Faithful Conversations #85
** Note: For those attending ELC, realize that in October, Pastor Jen is offering a special preaching series centered on stewardship, and therefore is using a different set of readings. For purposes of the blog and our ongoing Bible study, I am staying with the RCL readings. And one other thing — we will hear from parishioners as part of the stewardship process. This year’s theme is “Imagine Together,” and yesterday, Judy Ransom, a member of ELC since the early 1980s, offered a powerful testimony. Among other things, she stressed that she is always a “work-in-progress” spiritually (a good reminder for all of us), that we all possess at least one spiritual talent to share with others, and the importance of prayer in our lives (“I have a number of conversations with God throughout the day,” she said). Thanks Judy, it was a terrific message!
Introduction to Readers:
“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” (Kierkegaard)
Søren Aabye Kierkegaard
1813-1855
Danish Philosopher
The Danish philosopher, Søren Kierkegaard, died at age 42, but certainly left his mark. His oft-cited assertion (above) implies that while we can only make sense of our experiences and decisions by reflecting on them after they happen, we must still navigate life in a forward direction, making choices without complete clarity, and often with what Kierkegaard referred to as the “leap of faith.” (Sidebar: You may want to explore this Danish rebel more fully!). Kierkegaard’s quote has been on my mind this week while navigating the second installment from Hebrews in the Year B cycle.
A reminder today before going forward. As you walk through the four readings each week, utilize the four-question approach (NRRD):
- What is something NEW you learned from the reading?
- What is something that caught your attention and caused you to REFLECT?
- What is something that RELATES to other reading you have done?
- What is something you would like to further DISCUSS?
(Note: Our son Jake who majored in history at West Point in the early 2000s, shared this method with me — something he learned from one of his professors there — and I have been using it with my students ever since!)
As always, thanks for visiting this space again this week! My reflections will focus on the Hebrews passage, along with a connection to Psalm 90. I am also including a terrific overview of the book of Hebrews and a familiar hymn!
The Readings for Pentecost 21
Amos 5: 6-7, 10-15
Psalm 90: 12-17
Hebrews 4: 12-16
Mark 10: 17-31
Common Themes in the Pentecost 21 Readings!
Look for the following themes in the readings for Sunday 13 October: justice, accountability, and the pursuit of righteousness. Amos calls for genuine worship and social justice, highlighting the importance of ethical living over empty rituals. Psalm 90 reflects on the brevity of life and the need for wisdom, urging believers to seek God’s favor and purpose. In the New Testament, Hebrews emphasizes the transformative power of God’s word, while Mark presents a challenging view of discipleship, illustrating the difficulty of prioritizing spiritual wealth over material possessions.
O God Our Help In Ages Past
By Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Inspired by Psalm 90
Psalm 90: 12-17
12 So teach us to count our days
that we may gain a wise heart.
13 Turn, O Lord! How long?
Have compassion on your servants!
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad as many days as you have afflicted us
and as many years as we have seen evil.
16 Let your work be manifest to your servants
and your glorious power to their children.
17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us
and prosper for us the work of our hands—
O prosper the work of our hands!
Second Reading: Hebrews 4: 12-16
12 Indeed, the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.14 Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Reflections: A reminder of who and whose we are
I remain intrigued by the fact that those that initially read Hebrews were second-generation Christians who had drifted into a malaise regarding the story that had initially fired their imaginations. They were being reminded of their history — indeed, hit over the head with their history — to wake them up! Before proceeding, take the time to watch this video. It will help you get a good sense of the book we are exploring.
What should we take away from this week’s reading from Chapter 4? The first section (12-14) compares God’s word to a sword that judges the true intentions of our hearts. We can hide nothing from our Creator. That’s ominous and should bring us to our knees! But there’s more! In the second section (14-16), we are reminded that Jesus, our “great high priest,” experienced the world in human form (while remaining sinless), and has boundless compassion for us. Just as God knows all our failures, all our weaknesses, we are redeemed through God’s Son. Because of our faith in Christ, we are liberated from our sin, our failures, and even death, and brought back to God, the one who formed us! Our troubled world needs to hear this message! Who can we share this good news with this week?
Soli Deo Gloria!
a prayer Reflection: “O God our Help in ages Past”
Note: “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” is a hymn written by Isaac Watts and paraphrases the 90th Psalm. This hymn is frequently sung as a portion of the Remembrance Day service in Canada and festive occasions in England. Learn more about its history here.
West Point Cadet Chapel
Dedicated in 1910
The recording I have linked below is an organ version of the hymn from the Cadet Chapel at West Point in New York. Mary Beth and I had the opportunity to hear an organ concert in that Chapel in 2007 while attending Jake’s graduation. What an incredible experience that was! The organ is incredible — you can read about it here.
I offer this hymn as a prayer and it hearkens back to the idea that as a faith community, we have a powerful history that points us to a miraculous future!
1. O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home!
2. Under the shadow of thy throne,
still may we dwell secure;
sufficient is thine arm alone,
and our defense is sure.
3. Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received her frame,
from everlasting, thou art God,
to endless years the same.
4. A thousand ages, in thy sight,
are like an evening gone;
short as the watch that ends the night,
before the rising sun.
5. Time, like an ever rolling stream,
bears all who breathe away;
they fly forgotten, as a dream
dies at the opening day.
6. O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come;
be thou our guide while life shall last,
and our eternal home
It is hard to say what I like most about this particular Bible study. Was it the background lecture on Hebrews that helped me understand the letter better? Was it that incredible Organ music that allowed me to sing along, or was it your usual insightful commentary? The whole thing is truly remarkable. Thank you, Paul.
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Thanks Doris! Coming from one as experienced and wise as you are, I will take that as high praise! The organ with 23,500 pipes is mind-boggling!
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