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 ...