The Story
October 27, 2019
20th Sunday after Pentecost

Luke 18:9-14

Jesus also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt:

“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.” 

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Something to Do

Be merciful to me, a sinner

The Orthodox Church has a tradition called the prayer walk. It is, quite simply, walking while praying in time with your steps. The prayer used most traditionally is called the Jesus prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. The prayer reminds us of our fallibility, our reliance on Jesus, and Jesus’ faithfulness.

Go for a prayer walk and see how it feels to use the traditional prayer. You can, of course, create your own short prayer to accompany you on your walk.

Embodying the Story

Read the story – either out loud or silently. When you read the Pharisee, hold your body the way you imagine him standing. How does this posture make you feel? If you were talking to someone (like, say, God), what would you be communicating? When have you held your body this way? Why?

When you read the tax collector, hold your body the way you imagine him standing. Beat your chest like he does. How does this posture make you feel? What are you communicating? When have you held your body this way? Why?

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Something to Wonder

Look in the Mirror

An interesting question to bring to any Bible story but, perhaps, especially to parables is this: Who am I in this story? The answer you give to that question might change every time you read the story or you may find that you are persistently the same character.

Take a good look at yourself in the mirror of this parable. Are you the self-satisfied Pharisee or the tax collector desperate for God’s help? In what way?

What is it like seeing yourself in the parable?

All who exalt themselves will be humbled…

This feels like an interesting text for the week after the election we just experienced. What lessons would you draw from Jesus’ story for us as citizens? What lessons would you like to share with the various politicians that have been called to service?

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Something to Learn

More about the Jesus Prayer and Prayer Walks

Orthodoxprayer.org offers a fascinating glimpse into the spiritual practices of Eastern Orthodox traditions. The whole site is worth exploring but here’s a link to a commentary on the Jesus Prayer, written by St. Theophan the Recluse, a Russian bishop who lived from 1815-1894.

For a more contemporary view, and briefer article, on the Jesus Prayer and its use in prayer walks, visit Orthodox Way of Life, a site maintained by Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral.

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Something to Pray

Holy God, we do not always understand your word or your ways. 
Give us wisdom and imagination and courage as we learn and grow. 

The story this week has made me wonder about…
         (what questions are still on your heart?)
Receive my questions and help me hear your answers.

The story this week has filled me with…
         (how are you feeling?)
Accept my praise, heal my hurt, ease my worry.

The story this week has reminded me of…
         (are there situations or people you are thinking of?)
Be with all who are in need of you.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.

The Story
October 20, 2019
19th Sunday after Pentecost

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favourable or unfavourable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.

Gospel Reading: Luke 18:1-8

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Something to Do

Proclaim the Message

Our baptismal vows include the promise to proclaim, in word and deed, the Good News of God in Christ? Fulfilling this promise requires us to know what that Good News is – and each of us will have a slightly different answer.

Whatever our answer, though, we are called to proclaim the message – not whisper or suggest or allude to the message. Proclaim it. Your challenge this week is to find a way to do that.

Bonus points if you tell someone from your church community about what you tried and how it felt!

More proclaiming…but less daunting

Choose a Bible passage you really love and proclaim it. This is more than just reading it out loud – it’s about reading it out loud because it’s important and exciting and good news. Read it in such a way that any one who hears you will be drawn to actually listen.

And again with the bonus points: commit it to memory! Something very interesting happens when you memorize even a short passage (more than a verse – it needs to have some sweep) and proclaim it from heart.

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Something to Wonder

All scripture is inspired by God and is useful…

How do you react to this claim? Are there parts of scripture that make this hard to believe? If so, which ones and why? How do you explain their inclusion in the Bible?

If you happily embrace this claim, how would you explain your feelings and ideas to a fellow Christian who did not?

Be persistent

Who are the persistent evangelists who have shaped you, patiently teaching and guiding you to deeper understanding and greater faith?

Who are the persistent evangelists of our age and what is their message? Are they teaching truth or just telling stories people want to hear?

What is the message God has entrusted to you? Have you been persistent in sharing it?

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Something to Learn

Biblical Storytelling

The Network of Biblical Storytellers provides resources and training in this particular art form. See some of their storytellers at work. Learn about what they do and why they do it.

3 Reasons Why the Bible is Worth it

Pete Enns is a biblical studies professor, author, and speaker. His blog is full of witty and thoughtful reflections on the nature and content of the Bible, its lack of inerrancy, and the joys that brings. This entry is particularly lovely: 3 Reasons Why the Bible is Worth It.

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Something to Pray

Holy God, we do not always understand your word or your ways. 
Give us wisdom and imagination and courage as we learn and grow. 

The story this week has made me wonder about…
         (what questions are still on your heart?)
Receive my questions and help me hear your answers.

The story this week has filled me with…
         (how are you feeling?)
Accept my praise, heal my hurt, ease my worry.

The story this week has reminded me of…
         (are there situations or people you are thinking of?)
Be with all who are in need of you.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.