ISSL Reflections January 31, 202, Luke 2:36-38, Acts 2:16-21, 21:8-9 Post 3

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Here is a link to this week’s Scripture. Please refresh your mind and spirit by reading it again –
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%202%3A36-38%2C%20Acts%202%3A16-21%2C%2021%3A8-9&version=NRSV,MSG

VI.
What do you make of this –

“ … I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh … will pour out my Spirit … “ (Acts 2:17, 18; Joel 2:28, 29)

Not “drip down,” not “trickle out” … but “pour out.”

So maybe God is not stingy?

VII.
These Scriptures named some things we might see when God’s spirit is poured out.

As you go into this day, this week, how do you see God’s spirit poured out? What do you see?

And a question I need to ask myself, “What makes it easier for me to notice God’s spirit poured out?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections January 31, 202, Luke 2:36-38, Acts 2:16-21, 21:8-9 Post 2

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Please take some time today to go back to these several passages and spend time considering them.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%202%3A36-38%2C%20Acts%202%3A16-21%2C%2021%3A8-9&version=NRSV,MSG

V.
Who is included in God’s work?

I am not thinking of who God “works on” or “works in” but who is called to be God’s prophet, God’s minister.

Who might God call to “preach the Kingdom is near”?

VI.
So who do you see in these passages named as God’ prophets, God’s visionaries?

I see men and women, young and old, slave and free mentioned.

How does that align with your thoughts on who does God’s work in our world today?

Are there groups of folks we might think to exclude that God includes?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections January 31, 202, Luke 2:36-38, Acts 2:16-21, 21:8-9 Post 1

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I.
For this week we have three Scripture passages (four if you count the reference to Joel 2:28-32 in Acts) set in front of us.

As you consider these words let them rest with you for a while then reread them, maybe a couple of more times,

II.
Luke 2:36-38

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Acts 2:16-21

No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

‘In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.

Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
in those days I will pour out my Spirit;
and they shall prophesy.

And I will show portents in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and smoky mist.

The sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.

Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

Acts 21:8-9

The next day we left and came to Caesarea; and we went into the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the seven, and stayed with him. He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy.

III.
While the Luken passage is most often read with the Christmas narratives and the occasion of the naming of Jesus in Jerusalem eight days after his birth, it serves us well to notice Anna especially as it is read alongside other words in Acts and Joel that speak of women and prophets.

I assume you did notice that all the passages reference women prophets?

IV.
What do you make of that?

How does it strike you?

What is your initial reaction?

Do you respond with an “Amen, So be it!” or do you respond, “Ok, but we have to read this alongside Paul’s writings that limit the role of women in the church and in ministry.”?

What are you thinking?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections January 24,2021, John 17:14-24 Post 3

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Once more here is a link to the Scripture passage –
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+17%3A14-24&version=ESV

VI.
Jesus mentions several groups and to that he adds some information regarding them.

What do you make of –

“given them your word …”

“the world has hated …”

“belong not to the world …”

“protect them from the evil [one] …”

“Sanctify them …”

“Sanctify them in truth …”

“sent me/them into the world …”

“sanctified in truth …”

“on behalf of those who will believe …”

“that they all my be one …”

“you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us …”

“glory that you have given me I have given them …”

“completely one …”

There’s more!

VII.
Maybe you can find some time to reflect on these several ideas.

And please, don’t just “think” about this in the abstract, but consider how you are included in all this – how do you participate?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections January 24,2021, John 17:14-24 Post 2

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Take some time today and tomorrow to reread this week’s passage
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+17%3A14-24&version=ESV

IV.
Who did you notice?

Surely Jesus.

“I have given them …” = ?

and then –

“… your word …” = ?

“… the world …” = ?

“… the evil [one] … = ?

“… those who believe … through their word …” = ?

V.
Where might we find ourselves in those groups?

Are we always in one group or might we find ourselves in different groups from time to time?

Spend some time noticing who is mentioned and how you relate or don’t relate those groups.

Please don’t rush through that.

And … notice what Jesus tells us about those groups.

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections January 24,2021, John 17:14-24 Post 1

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I.
This week we are dropped in the middle, well towards the end, of the “upper room discourse” or Jesus’ farewell speech to his closest associates, followers, friends – the ones on whom he rests so much of his hope and “prayers.”

Many have called these words, “Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer.”

As I write this, I am not sure “high priestly” is the tag I would apply, but I don’t have another to apply now, except to say it is to my hearing uttered with great passion, hope, and pain.

Well, with that too long preface let’s start our readings and reflections on these words.

As you take in these words make sure you notice who is speaking and who is spoken to and who is spoken about.

II.
John 17:14-24

I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.

I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

III.
We have already called this Jesus’ prayer, so we know Jesus is one we can notice here.

Who else?

How near to and far from Jesus are those you notice?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections January 17, 2021, Mark 2:1-12 Post 3

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This week’s Scripture can be read again at –
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%202%3A1-12&version=NRSV,GNT

VI.
This week I’ve asked us to place ourselves in this story and pay attention to where we find ourselves.

What we see, what we hear and and what we feel.

I’d like to place myself with the ones who brought their friend to Jesus to be healed. They seem to be “good guys” who are there for someone other than themselves

But in my moments of better vision (and insight) I know I am one who often needs others to “bear” me to a place of healing and of new life.

Maybe I should stop there but then … too often I find myself with the scribes, teachers, maybe self-appointed authorities, who are ready to criticize those who are not of my in-group.

VII.
So, where do I find myself today?

What can I learn from that scene in Capernaum?

What speaks to me the clearest that draws me closer to living as a disciple of Jesus and discarding what stands in the way?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections January 17, 2021, Mark 2:1-12 Post 2

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You can refresh your view of the scene at –
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%202%3A1-12&version=NRSV,NABRE

IV.
Where do you find yourself in this scene?

What group of folk do you most identify with?

The people spreading the news that Jesus was “at home”?
The crowd at the door trying to hear Jesus teach?
The several folk bringing the paralyzed man to Jesus, going to the top of the house and removing part of the roof?
The paralyzed person brought to Jesus?
The scribes questioning Jesus’ words? (and actions?)
Those in the crowd who were amazed?
Those who glorified God?

V.
What group are you drawn into?

Why do you think that is the case today?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections January 17, 2021, Mark 2:1-12 Post 1

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I.
As we read this week’s Scripture we find … “When [Jesus] returned to Carpernaum after some days, it was reported he was at home…. “ Mark 2:1

As you spend time in this passage of Scripture, pay attention to what Jesus finds when he returns home.

II.
Mark 2:1-12

When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and take your mat and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.” And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

III.
Who was there?

Why did these people show up at Jesus’ home? What were they looking for? What did they want?

Pay attention to their actions. And their conversations. What do you hear in their voices and in the tone of their voices?

If you had been there that day, what group of people would you have found yourself with?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi es

ISSL Reflections January 10, 2021, Luke 5:1-11 Post 3

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Once more, you may want to spend time with this week’s Scripture –
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%205%3A1-11%20&version=NRSV;MSG

VI.
The image of Peter and his companions washing their nets, holds my attention.

Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon … (Luke 5:1-3)

VII.
Peter is cleaning his fishing nets after a long night of unsuccessful fishing … a failed night.

How is he feeling about having to clean empty nets? Is he only somewhat disappointed? Angry? Mad?

Is he in his boat or on the seaside?

Then, Jesus steps into his boat and asks for a favor, for Peter’s help.

Is Peter annoyed to be interrupted or maybe he is looking for a distraction from the work he is doing that might not seem productive but reminds him of the failed night of fishing.

After all it seems he was not fishing for sport or relaxation or distraction, he was “at work” “earning a living” about his business/occupation, providing for his family.

What does Peter do?
What does he hear?
What does it lead to?

Do you “go to” a church building or a “worship center” or a “revival” to “get a Word from God”?

Do you expect Jesus to “invade” your day to day life?

And when he does, I suspect in most cases, it will not be as dramatic as it was for Peter that day, but it might still be something worth noticing

Do you have your eyes open?

What will you notice today? Tomorrow? Next week?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}