Stumbling Block or Stepping Stone

Scripture: 

Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 and Psalm 124  • 

Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29 and Psalm 19:7-14  • 

James 5:13-20  • 

Mark 9:38-50

This week instead of vying among each  other as to who will be the greatest in Jesus's kingdom, as in last weeks gospel, the disciples go into an "us" versus 'Them" mode as they complain to Jesus about a stranger casting out demons in his name. What is Jesus' response? 

Things are starting to get serious, urgent. Jesus has told the disciples what they don't want to hear. He has told them that he must suffer and die. This week is no different. He says not to be a stumbling block and gives some pretty gruesome examples. Why is he telling the disciples this? What would it be like if we cleared paths for our brothers and sister instead of putting road blocks in their way? What are some of the ways we are stumbling blocks to others? What can we do to not be stumbling blocks? See The Rev. Debie Thomas' "If It Causes You To Stumble."

Vulnerable in a Culture Valuing Toughness

Vulnerable in a Culture Valuing Toughness

Scripture: Proverbs 31:10-31 and Psalm 1  • Wisdom of Solomon 1:16-2:1, 12-22 or Jeremiah 11:18-20 and Psalm 54  • James 3:13 - 4:3, 7-8a  • Mark 9:30-37

This week's lectionary presents us with contrasts. Contrasts between toughness and gentleness; envy and selfish ambition contrasted with mercy and sacrifice; disorder, partiality, hypocrisy and wickedness contrasted with peacefulness and purity.

And Jesus tells his disciples that the Son of Man must be put to death, and the first shall be last, and the last shall be first. Then he shows them what he means. He takes a little child in his arms, and tells them that whoever welcomes one such child in his name, welcomes him, and whoever welcomes him, welcomes God.

In "Tough Guys," Todd Edmundson takes us through all of this week's scripture. After reading that, I ask you, who are the real tough guys? Why? Read The Rev. Joseph Peters-Matthews "Vulnerable." How are we to act in today's society as Christians?

How do you deal with life's important questions, and priorities?

Scripture: 

Proverbs 1:20-33 and Psalm 19 or Wisdom of Solomon 7:26 - 8:1  • 

Isaiah 50:4-9a and Psalm 116:1-9  • 

James 3:1-12  • 

Mark 8:27-38

Any good attorney knows not to ask a question at trial without knowing the answer beforehand. Of course, the trial follows months of discovery through interrogatories, inspection of documents, depositions, and requests for admissions. Any true lover of philosophy loves the questions, and knows that there are more questions than answers. And answers come sometimes as we experience the questions, often when we least expect it. We all have questions about the issues confronting us every day. Some great, some small.

This week, Jesus gives his disciples, and us, the question of "Who do you say that I am?" In "Living the Question," The Rev. Debie Thomas gives us an excellent review and discussion in examining Jesus' question, and the responses of his disciples, and especially the response of Peter, and the dialogue between Jesus and Peter - between friends, and a disciple of the Lord. She says Jesus invites us to live the question. How do we deal with life's important questions, and priorities? What will you do with Jesus' question?

Playing Favorites

Scripture: Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 and Psalm 125  • Isaiah 35:4-7a and Psalm 146  • James 2:1-10, (11-13), 14-17  • Mark 7:24-37

From Jesus' encounter with the Syro-Phoenician woman, who tells him that even dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs, to James' entreaty not to favor the rich over the poor, and his warning that to those who show no mercy, no mercy will be shown, God speaks to us about showing favoritism. Does James simply critique the rich, or simply empathize with the poor? Is there something else going on here? Consider, The Rev. Dr. Trace D. Haythorn's "Standing in the Tragic Gap."

As immigrants flee their war torn countries, hunger, and oppression in all its forms, and the body of a three year old Syrian child, fleeing with his mother from the atrocities of their native land, washes up on the shores of Turkey (who can forget that image?), what are we as followers of Christ called to do?

Who is deserving of God's grace? Consider this week's article of Bruce Epperly's "The Adventurous Lectionary, Living a Holy Adventure."

Do we have the Spirit of God in us?

True Religion and Self Deception

Scripture: Song of Solomon 2:8-13 and Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9  • Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9 and Psalm 15  • James 1:17-27  • Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

We return to Mark's gospel after five weeks of study of "I am the bread of life" sayings in the gospel of John. Perhaps fittingly, "food" provides a perfect back-drop for another of Jesus' teachings. Jesus teaches us about "true religion" as opposed to "worship in vain." What does Jesus mean when he says it is not the things coming in from outside, but that from within which defiles? What does he say about the "purity laws," and "tradition"? Is this contradictory to God's commands to keep the commandments of the Lord your God, and not to add or subtract anything to or from them.

James, the brother of Jesus, gives us a lesson on faith, and true religion when he says "Be you doers of the word, not merely hearers who deceive themselves." From this, what is "true religion," "real faith?" What about ritual, commandments, and tradition? Read Dan Clendenin's "Jesus and James: "Vain Worship" and "True Religion."

We have also considered the "presence of God," in our bread of life readings. How does this week's scripture relate to the presence of God? See Jane Anne Ferguson's "Practicing Presence."

How can we keep from deceiving ourselves in our worship, our work, and our relationships?