Bible Blog

11:28PM - New community for discussing daily office readings

FYI, I created a community to discuss the lectionary readings: lectionary. Enjoy!

4:26PM - It's Monday

Almighty God our heavenly Father, you declare your glory
and show forth your handiwork in the heavens and in the
earth: Deliver us in our various occupations from the service
of self alone, that we may do the work you give us to do in
truth and beauty and for the common good; for the sake of
him who came among us as one who serves, your Son Jesus
Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

- From The BCP

9:34PM - Evening Prayer

St Mark's has Evening Prayer or Evensong each weeknight. Tonight I finally went to Evening Prayer. ( Notes about the litugy and so on ) We read Psalm 22, alternating verses between Larry and the group. It was a psalm that I've skimmed in the past, a bit dulled by the many times I've heard these words. Today some of it hit me where I live. O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer; and by night, but find no rest. Yes, this week has been hard. But I am a worm, and no man This had no affect; I know I am not a man. But scorned by others, and despised by the people - I remembered talking with a friend about being a fat person in a health club last night, and going in. I remember the looks, the distaste, and yes, the scorn.

12:24PM - I liked this week's collect

The Collect
Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have compassion on our weakness, and mercifully give us those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask; through the worthiness of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

5:47PM

There's a neat discussion on Lent over in episcopal. A related thread has some examples of people either giving up or adding on various habits.

2:13AM

AM Psalm 78:1-39; PM Psalm 78:40-72; Gen. 26:1-6,12-33; Heb. 13:17-25; John 7:53-8:11, links to readings

Psalm 78 is what the folks on Pern call a teaching song - the subject is the Exodus. Genesis continues with the story of Jacob and Rebekah, and how Jacob claimed that Rebekah was his sister and not his wife while traveling. The odious part of this, for me, is how everyone assumes that Rebekah has nothing to say about her own sex life. Hebrews has a challenge: "Obey your leaders and submit to them". Power corrupts. Obedience is a form of power. How much obedience is safe? When is it no longer useful? And John has the story of the woman caught in adultery. Interesting that this is paired with the Genesis story ... suddenly I'm wondering whether the woman caught in adultery was acting of her own free will?

8:24PM

AM Psalm 80; PM Psalm 77, [79], Gen. 25:19-34; Heb. 13:1-16; John 7:37-52 links to readings

The Psalms are an interesting pair. 77 asks "Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?" 80 has the refrain "Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved."

Genesis begins the story of Jacob and Esau, the twins. Hebrews has a bunch of practical items, concluding with "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have". And John reiterates that a prophet would certainly not come from Galilee ;)

11:32PM

AM Psalm 69:1-23(24-30)31-38; PM Psalm 73, Gen. 24:1-27; Heb. 12:3-11; John 7:1-13 links to readings

There are some parts of the bible I really don't like relating to. But I do it anyway. The beginning of psalm 69 is one of them.

Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck.
I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me.
I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God. [...]
O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.

Yet psalm 69 also gives us: "At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love, answer me. With your faithful help rescue me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters." A promise, a hope, and, yes, the source of another Madeleine L'Engle book title. Psalm 73 reminds me that envy is a waste of time. Genesis tells how Abraham's servant found Rebekah for Isaac; Hebrews chastizes us to "endure trials for the sake of discipline", and Jesus sneaks around Galilee to avoid being killed.

6:24PM

AM [Psalm 70], 71; PM Psalm 74, Gen. 23:1-20; Heb. 11:32-12:2; John 6:60-71; links to readings

A couple more "Ooh, that's where that came from" moments. In psalm 70, "O God, do not be far from me; O my God, make haste to help me!" , which I hear in Compline. Psalm 74, "You divided the sea by your might; you broke the heads of the dragons in the waters", appears to be the source of the title of one of Madeleine L'Engle's books. Hebrews' reading reminds me of the second Lord Peter Wimsey novel, Clouds of Witnesses.

Genesis tells of the death of Sarah, and how Abraham negotiated a burial place. Hebrews sums up the recitation of the faithful with "since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us". John has Jesus waxing a bit gnostic ("It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless.") and a confrontation with the twelve. ("Jesus asked the twelve, ‘Do you also wish to go away?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life.")

11:32PM

AM Psalm 72; PM Psalm 119:73-96; Gen. 22:1-18; Heb. 11:23-31; John 6:52-59 links to readings

If I recall correctly, blood is not kosher. So today's Gospel reading is a bit controversial...unless you're used to thinking in terms of the Eucharist.

The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink.

Meanwhile, Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice, and Hebrews talks about Moses' faith. And Psalm 72 is an interesting read during the primary/caucus season...

1:07AM

Gen. 21:1-21; Heb. 11:13-22; John 6:41-51 links to readings

Sarah and Hagar, Isaac and Ishmael. Sarah, angry that she couldn't conceive, angry that Hagar had the son she couldn't. Even when God gave her a son, her laughter was tinged with bitterness over Hagar and Ishmael. Sarah could not be happy with Isaac. She needed Hagar and Ishmael gone.

Something I don't mention usually mention here: I'm polyamorous. Usually it isn't relevent. Genesis today reminds me of how good and precious it is that my husband and boyfriend are building a friendship, that I am becoming close friends with my boyfriend's SO. It also reminds me of God's grace: God watched over Ishmael and Hagar, just as he watched over Sarah and Isaac.

Hebrews reminds us God rewards faith. John shows Jesus and the townspeople talking at cross-purposes again. ;)

2:16AM

Gen. 19:1-17(18-23)24-29; Heb. 11:1-12; John 6:27-40; links to readings

Today has one of my least favorite passages in the Bible - Lot offering his daughters to an angry crowd to protect his guests. Protecting the guests I agree with. Bartering his daughter's safety I don't. Hebrews reminds us that "faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Faith is not about fact, something which people seem to want to forget. And John has an interesting note for anyone who is dieting: "Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life".

11:47PM

AM Psalm 26, 28; PM Psalm 36, 39; Gen. 9:1-17; Heb. 5:7-14; John 3:16-21 This week's readings.

Psalm 26 has guts. " Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and mind. For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in faithfulness to you." I don't think I've ever had that much confidence in myself. Psalm 28 is quite the contrast: "To you, O LORD, I call; my rock, do not refuse to hear me, for if you are silent to me, I shall be like those who go down to the Pit....Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who are workers of evil" Having the two together is amazing.

I also like the image in Psalm 28 of those "who speak peace with their neighbors, while mischief is in their hearts." How human, how real. A verse in Psalm 36 stuck with me too: "For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light." Amen.

God makes his covenant with Noah, symbolized by the rainbow. It's a cool story. Hebrews talks of Jesus' being the source of eternal salvation & maturity. And John has one of my favorite passages of the Bible: "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."

11:59PM

AM Psalm 25; PM Psalm 9, 15; Gen. 8:6-22; Heb. 4:14-5:6; John 2:23-3:15 This week's readings

Compared to Psalm 25:5 I feel inadequate; I don't think I've ever been able to tell God, "for you I wait all day long." Psalm 9 is consoling: "For the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor perish forever. [...] Put them in fear, O LORD; let the nations know that they are only human." The Ark finds dry land. Hebrews describes Jesus as our High Priest. Jesus tells Nicodemus about being born again.

Today also observes two other items on the church calendar: Confession of St. Peter and Martin Luther King, Jr. I like the prayer for MLK day:

Almighty God, by the hand of Moses your servant you led your people out of slavery, and made them free at last: Grant that your Church, following the example of your prophet Martin Luther King, may resist oppression in the name of your love, and may secure for all your children the blessed liberty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

I'd like to note that Sunday was the first Eucharist held by St Chiros since songhawk's death. It was very real to me, and very present.

10:36PM

AM Psalm 34; PM Psalm 33; 1 Kings 19:1-8; Eph. 4:1-16; John 6:1-14; NRSV readings

Another "Oh *that*'s where that's from" moment, this time for a hymn used during communion. Psalm 34:8: "taste and see that the LORD is good".

We see Elijah fleeing from Jezebel; an angel provides food, and then Elijah is able to make it another 40 days. John has the feeding of the five thousand. And Ephesians is an amazing passage, from the poetry ("There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all") to a description of various gifts that God has distributed to believers, and a vision of Christians working together to form "the whole body" of Christ.

1:01AM

AM Psalm 103; PM Psalm 148; Isa. 62:1-5,10-12; Rev. 19:11-16; Matt. 1:18-25;readings

Psalm 148 is like a jolt of caffiene. It starts in fortissimo and doesn't slow down.

As the feast of Holy Name, the readings reflect Christ's destiny. Isaiah has "you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will give"; Revelations has several of Jesus's titles and notes "he has a name inscribed that no one knows but himself"; and the gospel reading is the Matthew version of Christ's birth.

10:12PM

AM Psalm 46, 48; 1 Kings 3:5-14; James 4:13-17,5:7-11; John 5:1-15; links to readings

Psalm 46 strikes a great note as we're facing the new year...

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. [...]
"Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth."
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

God appeared to Solomon in a dream and asked him what he wanted. Solomon asked for wisdom, which pleased God. James reminds us that wisdom only does so much, and urges patience with one another. And Jesus heals a man who had been ill longer than I've been alive.

11:23PM

AM Psalm 20, 21:1-7(8-14); PM Psalm 23, Psalm 27; 1 Kings 17:17-24, 3 John 1-15, John 4:46-54

Psalm 27 hit me like a trumpet: "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" I read it now and am comforted. Wonder if it would be enough if I were being tortured?

Yes, there are things in this world that I fear. But my goal is to move beyond that.

Elijah raises the widow's son from the dead through prayer, Jesus rewards a Roman official by healing his son. 3rd John speaks to supporting teachers, and includes the reminder "[D]o not imitate what is evil but imitate what is good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God".

11:23PM

Today is the official rememberance of Holy Innocents. Today when I think of the Holy Innocents I think of songhawk and ursusmarkos's 5-year-old son George. Yes, this is the songhawk who died 2 weeks ago tomorrow. I don't know which is worse, young ones killed or young ones left without a parent.

Dec 29 readings: Psalm 18, 2 Samuel 23:13-17b; 2 John 1-13; John 2:1-11.

David is hiding in a cave and longs for water. Three warriors break through the enemy to bring him some. David's response? "The LORD forbid that I should do this. Can I drink the blood of the men who went at the risk of their lives?" Some might argue that David should have drunk the water (waste not want not) but I can see why he did not - to show that he did not approve of the risk they took for his thirst.

Interesting that this is paired with the wedding at Cana, when Jesus turned water into wine...

2nd John is a tough one for me. "Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh; any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist! Be on your guard [...] Everyone who does not abide in the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God; [...] Do not receive into the house or welcome anyone who comes to you and does not bring this teaching; for to welcome is to participate in the evil deeds of such a person."

Many of my friends are not Christian. I find church a lonely place, because most of my friends and family don't go to church. I participate in dreamingclaw's despacho (prayer) ceremonies, in part, so that I can share my prayers with those of my friends and family who are there. Other reasons for doing so are that time spent in prayer is a good thing for me in general, and that the symbology of the ritual works for me.

I know, there are those who would condemn me for doing so, who would point out that I'm a Bad Christian. Usually it doesn't bother me but lately it's been on my mind. This is something I've been meaning to discuss more with Mir (and, gee, we keep getting sidetracked). Oy.

12:30AM

AM Psalm 40, 54; PM Psalm 51; Zech. 7:8-8:8; Rev. 5:6-14; Matt. 25:14-30 links to readings

[M]ay all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, "Great is the LORD!" As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God. - Psalm 40

Psalm 51 is very familiar, aka, frequently quoted. It's addressed to God. The line "Against you, you alone, have I sinned" stuck in my mind; if one follows the description of sin from the general confession ("I have sinned in thought, word, and deed, by what I have done, and by what I have left undone. I have not loved [God] with my whole heart; I have not loved my neighbor as myself") then sins against one's neighbor are right up there with sins against God alone.

I've been re-reading Amazing Grace lately, which reminds me that the psalms are poetry; they use metaphor and symbols. If we are all part of God's creation, then are sins against each other also sins against God? The parable of the sheep and goats tells us that when we serve others, we serve Christ; when we fail, we fail Christ. Interesting.

Zechariah provides an image of Jerusalem filled with elderly and children; no one of normal "working age", and tell us that God will rebuild from even this remnant. Revelations tells us more of the Lamb of God. Matthew has the parable of the talents.