Bible Study: Epiphany 5 (B) – 2012

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Isaiah 40:21-31

In seminary I write reflection papers as a part of the formation, to learn how to live a more attentive, intentional, and reflective life. I notice much of this chapter in Isaiah reflecting on the three “acts” of the Old Covenant scriptures: a reflective take on the threat, exile, and restoration of Israel. For me, the part that sticks out the most in this reading is the last verse, “but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” I don’t know about anyone else, but I have experienced some times when I needed supernatural strength, so tired I felt as though I couldn’t take one more step. And then I find it, the seed of hope that comes from patience in waiting for God to bust through.

• What part of the text (word or phrase) stood out to you reading it through the first time?
• Who or what has served as a renewable energy for you?
• What is this text inviting you to do, be, or change?

Psalm 147:1-12, 20c

Not a detail left out in God’s creative and redemptive process revealed in this psalm: God is the one who did it all, fixes it all, and is worthy of all the praise. That is a given to most believers, right? So, when I read these psalms, sometimes I wonder, “Why do I need to say it if God already knows it?” I don’t know about anyone else, but the need to just use “God words,” words of praise, and just focus in on God with myself or my community re-centers me, gives me energy to go on doing the work God has me doing. That’s what these words do for me.

• What part of the text (word or phrase) stood out to you reading it through the first time?
• What words of hope have you gleaned from the psalms in downtrodden or outcast times in your life?
• What is this psalm inviting you to do, be, or change?

1 Corinthians 9:16-23

Whether you like Paul or not, the man had passion. When I think about what he is saying – he crossed every social and religious barrier to bring the gospel to all – I am simply in awe. We have people in our midst who don’t even want to look at one of our neighbors holding a cardboard sign by the highway, and Paul is telling us that he would become that to share Jesus with them? I recall going downtown a few months ago with some friends from seminary to provide chaplaincy for the Occupy Movement in our area, for one day. I recall the trepidation I felt leading up to the first interaction. I also recall the great peace I received when folks started coming down to our table to tell their stories. All because we asked them, “How can we pray for you today?” Jesus wanted his message of love and reconciliation to reach all the corners of the earth, including the smelly pockets of downtown habitation. And part of these “blessings” Paul speaks about have to include those ways in which our hearts and minds and eyes are transformed to see the world and all God’s children as God sees them.

• What word or phrase stood out to you in the reading?
• How has the gospel blessed you personally?
• What is the text inviting you to do, be, or change?

Mark 1:29-39

I have heard the gospel of Mark referred to as “insurrectionary” and that it portrays the inseparability of religion from social, political, economic, and physiological aspects of life. And that’s important to us why? It seems important to me because much of my life has been spent compartmentalizing the different areas of my life. If they started to melt together then I was labeled unbalanced. But something about dividing up my life and “keeping it separated” never felt right. Thankfully, for me, I find consolation in scripture like this, compelling me to be subversive and speak truth to the powers at work. I find consolation in scripture like this, where Jesus shows us how, when you follow that which God has ordained you to do, you can do it with authority and “keep on keepin’ on.”

• What word or phrase stood out to you in this reading?
• What social diseases, political demons, or economic sicknesses has Jesus healed you from?
• What is the text inviting you to do, be, or change?

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