RAN
March 21st lectionary readings (Lent 5)
Posted on: 03/16/2010 14:47
These are the lectionary passages (with links) for next Sunday:
Isaiah 43:16-21 • Psalm 126 • Philippians 3:4b-14 • John 12:1-8
These are the passage headings from NRSV:
- [Isa] Restoration and protection promised [entire chapter]
- [Psa] A harvest of joy
- [Phil] Breaking with the past [1b-11]; Pressing toward the goal [12-4:1]
- [John] Mary anoints Jesus
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GeoFee
Posted on: 03/18/2010 08:44
The Psalm sounds a happy theme. There is the remembrance of a time in which God has brought liberty and healing into the experience of the faith community. That memory supports and encourages confidence in the reliability of God. Those who hear the Psalm, and trust the God of the Psalm, may expect good things even when circumstances indicate the contrary.
In his letter to the Philippians Paul speaks about his achievements and status within the religious system of his people. He does this to make it plain that religious credentials offer no substitute for the knowledge of God revealed in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul’s example shows us that religious understanding and commitment may go against the purpose of God given in the name of Christ.
The prophet Isaiah begins by recalling the liberation of Israel from its entanglement in the oppressive policies of Egypt. The brief text indicates the fall of the Egyptian military power. It goes on by encouraging people to not get attached to the past deliverance and neglect the presence of God in their own circumstance of oppression. Our faith does not venerate the past. Rather, by our faith we discover that the God who acted to liberate and empower people in times past continues to do so in times present. Isaiah calls us to prepare for and participate in the newness that God will accomplish for those who turn from religion to faith.
RAN
Posted on: 03/19/2010 22:07
The first half (v.1-3) of the psalm is so joyful, that the second seems a bit of a surprise (v.4-6). YHWH has restored the fortunes of Zion, but apparently that is now in the past, and a new restoration is needed. Remembering what YHWH has done in the past drives prayer for YHWH to act in the future.
Isaiah seems to have a similar message. Isa 43:14 seems to say the people are in exile in Babylon, so the passage recalls the Exodus from Egypt and looks forward to the return from exile from Babylon. I have read that many Jews in Jesus' day did not accept their current state (under Roman occupation) as a true "return from exile in Babylon", so this passage would have still have been seen as a future hope.
BTW, the psalm is described as "a song of Ascents". What does that mean?