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.

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Reflection on the readings for November 6

Praise the Lord!
We give thanks to you, Lord,
for you are good;
your steadfast love endures forever.
(adapted from Psalm 106:1)

Ezekiel 14:12-16:41
Destruction is inevitable and necessary.

Hebrews 7:18-28
Because God is compassionate and forgiving, the faithful have sought ways to have their sins forgiven. The letter to the Hebrews explains Christ's role as one like that of the high priest that the first hearers would have been familiar with.

But, our high priest is unique. He lives forever and saves forever. Unlike earlier high priests, he doesn't have to offer sacrifices daily; he offered himself once, and once was enough.

Psalm 106:1-12
The psalm begins with a call to praise and a list of reasons why praise is appropriate. The Lord is good. The Lord continues to love us. This thankfulness is followed by the reminder that we are supposed to be good and loving also--and that our doing so will make us happy. Yet, we have not always done what we should have done; we have sinned.

They exchanged the glory of God for the image of an ox that eats grass. What do we exchange the glory of God for?

Proverbs 27:4-6
Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming,
but who is able to stand before jealousy?
Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
Well meant are the wounds a friend inflicts,
but profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

Prayer for Today: O Lord our God, we come before you today to ask that you again show us compassion and forgiveness. Help us now to change our lives so that we won't have to keep coming back to you to ask to be forgiven. Amen.

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