ISSL Reflections September 17 2023 John 7:14–24 Post 1

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I.
If you read the first 13 verses of John 7, you see that Jesus has gone to the festival in Jerusalem “in secret” after his brothers (who were not his disciples) had encouraged him to go to the festival to “show [himself] to the world.” His brothers seem to mock him and then he goes to Jerusalem to encounter what at the Temple?

II.
John 7:14-24 (NRSVue)

About the middle of the festival Jesus went up into the temple and began to teach. The Jews were astonished at it, saying, “How does this man have such learning, when he has never been taught?” Then Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine but his who sent me. Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own. Those who speak on their own seek their own glory, but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and there is nothing unjust in him.

“Did not Moses give you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why are you looking for an opportunity to kill me?” The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is trying to kill you?” Jesus answered them, “I performed one work, and all of you are astonished. Because of this Moses gave you circumcision (it is, of course, not from Moses but from the patriarchs), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath in order that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because I healed a man’s whole body on the Sabbath? Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

III.
It seems his teaching impresses the folk but they question his right to teach. In their opinion he has not been trained as a rabbi by the proper teachers. If you don’t go to approved rabbinical schools you can’t get “teaching credentials.”

How does he challenge them on that point?

Can you recall other times in the Gospels that Jesus operates outside the approved channels?

How might we treat religious teachers, preachers, priests and others who today don’t keep the rules of the religious establishments?

How can we know if they are trustworthy?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections September 10 2023 Luke 14:1–6 Post 3

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VII.
Let’s take some time to notice the silences in this week’s reading

VIII.
Luke 14:1-6 (NRSVue)

On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the Sabbath, they were watching him closely. Just then, in front of him, there was a man who had edema. And Jesus asked the experts in the law and Pharisees, “Is it lawful to cure people on the Sabbath or not?” But they were silent. So Jesus took him and healed him and sent him away. Then he said to them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that has fallen into a well, will you not immediately pull it out on a Sabbath day?” And they could not reply to this.

IX.
We read that the Pharisees “were silent,” and “they could not reply to this.”

Did they so recognize the profound truth in what Jesus said and did, they were humbled into silence? They lost their voice in the face of such wisdom and holiness?

Or, maybe, they wanted to argue with Jesus but were afraid they might lose another argument to him and lose more prestige with the people?

Or, then again, had they already learned it was useless to contend with Jesus, and waited for another time to “correct” Jesus’ errors when the people might give them a hearing?

When might you and I become silent?

We don’t know what to say? We don’t want to say anything? We want to speak but words will not come to our mouths?

Or, could it be that at times we so recognize we are in the presence of holiness, silence is the only offering?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections September 10 2023 Luke 14:1–6 Post 2

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IV.
Today let’s pay attention to Jesus. Not just to his words, but what he sees, how he reacts to others, and what he does.

V.
Luke 14:1-6 (NRSVue)

On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the Sabbath, they were watching him closely. Just then, in front of him, there was a man who had edema. And Jesus asked the experts in the law and Pharisees, “Is it lawful to cure people on the Sabbath or not?” But they were silent. So Jesus took him and healed him and sent him away. Then he said to them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that has fallen into a well, will you not immediately pull it out on a Sabbath day?” And they could not reply to this.

VI.
Did you notice, “… when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the Sabbath … Just then, in front of him, there was …”

Does it ever seem to you that no matter what Jesus is doing or saying or traveling to or from or what he is headed off to do, he is always present in the moment?

He is present to those around him, those who come to him, to their spoken or unspoken needs and conditions.

He doesn’t overlook people. He doesn’t try to rush by people.

He sees them.

On the way to dinner in the Pharisee’s home, he sees the man standing in front of him and sees he is ill. He doesn’t ignore, he doesn’t look through him, so he can get on to the dinner table.

He stops and is fully with the sick man.

Can you recall a time you ignored people or situations because you were on your way to something and later regarded that choice?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections September 10 2023 Luke 14:1–6 Post 1

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I.
Think about the description of the Pharisees,

“… they were watching him closely…. they were silent…. they could not reply to this.”

And this is in the context of Jesus “going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath …”

What is the atmosphere in that dining room?

II.
Luke 14:1-6 (NRSVue)

On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the Sabbath, they were watching him closely. Just then, in front of him, there was a man who had edema. And Jesus asked the experts in the law and Pharisees, “Is it lawful to cure people on the Sabbath or not?” But they were silent. So Jesus took him and healed him and sent him away. Then he said to them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that has fallen into a well, will you not immediately pull it out on a Sabbath day?” And they could not reply to this.

III.
Was Jesus invited for a meal? Did he tell a Pharisee he would dine with him that day? Did Jesus expect others to be at the meal?

Or do you suspect this may have been another “set-up” by some of the Pharisees to “catch” Jesus breaking Torah and thereby discredit him in the eyes of the people? Or, perhaps Jesus wanted a conversation with this religious leader?

As is so often the case, Jesus asks questions. Did he expect a reply?

What do you think kept the Pharisees silent in the face of Jesus’ questions?

When was the last time you were asked a question, only to reply in silence? Why were you silent?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections September 3, 2023 Luke 11:37–44 Post 3

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VII.
With this week’s Scripture we have begun a focus on “God’s Law Is Love: Love Completes, Law Falls Short.” As we spend time with this Scripture and notice how it speaks of love and law.

VIII.
Luke 11:37-44 (NRSVue)

While he was speaking, a Pharisee invited him to dine with him, so he went in and took his place at the table. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not first wash before dinner. Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You fools! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? So give as alms those things that are within and then everything will be clean for you.

“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and herbs of all kinds and neglect justice and the love of God; it is these you ought to have practiced, without neglecting the others. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love to have the seat of honor in the synagogues and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces. Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves on which people unknowingly walk.”

IX.
What law or laws do you see identified in the passage?

What law or laws do the Pharisees seem to pay attention to?

What does Jesus say or suggest about those laws?

In what way or ways do the Pharisees stress the importance of love?

What does Jesus identify as the Pharisees’ object or objects of their love?

How does Jesus speak of love?

Read the passage once more and identify what characterizes those without the kind of love Jesus expects of his disciples?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections September 3, 2023 Luke 11:37–44 Post 2

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IV.
Let’s pay attention to the criticism Jesus has of the Pharisees.

V.
Luke 11:37-44 (NRSVue)

While he was speaking, a Pharisee invited him to dine with him, so he went in and took his place at the table. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not first wash before dinner. Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You fools! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? So give as alms those things that are within and then everything will be clean for you.

“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and herbs of all kinds and neglect justice and the love of God; it is these you ought to have practiced, without neglecting the others. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love to have the seat of honor in the synagogues and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces. Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves on which people unknowingly walk.”

VI.
What did you notice in Jesus’ criticism of the Pharisees’ practices?

Maybe it was being concerned with only partial cleanliness? After all they, were concerned with ritual cleanliness so should they be concerned with how “deep” cleanliness goes?

Maybe it was their practice of tithing? It seems they might tithe tangible and countable things but not the intangibles of life?

Maybe it was pride? They enjoyed the honors and respect they received without thinking of how they might honor and respect others? Or did they think they were better than others?

As we think about Jesus’ criticism of the Pharisees, what do we notice in our lives that might be similar to some of the Pharisees’ behaviors and attitudes?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections September 3, 2023 Luke 11:37–44 Post 1

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I.
I guess you never know when an invitation to dinner will turn into a theological conversation.

Notice the criticism of Jesus the Pharisee has.

II.
Luke 11:37-44 (NRSVue)

While he was speaking, a Pharisee invited him to dine with him, so he went in and took his place at the table. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not first wash before dinner. Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You fools! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? So give as alms those things that are within and then everything will be clean for you.

“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and herbs of all kinds and neglect justice and the love of God; it is these you ought to have practiced, without neglecting the others. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love to have the seat of honor in the synagogues and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces. Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves on which people unknowingly walk.”

III.
I have the impression that the issue the Pharisee has with Jesus is not how he washes his “dirty” hands. Rather, it is Jesus is not following a prescribed ritual for washing before coming to eat.

If you were the host for this dinner, what behaviors of a guest might offend you? How they wash? The clothes they wear? Which chair they select? The type of conversation they engage in?

If you are the host do you get to set the rules for dinner behavior?

And if a guest criticizes you, the host, how do you feel about it? And what do you think of a person who dares criticize the host, the one providing the meal? If you invite someone in, and feed them, don’t you get to set all the rules?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections August 27 2023 1 Corinthians 15:20–28 Post 3

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VII.
We could make a list of the “facts” Paul calls to the attention of the Christians in Corinth. Well, maybe that would be a good way for us to begin today. What does Paul’s list of “facts” look like? What does he include?

VIII.
1 Corinthians 15:20-28 (NRSVue)

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human, for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. But each in its own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is plain that this does not include the one who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who put all things in subjection under him, so that God may be all in all.

IX.
So you might, by now, have a list of what are “facts” for Paul in front of you.

Do you have room for another column on the page?

In column 2 begin by listing what in Paul’s “facts” list you regard as “facts.”

Are there items in Paul’s list that you are more or less comfortable with but not sure you can call them “facts” for yourself? Maybe you can list those in a different color.

And what in Paul’s list goes beyond your understanding or experience? Show those on your list so they stand out from the first two parts of your list in column 2.

Spend time with your column 2 and give some thought to why you react differently to items in Paul’s list.

What are you noticing about your relationship to Jesus and your journey with him as his disciple?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections August 27 2023 1 Corinthians 15:20–28 Post 2

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IV.
As you spend time with this Scripture, think about Paul’s statement that,

“… after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power…. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.”

Other than “death” what “ruler and … authority and power” might Christ need to destroy?

V.
1 Corinthians 15:20-28 (NRSVue)

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human, for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. But each in its own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is plain that this does not include the one who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who put all things in subjection under him, so that God may be all in all.

VI.
It would seem that Paul is writing about any “ruler and … authority and power” that we would see in a negative light; otherwise why would they need to be “destroyed.”

What rulers, authorities, and powers do you think need to be destroyed by Christ?

How would things be different for us if those rulers, authorities and powers did not have such command over us?

Thinking about your own life, what ruler or authority or power do you contend with the most often? In what circumstances does it prevent you from experiencing God’s reign in your life?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections August 27 2023 1 Corinthians 15:20–28 Post 1

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I.
Paul leaves little doubt,

“…in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died…. So all will be made alive in Christ.”

As you spend time with Paul’s words, do you have the same sense of certainty?

II.
1 Corinthians 15:20-28 (NRSVue)

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human, for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. But each in its own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is plain that this does not include the one who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who put all things in subjection under him, so that God may be all in all.

III.
Do you think Paul could be more emphatic in stressing the completeness of the triumph of Christ?

“… the first fruits of those who have died… all die … all will be made alive … destroyed every ruler and every authority and power … all his enemies under his feet … all things in subjection under his feet.”

What meaning does “… all will be made alive in Christ” have for you?

Does it describe an “aliveness” you experience now or hope to experience some day?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}