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?

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?