August 20, 2017, Lectionary

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Joseph called it the providence of God. Looks like all the Egyptians of his generation called it the same. Genesis 45:1-15

Unity is like dew on mountains, water for animals and food, but not to stand all mountains in the same footprint. Psalm 133

Romans 11 is about Paul wrestling with the conviction that Israel has a special calling, though God plays no favoritism. Romans 2:11; 11:1-2, 29-32

It's not what a person eats, or what customs or color a person has, that makes or breaks. It's what comes out of his or her mouth. Matthew 15:10-28

Thoughts about Listening

It's pretty fine to find someone who can hold a listening stance through a person's tears, until that person can talk again. Genesis 45:1-15

Unity can be about our vision and action of listening to each other respectfully no matter how our words and beliefs may differ. Psalm 133

Be sure your cause is big enough! Romans 11:1-2, 29-32

For friendship and respect, communicating what's in the heart beats eating the "right" foods in the "right" ways in the "right" places. Matthew 1:10-28

Bible Reading Group Homework

1.    Take a moment with your group to mourn the happenings and developments that have their epicenter in Charlottesville, VA, this week. Practice keeping the volume conversational and listening even if you disagree.

2.    Read or listen to Genesis 45:1-15. Please review the story of which this is the revealing moment (Genesis 37, 39-45). Dramatize, draw, or dance the revealing moment. Imagine and describe the feelings of those present. Discuss what you think is the significance of Joseph’s warning in Genesis 45:24.

3.    Read or listen to Psalm 133. Imagine and tell what it is about dew on the mountains that is like unity among siblings.

4.    Read or listen to Romans 11:1-2, 29-32. Compare Romans 2:11. Please enter into Paul’s struggle to reconcile two facts: God’s special call on Israel, and God’s refusal to play favorites. Does or does not a reading of Romans 13:8-10 and 14:19-23 help in resolving the apparent contradiction?

5.    Read or listen to Matthew 15:10-28. Which hurts our spiritual life more: what goes in or what comes out of our mouths? So first consider Jesus’ acts and words in this story in a superior, supremacist tone (don’t say them aloud that way). Then hear the words in a tone of love with a smile and a wink that clarify his position as calling attention to how the racists talk without joining their malice. Try reading Jesus’ words in this way. What acts and words will you do today to build unity and community?

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1. Con su grupo tomen un momento para lamentarse por los acontecimientos que se desarrollaron  esta semana y con epicentro en Charlottesville, VA. Practique manteniendo el volúmen conversacional e incluso escuchar aunque no esté de acuerdo.

2. Leer o escuchar Génesis 45:1-15. Por favor revise la historia para saber cuál  es el momento revelador (Génesis 37, 39-45). Dramatizar, dibujar o bailar el momento revelador. Imagine y describa los sentimientos de los presentes. Discuta lo que piensa que es el significado de la advertencia de José en Génesis 45:24.

3. Leer o escuchar el Salmo 133. Imagine y diga significa  que el rocío de las montañas es como la unidad entre los hermanos.

4. Leer o escuchar Romanos 11:1-2, 29-32. Comparar Romanos 2:11. Por favor adentrese en la lucha de Pablo por reconciliar dos hechos: el llamado especial de Dios a Israel y el rechazo de Dios a tener favoritos. ¿La lectura de Romanos 13:8-10 y 14:19-23 ayudan o no a resolver la aparente contradicción?

5. Leer o escuchar Mateo 15:10-28. Qué es lo que  perjudica más nuestra vida espiritual: ¿Lo que entra o lo que sale de nuestra boca? Así que,  en esta historia primero considere los actos y palabras de Jesús en un tono superior  y supremacista (no lo diga de esa manera en voz alta). Después escuche las palabras en un tono de amor con una sonrisa y un guiño que aclare su posición, sin unirse a su malicia sino como un llamado de  atención sobre cómo hablan los racistas. Trate de leer de esta manera las palabras de Jesús.  ¿Qué actos y palabras intentará hoy, para construir la comunidad y la unidad?