2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 or Wisdom of Solomon 1:13-15; 2:23-24
Psalm 130 or Psalm 30 or Lamentations 3:23-33
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
Mark 5:21-43
Generosity of spirit -- to offer time to someone when working, to offer a kind word when gloating would be in order, to offer to complete what is yet incompletely done by others, to offer to not let death have the last word about one's worth, to offer a new day and a new way to follow weariness, to offer forgiveness when retribution is on one's mind, to offer to dance healing into emptiness.
Generosity of spirit is both a gift received and a skill to be developed. As we go through the week, may we find the gift of generosity rekindled in our lives and the energy to practice it.
Comments on the texts of the Revised Common Lectionary
from a Progressive Christian perspective.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Sunday, June 18, 2006
June 25, 2006 - Year B - Pentecost +3
1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49 or I Samuel 17:57 - 18:5, 10-16 or Job 38:1-11
Psalm 9:9-20 or Psalm 133 or Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Mark 4:35-41
A question of openness continually raises its voice. Just how open are we to that which troubles us?
In each case it hones our appreciation of a mystery we call GOD much more sharply than does our defensive attempts to avoid difficulty or our sense of entitlement to an easier way.
During this week we may take a few steps closer to the realities rather than the ideals of living in the midst of evil.
Psalm 9:9-20 or Psalm 133 or Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Mark 4:35-41
A question of openness continually raises its voice. Just how open are we to that which troubles us?
In each case it hones our appreciation of a mystery we call GOD much more sharply than does our defensive attempts to avoid difficulty or our sense of entitlement to an easier way.
During this week we may take a few steps closer to the realities rather than the ideals of living in the midst of evil.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
June 18, 2006 - Year B - Pentecost +2
1 Samuel 15:34-16:13 or Ezekiel 17:22-24
Psalm 20 or Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15
2 Corinthians 5:6-10, (11-13), 14-17
Mark 4:26-34
Points of view are crucial pieces of information. To know from whence one is viewing is to recognize limits of interpretation. It is to know that there are other things to be seen simply by changing perspectives or walking a mile on someone else's path.
To recognize someone else's point of view both eases the implementation of compassion and helps folks talk together about otherwise controversial issues.
It is always interesting to see how many different points of view we have that depend upon the issue at hand. Many of our points of view are in conflict with one another, if simply looked at in that way. A consistency of point of view is difficult as it is so easily influenced by our experiences and learnings. We cover up our points of view with the subject at hand and mistake the subject for the point of view. To reveal our points of view regarding particular concerns is to move us toward conversion.
Psalm 20 or Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15
2 Corinthians 5:6-10, (11-13), 14-17
Mark 4:26-34
Points of view are crucial pieces of information. To know from whence one is viewing is to recognize limits of interpretation. It is to know that there are other things to be seen simply by changing perspectives or walking a mile on someone else's path.
To recognize someone else's point of view both eases the implementation of compassion and helps folks talk together about otherwise controversial issues.
It is always interesting to see how many different points of view we have that depend upon the issue at hand. Many of our points of view are in conflict with one another, if simply looked at in that way. A consistency of point of view is difficult as it is so easily influenced by our experiences and learnings. We cover up our points of view with the subject at hand and mistake the subject for the point of view. To reveal our points of view regarding particular concerns is to move us toward conversion.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
June 11, 2006 - Year B - Trinity
Isaiah 6:1-8
Psalm 29
Romans 8:12-17
John 3:1-17
Often we hear of the trinity as though it were a separate entity, separated from creation -- its own little community, self-sufficient.
As we listen in this week it might be helpful to consider creation and ourselves as fourth and fifth aspects of an expanded trinitarian reality.
If there can’t be trinity without relationships, we cannot avoid relationships that include ourselves.
If there is not a place for more in the trinity than the trinity, it may finally be seen for the limited doctrinal teaching construct that it is -- a partial teaching construct is a partial learning situation.
Psalm 29
Romans 8:12-17
John 3:1-17
Often we hear of the trinity as though it were a separate entity, separated from creation -- its own little community, self-sufficient.
As we listen in this week it might be helpful to consider creation and ourselves as fourth and fifth aspects of an expanded trinitarian reality.
If there can’t be trinity without relationships, we cannot avoid relationships that include ourselves.
If there is not a place for more in the trinity than the trinity, it may finally be seen for the limited doctrinal teaching construct that it is -- a partial teaching construct is a partial learning situation.