Introductory pastoral note: I love Jesus. I love the Bible. And I love you all. I hope these weekly emails are evidence of all three. But I want you to know that I don't expect any of you to read everything I'm sending. My prayer is that you will engage what you find most interesting, helpful, encouraging, and challenging. As you grow in your Bible knowledge I want you to see the next steps for your continuing growth in both knowledge and Christian character.
So if you're a little overwhelmed with the amount of information I'm sending you, (a) that's okay, (b) don't read it all. Just start with one of the Bible readings and commit to reading it five times before Mass on Sunday. Repetition is the mother of observation. As you observe the text, you will ask better questions of it, and I trust that you will find it asking better questions of you (for the Word of God is living and active).
I've linked three files to this week's post. They are all .pdf files containing helpful summaries for context questions.
(1) The books of the Bible by genre is a quick way to see what kind of book each reading comes from.
(2) The Bible translation comparison helps us begin to understand basic translation principles and the nearly bewildering scope of the contemporary Bible market.
(3) The Bible time-line is just that. You can you the author and date information from the NIV study bible link and see where, on the time-line, the book fits.
The collect and lessons (in the NRSV) for Sunday, October 3 are here.
Links to the lesson in the ESV are in the headings for each section.
NOTE: The lessons I'm linking to the ESV site are longer (i.e. include more context and content) than those given in the lectionary. In particular, the Gospel lesson needs verses 1-4 of Luke 17 to help us understand why the disciples say to Jesus, "Increase our faith!"
Habakkuk 1:1--2:5
Context: Introduction to Habakkuk from the NIV Study Bible. This is a short, helpful introduction to a powerful book. I urge you to take the time to read the intro (and the book!).
Observation: Verse 1 introduces the book. Verses 2-3 are the prophet's complaint. Verses 5-11 are God's answer. Habakkuk complains again in 1:12--2:1. God answers in 2:2-5. What are the prophet's complaints? What are God's answers?
Meaning: God doesn't overlook evil. And his solution to the problem may challenge our expectations and preferences.
Application: For those of us who question how God tolerates or allows the presence of injustice and evil (and I trust that's most of us), will we learn and possess the courageous faith and patient hope of Habakkuk?
Psalm 37:3-10
Context: Introduction to Psalms from the NIV Study Bible. This is a selection from the Psalm. It's worth it to read the whole thing. At a minimum read verses 1-2 so we can see what question verse 3 is intended to answer.
Observation: What are we told to do? What are we told not to do?
Meaning: This psalm encourages me, as a Christian who is to have my complete confidence (faith) in God, to re-evaluate the soundness of protest politics (i.e. the politics of anger, be they left or right). "Righteous indignation" doesn't seem to be a play in the playbook.
Application: God's goodness and his patience (his timing and apparent slowness in fighting evil) go together. Consider this psalm in relation to Luke 6:32-36 and Colossians 3:8-17.
2 Timothy 1:1-14
Context: Introduction to 2 Timothy from the NIV Study Bible. These are some of St. Paul's last words of instruction and encouragement to St. Timothy.
Observation: What is Paul's first instruction to Timothy (v. 6)? For what reason, or on what basis, does he give this instruction? What is Paul's second instruction (v. 8)? What has God done for Paul and Timothy and all of us (vv. 9-10)?
Meaning: Timothy is charged to rekindle the fire of God's grace in the face of suffering and opposition that would smother it. The basis for Paul's confidence (and Timothy's and ours) is the good news of the Gospel (vv. 9-10).
Application: What gifts of grace are ours through baptism and confirmation? What small, repeatable, and practical steps might we take to rekindle these gifts? What portions of the Bible and the Prayer Book might we read to remind ourselves of what they are? (BCP 301-308,311 for Holy Baptism; BCP 303, 309-311 for Confirmation) What do we promise and pray for in Baptism and Confirmation? Do these graces manifest themselves in a spirit of power, love, and self-control?
Luke 17:1-10
Context: Introduction to Luke from the NIV Study Bible.
Observation: What's Jesus' specific teaching in verses 1-2? What's Jesus' specific teaching in verses 3-4? How does the exhortation "Be on your guard" (NRSV) or "Pay attention to yourselves" (ESV) link the concept of occasions for stumbling (vv. 1-2) and the necessity of forgiveness of someone who repents (vv. 3-4)? What is the necessary condition for forgiveness? Is it possible to forgive if this condition isn't in place? In light of vv.7-10 how much extra credit should we expect for obeying Jesus' instructions? What does the disciples' question in v. 5 tell us what we need in order to follow Jesus' teaching? What does Jesus' response tell us? How does all of this relate to Luke 13:10--17:10 and the question "Who will participate in the Kingdom of God"?
Meaning: Once again, I've got until Sunday to work on this and today is Tuesday. Offhand, I'd say that grace (God's willingness to help) and faith (are requirement to trust him and ask for his help) are essential when it comes to welcoming the lost who are found (ch. 15), seeking the lost who need to be found (ch. 15), valuing people over money, influence, and outward appearance (ch. 16), and growing the kind of character which will repent when corrected so that we can correct a brother or sister and forgive them when they repent. And a proper humility (Lk 14:11) will allow a servant to do his work for his master, letting the work be its own reward.
Application: Romans 12:1-3 comes to mind.
See you all Sunday.
Fr Greg+
So if you're a little overwhelmed with the amount of information I'm sending you, (a) that's okay, (b) don't read it all. Just start with one of the Bible readings and commit to reading it five times before Mass on Sunday. Repetition is the mother of observation. As you observe the text, you will ask better questions of it, and I trust that you will find it asking better questions of you (for the Word of God is living and active).
I've linked three files to this week's post. They are all .pdf files containing helpful summaries for context questions.
(1) The books of the Bible by genre is a quick way to see what kind of book each reading comes from.
(2) The Bible translation comparison helps us begin to understand basic translation principles and the nearly bewildering scope of the contemporary Bible market.
(3) The Bible time-line is just that. You can you the author and date information from the NIV study bible link and see where, on the time-line, the book fits.
The collect and lessons (in the NRSV) for Sunday, October 3 are here.
Links to the lesson in the ESV are in the headings for each section.
NOTE: The lessons I'm linking to the ESV site are longer (i.e. include more context and content) than those given in the lectionary. In particular, the Gospel lesson needs verses 1-4 of Luke 17 to help us understand why the disciples say to Jesus, "Increase our faith!"
Habakkuk 1:1--2:5
Context: Introduction to Habakkuk from the NIV Study Bible. This is a short, helpful introduction to a powerful book. I urge you to take the time to read the intro (and the book!).
Observation: Verse 1 introduces the book. Verses 2-3 are the prophet's complaint. Verses 5-11 are God's answer. Habakkuk complains again in 1:12--2:1. God answers in 2:2-5. What are the prophet's complaints? What are God's answers?
Meaning: God doesn't overlook evil. And his solution to the problem may challenge our expectations and preferences.
Application: For those of us who question how God tolerates or allows the presence of injustice and evil (and I trust that's most of us), will we learn and possess the courageous faith and patient hope of Habakkuk?
Psalm 37:3-10
Context: Introduction to Psalms from the NIV Study Bible. This is a selection from the Psalm. It's worth it to read the whole thing. At a minimum read verses 1-2 so we can see what question verse 3 is intended to answer.
Observation: What are we told to do? What are we told not to do?
Meaning: This psalm encourages me, as a Christian who is to have my complete confidence (faith) in God, to re-evaluate the soundness of protest politics (i.e. the politics of anger, be they left or right). "Righteous indignation" doesn't seem to be a play in the playbook.
Application: God's goodness and his patience (his timing and apparent slowness in fighting evil) go together. Consider this psalm in relation to Luke 6:32-36 and Colossians 3:8-17.
2 Timothy 1:1-14
Context: Introduction to 2 Timothy from the NIV Study Bible. These are some of St. Paul's last words of instruction and encouragement to St. Timothy.
Observation: What is Paul's first instruction to Timothy (v. 6)? For what reason, or on what basis, does he give this instruction? What is Paul's second instruction (v. 8)? What has God done for Paul and Timothy and all of us (vv. 9-10)?
Meaning: Timothy is charged to rekindle the fire of God's grace in the face of suffering and opposition that would smother it. The basis for Paul's confidence (and Timothy's and ours) is the good news of the Gospel (vv. 9-10).
Application: What gifts of grace are ours through baptism and confirmation? What small, repeatable, and practical steps might we take to rekindle these gifts? What portions of the Bible and the Prayer Book might we read to remind ourselves of what they are? (BCP 301-308,311 for Holy Baptism; BCP 303, 309-311 for Confirmation) What do we promise and pray for in Baptism and Confirmation? Do these graces manifest themselves in a spirit of power, love, and self-control?
Luke 17:1-10
Context: Introduction to Luke from the NIV Study Bible.
Observation: What's Jesus' specific teaching in verses 1-2? What's Jesus' specific teaching in verses 3-4? How does the exhortation "Be on your guard" (NRSV) or "Pay attention to yourselves" (ESV) link the concept of occasions for stumbling (vv. 1-2) and the necessity of forgiveness of someone who repents (vv. 3-4)? What is the necessary condition for forgiveness? Is it possible to forgive if this condition isn't in place? In light of vv.7-10 how much extra credit should we expect for obeying Jesus' instructions? What does the disciples' question in v. 5 tell us what we need in order to follow Jesus' teaching? What does Jesus' response tell us? How does all of this relate to Luke 13:10--17:10 and the question "Who will participate in the Kingdom of God"?
Meaning: Once again, I've got until Sunday to work on this and today is Tuesday. Offhand, I'd say that grace (God's willingness to help) and faith (are requirement to trust him and ask for his help) are essential when it comes to welcoming the lost who are found (ch. 15), seeking the lost who need to be found (ch. 15), valuing people over money, influence, and outward appearance (ch. 16), and growing the kind of character which will repent when corrected so that we can correct a brother or sister and forgive them when they repent. And a proper humility (Lk 14:11) will allow a servant to do his work for his master, letting the work be its own reward.
Application: Romans 12:1-3 comes to mind.
See you all Sunday.
Fr Greg+
