changing, and yet contain some elements that never change. How do you feel about them being changed, or never changing?

READ 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

The great debate: “human point of view” vs. “God’s perspective”.
Not world, flesh vs psyche, soul, heaven – too simplistic. Instead it is, “humanity in the world, without God” vs “humanity in the world, with God”.

v.17 Relationship with Jesus is life-altering, changes our point of view.
We are invited to become truly who we are meant to be.

v.18 The death of Christ is holy, not tragic, because it teaches us about unconditional love, forgiving whole-heartedly, being reconciled.

Closing Reflection:

Psalm 32:1-7 by James Taylor Everyday Psalms, (Wood Lake Books, 1994) which he introduces this way:
A friend, a Roman Catholic, once said: You Protestants have no idea how good it feels to be able to confess something and get it off your chest!

Happy are those who have nothing to hide;
Even happier those whose slate has been wiped clean.
I used to lie awake, worrying about things I had done;
And during the day, about things I had not cdone.
My conscience tormented me, I couldn’t concentrate.
I was terrified of being exposed.
So I went to God and confessed.
I made no excuses for myself; I didn’t hide anything.
And God forgave me.

What a relief it is to share a gnawing secret!
Forgiveness is like a cool drink on a hot day,
Like a warm fire in a winter blizzard.
God’s grace renews my strength; it gives me a second chance.

Lent 3 - readings for March 7 2010

Take a moment to centre yourself in prayer, focussing on the "fruitfulness" of our faith journeys:

O God of open table, of open door, we are thankful that we are invited into your embrace. For you give food that nourishes us in body and in spirit. You offer us the Living Water of Jesus. You open to us a whole household of grace. You fill us with Spirit and hope. May your Word, your grace and your Spirit enter into our reading and reflection today, for we pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

READ Isaiah 55:1-9

There are 3 eras covered by Isaiah’s prophecies – pre-exile (Leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE), exile (in Babylon and Persian empires), post-exile (after Cyrus gave permission to return to Jerusalem, 400 BCE)

This passage comes from the end of the exile period, looking forward to or already living in the return to their promised land. There is some scholarly dispute about whether it is exile or post-exile for this passage, but clearly it is in that time of transition, where the people are facing a journey into the unknown.

NOTES:
v.1 – The passage begins with “Ho!” – the only place in the Bible that informal greeting or call is used – it is the biblical equivalent of “Hey you! Get a load of this!” Used to get people’s attention in a busy and competitive market place.

The prophecy alone should get people’s attention – you can eat and drink without cost!
These are a people without land, resources, possibly after long journey, feeling uprooted.
God gives them the best deal.

It sends the message that God recognizes the real needs of the people, but also looks to fill a hunger beyond the belly.

Question for Reflection: What things do you “hunger” for? Do you think God knows about that hunger? What do you think God plans to do about it? What does God want you to do about your own hunger?

Isaiah 55 contrasts the early chapters (9:2) where the people wasted resources on things that do not satisfy.

v.3 – If one wants to be filled it is imperative to come, listen, incline your ear.
v.3-4 – This is the only mention of David in all of 2nd or 3rd Isaiah (Chapters 40-60) – because for Isaiah the focus of covenant is God’s people, not the king. He was a strong critic of human kings.
v. 5 – “You shall call nations … and nations shall come to you…” But it is YHWH who glorifies the people of God, not by their own actions.

v.6 – To contact YHWH you must act justly, or repent. Evil deeds get in the way.
v.7 – Those who have been unfaithful are encouraged to repent, so “the return” is imagined on 2 levels – both returning to right relationship with God, and returning to the promised land.

v.8-9 – Yet God is beyond our understanding, a warning that we cannot manipulate God with our actions.

READ Luke 13:1-9

What is a Parable? A short story that teaches a lesson – not meant to be taken as historical, but metaphorical.

But it is prefaced by a real historical situation – where Galileans were martyred, probably for rebellion, and their blood was mixed with animal blood at the sacrifice. There was a very public denouncement by Pilate of Jewish sensibilities – and a warning to the Jewish leaders to get their people under control. It is an indication of the politically charged climate of the time. There is also reference to an accident at Siloam, and whether the victims were being punished by God for sinning.

Jesus teaching is contrary to traditional “wisdom” literature – what befalls us is accident, not punishment. His point is to demonstrate why we should always be ready to meet our maker. There is urgency in Jesus’ message, asking what could be more important?

Parable of fruitless fig tree – valuable land, water, resources
Draws on previous understandings of fig trees
Micah 7:1 – signifies peace, security a time to rest
Isaiah 5:1-7 – a beloved vineyard destroyed

But Jesus shows how God gives another chance, demonstrates extravagant love.
True faith must have purpose, not just for the comfort of the believer.

Question for Reflection: Do you feel you are bearing fruit, or just taking up space? As a congregation, are we bearing fruit?

READ 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Paul reinterpreting Moses’ people in the wilderness – takes for granted knowledge of Exodus.
Yet his point was about the followers of Jesus – how they needed to be faithful and not just part of a particular group.
Ch 9 has been about idol worship, this chapter points out how the people of God, whether in the wilderness or Corinth, all need to be faithful to ONE God.

Closing Prayer:

O God, in your stories we read of your mercy and reconciling Spirit. Be gracious to us, O God, as we seek to understand the choices you would have us make. Give us hearts full of compassion and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast to the truth of your word. We pray in Jesus’ name, the one who with you and Holy Spirit lives forever and ever, Amen