This week's themes are "restoration" and "reformation." Job is restored to his good fortune. The Psalmist rejoices for the great things the Lord has done in salvation and redemption of his people. Jeremiah celebrates his prophesy of the return of the remnant of Israel. The author of Hebrews tells us of the high priest who lives forever and makes saving intercession for us in the sacrifice of himself for us, once and for all. Jesus restores the sight of the blind beggar, Bartimaeus, which means "son of Honor."
When did God restore Job's good fortune? What does Jesus teach us in Mark's account of the restoring of sight to Bartimaeus? See "Coming Home with Shouts of Joy," by Ragan Sutterfield of the Ekklesia Project..
For Lutherans, and other churches in the Reformed tradition, this Sunday is reformation Sunday. What is it to be reformed? In restoration, or reformation, how are we called to act if God promises to restore us by his grace - if we have nothing to lose, so to speak? What is the relationship of failure and restoration? How does that reform us in the process? See "Bartimaeus, Luther,and the Failed Reformation" by David Lose.
What is the difference between retributive justice and restorative justice? What are we called to do by the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus who make intercession for us? See Jon Van de Laar's article in Sacredise.
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