Consider the Word, March 2, 2023

 
Consider the Word, March 2, 2023
Email stpauls@pei.aibn.com for the link to the Bible Study.
 
Readings for March 5, Lent 2

• Genesis 12:1-4a
• Psalm 121
• Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
• John 3:1-17 Or Matthew 17:1-9

Collect:

Almighty God,

whose Son was revealed in majesty

before he suffered death upon the cross,

give us faith to perceive his glory,

that being strengthened by his grace

we may be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory;

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 
First Reading: Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

What then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due. But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness. For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation. For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations")-in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

 
Reflection Question

1. Righteousness is about being in “right relationship” with another. If Abraham is made righteous by God grace, can that be extended to us?

 
The Gospel: John 3:1-17

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God." Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.' The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, what whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."

 
Reflection Question

1. Love includes a dimension of feeling but goes beyond to include actions for the good of the other and the community: do you think that love is also a decision?
2. It seems that John has Jesus say that we must “believe” to be saved; could “believe” have a different means in John’s Gospel than it does for us?

 
Closing Prayer:

God of amazing compassion,

lover of our rebellious ways,

you bring to birth a pilgrim people,

and call us to be a blessing for ourselves and all the world.

We pray for grace to take your generous gift

and step with courage on this holy path,

confident in the radiant life that is your plan for us,

made known and given in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Consider the Word, February 23, 2023

 
Consider the Word, February 23, 2023
Email stpauls@pei.aibn.com for the link to the Bible Study.
 
Readings for February 26, Lent 1

Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7

Psalm 32

Romans 5:12-19

Matthew 4:1-11

 
Collect:

Almighty God,

whose Son fasted forty days in the wilderness,

and was tempted as we are but did not sin,

give us grace to discipline ourselves

in submission to your Spirit,

that as you know our weakness,

so we may know your power to save;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 
First Reading: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, "You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die." Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God say, 'You shall not eat from any tree in the garden'?" The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.' "But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.

 
Reflection Question

1. How might this story be an exploration of the maturing of humans?

 
The Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." But he answered, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'" Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour; and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! for it is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'" Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

 
Reflection Question

1. No one is tempted by things they don’t want – how are these things real temptations for Jesus?
2. How might these things be real temptations for the Church today?

 
Closing Prayer:

God of mercy,

your word was the sure defense of Jesus in his time of testing.

Minister to us in the wilderness of our temptation,

that we who have been set free from sin by Christ

may serve you well into life everlasting. Amen.

 
 

 
Consider the Word, February 16, 2023
Email stpauls@pei.aibn.com for the link to the Bible Study.
 
Readings for February 19, Last Sunday After the Epiphany

Exodus 24:12-18

Psalm 2 Or Psalm 99

2 Peter 1:16-21

Matthew 17:1-9

 
Collect:

Almighty God,

on the holy mount you revealed to chosen witnesses

your well-beloved Son, wonderfully transfigured:

mercifully deliver us from the darkness of this world,

and change us into his likeness from glory to glory;

through Jesus Christ our Lord

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 
First Reading: Exodus 24:12-18

The Lord said to Moses, "Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction." So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. To the elders he had said, "Wait here for us, until we come to you again; for Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them." Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.

 
Reflection Question

1. While a covenant with God is not something to be entered into lightly, it is the case that God invites and welcomes us into a relationship. What might be our priorities in this relationship?

 
The Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid." And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

 
Reflection Question

1. Does Matthew’s telling of the story of the transfiguration bring us the assurance we need to be confident in God’s purpose for creation?
2. Are there signs in the church and the world today that are comparable to the transfiguration—individual actions, movements, and events that embody the values and practices of the Realm?

 
Closing Prayer:

O God of the covenant,

the cloud of your splendor and the fire of your love

revealed your Son on the mountain heights.

Transform our lives in his image,

write your law of love on our hearts,

and make us prophets of your glory,

that we may lead others into your presence. Amen.

 

Consider the Word, February 9, 2023

 
Consider the Word, February 9, 2023
Email stpauls@pei.aibn.com for the link to the Bible Study.
 
Readings for February 12
Commemorating Black History Month

• Luke 10.25–37

 
Collect:

Compassionate God,

who sent Jesus Christ to deliver us from all manner of injustices and inequalities,

create in us new hearts and enlarged visions,

to see the image of God in every person irrespective of background, race and ethnicity.

May we be generous in our love of others

as we work towards ending misunderstanding, racism and injustice;

creating communities of human flourishing,

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 
The Gospel: Luke 10.25–37

Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’ But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.” Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’

 
Reflection Question

1. Some people excuse the priest and the Levite because if they intervened they would be subject to certain rules of isolation if they encountered a corpus. Does it change the parable when we hear that the Samaritan was subject to the same rules?
2. Does our experience of a pandemic shed any light on the full impact of this paarable?

 
Closing Prayer:

Holy God, you gather the whole universe

into your radiant presence

and continually reveal your Son as our Savior.

Bring healing to all wounds,

make whole all that is broken,

speak truth to all illusion,

and shed light in every darkness,

that all creation will see your glory and know your Christ. Amen.