so, in an effort to make myself write at least on a weekly basis (as future writers should do) i've decided to try to start doing a weekly reflection on the gospel text from the lectionary. nothing profound, nothing incredible, nothing worth publishing. just random thoughts i have whilst reading a gospel text, put into paragraph. but, why not share? so, here's the first... this is the text from last sunday.
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At first glance, I definitely see this text and its words as being a call to community. The author writes that we must hear the word and understand it. How exactly does a person do this? As usual, this call seems to be one that is easier said than done. Hearing the word? Easy. Plenty of people hear the word. But understanding it? A call of huge proportions.
Understanding requires a person to hear the word, then hold on to what is good, as Paul writes (I do believe). It requires a person to live and experience and apply perspective, exegesis, and the aforementioned community to whatever text they intend to read and interpret. Is there a reason this verse is so vague in its call on how to understand? I believe it’s possible that this verse is a call for the beauty of perspective and celebration of differences in one another’s reading of the Bible.
So what perspective do we entertain and celebrate? I believe we celebrate all, while hearing the word and discerning what to hold on to, discerning what is good. In addition, I believe we celebrate the beauty and love we find in the Church. We entertain the opportunities to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest a radical gospel together that is worth our time and celebration.
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1 comment:
While I think that you reading of this scripture is certainly interesting and worth exploring, let me provide you withe a different thought. The scripture surrounds the Jesus preaching conerning the Kingdom, and the dangers of either failing to listen to the message or the failing The central question is what is meant by Kingdom, is it something that happens when we die or something to hoped for in the future or is it in the hear and now. In other words did Jesus bring God's Kingdom to earth with his birth and Christians are the workers for the Kingdom.In other words are the gospel writers and Jesus telling us that we should live his Kingdom now and thorugh our works spread his good news.
Not some much that we need to pick and choose or interpet what the message of the Kingdom is as we know what it is "Do unto others" God has already done that for us in what has been written. Perhaps Jesus is saying that those who truly hear and understand my message will bring my Kindom forth "on earth as it is in hevean."
Just another thought to consider.
David
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