Lent Lectionary Study Pausing (3/15/20)
A Lectionary Study of the Bible and The Book of Common Prayer from and for Women of the Diocese of the Rio Grande
With many churches limiting or pausing in-person church services, how do we Do Church?
A Lectionary Study of the Bible and The Book of Common Prayer from and for Women of the Diocese of the Rio Grande
A Lectionary Study of the Bible and The Book of Common Prayer from and for Women of the Diocese of the Rio Grande
We are in an unusual and fluctuating time with the COVID19 virus closing schools and other places where groups gather. There are the social distancing and hand-washing mandates. Soap and staying away from each other is supposed to be an important way to slow down the spread of this virus. Because of this, as you all know, many churches are closing their doors out of an abundance of love and caring for each of us, so that we don't accidentally share the virus. That includes the Cathedral, where the in-person Lectionary Study meets.
Therefore, the weekly lectionary studies both in person and online will pause until after Easter Sunday. During the "Great 50 Days" we will resume (God willing) both our meetings and these online lessons. That means we'll try to start up again with the lessons for April 19 by meeting in person on April 15, and posting the lesson later that week.
Many churches, both in the Diocese of the Rio Grande and elsewhere are stepping up with online services. Below is a listing of some of those resources. Some of you may have received the article from Cindy in an e-blast to the Women's Ministry e-mail list.
A meditation from March 15 from Life for Leaders from the De Pree Center suggested that while we are 'Waiting', we are not really just treading water. We are waiting on God! Karley Hatter says, "For those who feel weary today, I challenge you to reposition yourselves. Waiting is not your enemy, as much as it sometimes feels that way. You are not waiting on humans, or waiting on your circumstances—you are waiting on the living God. May the act of waiting be your greatest spiritual weapon, and one you can trust as you seek God’s will."
Therefore, the weekly lectionary studies both in person and online will pause until after Easter Sunday. During the "Great 50 Days" we will resume (God willing) both our meetings and these online lessons. That means we'll try to start up again with the lessons for April 19 by meeting in person on April 15, and posting the lesson later that week.
Many churches, both in the Diocese of the Rio Grande and elsewhere are stepping up with online services. Below is a listing of some of those resources. Some of you may have received the article from Cindy in an e-blast to the Women's Ministry e-mail list.
A meditation from March 15 from Life for Leaders from the De Pree Center suggested that while we are 'Waiting', we are not really just treading water. We are waiting on God! Karley Hatter says, "For those who feel weary today, I challenge you to reposition yourselves. Waiting is not your enemy, as much as it sometimes feels that way. You are not waiting on humans, or waiting on your circumstances—you are waiting on the living God. May the act of waiting be your greatest spiritual weapon, and one you can trust as you seek God’s will."
So, in this time, this Lenten fast as some have called it, of being separate from one another in body, we can be 'present in Spirit' with each other (Colossians 2:5).
From the New Zealand Prayer Book
God of the present moment, God who in Jesus stills the storm and soothes the frantic heart; bring hope and courage to us as we wait in uncertainty. Bring hope that you will make us the equal of whatever lies ahead. Bring us courage to endure what cannot be avoided, for your will is health and wholeness; you are God, and we need you. Amen.
Present in Spirit
With many churches limiting or pausing in-person church services, how do we Do Church?
Individual Churches and the Diocese are coming up with many wonderful ways to keep us connected and offer worship opportunities.
One important resource is the
Diocesan listing of online worship opportunities for every day of the week.You can find Diocesan information about Corona virus on the diocesan website, too.
Canon Lee Curtis's meditation (in place of the in-person Women's Ministry Retreat on March 14) is an incredible call to reclaiming home devotions. He suggests we remember and share some of the 'old' ways of doing worship! How exciting!. You can find that video here.
Bishop Hunn is offering an interesting weekly Lenten Podcast on the Book of 1 Peter. Join at any time and follow along.
The National Church live streamed the Presiding Bishop from the National Cathedral on March 15. You can watch the service and hear his sermon on how Jesus Loves Me, This I Know.
You can always go the bcponline.org for a Book of Common Prayer if you happen to not have one at home.
A Lectionary Study of the Bible and The Book of Common Prayer from and for Women of the Diocese of the Rio Grande
The forty days and forty nights, spoken of about Jesus in the NT and experiences of Noah, Moses, and Elijah in the OT, convert to the forty days of Lent minus the Sundays. All Sundays throughout the Church Year are mini-Easters and mini-celebrations of the glorious remembrance of the Resurrection. Lenten Sundays allow us to thoughtfully pause and gain new strength, as we deepen our journey toward Holy Week and the Great Fifty Days of Easter.
Collect (BCP p. 166 and 218)
This prayer for the First Sunday in Lent sets the scene perfectly for all the scripture readings, especially those of the gospels in all three (A, B, and C) lectionary years. It recognizes how easily temptations can attack human weakness and how important strength, from a caring God, can be in combating evil influences.
Old Testament (Genesis 2:15–17); 3:1-7)
Here is a wonderful description of the first human temptation. Note the interactions as the story evolves and changes while the drama moves from serpent to woman to man. The senses of seeing, touching, and eating all play a lusty role here. Taunting provokes temptation; the reward of brazen action after prohibitive advice, is shame and loss of innocence. This tale explains the vulnerable status humans end up with when the loving, protective boundary guides God sets are crossed.
The Response: Psalm 32 (BCP pp. 624-625)
It is worth contemplating what the word “sin” means in reflecting on this psalm that outlines the relationship of humans with God. Don’t fail to miss the quoted kindness of the voice of God that is always present for us, as we tackle life and try to avoid temptations.
The Epistle (Romans 5:12-19)
Remember Paul’s letters were read aloud to congregations familiar with his message. This letter, Paul’s last, written about the year 60 CE, or about 30 years after the life of Jesus, is complex in its sentence structure. This text speaks to people grounded in Hebrew law and challenged to equate the Torah with the new broadness of Christian teachings. Adam was tempted; Moses received formal law limits for humanity; judgement, when laws were broken, was perceived to bring condemnation. Yet with Jesus Christ came abundance of grace and restoration through forgiveness leading to new life. In Paul’s symbolism, Adam is replaced by Jesus, and the wood of the tree of the Genesis garden becomes the life-giving cross leading to our door to eternal life.
The Gospel (Matthew 4:1–11)
The three synoptic gospels share the temptation story following the baptism of Jesus. (Mark 1:12-13 and Luke 4:1-13) Matthew writes to an audience knowledgeable about Hebrew scriptures and living about two generations after the life of Jesus. Matthew has Jesus answering Satan with quotes from Deuteronomy, the most quoted Hebrew scroll in NT writings. (8:3, 6:16, 6:13)
+++ A personal note: All the biblical studies I have done, since receiving my Perkins School of Theology MDiv at Southern Methodist University, have been informed by sharing information with my curious spouse Dick, who challenges me to depths of understanding, while encouraging me to pass on all I learn to others. Dick’s personal presence in classes ended three and a half years ago, after he was instantly blinded by abusive medical treatment. The miracle of his insight continues in all I write and teach, a blessing we lovingly share each week with you. In Dick’s eleven months of hospice care, God’s gifts of love extend from now to all of eternal time. Our study thoughts, shared with you, are our prayers. We are all bound together in the Holy Spirit, all touched by the earthly presence Jesus Christ, and all held safely within the wholeness of our creator God. We believe all will be well. Amen.
Collect (BCP p. 166 and 218)
This prayer for the First Sunday in Lent sets the scene perfectly for all the scripture readings, especially those of the gospels in all three (A, B, and C) lectionary years. It recognizes how easily temptations can attack human weakness and how important strength, from a caring God, can be in combating evil influences.
Old Testament (Genesis 2:15–17); 3:1-7)
Here is a wonderful description of the first human temptation. Note the interactions as the story evolves and changes while the drama moves from serpent to woman to man. The senses of seeing, touching, and eating all play a lusty role here. Taunting provokes temptation; the reward of brazen action after prohibitive advice, is shame and loss of innocence. This tale explains the vulnerable status humans end up with when the loving, protective boundary guides God sets are crossed.
The Response: Psalm 32 (BCP pp. 624-625)
It is worth contemplating what the word “sin” means in reflecting on this psalm that outlines the relationship of humans with God. Don’t fail to miss the quoted kindness of the voice of God that is always present for us, as we tackle life and try to avoid temptations.
The Epistle (Romans 5:12-19)
Remember Paul’s letters were read aloud to congregations familiar with his message. This letter, Paul’s last, written about the year 60 CE, or about 30 years after the life of Jesus, is complex in its sentence structure. This text speaks to people grounded in Hebrew law and challenged to equate the Torah with the new broadness of Christian teachings. Adam was tempted; Moses received formal law limits for humanity; judgement, when laws were broken, was perceived to bring condemnation. Yet with Jesus Christ came abundance of grace and restoration through forgiveness leading to new life. In Paul’s symbolism, Adam is replaced by Jesus, and the wood of the tree of the Genesis garden becomes the life-giving cross leading to our door to eternal life.
The Gospel (Matthew 4:1–11)
The three synoptic gospels share the temptation story following the baptism of Jesus. (Mark 1:12-13 and Luke 4:1-13) Matthew writes to an audience knowledgeable about Hebrew scriptures and living about two generations after the life of Jesus. Matthew has Jesus answering Satan with quotes from Deuteronomy, the most quoted Hebrew scroll in NT writings. (8:3, 6:16, 6:13)
+++ A personal note: All the biblical studies I have done, since receiving my Perkins School of Theology MDiv at Southern Methodist University, have been informed by sharing information with my curious spouse Dick, who challenges me to depths of understanding, while encouraging me to pass on all I learn to others. Dick’s personal presence in classes ended three and a half years ago, after he was instantly blinded by abusive medical treatment. The miracle of his insight continues in all I write and teach, a blessing we lovingly share each week with you. In Dick’s eleven months of hospice care, God’s gifts of love extend from now to all of eternal time. Our study thoughts, shared with you, are our prayers. We are all bound together in the Holy Spirit, all touched by the earthly presence Jesus Christ, and all held safely within the wholeness of our creator God. We believe all will be well. Amen.