tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post3792040582526880970..comments2023-11-03T05:46:44.728-04:00Comments on RevGalBlogPals: Tuesday Lectionary Leanings- The Question Mark EditionStephanie Anthony/She Revhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10089531643725874239noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-65840212792224528782008-08-13T15:50:00.000-04:002008-08-13T15:50:00.000-04:00Thanks for the cite to Guenther's book. I know ju...Thanks for the cite to Guenther's book. I know just where it is!<BR/><BR/>The more I think about it, the better I like the idea that Jesus got to grow, too. But then, I like process theology.<BR/><BR/>So do you think it would work to suggest or introduce two different interpretations in one sermon? Generally, I try to go with one point and get out but I think with a story as uncomfortable as this one, maybe part of my job is to suggest that there is more than one way to skin this cat and some of them aren't any less uncomfortable.<BR/>In a previous sermon, I said this Jesus is like that OT God we don't want to encounter but that maybe we need to remember that the OT God and Jesus are one and the same. I also think Jesus is having a really bad day and maybe he is beginning to realize it is not the first of them and that there are more bad days ahead than maybe good ones. When *did* Jesus realize - in the synoptics, that is - fully understand what was coming?Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04722745745959393813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-68002392517574699132008-08-13T13:49:00.000-04:002008-08-13T13:49:00.000-04:00If anyone has Margaret Gunther's "Notes from a Sou...If anyone has Margaret Gunther's "Notes from a Soujourner", she has a reflection on this gospel passage in that book and how it is a difficult text for her because it seems contrary to the image she has of Jesus.<BR/><BR/>I haven't yet decided if I'm doing the Gospel or Joseph.Loribytheseahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14898558311333261989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-77527571705953756822008-08-13T12:26:00.000-04:002008-08-13T12:26:00.000-04:00I don't usually comment here, but thought I'd jump...I don't usually comment here, but thought I'd jump in today. I read Hedwyg's interesting dramatization, which I liked except for the end -- when it puts the difficult "dog" quote in Peter's mouth. Just to make it easier to bear, I suppose, since we don't like to imagine Jesus saying this. I heard a sermon on this 18 years ago (and still remember it) by a black man named Tyrone Burkett -- who said that Jesus confronted his own racism in this passage. And that has always resonated with me. Jesus was tempted, and he struggled. And here the woman is the unexpected teacher who helps Jesus open his eyes.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15222188651239439366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-54511013900874183962008-08-13T11:44:00.000-04:002008-08-13T11:44:00.000-04:00Last sermon before vacation for me and I was tempt...Last sermon before vacation for me and I was tempted to go with the water walking from last week (vbs) but I am moving every so closer to the woman and her scraps. Tough passage but a great message about it maybe even be safer for outsiders than insiders (???)<BR/><BR/>My worship assistant is someone who would label herself Insider and although I am sure she will not hear a word... it is still tempting to preach with her sitting right there.<BR/><BR/>Don't worry. I will move on from this place by the time pen goes to paper (or fingers go to keyboard).will smamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06632209393133155385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-48205403206360392352008-08-12T21:56:00.000-04:002008-08-12T21:56:00.000-04:00Prayers going up for CR at a baptism and for Ringe...Prayers going up for CR at a baptism and for Ringel with preachign and then moving into semianry! Exciitng times for all, hang in with the "stress part."1-4 Gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05688216101068437927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-76348982240025913902008-08-12T21:15:00.000-04:002008-08-12T21:15:00.000-04:00John Bell has a sermon about this gospel text in S...John Bell has a sermon about this gospel text in States of Bliss and Yearning and, though I've not read it in a long time, he posits a twinkle in Jesus' eye and a sort of covert cooperation between Jesus and the woman to teach the disciples. At least, I think that's what I remember. I think I'm going to read that again tomorrow.Terihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10838436991138846332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-45164273540329356042008-08-12T20:27:00.000-04:002008-08-12T20:27:00.000-04:00Glad I broke cover, this weeks reading from Matthe...Glad I broke cover, this weeks reading from Matthew is a multiple aspirin job! Kind of makes you feel a bit like Peter last week floundering and soggy, hope the Lord gets a firm grip before Sunday.<BR/><BR/>I find the question marks very helpful I know I probably want to get Jesus off the hook but why not? Just suppose there is a question mark in his voice. He has just been speaking about purity and what comes from the heart and straight away the disciples want to chase this woman (like the little children) away. <BR/><BR/>Just suppose Jesus is looking directly at the disciples with a quizzical eyebrow raised throughout this episode. I know most commentators block this road off as did I before seeing all those?????<BR/><BR/>Like the Centurion this outsider is commended for great faith. And the Pharisees...? Elsewhere he seems not at all troubled by ministering beyond the pale. Samaritan's like Canaanites are not top of Israel's guest list and yet they star in the story, the woman at the well, the thankful leper and the good one. Maybe this is a bit of Matthew's Jewish maleness showing.<BR/><BR/>But then there are those dodgy women he includes in Jesus' family tree.<BR/><BR/>BBT comments that the scraps are pretty impressive 12 baskets full... <BR/><BR/>So many kites flying here that I may just take off and avoid the pulpit altogether this week.Rev-Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01069208375232053642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-19203427780352314232008-08-12T19:37:00.000-04:002008-08-12T19:37:00.000-04:00something that is a bit more helpful for me in thi...something that is a bit more helpful for me in this passage is that this story comes up in another gospel and Jesus doesn't say there "I was sent only to Israel"... so how much of this is about Matthew and his writing to an all Jewish community? <BR/><BR/>something else that i've been thinking about is what it means to have a mission. When you have a particular mission, sometimes you have to let other things - important things - slide. You just can't get side tracked. Or at least you try not to.<BR/><BR/>In our churches, are we working on one-track minds? who are WE leaving out by doing so?Katie Z.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01143363139786424632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-43484315078164399882008-08-12T17:16:00.000-04:002008-08-12T17:16:00.000-04:00Muthah, I agree. And also this makes it easier for...Muthah, I agree. And also this makes it easier for me to wrestle with this passage. <BR/><BR/>Because even if you think Jesus was tired, or he just muttered the "not for the dogs"; it must still be very painful for the woman to hear after she had asked for help. So a human, growing Jesus, is easier for me to accept as an uncaring or cruel Jesus.<BR/><BR/>Still difficult passage for me!Ringelstrümpfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11644759461729310661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-5239032852997950142008-08-12T16:33:00.000-04:002008-08-12T16:33:00.000-04:00Mutha, your "Jesus did grow" comment made me think...Mutha, your "Jesus did grow" comment made me think of the Anne Rice books about Jesus. I've read the first two and can't wait for #3to be completed/ Man, those two novels illustrate this so beautifully. Just a little commercial. ;-)Dorcas (aka SingingOwl)https://www.blogger.com/profile/15626748280614018533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-91483822304888494432008-08-12T16:31:00.000-04:002008-08-12T16:31:00.000-04:00I hate not to be totally on board with W.B. but it...I hate not to be totally on board with W.B. but it seems like isogesis instead of exogesis to me--even though he's right that it did lead to not all good things. Has me pondering,I'll admit that much! As for the Peter on the Water, wow sherev, you and BBT have me really thinking about this! I'm not preaching this week, however. I'll be camping in the northwoods. Ahhh!Dorcas (aka SingingOwl)https://www.blogger.com/profile/15626748280614018533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-31677633077295921092008-08-12T16:22:00.000-04:002008-08-12T16:22:00.000-04:00I want to use the Gospel and preach that Jesus did...I want to use the Gospel and preach that Jesus did grow--that he is truly humanMuthah+https://www.blogger.com/profile/10589837671378205837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-71184654888431595512008-08-12T13:18:00.000-04:002008-08-12T13:18:00.000-04:00sherev: I don't know if this little tidbit will h...sherev: I don't know if this little tidbit will help, but the "you" of "you of little faith" here is the only time in Matthew that the "you" in that phrase is singular rather than plural.<BR/><BR/>And your plan looks well-thought-out to me...wish mine had flowed as well.esperanzahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12508921986071164221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-49033099052655306782008-08-12T13:15:00.000-04:002008-08-12T13:15:00.000-04:00I will preach on the gospel with a bit Isaiah "on ...I will preach on the gospel with a bit Isaiah "on the side". <BR/>Preaching in the morning (pastor is on vacation) and then move-in at the seminary later that same day. <BR/><BR/>Somehow I am "a bit" nervous...Ringelstrümpfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11644759461729310661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-23285424231453311852008-08-12T13:13:00.000-04:002008-08-12T13:13:00.000-04:00I'm neither preaching nor PPing (publicly praying)...I'm neither preaching nor PPing (publicly praying)this week...that remark a few posts back about half the church with a "fortress" mentality and half with a "frontier" mentality really resonates with me, though, because we are suffering through this in a big way in my congregation. We recently built a new sanctuary to accomodate our growing membership, but ironically that seems to have thrown the congregational equilibrium out of order, and some of our members are becoming very inward-turned and protective of their perceived turf in the face of change and further growth. Ooh...it'd be interesting to preach on this text with this situation in mind.LutheranChikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02685566332651377907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-48462825640344327472008-08-12T12:50:00.001-04:002008-08-12T12:50:00.001-04:00Love all the ideas friends. I am preaching the go...Love all the ideas friends. I am preaching the gospel this week and writing ahead for next Sunday as well since I am out of town. Two sermons at once is always two too many! Loved the idea of the children throwing their bread on the floor. That totally connects with the Pharisees rejecting Jesus just a few passages earlier and all the talk re: clean and unclean. Thanks for getting my brain moving this morning!Pastor Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00379261505619447831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-60434684918140595672008-08-12T12:50:00.000-04:002008-08-12T12:50:00.000-04:00I'm preaching Sunday, and it's nothing sho...I'm preaching Sunday, and it's nothing short of a miracle that it's Tuesday and I'm thinking so far ahead.<BR/><BR/>This text is so tough AND so beautiful. The whole idea that even Jesus was taught about grace from an outsider gives us a glimpse of who we are to be as Jesus's people, right? WE are to be seeking divine truth and finding God's compassion in the face of The Other, The Outsider. This is a text the stretches us beyond our Ice Cream & Cake Hospitality. (I just made that up; I think you might know what I mean though.) This is the text that turns to the New Order where Grace & Abundance is found in the places that we don't even look...<BR/><BR/>The outsider and her daughter, in one instant, redefine Jesus's ministry. THIS. IS. HUGE. I LOVE LOVE LOVE that this poor woman and her sick kid are the ones that take JESUS by the shoulders and turn him around. It's like she's saying, "Wake up, Divine Healer Dude. Shift your perspective." Duh!<BR/><BR/>And that's all I've got right this minute.wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05761412675346438059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-28804167525509601712008-08-12T12:40:00.000-04:002008-08-12T12:40:00.000-04:00Breakthrough! Breakthrough! Leave it to reading ...Breakthrough! Breakthrough! Leave it to reading a little BBT to give me the edge I need. I probably should have shared this a little earlier in the lectionary cycle, but her book of sermons on Matthew <I>The Seeds of Heaven</I> is wonderfully helpful and nourishing.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, I know most of you did this already, but here is my quick and dirty on the boat/water-walking story:<BR/><BR/>1. The things Peter blurts out are often (not always)not really the "right" things - denial of Jesus, building booths at Transfiguration, God forbid it! at the crucifixion prediction. He often speaks first, thinks later.<BR/><BR/>2. So maybe this idea of jumping OUT of the boat is another bad idea. <BR/><BR/>3. Ancient ideas about calming water - - only God can do this.<BR/><BR/>4. Peter asks; Jesus doesn't command, but allows him to try, "Come on." (Like, who can stop you?) In doing so Peter is trying to be like God, trying to BE God.<BR/><BR/>5. We are tempted when our boats are getting battered to fix it ourselves, test God's presence (Peter seems to know it's Jesus; he calls him Lord.), or even more selfishly, just jump ship to save ourselves.<BR/><BR/>6. These will sink us.<BR/><BR/>7. Even when we do ourselves in, Jesus saves us. Or maybe BECAUSE we are CONSTANTLY doing ourselves in, Jesus saves us.<BR/><BR/>8. The seas are calmed. Jesus is the Son of God. Be at peace.<BR/><BR/><BR/>(Dang this is planned out. Maybe I'll even surprise my husband and type it out before the weekend. I've NEVER done that before!)Stephanie Anthony/She Revhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10089531643725874239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-29949577556514357282008-08-12T12:35:00.000-04:002008-08-12T12:35:00.000-04:00I'm going with the woman, but am really behind on ...I'm going with the woman, but am really behind on what I'm going to do with that text. I (shudder) remember that it was the text I had to write about for my Sr. Seminary Approval Essay. So there's some history here.<BR/><BR/>It's always tempting to try to defend Jesus (this is what he was REALLY trying to do). That being said, I like the woman's guts. She doesn't give up. She believes Jesus can help her, all evidence to the contrary.<BR/><BR/>I find that sometimes I hear "No" once and I go away, my head down and my tail between my legs. <BR/><BR/>Faith as guts.<BR/><BR/>FAith in Jesus as guts.<BR/><BR/>Takes guts to have faith in Jesus, sometimes. <BR/><BR/>By the way, I LOVE LOVE LOVE all the question marks.Diane M. Rothhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07749136181846671327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-28506007230122063222008-08-12T12:10:00.000-04:002008-08-12T12:10:00.000-04:00If I have ever doubted in the providence of God, t...If I have ever doubted in the providence of God, then I am a believer this week. We have scheduled a hymn festival. So there is no sermon. These passages sound hard! I'll try not to gloat, and I may be regretting the idea Sunday morning anyway. <BR/><BR/>Blessings to you all as you wrestle.esperanzahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12508921986071164221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-38005045801198161092008-08-12T12:01:00.000-04:002008-08-12T12:01:00.000-04:00(1-4 grace: Charlie was voted "hottest" prof. at C...(1-4 grace: Charlie was voted "hottest" prof. at Columbia all 3 years I was there. OK, so there wasn't really an OFFICIAL vote, but still...)Stephanie Anthony/She Revhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10089531643725874239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-38050861610097679892008-08-12T11:59:00.000-04:002008-08-12T11:59:00.000-04:00I'm thinking about last week this week. I'm a wee...I'm thinking about last week this week. I'm a week behind again! This is my last time for a while. Really.<BR/><BR/>I'm wondering - - did any of you run with the thought about Peter stepping out of the boat being the not-so-faithful part? I love this idea, but I'm having a hard time not hearing myself say, "Stay in the boat! Don't try anything! Huddle together and don't worry about engaging others!" I know I'm not saying that, but I'm afraid it will sound like that in contrast to the more familiar interpretation of this being the "get outside the box" text.<BR/><BR/>Just wondering if anyone else went with it, so I can read and maybe glean some wisdom for avoiding these pitfalls.Stephanie Anthony/She Revhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10089531643725874239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-75763154814176080082008-08-12T11:41:00.000-04:002008-08-12T11:41:00.000-04:00Keep me in prayer, please, friends, I'm baptizing ...Keep me in prayer, please, friends, I'm baptizing this week...so trying to put a baptismal TORQUE on what we're given.<BR/>I think maybe the Syro-Phoenician woman was pointing out, to Jesus but over Jesus' shoulder to the rest of us, that the children had hurled their bread onto the floor, in fact; and those of us w. children and dogs (or even cats) just know that that means the bread is fairsies for all comers. I'm still working on my "unmade up mind" and "bringing Christ to bear". This has to be good news...maybe, "if you really want this, don't you worry, it's yours. But if it's offered to you easy...don't turn up your nose at it either."Crimson Ramblerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13020190454645032359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-34971756089134088662008-08-12T11:03:00.000-04:002008-08-12T11:03:00.000-04:00Gordon Atkinson at Real Live Preacher has this dra...Gordon Atkinson at Real Live Preacher has this dramatization of the Matthew text <A HREF="http://www.reallivepreacher.com/rlparchive/node/213" REL="nofollow">The Smallest Person in All the World</A>.Kurt M. Boemlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12767315496114371725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-21590388017589308452008-08-12T10:30:00.000-04:002008-08-12T10:30:00.000-04:00I'm doing the Joseph story. I was really interest...I'm doing the Joseph story. I was really interested in what Bruggeman was saying, and I think that there is some truth in that, but I also agree with Margaret that you can't ignore all the statements about God putting Joseph in that place at that time just to deal with that problem. So I think Bruggeman has a lot of good points, but I ultimately think that here he's letting his own message override the richness of the text. <BR/><BR/>I'm going with a reconciliation theme personally. My new church is split almost 50/50 between the ones who want to fossilize the way things were 20 years ago and the ones who want to keep moving so reconciliation is something they need to hear.<BR/><BR/>That said, when I finally sit down to write, who knows what will actually come out.Grey Sheephttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04456839204713562707noreply@blogger.com