Category: SSCSJ
Paragraphs from SSCSJ
A few paragraphs from Sacred Steps: Children’s Sermon Journal for the Lectionary texts for July 1, 2012.
Psalm 130
Like all of the psalms, Ps 130 provides good fodder for reflection and discussion. Have you ever had an experience in which it seemed like your prayers were going unheard by God? Have you cried out to the Divine out of the depths of despair and demanded to be heard? What does it mean to “wait for the LORD”? Is this a statement about patience or an assurance of trust? How does one live (or a community live) that reflects that they “wait for the LORD” in their very nephesh? How do you, or your faith community, assure people of God’s constant love and forgiveness? This psalm declares that God forgives constantly, without any requirement of punishment. Do you believe that God’s steadfast love and forgiveness are truly given with no restraint? Is this what your church teaches children & youth?
2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27
The last 3 verses of II Sam 1 seem to be a separate lament, because of the use of an inclusio (i.e., “How the mighty have fallen” in v 25a and v 27a). Here, David expresses his great “distress” over the death of Jonathon, who was “”greatly beloved” by David (v 26). The covenant that David and Jonathon made with each other (I Sam 18) was stronger than blood and longer than this earthly life. David describes Jonathon’s “love” as “wonderful, passing the love of women” (v 26b). The exact nature of this relationship cannot be determined from the biblical text, but there can be no doubt that it was an intimate and meaningful one. While, as king, David had many wives and concubines, none of those relationships reached the level of mutuality and depth of feeling he had with Jonathon. In this opening chapter of II Sam, we see David as a man deeply wounded by the loss of his dear companion, Jonathon. The DH also wants us to see David as a man who was loyal to Saul until the end, and who did not immediately seize upon Saul’s death as his opportunity to take the throne as king. That does not happen until II Sam 2 (king of Judah) and II Sam 5 (king of all Israel). The way the Lectionary has led us through the stories about the move to a monarchy is based in an ideological agenda, similar to the propaganda of the DH, that presents the most favorable characteristics of David, whom tradition names as Israel’s greatest kings, but as is often the case political figures who are portrayed as larger than life, there is a “backstory” that someone is trying to cover-up.
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
Two words in the text, “genuineness” and “earnestness”, are worth exploring, as Paul sets up his testing of the Christian community in Corinth using these as measuring tools: their (Corinth) genuineness compared to the earnestness of others.
Genuine: 1) Possessing the claimed or attributed character, quality, or origin; not counterfeit; authentic; real. 2) Properly so called. 3) Free from pretense, affectation, or hypocrisy; sincere. 4) Descended from the original stock.
Earnestness: 1) Serious in intention, purpose, or effort; sincerely zealous. 2) Showing depth and sincerity of feeling. 3) Seriously important; demanding or receiving serious attention.
Which of these words best describes the work, or ministry, of your congregation in your local community? In an era of shrinking budgets, could this testing tool be an effective way to discern the real focus of ministry for your congregation?
Mark 5:21-43
Intertwined into this narrative are examples of faith and belief that are inspiring and can be as equally disappointing. In many hospital rooms, prayers are offered; personal faith and belief are stretched, reassured, and broken. Sometimes we can make healing too much about an individual’s faith or belief, and this can lead to deeper pain, self-doubt, and confusion about the role of God in one’s life. The odds are good that many in your congregation, including the children on the sacred steps, have played all four roles in this narrative during their lifetime: acting out of the hope of last resort, advocating for another, relying on the advocacy of another and healing hands, and mourning and disbelieving (like the crowd). How was Jesus restoring, saving, and healing, when you played these roles? Which character in the story most resonates with your current experience?
Paragraphs from SSCSJ
Two paragraphs from Sacred Steps: Children’s Sermon Journal for June 24. SSCSJ is a study aid for those preparing the children’s sermon (message) each week based on the Lectionary. It is a journal that contains commentary, exegesis, and ideas.
1 Samuel17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49
Why do we have these 3 introductions to David? It could be that the compilers of the DH knew of 3 traditions about King David, and they decided to include all of them. Each does lift-up a characteristic of David: Samuel’s anointing shows David to have a good heart and the Divine spirit; soothing Saul by his music shows David as originally being a beloved member of the king’s court (and gives a nod to the legend of David as a musician); and slaying Goliath shows David as brave and a good fighter. With his resume complete, David will face the obstacle of getting the throne from a paranoid and greedy Saul. Goliath is just the first of many “giants” that David will face as he lives into being God’s anointed and brings unity and structure to the actual nation of Israel.
What makes-up a good resume for a leader today? While we would never expect a person to do something so fantastic as David’s slaying of Goliath, what do we want from people who will be our leaders? Metaphorically speaking, what are the “giants” that we face in our own lives? What “giants” does your congregation, does the whole church, face in the 21st century? From where do we draw the courage to face these “giants” that stand between the way things are and the way God wants us to live?
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
“We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry” (v. 3). It might be good to think about the word, “obstacle.” Some are judged “good” while others are “bad.” There are obstacles that are judged as “necessary” in our culture and within the Church. When cars became the norm in this culture, a necessary obstacle, the driver’s license was created to make sure that everyone driving a car knows the rules of the road and can demonstrate the ability to control a vehicle. This license somewhat ensures that persons behind the wheel of a car have a minimum level of knowledge and skill, before taking to the streets, as a way to protect everyone. The same can be said for professions where the public good is served by ensuring that providers are licensed/certified to offer a particular service, so that there is not so much “buyer beware” in our society. Within Christendom, depending on one’s denomination, there are obstacles to: the communion table, church membership, ordination into Christian ministry, baptism, leadership positions, who can teach whom, and who can preach. For some, sexual orientation is an obstacle to “heaven”, as well as their welcome to be preachers, teachers, and leaders within faith communities. For Catholics, in particular, and some Protestants, gender is an obstacle to being recognized, affirmed, and holding leadership positions within the church.
Take a few moments and create three lists of obstacles that you consider good, bad, or necessary. Do these obstacles share anything in common? Which obstacles are you comfortable with being found at “fault” for supporting? Have we rationalized that some obstacles, like fences, make for good neighbors or effective Christian ministry? Paul is arguing for a unity that is not “separate, but equal,” and he provides his list of hardships endured, virtues required, and the contradictions that are revealed, when a believer/group of believers take on a total lifestyle commitment.