The Unlikely Evangelist

Lectionary Reflections
Week: Ordinary 21 Year C
Luke Chapter 13 verses 10 - 17
Isaiah Chapter 58 verses 9b - 14
Hebrews Chap 12 verses 18 - 29
Psalm 103 verses 1 - 8

Here's a very brief explanation of all four of this weeks lectionary readings, based on reflections from our Bible Study group at Heald Green. Simple, but I hope you may find it helpful.

- The Psalm says, God is a God of justice for all ... [so how do you think we should behave?]

so if we want some examples ...

- Luke says, don't treat people badly and use your religious traditions as an excuse!

- Hebrews says, God was previously seen as distant and scary, but through Jesus we now see God as a bit more touchy feely and human! Therefore, follow Jesus and you won't go far wrong.

and so we don't think God being nice is just a New Testament thing,

- Isaiah says, there just isn't a conflict here, showing humanity to others IS following our religious traditions!

Loads of big stuff here and other strong themes as well, most noticeably in Luke about the role and status of women in our religious traditions.

However, in a blog about evangelism and emerging church I simply want to ask, if we are in the business of helping people have a healthy relationship with God and each other, which of our religious practices are we not willing to either reject, reform, refresh or reveal in a new way, in order for our shared faith journey to be more relevant to peoples lives. [5 re-words in one sentence, that's possibly a record even for me!]

As ever, our task is to love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind AND love (or even BY loving?) everybody else!

I feel some more re-words coming on, Reimagening, Responding, Reconnecting, Relationships ... maybe I'm onto an idea here ... watch this space! [This means I need to work out how to do a link to a PowerPoint from my Blog!]

Bye for now
The Unlikely Evangelist