Lines in the Sand

 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

We have all kinds of passages about those who are for or against us, whether God is for or against us, and whether we are for or against God, which, unfortunately, as the authors of the scripture and the articles linked in this lesson tells us, can serve to divide us or destroy us unless we are able to find ourselves in the midst of our struggles, differences, trials, sufferings. How do we do that?

I think this week's scripture and lesson tell us how to do that. In discovering "who we are," Jesus finds the disciples defining someone outside their group prophesying in Jesus' name. What does Jesus tell them? What does Jesus mean when he says, "Whoever is not against us is for us?"

Read The Rev. David Lose's "Who Are You?" and Debie Thomas' "Hosts, Not Bouncers."

The Disconnect - What is Said, and What is Heard

 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

One of the most confounding, bewildering, and frustrating problems today is the disconnect between what is said and what we hear. 

With the flood of information, our technology has unleashed and the prominence of social media, it seems what we hear is that which tends to validate  our preconceptions and biases.

In an age where even verifiable truth is under assault, how do we get past this malaise?

In today's gospel the disciples are confused and afraid, and unwilling to accept what Jesus is telling them when he speaks of his betrayal and death by killing. What does Jesus do to teach them, and us? What is the significance of bringing a child into their midst? Read The Rev. Carlos de la Torre's "Divine Things."

Questions Jesus Asks of Us

 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?

In "Questions That Matter, " Thomas asks "Are you ashamed of Jesus?" Of Christians, or Christianity?" Why, or why not? Would our answer be approved by Jesus?

Like Peter, do we have our own views of Who Jesus is, what messiahship is? In the end who is Jesus, and who are his followers? See The Rev. Kellan Day's "Ending."

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."

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

For the other half of today's gospel, read Debie Thomas' "He Sighed."

Do we have the Spirit of God in us?

What is "True Religion?"

 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

If you Google "true religion," the first thing to pop up in the search is the clothing line "True Religion," with images of designer jeans. What does that tell us?

In this Sunday's gospel from Mark, Jesus cuts to the heart of the matter of "true religion." Following his series of "Bread of Life" teachings, it is fitting that eating food is the backdrop for today's teaching. The Pharisees questioned Jesus and his disciples eating without following the purification hand washing ritual. What does Jesus say?

In our religious life, are we practicing "true religion?" Consider The Rev. D. Rebecca Dinovo's "Distractions," and Debie Thomas' "True Religion."

What is Home?

 Scripture:

1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 and Psalm 111  • 

 

Proverbs 9:1-6 and Psalm 34:9-14  • 

 

Ephesians 5:15-20  • 

 

John 6:51-58

  

In this week's lesson we read about Solomon building God a dwelling, a home, the first temple. In the gospel reading, many followers leave Jesus when he tells them he must they must eat of his flesh, and drink of his blood, foreboding the Last Supper, the Eucharist, and his crucifixion. When Jesus tells them they are free to go, Peter asks, in essence, "Lord, where, to whom can we go." Peter goes on to say "You have the words of eternal life, and we have come to believe and know you are the Holy One of God."

So where, and to whom, do we go? What is home for us? What does home mean to us? What about the homeless? Read Michael Fitzgerald's "Sun and Shield" for a thought provoking article considering "home" and "dwelling." I never thought I would leave my home of 42 years, the town and State, city of my work, and my dear home church of more than 17 years, but my wife and I did to be of help to our youngest son and daughter-in-law in law in caring for their children, our granddaughters, when their work in healthcare and church put such demands on their time and themselves. It hasn't been without its human costs, sacrifice, and emptying of those things we held onto for so long. But we have found home is where the heart is, and where the Lord is. In giving up most of our possessions, we have been freed to find the love of God through Jesus and family, especially seeing our grandchildren grow from infants to young children. Jesus didn't leave us when we left our home of 42 years. He dwells within us, if we let him. Especially if we give up our possessiveness. 

You Are What You Eat

 Scripture:

1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 and Psalm 111  • 

Proverbs 9:1-6 and Psalm 34:9-14  • 

 

Ephesians 5:15-20  • 

 

John 6:51-58

  

We have been studying the bread of life teachings of Jesus, and have enjoyed a smorgasbord of Scripture from manna come down from heaven to the feeding of the 5,000; Elijah, in his exhaustion, being fed by an angel, and sharing a cake with a starving widow and her son. We saw the daughter of the Syro-Phoenician woman healed as Jesus expanded his ministry to include all, when the Syro-Phoenician woman rejoined him with "even dogs receive crumbs from the table." David, feeding the shewbread of the priests to his hungry warriors. Jesus spoke in many parables about feasts, such as the welcoming feast of the Father for the Prodigal Son, and the wedding feast expanded to all when those invited did not come, or who weren't diligent enough to stay awake.

Ultimately, the feeding and hunger stories all lead to the table of the Lord. In today's gospel, Jesus tells us what it is to partake of the bread of life in the sacrament of communion, The Eucharist. 

You've heard the expression, "You are what you eat." It has an interesting origin and meaning. See "What's the meaning of 'You are what you eat."

In the feast of The Eucharist,  we are invited to encounter the very presence of God, the feast of eternal life, and all that entails. For a glimpse of what that entails, read Fr. Bernie Pearson's "Eternal Life." In celebrating The Eucharist, in the exchange of the elements, it is said

 The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven. [Amen.] The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation. Keep you in eternal life."