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Christian Resources Library
Readings January to March 2004
January
| February | March
4th January
Second Sunday of Christmas
St Mary's only:
Matthew 2. 1 - 12
A Short story, told with great warmth of Devotion: leading intellectuals
of the time offer rich gifts, worthy of a king, to an unknown child,
weak and vulnerable, of simple parents. And this is the chosen one of
God. In this passage, there is the merest hint of the horror that will
soon follow Herod's command.
- Can we dare to surrender our hearts to simple, uncomplicated devotion
to God in Jesus?
Lectionary readings for Second Sunday
of Christmas
Jeremiah 31. 7 - 14
The Prophet looks forward to the return from exile and humiliation
of God's people. He gives a message of salvation and assurance which
fills the hearers with gladness.
Ephesians 1. 3 - 14
Written in lofty and rather complex style, the passage outlines the
process by which God promised and then brought about healing and redemption
for his own through Christ.
John 1. 10 - 18
The second part of the prologue of the Gospel of John focuses on the
reception of God's gift of himself in Jesus. He identified himself with
us as an act of astonishing generosity - and blessed are those who receive
and see.
- Praise God for the assurance of his saving truth and the action
to match it.
- We thank God for the whole saving drama enacted for us through Jesus.
- Pray that we may receive gladly the gift of God bestowed in Jesus.
11 January
First Sunday of Epiphany: Baptism of Christ
Isaiah 43. 1 - 7
Israel's rescue from captivity and distress may be seen as a foreshadowing
of the coming of Jesus. I is a message to which early Christians were
happy to look back and read in their own terms.
Acts 8. 14 - 17
The first movement of the Christian message outside Jerusalem was to
the nearby area of Samaria. Success there was met by an act of welcome
and the reception by the church's leaders, Peter and John. It comes
to be seen as a model for the future.
Luke 3. 15 - 17, 21 -22
Luke's telling of the story of Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist focuses
on his being authenticated by God in the act of the Spirit. Jesus therefore
comes to build on a foundation laid by John and carry it to fulfilment.
- We thank God for the consistency of his purpose of salvation.
- The Christian community lives in solidarity, and we pray to receive
new believers gladly.
- Praise God for the coming among us of Jesus, bringing truth and
redemption from God.
18th January
Second Sunday of Epiphany
Isaiah 62. 1 - 5
The image of marriage to represent God's love for his people and his
relationship with them could not be stronger. There is no more vivid
picture put before us to represent the truth of that love. We do best
to see human intimacy as a kind of lesson in the truth of our union
with God.
1 Corinthians 12. 1 - 11
Diversity of gifts and qualities among Christians is often a source
of friction and upset. Can people so different, acting so variously,
really represent the single message and the single truth? Paul seeks
to create mutual acceptance and welcome among people who are often very
different from each other. But are there limits?
John 2.1 - 11
We often focus only on the historical likelihood of such an event as
is here described. But the writer is more concerned with Christ's astonishing
gift of abundance, and this, his first great 'sign', puts before us
the unlimited character of God's gift of himself to us, to draw us to
himself.
- Pray to grow in understanding of the strength of the love of God.
- Thank God for the wide diversity of gifts seen among Christ's people.
- Praise God for the astonishing abundance of his gifts to us.
25th January
Third Sunday of Epiphany
St Mary's only:
Conversion of St Paul
Acts 9.1 - 22
The dramatic quality of Paul's conversion from being a persecutor of
Christians to being a fervent supporter of the gospel strikes us forcibly.
It is one way in which people come to faith. It carries its own strengths
and its own limitations. It certainly launched Paul on a marvellously
single-minded career of devotion and hard work.
Galatians 1. 11 - 16a
We read here Paul's own account of his coming to Christ - or rather
Christ's coming to him. He saw himself as seized upon - like a prophet
of old. And his conversion was not so much to be a Christian as to be
an 'apostle', a missionary for the cause. It was a calling whose faithful
following makes its mark on Christianity as we all know it.
Matthew 19. 27 - 30
This account of the cost and reward of discipleship, as seen among
Jesus' first disciples, is candid - and alarming. First the great cost,
and only then the promise of reward, the second following from the first
and wholly dependent upon it.
- Pray to recognize the dramatic and costing character of our finding
our way to God - and of being found by him.
- How does calling of an 'apostle' find its place in our life?
- A Christian life without 'cost' of some kind is a strange beast:
pray to see our way.
Lectionary readings for Third Sunday
of Epiphany
Nehemiah 8. 1 - 3, 8 - 10
When Jews retuned from long and arduous captivity in Babylon in the
sixth century before Christ, Ezra emerged as a leader, and presents
them with God's book of the Law. It is their mark of identity - and
is received with joy and gratitude.
1 Corinthians 12. 12 - 31a
Paul puts forward the vivid image of the Church as a body, all the
parts cooperating all equally essential to the life of the whole. So
there is no room for friction and mutual disapproval or disagreement.
They are all elements in a single whole, all necessary, for the 'body'
is that of Christ himself: he is their sole bond of unity.
Luke 4. 14 - 21
Luke gives us this passage at the start of Jesus' ministry in the world
at large, and he begins in his own home-town. The passage is then a
kind of manifesto: Jesus stands for the care of the vulnerable and the
giving of liberty. The message of Jesus is full of social and political
implications - from the very start.
- Pray to identify with those who seek liberty from captivity, whatever
its kind.
- Thank God for the wide range of gifts available for the work of
the gospel.
- Pray to share in Jesus' ministry to the needy, the sick and those
captive to whatever enslaving power.
1 February
Fourth Sunday of Epiphany
Ezekiel 43. 27 - 44.4
Ezekiel is the prophet of a renewed temple in Jerusalem, to be the
sacrament of God's presence with his people. Christians now tend to
be less wedded to the sheer mystique and holiness of their churches
than in former times: the presence of God may be found in so many places,
people and situations. But we can sense and value the great reverence
which the passage evokes: it has its lessons for us to ponder
1 Corinthians 13. 1 - 13
A passage that may be even over-familiar. In Paul's letter, it comes
at a point where he is criticising Christians who over-value their spiritual
prowess, seeing themselves as above the ordinary ones who are less good
at preaching or speaking with magical tongues. Paul says that the supreme
gift is love; and he paints a picture of its character. It is wholly
positive and geared towards the good of all.
Luke 2. 22 - 40
Observing a rite prescribed in the Jewish law, Jesus' parents take
him to the temple in Jerusalem. It turns out to be an event where his
whole mission is foreseen and he is dedicated for its fulfilment: he
will bring the light of God to all peoples.
- Pray to recognize and value the presence of God wherever it may
come to us.
- Praise God for the gift of love and constantly reflect on its character
and demands.
- We reflect upon the scene that sets out the mission lying ahead
of Jesus.
8 February
Third Sunday before Lent; or Fifth of Epiphany
Isaiah 6. 1 - 8
The angels' words experienced by the prophet in the temple at Jerusalem
have become some of the most solemn in Christian worship: after all,
we long to be united with the worship of heaven and to give ourselves
in love to God. It is a picture above all of holiness: the sense of
God's 'otherness', that puts us in our little place and reduces us to
silence before him.
1 Corinthians 15. 1 - 11
Here Paul gives us the earliest statement of the content of Christian
belief - and he himself had received it from those who were believers
before him. It is as elementary as we could wish: that Chris died 'for
our sins', giving himself to God for us; that he was buried; and that
he was raised to new life, vindicated by God. And Paul is among his
apostles or agents - for our ultimate good.
Luke 5. 1 - 11
Mysteriously, Jesus calls whom he will and does it so wonderfully as
to convey his unique role. Peter is humbled and responds in penitence.
It is a picture of how coming to faith might be, in its essence, for
any of us.
- Pray to grow in the experience of God's sheer holiness, utterly
other than ourselves.
- Thank God for the simplicity at the heart of faith.
- The 'call' of God is always mysterious, for each of us: pray to
welcome it.
15th February
Second Sunday before Lent
Genesis 2.4b-9, 15-25
The writer sees in story form the heart of our human role in relation
to the material world: it is to live in closest partnership with each
other, men and women, and to bring order to the natural world, enabling
it to be fruitful. Yet we are not given total and free control -- there
is always mystery beyond and we have our limits. (`The knowledge of
good and evil' seems to mean `the knowledge of how everything works'.)
Revelation 4
We are given an extravagant and astonishing picture of the worship
of heaven. And the writer, poet and seer, is admitted to witness it.
The ingredients of the picture come from the Jewish tradition for thinking
of the wonder of God. Our proper response is to enter into the picture
with humble amazement.
Luke 8.22-25
Jesus is master not only of human life, with its sicknesses and weaknesses,
both physical and moral, but also of nature itself. In this story we
see him acting as Adam did in Eden: in charge of the world in its threatening
disorder. And the proper human response is trust at the deepest level.
- Pray to accept our true place in the created order: as makers of
good and not exploiters.
- May the love of God move us to worship that truly captures us.
- Pray to grow in trust of God, whatever comes our way.
22 February
Sunday before Lent
Exodus 34. 29 - 35
The veil that covered Moses' face on coming away from God's presence
has been a source of great fascination to artists and poets down the
centuries. Perhaps it was to shield ordinary mortals from the direct
impact of God's glory transmitted via Moses. We can see that point,
whatever we think of the story itself. We are as nothing before God's
reality.
2 Corinthians 3.12 - 4.2
Paul had his own sense of the story in Exodus 34: the veil was to prevent
our seeing how Moses' face lost its shining quality as he was longer
away from God's direct presence. That decline and loss was itself a
symbol of the temporary quality of the whole of the 'old covenant' -
which Moses stood for. In contrast, the light of Christ is stronger
than ever, and it shines upon and through us who belong to him
.
Luke 9. 28b - 36
The story of the transfiguration of Jesus in the presence of his leading
disciples strikes some as strange, others as wonderful in its mystery
and splendour. it may be seen as a foreshadowing of the resurrection,
already in the course of Jesus' life. It is a glimpse of his true character
and destiny even when he is living life among us.
- How can we grow in our sense of God being quite 'other' than anything
we can conceive?
- Yet we give thanks that in Christ we are enabled to 'draw near'
to him.
- Pray we see God's glorious reality even in the midst of the humdrum.
29 February
First Sunday of Lent
Deuteronomy 26. 1 - 11
We hear a passage in which Israel is recalled to the fundamentals of
the nation's creed: the act of rescue from slavery in Egypt which we
call the Exodus. The joy to which it led ('a land flowing with milk
and honey) reminds us of the basic gifts we have received through Christ:
the awareness of our being received anew by God.
Romans 10. 8b - 13
One of the early Christians' great convictions (perhaps Paul above
all) was the universal scope of their message: it was for everybody,
regardless of race or nation. Also it was an accessible message: he
simple offer of love from God, seeking response.
Luke 4. 1 - 3
Lent began the time of preparation of candidates for their baptism
at Easter, but it soon came to be seen as foreshadowed in Jesus' time
of testing in the wilderness before embarking on his ministry. It has
long been for Christians an annual time of penitence, their own 'testing'
with fasting strongly to the fore. In the face of his testing, Jesus
emerges unscathed.. May we do the same!
- Pray never to lose sight of the fundamentals of faith and relationship
with God.
- Think God for the universal character of the Christian message.
- May we keep our sense of 'testing' before God and so of growth towards
him.
7 March
Second Sunday of Lent
St Mary's only:
Matthew 6. 25 - 30
The message is that we should cultivate simple trust in God's generosity
to us. There are obvious objections to such a policy; but Jesus urges
us to give ourselves to God, reckoning that his promises to us will
be fulfilled. In the deepest sense, such trust is never wasted and never
betrayed
- Pray for the grace of simplicity in our relation to God, whatever
our instincts to the contrary: in the end, it is God and myself, pure
and simple.
Lectionary readings for Second Sunday
of Lent
Genesis 15. 1 - 12, 17 - 18
The story of Abraham, founding father of Israel, is one of salvation
by the skin of the teeth. At every point it hangs by a thread - and
the generous fidelity of God wins through despite everything. Christians
soon saw this story as pointing to God's act in Jesus. There too God's
universal purpose of good was channelled through this fragile channel,
so easily ruined.
Philippians 3.17 - 4.1
Paul is a strong pastor of his people, leading from the front. And
his eyes are on 'heaven', the place or sphere where Christians truly
belong and where they see their destiny - as distinct from Rome or any
other earthly place of loyalty.
Luke 13. 31 - 35
The place of Jerusalem in early Christian feeling and loyalty was one
of great pain and difficulty. It remained a place of 'belonging'; yet
it was where Jesus had been executed, at the hands of those who ruled
it. The double feeling has remained in Christian consciousness to this
day.
- Pray not to presume upon God' goodness but to wonder always at his
love for us.
- Pray to see our goal, already assured, in God himself.
- Thank God for holy places, but see them all as pointing beyond themselves.
14 March
Third Sunday of Lent
Isaiah 55. 1 - 9
The prophet issues a call to follow the real and not the sham. And
to follow without delay, for there is urgency where our relations with
God are concerned. God is beyond our imagining and we must not all take
him for granted.
1 Corinthians 10. 1 - 13
Paul seeks shadowy parallels to Christian baptism and Eucharist in
episodes in the story of Israel's wanderings in the wilderness on the
way from Egypt to the land of promise. The message in one of warning
do not presume on God's goodness, but be ready and armed to survive
any testing that may come one's way.
Luke 13 . 1 - 9
Jesus gives a stern warning of the need for repentance. It is not popular
and perhaps we should say it is not quite moral when exhortation is
backed up by threats. But there is something to be said for letting
realism have its head, lest we fall into complacency.
- Pray never to take God for granted, but to stay open to his call.
- Pray too to be armed against the threats of wrong thinking and doing,
for the sake of God's love.
- Pray to be armed as all threats of complacency
21 March
Fourth Sunday of Lent, Mothering Sunday
Exodus 2. 1 - 10
The story of the babyhood of Moses, cherished and protected for his
marvellous future, can stand as a foreshadowing of Jesus himself: the
destined leader who begins in danger and obscurity but gets through
in safety.
Colossians 3. 12 - 17
The letter has moved on from doctrine to simple moral lessons, refreshing
and moving. Such simple goodness finds its motive in the inspiration
of Jesus and in gratitude to God.
John 19. 25b - 27
The mother of Jesus may represent old Israel, whose task is now coming
to its end and the beloved disciple may represent the church, not coming
to birth in the throes of Jesus' death. But there is also a simple human
sense here, and we can hold both together.
- Pray to see the deeper truth in apparently simple happenings.
- Pray never to despise the simplest human qualities of virtue.
- We thanks God for the piety and love in which our faith had its
beginnings.
28 March
5th Sunday of Lent
Isaiah 43. 16 - 21
The prophet recalls the great foundation-story of Israel, the liberation
from slavery in Egypt and the crossing of the Red Sea. But then, surprisingly,
he puts that behind him and looks forward to a greater future when god
will bring al things to a wonderful perfection, beyond imagining.
Philippians 3. 4b - 14
Paul really takes off in this passage: he asserts his proud credentials
as a Jew, including his membership of the strict guild of the Pharisees.
Then the contrast. All this he had gladly renounced for the sake of
Christ, whose people he had despised and persecuted. It was a revolution.
He had come to see his right relationship with God as wholly dependent
on his commitment to Christ. That was itself pure gift from God.
John 12. 1 - 8
All the Gospels, except that of Luke, have the story of a woman anointing
Jesus at the opening of the narrative of the Passion. They differ in
detail, but all emphasise - and applaud - the extravagance of her action
and so of her devotion. it is a shock to those of puritanical instincts,
and not very Lenten. But at the start of Passiontide, it warns us against
negative approaches to Jesus' death and takes us into the fervent love
for god which that death is to stir in us. To absorb its deep generosity
is worth everything we can offer.
- Dare to aim high in loyalty to God.
- Be ready to expect new depths and heights in your relationship with
God: 'new thoughts of God, new hopes of heaven'.
- God is always a step ahead of what we have so far known of him:
pray to follow.
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