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.

Monday, September 15, 2014

Reflection readings for September 15

O my strength, I will sing praises to you,
for you, O God, are my fortress,
the God who shows me steadfast love.
(Psalm 59:17)

Isaiah 19:1-21:17
God plans a complete dismantling of Egypt: pride, certitude, prosperity, and security. Restored then defeated by Assyria. The complacent Babylon will be destroyed (Walter Breuggemann, Isaiah 1-39).

Galatians 2:1-16
Affirmation that Christians did not have to conform to all the requirements that Jews had to meet. Characterized as false believers the Christians who spied on the freedom that the Galatians had. Paul had argued openly with Peter who under pressure had refused to eat with the Gentiles. "Don't get stuck on certain rules," Paul exclaimed to Peter.

Psalm 59:1-17
Prayer for deliverance from enemies combined with request that the Lord punish them.

Proverbs 23:13-14

Prayer for Today: O Lord, deliver us from our complacency, our dependence on our possessions. Shake our uncertainty that everybody else should just do what we think is right, that we are the only ones able to discern your will. Amen.

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