The scriptures for our meditations come from first and second Samuel, the Psalms, the gospel according to Mark, and Pauls second letter to the Corinthians. The meditations follow a pattern of tracing the Story from its beginning in the Hebrew scriptures to its climax in the memories of the early church as reflected in the gospels, and then on to what sense the first Christians made of the connection between the two, as worked out in the epistles. At each step along the way, the effort is made to glean what the scripture passage may say to us today, either individually or corporately.
The Story continues with us. In our meditations we step into a flowing stream.
June 5
A Different Vision
1 Samuel 8:4-20;Psalm 138;2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1;Mark 3:20-35
Sometimes a light surprises
The Christian when he sings...
went Cowpers old hymn. That can also be the experience of one reading the disparate texts of a lectionary. Each one is a part of the same great Story, but what single message do they all have for me today?
In the Hebrew scripture, the people of God confront Gods prophet Samuel about their anxiety for the stability of their system of government. They ask for a king "like other nations."
The psalm is one of thanksgiving and joy, secure in the knowledge that "God will fulfill Gods purpose for us."
The gospel presents Jesus radical ministry, which causes his family so much concern that they come after him to bring him back to the safety of his home. They cant get close because of the crowds so they send word: "Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you."
He makes the astounding reply, "Who are my mother and my brothers? Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother."
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