Seeing a new vision of justice

Scripture: Job 42:1-6, 10-17 and Psalm 34:1-8, (19-22)  • Jeremiah 31:7-9 and Psalm 126  • Hebrews 7:23-28  • Mark 10:46-52

In the final passages of the Book of Job, Job learns a new kind of justice. A justice not limited to retribution. What moves Job to see a different way of looking at things - to begin life anew after suffering great loss? What is this new way of looking at life after loss or separation? What is this new kind of justice? Consider The Rev. Shelli Williams' "See Life Begin Again." Her article also considers the gospel reading and the reading from Hebrews.

In the gospel lesson, like last week, Jesus asks the blind beggar, Bartimaeus, what he wants Jesus to do for him. What is Bartimaeus' response? What is Jesus' response? What does it take for Bartimaeus to see again?

The writer of Hebrews tells of the difference of Christ, the priest, and the Levitical priests. What is the difference? What is the significance of the permanent priesthood of Christ? What does that mean for us?

Consider the theme of restoration as you think about this lesson.

"What's in it for me?" A timely question.

Scripture: Job 38:1-7, (34-41) and Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c  • Isaiah 53:4-12 and Psalm 91:9-16  • Hebrews 5:1-10  • Mark 10:35-45

This week The Rev. Amy Richter tells us if we can change the question, we can change our lives. It seems the question of the day is "What's in it for me?" We see it in the sons of Zebedee. We saw it at the tower of Babel. We see it in the world today. And look at the jealousy, angst, and division it causes.

What if we changed the question? That's what Jesus consistently asks us to do. What if the question is what is in for our brothers and sisters, our relationships, even our country and world? What is the question if it is not "What's in it for me?" What will it take to change the question, and our lives together?

Give it some thought. Read The Rev. Richter's "Change the Question, Change Your Life."

Possessions

Scripture: Job 23:1-9, 16-17 and Psalm 22:1-15  • Amos 5:6-7, 10-15 and Psalm 90:12-17  • Hebrews 4:12-16  • Mark 10:17-31

This week we have the parable of the rich young ruler, who asks Jesus what he must do to "inherit" eternal life. We also see a common theme throughout God's word to us about what obsession with wealth and possessions and consumption can do to us, this week from the prophet Amos.

Is this lesson about material wealth or possessions, more, or both? Is eternal life something to be earned, or is it a gift already innate within us? What does Jesus mean when he talks about eternal life? Is it the here and now, some place we aspire to attain or reach, both, or more? What is abundant life? What all is involved when we talk about having or acquiring possessions.

What stands in the way of our "inheriting" eternal life? What is meant or implied in the use of the word "inherit?

Read these articles and give us your thoughts. "Possessions" by The Rev. Ken Kesselus, "The Perils of Riches," by Kenneth Carder, and "Material Things," by Andrew Warner.

Pain and suffering. Why?

Scripture: Job 1:1, 2:1-10 and Psalm 26  • Genesis 2:18-24 and Psalm 8  • Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12  • Mark 10:2-16

We start a series of studying Job, and the focus this week is the beginning of a discussion of pain and suffering, and questions about why we have pain and suffer; how can a God who loves us allow us to suffer; why are there senseless killings, wars, disease - you name it.

Before the influence of the dichotomy of "light" and "darkness," and black and white beliefs separating good and evil beginning with the influence of Persian religion and the rise of apocalyptic thought and literature, Satan was considered the "Accuser," sort of God's questioning, prosecuting attorney, so to speak, and part of the council of heaven. We see that in the wisdom book of Job.

In this week's blog in his "Adventurous Lectionary," Bruce Epperly discusses Christian and non-Christian perspectives on the questions about pain and suffering, from karma, to God is testing us, God's will, new age linear acts-consequences processes (positive thoughts create positive consequences, negative thoughts, the opposite, e.g., prosperity religion), and a divine suffering with us as a healing, redemptive process.

Dan Clendenin, in "The Book of Job: Certainty, But No Security," says there are lessons to be learned such as not trying to fix our friends who suffer with "pious clichés," despite our good intentions. What then should we do? What can we learn from the Book of Job, from and about suffering?