RCL Readings Sunday 29 August 2010
Jeremiah 2:4-13
Psalm 81:1, 10-16
Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16
Luke 14:1, 7-14

Having had two daughters get married this summer I know all about the complexities of seating plans and the stress they cause! The Gospel story is one of those ouch moments (Luke 14:1, 7-14). You can feel the discomfort of being asked to let someone else sit where you have sat. The first part (v.7-11) is a strange story and doesn’t quite seem right. Human nature is just as likely to turn the instruction about humility into a new strategy for self-exaltation – “I’ll  take the lowest seat so that I get asked to take a higher one and therefore made to look good in front of others!” Jesus knows that and that is not the way of the Kingdom of God, which is a complete reversal of human ways of thinking and behaving, so he says: “For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (v.11). We live in a society that is fixated about status – Alain De Botton’s book title Status Anxiety sums up our society perfectly. Prayerfully reflect upon what are the things about yourself that you are anxious over. Some people are anxious and pushy to ensure they get the very best for themselves and their families – in a sense it is quite understandable, it’s human, but Jesus says the Kingdom isn’t like that - it's not easy to be Kingdom People! Many people though have a low self-image and wouldn’t even think of taking the best – if that’s you, hear Jesus saying to you “Come, sit here with me.”

Verses 12–14 also cut across our normal patterns of behaviour. We see here the topsy-turvey hospitality of the Kingdom. The invitation to the banquet is to those on the margins, those not normally invited, those who in Jesus’ society would have been considered ‘unclean’ and undesirable. Prayerfully consider those in society who are normally excluded, who are those that YOU exclude? How might we develop an even greater sense of hospitality? Also give thanks for those times and places when we and others do find an open welcome and feel at home.

The reading from Hebrews (13:1-8,15-16) builds on the Gospel passage. It begins with an injunction “Let mutual love continue” – this love for one another is there, but don’t take it for granted, continue to work at it. Verse 2 is one of my favourites “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Even in the Church we can be strangers to one another and perhaps here is a challenge to show hospitality and through that to get to know those we don’t know, and be prepared for the surprise of “entertaining angels”. The circle of that hospitality though needs to be ever enlarging for it is often in the outer ripples that the “angels” are to be found! Popular perception sees angels as some kind of strange, mythical, heavenly being where as the literal meaning of the word, as born out by this context, is messenger. Angels are messengers from God and our passage reminds us that often such messengers come in the guise of the stranger. Give thanks for those times when you have felt ‘visited’ by God through another person. Remember too that there will be others who God visited through you!

The Hebrews reading gives us a number of areas for shaping our prayers this week. It’s an interesting list: prisoners, those who are tortured, marriage, then an injunction to keep our lives free from the love of money, Church leaders and preachers – i invite you to focus your prayers on these things this week. Finally remember that in the midst of all “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever” (v.8) – hold on to that and practice verse 15 and 16.

Through him (Jesus), then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

RCL Readings Sunday 11 July 2010
Amos 7:7-17
Psalm 82
Colossians 1:1-14
Luke 10:25-37

You would think that a message of living lovingly and compassionately would always be a welcome message. We all want others to show us love and compassion, yet showing love and compassion is personally costly and often involves taking a strong stand against injustice and hypocrisy.

Amos has a vision of the Lord standing by a wall with a plumb-line in his hand (Amos 7:7-17), a stark image of God in the midst of his people ‘measuring’ them against his ways and finding them wanting. It is an uncomfortable message that Amos delivers and the priest at Bethel seeks to persuade him to take his message elsewhere. How do we measure up to the divine plumb-line? Do we think the uncomfortable message always applies elsewhere and for others rather than a challenge to us? Do we prefer to ignore the challenge or are we prepared to live in ways that reflect the Kingdom of God? I think confession is called for and the mark of true confession is the willingness to live differently. Are we also willing to be the Amos’ and not be persuaded to take the message elsewhere but to challenge a society that in so many ways accepts attitudes and policies that don’t build relationships that enable community?

The Gospel reading (Luke 10:25-37 – the Good Samaritan) is so familiar that there is a real danger of thinking we know what it is all about. We see ourselves as being the Good Samaritan, but are we? This is a subversive story told against the religious leaders and those who thought themselves to be godly people. By holding up a Samaritan as being the truly godly person in the story Jesus is challenging national stereotyping. There is a great danger today in the current national and international crises that confront our society to fall into the trap stereotyping – it is always the ‘bad’ stories and examples that lodge in the mind. Where are the ‘good’ stories and examples, who are the ‘Good Samaritans’? What would it mean for you to be a ‘Good Samaritan’?

Our reading from Colossians (1:1-14) is a model for our prayer. Thanksgiving for all signs of faithfulness to Christ (v.3); sharing and delighting in the testimony of faithful discipleship (v.4); recognising and rejoicing in the fruit of God’s Spirit at work in the world and within the Church (v.6). Take time to look for and recognise these things within the life of the Church – they are there and we should rejoice in them. Then pray for the Church using verses 9-12 as the words of your prayer and as you do so visualise yourself and members of the Church.

“For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.”

RCL Readings Sunday 4 July 2010
2 Kings 5:1-14
Psalm 30
Galatians 6:1-16
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

Last week’s reading from 2 Kings 2 saw Elisha picking up the mantle of the prophet Elijah; the readings from 2 Kings now jumps to chapter 5 and the healing of Naaman. Elisha is a prophet in Israel and Naaman is the commander of the king of Aram’s army (Syria) – these two kingdoms had existed with an uneasy peace for some years and a number of skirmishes. On one such raid a young girl had been captured and she was now the servant of Naaman’s wife. Naaman has leprosy and it is the foreign servant girl who has the courage to speak of the prophet Elisha. As the incident unfolds there are some interesting pointers to human nature! The king of Israel thinks that his neighbour is picking a fight (2 Kings 5:7) – he suspects the motives behind the generous gesture and request. When Elisha sends a message out to Naaman to wash in the Jordan Naaman takes offence, expecting special treatment befitting his status (v.11&12). Again it is ‘lowly’ servants that speak the challenging word (v.13). In this incident Naaman’s servants and his wife’s servant girl are just as much prophetic voices as Elisha. In the light of this some pointers for reflection and prayer:

• do we – as individuals & as a nation – jump to wrong conclusions, suspicious of other’s motives? Pray for a willingness to see the best in others/other nations, a generosity of spirit to seek & accept help from others;
• do we listen to the voice of the outsider and the ‘lowly’?
• do we expect certain things because of our perceived position & status, or are we willing to see all as equal in the eyes of God?

Paul, concluding his letter to the Galatians (6:1-16), speaks of the care they are to show for one another – a care especially for the community of faith but not limited to that community (v.10). A care that is willing to seek to restore those in error (v.1), share the burdens of others (v.2), do right (v.9) and “work for the good of all” (v.10). This is to be marked by a spirit of gentleness (v.1), humility (v.3) and perseverance (v.9).  Pray for the pastoral work of the Church – for those who have particular responsibilities within it and also for your role in caring for others. How might we all “work for the good of all”? Pray for those who have a prime role as a carer for others – how might we/you support them, share their load, and enable them not to become weary?

The Gospel reading (Luke 10:1-11, 16-20) records the ‘mission of the seventy’. There is a sense of urgency and focus about this mission which echoes last Sunday’s Gospel where, when Jesus encountered ‘closed doors’, he “went on to another village” (9:56). In today’s reading the seventy are to work where there is an open welcome and to move on where there is not (10:10). This may seem harsh but there is a big task and few labourers (10:2). What are the priorities for the Church’s mission today? Pray for the Church, at national & local level, as it seeks to discern priorities and use resources effectively. Pray that we may hear the prophetic voices (as in the 2 Kings passage), that we may have the characteristics mentioned by Paul in his letter to the Galatians, and that we may be focused and use our resources effectively as in the Gospel.

RCL Readings Sunday 27 June 2010
2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14
Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20
Galatians 5:1, 13-25
Luke 9:51-62

Reading the account of Elisha picking up Elijah’s mantle of leadership (2 Kings 2:1-2,6-14) after Elijah had completed a farewell tour of prophetic centres has a few contemporary rings to it this week! The reading is packed with symbolism: the places; the actions; Moses like parting the waters; being carried up into heaven; picking up the mantle. Elisha picks up the symbol of Elijah’s prophetic call, the mantle, in so doing he indicates his willingness and commitment to the prophetic task of confronting kings and officials with God’s judgement. Elisha also receives the promise of God’s leading as he too parts the waters of the Jordan. An obvious focus for our prayers this week is that of leadership succession: within our nation; within the Methodist Church as the President & Vice President designate are inducted at the British Methodist Conference; within the life of local churches. Prayers too for those who have a prophetic vocation of challenging the powers and authorities with the claims of the Kingdom of God.

The reading from Galatians (5:1,13-25) also has a very contemporary ring to it. It begins with a reminder that as Christians we have been released from “a yoke of slavery” but warns us not to use such freedom as an “opportunity for self-indulgence” (v.13). There are still forces that enslave people today and our prophetic task is to confront and challenge them in the name of the Gospel. As often happens in scripture the word is also turned back on us to confront and challenge our attitudes and behaviour. Paul initially puts the spotlight on how we treat one another summing up the law “You shall love your neighbour as yourself” (v.14) and rounds on their tendency to “bite and devour one another” (v.15) – such behaviour (whether words, actions or attitudes) is highly destructive of people and community, so let us prayerfully examine how we respond to each other. To pick up the mantle of discipleship is to be “led by the Spirit” and to experience “the fruit of the Spirit” (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control) ripening within us – spend time this week focusing upon this nine-fold manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit and how that fruit is manifest within us as individuals and as a Church.

There are two related parts to the set Gospel (Luke 9:51-56 & 57-62). There was a clear focus to Jesus’ ministry – his “face was set towards Jerusalem” and that sense of vocation and task to be accomplished meant he wasn’t welcomed in this Samaritan village. The disciples wanted to obliterate the village, but no need, their judgement is that Jesus “went on to another village” (v.56). A challenge for us all is: do we want to keep Jesus simply where we are or are we prepared to be caught up in his mission and move on with him? The second part of the reading picks up further excuses for not moving on now, for delaying, for putting off the call. Can we pick up the mantle of Christian discipleship and follow wherever Christ is leading and whatever he is calling us to do and to be? Reflect upon Songs of Fellowship 1120 “Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?” in your prayers this week.

RCL Reading Sunday 20 June 2010
1 Kings 19:1-15
Psalm 42 & 43
Galatians 3:23-29
Luke 8:26-39

Today’s Old Testament readings have a sober feel to them. In 1 Kings 19:1-15 Elijah certainly has a case of the ‘downs’ and not without good reason. Jezebel is on his case and as she later demonstrates in her dealings with Naboth (last week’s reading) that is not good news for Elijah. Elijah feels depressed and alone, so much so that he wants to die (v.4). He also feels sorry for himself (v.10, 14). “I alone am left” and he’s had enough! For Elijah this is far more than ‘the Monday morning blues’ – he is not in a good place mentally or emotionally. To a degree these are feelings that many people can identify with and we ourselves may have or have had them to some degree. They are human feelings. But for some people these can be overwhelming feelings and they especially need our prayers and support even though we may not be able to fully understand why they feel as they do.

How does God help Elijah and how might that help us both personally and in our response to others?

• God doesn’t say to Elijah ‘pull yourself together’ or berate him.
• God cares in very practical ways with food, drink and rest (v.5-8).
• Strengthened by this Elijah journeys to Horeb (elsewhere referred to as Mount Sinai).
• There is an encounter with God at Horeb, not in the wind, earthquake or fire (the usual manifestations of God at Sinai) but in the “sheer silence”.

So for our prayers and action there needs to be empathy and listening, practical actions of patient caring to restore strength, the importance of places where experience reminds us that God is often encountered there, and the realisation that God is also present in the “sheer silence”.

This week there are two set Psalms (42 & 43) both of which are rooted in times of distress and trouble. They demonstrate for us how prayer is an inner conversation with ourselves and God. As you read them notice how the Psalmist wrestles with his/her feelings and their faith. This conversation is summed up in the repeated verse:

“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.”

What marks the Psalmist’s prayer is honesty, realism and a deep and profound faith in God. Let us learn from the Psalmist and find in these Psalms a vehicle for our prayers in times of distress and trouble.

RCL Reading Sunday 13 June 2010

1 Kings 21:1-21a

Psalm 5:1-8

Galatians 2:15-21

Luke 7:36 - 8:3

Psalm 5:1-8 is one of that stems out of a tough place for the Psalmist who is under attack, probably verbal (v. 5, 6 & 9) and also with physical threats. This causing great distress. Like many such psalms it stems out of a deep faith and relationship with God that enables the Psalmist to be open and honest with God in prayer. This Psalm encourages us to be open, honest and frank with God about how we feel, to share the deep feelings of the heart which we may be reluctant or unable to share with others. We can tell God ‘how it is’. In your prayers don’t be afraid to share with God your “sighing” (v.1) and “cry” (v.2). Through it all the Psalmist’s orientation is toward God - it is to God he prays (v.2) and watches (v.3) and ultimately worships (v.7). Let our orientation be God-ward.

The appalling story of Naboth’s vineyard (1 Kings 21) is a vivid reminder of the corrupt use of power to get one’s own way. Pray for those organisations who challenge and campaign against such atrocities in our world – pray for and take part in Amnesty’s campaigns. Christian Aid’s campaign Trace the Tax and it's longstanding campaign for Trade Justice is another area for our prayer and action – can we as individuals carry on buying non Fairtrade products when there are good Fairtraded ones available? At an interpersonal level do we engage in manipulating others to get our own way? Prayers of confession and intercession stem out of reflecting on the incident of Naboth’s vineyard and such prayers should be followed by actions that demonstrate true repentance.

Luke 7:36-8:3 is an outrageous incident. Read it carefully, try to imagine the scene, how would you feel if this happened in your house at your dinner party?! This party would have been in the courtyard at Simon’s house, guests would have removed their shoes as the entered and would be reclining at tables. Simon doesn’t offer to Jesus the normal hospitality. The unnamed woman who has lived a sinful life (who is not Mary Magdalene) enters the scene and offers a totally extravagant act of hospitality which Jesus not only accepts but praises and this is in contrast to Jesus’ rather negligent, but religiously observant, host. Jesus proves an uncomfortable guest! How uncomfortable to you find Jesus? Are you so aware of the greatness of God’s love and forgiveness that you are compulsively extravagant in your response? Or do you have a critical eye and heart observing the religious niceties but condemning the generous outpouring of the heart of love? Pray for a greater awareness of the love and forgiveness that God offers to you and then respond with a generous outpouring of hospitable love.

The set Luke reading spills over into chapter 8 and this is interesting. Here reference is made to three named women who have experienced the saving and healing act of God in their lives. Their response is both to accompany Jesus and “out of their resources” (8:3) support Jesus’ ministry. Again the experience of grace leading to a generosity of giving and hospitality – let this be our experience and response too.

RCL Reading Sunday 18 April
Acts 9:1-6 (7-20)
Psalm 30
Revelation 5:11-11-14
John 21:1-19

The Psalm (30) and the reading from the book of Revelation (5:11-14) both focus on praise – praise that emerges out of hard times. The psalmist has been in a desperate situation and now has been delivered out of it – it is a resurrection like experience and results in praise on behalf of the psalmist (v.1-3) and an invitation for the community to join in that praise (v.4). The nature of the trouble is not specified so as you read the psalm you can carry in your mind a specific trouble you have been through and let the psalm give voice to your praise.

The book of Revelation is not an easy book to read as much of it is written in highly symbolic language to describe visions that John has been granted while a prisoner doing hard labour on the island of Patmos. The difficulty has been added to by its inappropriate use and interpretation by some groups. Chapter 5 begins with a vision of sealed scroll in the hand of God (v.1) which represents the purposes of God, but there is no one worthy to open it and reveal them. John’s response is “to weep bitterly” (v.4). But there is one who is worthy and the highly symbolic language makes it clear that the worthy one is the crucified, risen and ascended Christ (more could be said about the symbolism!). The response is that the whole of heaven and the cosmos erupts in worship (v.11-14). Offer your praises to God using these words of heavenly worship.

The Gospel reading (John 21:1-19) is one that it is easy to picture in the imagination as the narrative unfolds, so read it slowly, see the scene and try to enter into the emotions that Peter has as this resurrection encounter is told. I invite you then to focus your prayers on three themes woven together within this reading: mission, restoration, and pastoral care. These three themes are common to all the resurrection accounts.

The account of the large catch of fish has always been understood as a symbol of the mission of the Church. What began in failure (a night without a catch) ends in an enormous catch. The turning point was the risen Lord and his instruction, which must have seemed strange to seasoned fishermen, but their willingness to obey resulted in the enormous catch. Much ink has been spilled over the significance of the 153 fish – the simple answer is that it probably had symbolic significance but the symbolism is now lost (despite the claims of some!). What is remarkable is that “the net was not torn” – the unity of the Church (see Jesus command Jn 14:12-17 & prayer Jn 17:20-23). Our mission stems out of obedience to the risen Lord. Pray for the mission and unity of the Church.

John 21:15-19 is a moving account of how Jesus restores Peter. By making him face his past failure (charcoal fire, three times asking ‘Do you love me?’) Peter is set free from it so that it no longer has the power to trip him up in the future. We can be set free from our past – it may be painful but remember who is there with you! Pray and visualise Jesus in the situations for release for yourself and others from past failure and its grip. Jesus is very pastoral in the way he deals with Peter – firm, loving, affirming. Pray for those who exercise pastoral ministry. Pray for your own pastoral ministry. Peter is given a three fold task “Feed my lambs”, “Tend my sheep” and “Feed my sheep” – pray for those who ‘feed’ the ‘lambs’ – those literally who are young and those who are young to the faith, pray for those who feed through preaching, teaching and house groups, and pray for those who are called to exercise oversight (tend) the Church.