What's in it for me? And commendable critique as opposed to condemnable critique

 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."

In our Lectionary passage from Hebrews, we read that the word of God helps us discern what is good and commendable,  not condemnable. Jesper Svartnik lokens the Greek word κρητικός (kritikos) (from which we get critic, which means to distinguish, to separate) to God and explains how loving critique helps us live with boldness into the good and as God's loving purpose. This should give us pause to reflect on how we criticize, and for what purpose, or reason. Read Svartnik's article in Christian Century here.