It took a year to read the Bible, then almost 9 months to read the Apocrypha. Now, I'm going to try to offer reflections on the Narrative Lectionary. But, I won't be posting daily--at least, for a while.

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Reflection on readings for April 20

I will sing of your steadfast love,
O Lord, forever;
with my mouth I will proclaim 
your faithfulness to all generations.
I declare that your steadfast love is
established forever;
your faithfulness is as firm
as the heavens.
(Psalm 89:1, 2)

Joshua 21:1-22:20
The eastern tribes, the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseth, had come over to help the other tribes win their land. Joshua send them back home with the reminder that Moses had given them their land based on what the Lord their God had promised; therefore, they were supposed to do what else Moses had said--to love the Lord their God and to keep God's commandments, to serve God with all their heart and soul.

Luke 20:1-16
Jesus told them a parable. The owner of a vineyard put some people in charge of maintaining it. When it was time for them to account for their management, they deliberately refused to turn over to the owner what was his. The owner sent employees then even his own son. They killed the son so they they could have the vineyard's profits for themselves.

Leaders of the church today: You mention God a lot, but how does your congregation distribute the assets under its control? Do you think of your monetary (and other kinds of) collections as belonging to you or to God? Not what you say, but what you do.

Psalm 89:1-13

Proverbs 13:15-16

Prayer for Today: O Lord, you have entrusted us with many possessions. Help us now to use those gifts in the way you intended. Remind us as we judge others' needs of the trust you have placed in us. Help us to be deservings of that trust. Amen.

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