Lectionary Reading Introduction
This site provides something different: many sites and books provide a brief summary of the reading - so that people read out or have in their pew sheet an outline of what they are about to hear. They are told beforehand what to expect. Does this not limit what they hear the Spirit address them? This site provides something different - often one cannot appreciate what is being read because there is no context provided. This site provides the context, the frame of the reading about to be heard. It could be used as an introduction, printed on a pew sheet (acknowledged, of course), or adapted in other ways. This is an experimental venture and I will see how useful it appears.
Acts 2:14a, 22-32 (RC)
The underlying context is Psalm 16. A simple comparison with the (Hebrew) original Psalm 16:8 "I keep the LORD always before me" has become in the Septuagint Greek version "I saw the Lord always before me" - highlighting the belief in an afterlife that was well developed by the time of the Hellenistic period when the Septuagint was translated. It is the Septuagint that is used here as a proof text.
Acts 2:14a, 36-41 (RCL)
The frame of this reading is last week's celebration. Luke's idealisation of the events continues into the numbers he dramatically presents.
1 Peter 1:17-23
The context of this text is the frame prepared last week. The believer is part of a new family - today begins the concomitant result of this new membership.
Luke 24:13-35
A number of possible sites for "Emmaus" are the context for this magnificent and unique Lukan story. Luke's focus on meals and the Eucharist, and his having Jesus clarify the meaning of the scriptures provides the frame of this story.