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LECTIONARY REFLECTIONS
MARCH
The mysteriousness of God’s ways
SUNDAY MARCH 20
ISAIAH 55:1-9 Despite the warm invitational tone in the early verses of this passage, verses 8-9 present a different one. The mysteriousness of God’s ways and how they are beyond human comprehension are exhibited in these verses. When reading this, I am reminded of the frustrations of the biblical sceptics, namely, Job and Qohelet (the protagonist of the book of Ecclesiastes). In their search for wisdom, they find that at the end of the day, most of life’s answers are beyond human comprehension (cf. Job 37:5; Eccl. 11:5). Could there be a sense of frustration heard in verses 8-9? When faced with life’s many difficulties, the question “Why?” is heard from those suffering. Verses 8-9 seem to answer this question, but how much assurance can we claim from these verses? How do these verses provide comfort to those suffering a debilitating disease, or losing a loved one, or undergoing depression and anxiety? The Lord’s ways are high as the heavens (v.9), but what does that say about our own thoughts? Are they meaningless? This is not an indictment on God, but a chance for us to actually pause and reflect on how these words can be applied, because truth be told, the theology is not straight forward. Perhaps one could label these words as a “cop out.” So, what do we do? I have no simple answer, in fact, it is likely that I have no answer at all. And that is ok, because sometimes, not having an answer is the most appropriate answer. Just like how Job and Qohelet ponder on the inexplicable nature of life’s hard questions, perhaps this is what verses 8-9 are also teaching us.
The status quo is that these verses reflect the distinction between the divine and human thoughts, which speak to God’s superior ways. But according to our human sceptical nature, these verses might also suggest the author’s vexations at the ambivalence of life, that are congruent with our own states of confusion. And during this Lent season, that’s ok, because understanding and accepting that there are things that are difficult for humans to comprehend, might just be the assurance that we all need. SUNDAY MARCH 27
JOSHUA 5:9-12 Don’t we all love the feeling of overcoming the final hurdle? Relief and joy are perhaps the most common emotions. These sentiments are associated with reaching that final stage, just as the Israelites experienced joy in finally escaping the encroachment of the Egyptians. But what about Israel’s relief? The relief of never having to deal with a colonial power such as Egypt again. The relief of not being chased, and not looking over their shoulders? For many of us, this sensation of relief is familiar. Especially if one has been part of a toxic environment, or been in a toxic relationship, and coupled with the emotion of having to walk on egg shells. It can be emotionally and psychologically crippling and can lead to severe depression. And when this happens, one desires to hear the words of the Lord in verse 9: “Today I have rolled away from you the disgrace of Egypt.” In the Hebrew, the word “disgrace” is translated in the NRSV from the Hebrew word “herpat” which can also mean “taunt” or “shame.” In this Lent season, let us think of those who have been disgraced/taunted/shamed, and seek to have their disgrace/ taunt/shame rolled away. We could begin this within our families, within the institutions we work or are educated in, within the church! Let this be an appeal to call out bullying, harassment, bigotry, sexism, misogyny, racism and other discriminatory behaviour.
May this also be a call to social justice: to seek respite for those who have been vilified and victimised due to their marginalised state, the colour of their skin, their race and ethnicity, their gender, and their sexuality. To be allies to anti-racism, LGBTIQA+ rights, Black Lives Matter, indigenous rights, so that we may roll away their disgrace/taunt/ shame!
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APRIL The hope of God
APRIL 3
ISAIAH 43:16-21 There is great hope in these words by the prophet, as he evokes images of the triumph of God over the Egyptians at sea. Further, the message from the prophet states that like God had provided a way through the sea, God will also provide a way through the wilderness. Yet, what is intriguing here is that God also says “Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old” (v.18). Perhaps the statement may be a priori, that is, to show that there is evidence of something greater ahead compared to the past. But how can we forget the former things? How can we not consider the things of old? More starkly, what about those who cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel? I think of my sisters and brothers in Pasifika who because of climate change are not able to see a silver lining. Some, such as those in Tuvalu, might be fully submerged by 2050. Where is hope for them? Yes, Easter is a time that allows us to reflect on the hope of God through the Cross, but might we take this time to think of those whose path towards hope is filled with ambiguity, who would rather think of the old things as a way of dealing with the trauma of the future. APRIL 10
LUKE 19:28-40 We are all familiar with the scenes of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Can we imagine what Jesus is going through? How could Jesus even persist with this performance knowing all too well that these same people will also cry out a later time for his crucifixion? Reading onto verse 41, Luke writes that Jesus “wept over [Jerusalem].” Have you ever had to go through a routine/process/ act/performance with someone knowing that you were going to be betrayed or sold out? How about being the one who offers praise but then changes course moments later by condemning that same person? One could argue that the only genuine people in this scene were the Pharisees who asked Jesus for his followers to stop with the noise. As we reflect on Palm Sunday, I invite us to consider the genuineness of our words and to be sincere with our speech. It may seem unusual to learn something from the Pharisees here, but then again, sometimes lessons come from places we least expect them!
SEEING THE GOOD IN PEOPLE IS A MATTER OF ATTITUDE
believe or struggles to believe. Despite the two contrasting observations, what Mary observes is far more remarkable: she sees the risen Jesus! Much has been said by NT scholars of women being the first preachers of the Resurrection. Despite the author’s best efforts it is actually Mary that is the true protagonist. Both Peter and John simply head back to their homes. Mary sees and proclaims! Perhaps we are guilty of seeing and not speaking up. This Easter, we are called to be like Mary and proclaim the Gospel of the Risen Lord. At the same time, might we also be challenged by the contrasting examples: to see and speak up like Mary, rather than see and remain silent like the two disciples. In moments of injustice against the oppressed and marginalised, silence always aids the oppressor!
APRIL 17
JOHN 20:1-18 I’ve always found this account of the resurrection story rather amusing. This competition between Peter and John (the other disciple!) betrays a classic contest of male testosterone. One outrunning the other and therefore arriving to the tomb first. Yet, despite the author’s agenda here, it is difficult to ignore that it was actually Mary Magdalene that arrived first. To add to the amusement, Peter is said to have seen the linen wrappings, while the “other disciple” sees and believes, as if to suggest that Peter didn’t immediately APRIL 24
PSALM 118:14-29 “The stone that the builders rejected has the become the chief cornerstone.” (v.22) In these words, we see that through God’s plans, situations can be reversed for the better. Indeed, the Israelites who had been slaves to Egypt, had now become the chosen nation of God. Jesus, who reuses these words, insinuates the same meaning towards his own ministry – one where he undergoes scorn and rejection, only to die for our sins and rise from the dead for the salvation of the world. These words also speak to the notion of ‘second chances.’ But for our reflection, I want to focus not on the outcome, but the idea of giving someone that second chance. Are we quick to dismiss? Are we hasty on discipline and chastising instead of being compassionate and rehabilitative? Seeing the good in people is a matter of attitude, and perhaps Psalm 118:22 is a call for us to check that attitude. To give people a chance to turn things around, in order to be a chief cornerstone to others.
These reflections for March and April were written by REV. DR BRIAN FIU KOLIA. They have been edited for space, but you can read the unedited reflections at: tinyurl.com/Lectionary2022
MAY The transforming power of God
MAY 1
ACTS 9: 1-6 (7-20) Acts chapter 9 is a crucial turning point for the young Christian church that transformed not only a man named Saul, but also the entire Christian church. The transformation that occurred that day in Damascus still challenges the church to be transformed today. The events of Acts 9 tilted the trajectory of the church’s ministry, widening and reorienting its purview to include the Gentiles. On that day, the life of a man named Saul of Tarsus was unexpectedly and miraculously transformed. Of course, Acts chapter 9 is not the first time Saul appeared in the story of Acts. He was previously seen at the end of chapter 7 at the stoning of the first Christian martyr. We find him “breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples” (9:1). We see in the following verses the understandable fear and hesitation of the church to engage with Saul (1314, 21, and 26). This is completely understandable given what he had already done. But we also see them heedfully listening to the voice of the Spirit above their fear, carefully responding in obedience by welcoming the infamous Saul of Tarsus into their homes.
How can we today, in our setting, live out the mandate of Jesus to “Love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us?” How can we lead and challenge our people to allow their worldview to be shaped by the Spirit and Scripture? How can we put our lives on the same path as the resurrected Jesus? MAY 8
ACTS 9:36-43 Luke’s accounts of the Acts of the apostles tells the story of the early church. While the book has been called the acts of the apostles, it would not be inaccurate to call it the Acts of God through the apostles for the book records the incredible things that God does in, for, and through the church. Luke researched his gospel to write an orderly account. We can rightly assume that this letter has been meticulously crafted. As such there are probably dozens if not hundreds of stories which could have been included in the book, but they were excluded making the question, “Why was this account included” a valid question for any pericope. The obvious answer to “Why was this included” is that Peter was the one through whom the Holy Spirit resurrected Tabitha. Healings are amazing, but they pale in comparison to a resurrection! to recognise God at work because our generalisations and labels define and alltoo-often specify who is and isn’t “us” or “them,” Christian, orthodox, evangelical, Spirit-filled, liberal or conservative, or whatever else that we use that may end up blocking our view of what God may be doing? MAY 29
So why was the relatively unremarkable Dorcas resurrected? We can fall into the trap of treating people as if their value is only found in what we can get out of them. Dorcas stands as a corrective against that. She is a normal person doing normal things, serving God with what she has. We ought to learn that God seeks to bring us new life in the midst of our mundane lives. The seemingly banal parts of our lives could be exactly what God desires from us. MAY 15 ACTS 11:1-18 Us. Them. We use these pronouns to describe (rather ambiguously) the people or group with whom we identify … and others from whom we distinguish ourselves. Sometimes these distinctions are based on perceptions and biases about others that can create separation and cause harm despite our good intentions. Human history is filled with countless examples of conflict between groups and parties that acted on their distrust of “the other”, often through war or various forms of systemic prejudice and oppression. When we encounter this week’s reading, the initial response to Peter upon his return to Jerusalem after his time in Caesarea with Cornelius with the centurion should raise many questions. What might the questioning by the centurion reveal about “us” and “them” in our contemporary contexts? Do we fail
ACTS 16:16-34 As we draw near to Pentecost—our first reading, Acts 16:16-34, leads us to reflect upon the dynamics of the liberating salvation that has come near in Jesus as we find Paul and Silas bearing witness to it in their words, bodies, silence, and celebration in Philippi. Lydia, who after being baptised welcomes Paul and Silas into her home where they stay during their visit.
GOD SEEKS
TO BRING US NEW LIFE IN THE
MIDST OF OUR MUNDANE LIVES Those who receive salvation and step into it, immediately assume a posture of hospitality. What does this tell us about what the working out of salvation looks like for the Christian community? Is extending hospitality to others our first response to the grace we’ve received from God? The Lectionary Reflections have been used by permission from www.aplainaccount.org
FINDING MODERN REL CS
OVER THE PAST YEAR, LEICHARDT UNITING CHURCH MEMBER AND RELIGION WRITER ROHAN SALMOND HAS CURATED MODERN RELICS A SUBSTACK THAT LOOKS AT SOME OF THE INTRIGUING (AND BIZARRE) WAYS THAT INTERNET CULTURE INTERACTS WITH FAITH.
From the real estate listing for Mary MacKillop’s house, to the various ways that some American Christians have tried to ‘reclaim’ Halloween, if it’s online (and strange) Modern Relics has covered it.
“I spend a lot of time online where I see posts that act as little windows into entire religious discourses and subcultures, but they tend to get lost in the churn and forgotten,” Mr Salmond said.
“There’s very little space in mainstream or religious media to talk about stuff like this, so that’s what Modern Relics is for.”
With the sheer amount of content constantly poured out to the internet, Mr Salmond has a lot to work with. He shared a few of the upcoming topics he will be looking at. “Sci-Fi is always a rich source for religious ideas,” he said. “I’ve already written about the debate over whether Baby Yoda should be baptised, but there’s a lot of religion to unpack in Dune and other texts too.” “I’m also keeping an eye on how churches have integrated with Facebook and other platforms during the pandemic. Will they be able to extract themselves again, if that’s something they even want to do? Facebook is explicitly targeting religious groups as customers, and now that Mark Zuckerberg is beginning to push some kind of metaverse technology, that integration may be inescapable.” Mr Salmond said that one of the challenging aspects of collating Modern Relics is drawing on a broader range of faith traditions, “while keeping the tone right.” “The solution to that might be guest posts from other people because I’m not as familiar with Muslim or Hindu spaces online, for example, but for the moment it’s just me, so I have to tread carefully,” he said. With internet cultures spawning so much interesting religious-themed content, Insights asked Mr Salmond if he thought there was more that churches could be doing in some of these spaces. “Churches can do a lot of good on social media and other online spaces, but I don’t think it’s compulsory,” he said. “I think it’s more important that individual Christians engage with social media graciously and intelligently, and to that end I think the Uniting Church can do more work on a theology of digital engagement.” “What are our underlying beliefs about why and how we participate in those spaces? How do you love your neighbour when your neighbour is a semi-anonymous user with an anime girl avatar? Or maybe it’s a woman named Sheryl who comments too much in your local neighbourhood Facebook group? It’s not just a matter of marketing and communications, but of evangelism – and the digital landscape is rapidly changing, so having a strong foundation is essential.”
POP CULTURE IS STILL CULTURE AND SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY “Generally speaking, our conversations about religion are heavily sanitised. Sometimes that’s a good thing – with such a sensitive topic you don’t want to cause offence – but if you’re not careful it can also obscure what’s actually going on in the “town square”, so to speak.” “I’ve worked in church media and now I’m a religion specialist at the ABC, but it would be highly unusual for religion reporting in either of those places to actually reflect the language and themes you encounter when religion, pop culture, and the internet actually intersect.” “An Instagram account like @ineedgodineverymomentofmylife is crass and bewildering. It collates a stream of highly ironic and painfully sincere memes that are difficult to describe, so it’s unlikely to get covered as a legitimate expression of religious practice. But I believe it is legitimate!” “There’s an audience for that content, and it’s using a visual/cultural vocabulary to talk about faith in a way you don’t see in many other places. Pop culture is still culture and should be taken seriously.”
JONATHAN FOYE
Check out Modern Relics here: modernrelics.substack.com
