RCL Readings Sunday 31 January 2010
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Psalm 71:1-6
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Luke 4:21-30

The reading from Jeremiah (1:4-10) is part of what we often refer to as his call and commission. There is an interesting use of time in that the words/prophecies of Jeremiah are set in a specific historical context (1:1-3), where as God works both within and outside the confines of time - knowing Jeremiah “before I formed you in the womb” (v.5). In my mind there is an immediate link with Psalm 139 and a sense of awe and wonder in the presence of a God who is neither confined to one time or place but is ever present (omnipresent). It is this God that addresses Jeremiah and us in the midst of specific places and times. Allow this to fill you with awe and wonder.

In the face of God’s call Jeremiah begins to make excuses. What are the excuses we make, as individuals and as a Church, for holding back from God’s call? Jeremiah’s message is a hard one but a hopeful one – pluck up, pull down, destroy, overthrow AND to build and plant (v.10). As that history unfolds it is a devastating one but the hope remains. False gods, self-reliance, faithlessness, all lead to destruction yet throughout Jeremiah there is a call to repentance and the offer of hope. In what ways do we follow false gods, seek to be self-reliant, and prove faithless? Let this lead into prayers of confession. The offer of forgiveness and hope is there for us from the same ever present God.

Take a look at this blog inspired by Jeremiah reading:
http://davesdistrictblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/wrecking-ball-compassion-and-21.html
It certainly got my mind thinking.

Our reading of 1 Corinthians now moves onto probably the best known passage, chapter 13 on the nature of love. It is difficult not to hear this passage without all the associations with the marriage service, but we must try. Writing in Greek Paul had three potential words for love available to him: eros – sensual or erotic love; philia – kinship or friendship love; and agape – love that is gracious in origin, nature and expression. Having written about the body of Christ and being members of that body we might have expected Paul to use the philia word for love, but he doesn’t, he uses agape. What is needed within the community of the Church – the body of Christ – is agape love and the nature of that agape love is described in chapter 13.

As part of a personally guided retreat last year I was given this passage from 1 Corinthians to work with. I was invited to read it slowly in three ways. Firstly as written: Love is ... etc. Then to substitute with Jesus is ... etc. Finally to put my own name in - that was tough, even impossible in parts! As I reflected upon this my mind turned to my Methodist heritage with Wesley's teaching on Christian Perfection. I'm still working on exploring all that was thrown up in that experience during the retreat. You might like to find space and time to read the passage in this way - you could also try reading it in the light of what it means to be the body of Christ (picking up last week's reading) and insert  'We are ...' for me that is the challenge to be a grace-filled (graceful) community.



I must now turn my thoughts to the continuation of last week's Luke reading ...

RCL Readings Sunday 24 January 2010
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Psalm 19
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Luke 4:14-21

Psalm 19 could be used to structure your prayer times this week.

It begins with a sense of marvelling and wondering at the beauty and eloquence of the created order (verses 1-6) – a reminder that creation itself bears testimony to God. Though that is less easy in the light of the earthquake in Haiti and the images of desolation that fill the media. While it cannot be denied that creation has been and is for many of us a source of amazement and wonder that draws us to a sense of the divine we must not romanticise creation for it can be a source of utter terror as well as amazing beauty.

For many they sense something of the mystery of God in the created order around them but they do not enter into a relationship with God, consequently when that same creation reveals a very different character their faith falters.

The psalm goes on to delight in “the law of the LORD” and its effect upon those who heed it (verses 7-13). Allow creation to be a stimulus for your prayer but don’t leave it there – take time to reflect upon “the law of the LORD”.

The reading from Nehemiah 8 recounts how, after the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, the prophet Ezra reads “the book of the law of Moses which the LORD had given to Israel”. As Ezra opens the book the people stand and Ezra and the people respond in worship (verses 5-6). In some Christian traditions standing for the reading of Scripture is still used as a symbolic act of reverence for God’s revelation in Scripture. Psalm 19.8 might give the impression that understanding is easy and almost automatic, however, Nehemiah 8.8 “So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading” reminds us of the vital ministry of interpretation – in your prayers pray for those who exercise this ministry: Preachers, Junior Church leaders, House Group Leaders, writers of Bible and Daily Study Notes.

1 Corinthians 12.12-31 is a timely reminder that we are called to be “one body” (v13) – “the body of Christ and individually members of it” (v27). This one body is rich in its diversity and in its interrelatedness. The hard challenge is that there should be “no dissension within the body” (v25a) – the Greek word is ‘schisma’ literally meaning ‘to divide in parts or tear in pieces’. In the passage there is a call to ‘honour’ and to ‘respect’ the different parts of the body and especially those “that seem weaker” (v22). This is not always easy as at times within the Church we struggle with differences of “interpretation” (Nehemiah 8.8). Especially at such times the words of Paul are even more apposite, that “the members may have the same care for one another” (v25b). A timely word in the midst of the Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity and a timely word when some of the major Christian denominations are in danger of tearing themselves apart as they wrestle with contemporary issues.

The teaching of Jesus is not comfortable and it challenges people’s attitudes, lifestyle and prejudices (Luke 4.18-21) so much so that people want to exclude him and his teaching (4.28-30). There is a temptation to think “we wouldn’t behave like that”, but I think we do, though usually a little more subtly! Pray for courage to wrestle with the hard challenges of the Gospel in our contemporary world to “bring good news to the poor … release to the captives … recovery of sight … the oppressed go free” – this will cost us in more ways than one!

Try living each day and approaching each activity within the day with the prayer: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer” (Ps 19.14).

RCL Readings 17 January 2010
Isaiah 62:1-5
Psalm 36:5-10
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
John 2:1-11

How might these readings shape our praying?

Psalm 36:5-10 is a deep expression of thankfulness to God for the abundance of his love. The psalmist uses vivid images – take time to identify them and allow them to stimulate your prayerful imagination. This thankfulness is even more marked when considered within the context of the whole psalm, the beginning of which makes it clear that things are not easy and wickedness is very active. God’s steadfast/constant love (verse 5, 7 & 10 – read these three verses several times as you begin to pray) renews and restores us, even in our lowest moments.

The New Testament readings also speak of the abundance of God’s love lavished upon us. John 2:1-11, the wedding at Cana, is the first of seven signs in John’s Gospel revealing who Jesus is and the response of the disciples is to “believe in him”. As with the other signs not every one sees the true meaning – the steward is amazed that the best wine had been kept until last, in other signs the people come because they ate their fill. Pray for the discernment of the disciples so as to see God’s revealing rather than simply the surface things in the events of life that you are caught up in. Ask yourself where and how is God’s glory revealed in this or that event/aspect of your life?

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 is the best medicine for that all too common sickness: “I’m not good enough, I don’t matter, I’m not important, I can’t offer anything.” Such is the nature of God’s generous love that: “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (NRSV) or “The Spirit’s presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all” (Good News) (v.7). Note: “to each”, not to some or a few but to each one of us and that includes you! Note also the result – for the common good or for the good of all. This raises two questions: how is the Spirit’s presence manifested in you? and how are you using that for the good of all? You might find it helpful to consider these questions with someone who knows you and you trust. The list in verses 8-10 is illustrative rather than comprehensive and doesn’t imply that a particular gift is necessarily given to a person once for all time.

The Corinthian church was a very diverse church and apt to get itself into an awful twist at times. Therefore, Paul’s reminder that it is the one Spirit who is at work among them, in many different ways and for the common good, was an important lesson to learn then and now! Pray for the work and mission of the church and that we may each accept and use the gifts God has so generously lavished upon us for the good of all.