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.

Jer 4:11-12, 22-28

The ten tribes of the Northern Kingdom of Israel have been dispersed by the Assyrians. King Josiah has started a reform movement in the southern kingdom of Judah. In this seventh century before Christ Jeremiah warns that exiled Samaria is an example of what might happen to them.

Exod 32:7-14

In the desert Moses has gone up Mount Sinai. The Hebrew people see that he delays in his return and they have asked Aaron to make a golden calf. The people then offer burnt offerings and sacrifices.

1 Tim 1:12-17

Either prior to the service, or afterwards, individually read the start of this letter. The frame is it addresses a problem of unsound doctrine at Ephesus. Since the nineteenth century the authorship of this letter has been disputed. Writing in another’s name was an acceptable part of that culture in a way it is not generally today.

Luke 15:1-10

This week’s Gospel story, barring two verses (14:34-35), picks up from last week. Eating with “tax collectors and sinners” has been a refrain in Jesus ministry in Luke (5:30; 7:34). So also has been the opposition of the scribes and Pharisees.