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Lectionary Notes - 6th Sunday after Pentecost

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Readings for 6th Sunday after Pentecost, 6/22/08:

Genesis 21:8-21, Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17, Romans 6:1b-11, Matthew 10:24-39

Genesis 21:8-21:

• It's hard not to feel great sympathy for Hagar and Ishmael, isn't it? I don't know much about if Sarah's behavior toward her would have been acceptable or expected, but either way, Hagar is still left out in the cold. What does seem clear: despite the abundant blessings poured into Sarah's life, it is not enough for her to just have these unexpected blessings - she also wants to make sure that Hagar's son doesn't share in them, as if this will somehow bring Sarah more joy. Unfortunately, it seems we often think others having less than us will make us feel better!
• Hagar is at her moment of deepest despair. What was this moment for you? How did you experience God working to bring you beyond such a moment?
• "God opened her eyes." Sometimes our eyes are closed because we've shut them in despair and pain. Sometimes God moves to show us what is right before us. How have you experienced this?

Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17

• Compare Psalm 86 to our Genesis text. How would you write a psalm, a prayer, that would capture the deepest needs of your heart? These words read like Hagar's journal, don't they?
• Sometimes my prayer life is not-so-hot. I tend to go in cycles of more intentional prayer and more sporadic prayer, as I'm sure many others do. Praying can be emotionally exhausting and draining. But invaluable in the way that it calms and centers and builds a relationship. How do you cultivate your prayer life?

Romans 6:1b-11:

• We're in the midst of several weeks of lectionary texts from Romans. It's a really good idea to know the text as a whole - Paul is making complicated and interrelated arguments in here, and it is difficult to take his words in little chunks and not lose some of his momentum.
•  The first and last verses in this passage are Paul's key points here: Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound? By no means . . . you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Paul wants us to realize that a relationship with Christ is life-changing. Old patterns can't just continue - how could they? How has your life changed because of your relationship with Jesus Christ?

Matthew 9:35-10:8 (9-23)

• This is a complicated text, because it has several not necessarily related-thematically sections.

• In verses 24 and 25, we find a great reminder: we are called to be Christ-like, not to be Christ. Sometimes church leaders get confused about that, and set out to be Saviors and Messiahs. But that role has been cast. Our role is pupil, student, servant.

• "even the hairs of your head are all counted." Do you feel valuable? Jesus is trying to communicate your unique, special, unrepeatable value to God your Creator.

• One of my favorite sermons ever was given by Bishop MaryAnn Swenson on this text at General Conference 2000 - you can (and should!) read the sermon here.

• What do we make of it? Not peace, but a sword? Jesus wants us to know that his talk is momentous. His words ask for decisions and actions that not everyone will embrace. What are you willing to risk for the kingdom, and what are you willing to change and make new?

Pastor’s Note: (I use the Greek-English Lexicon from Liddell and Scott, the “little Liddell” and the Metzger et. al Greek New Testament in my translation work.)

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