Share and Bloom (December 13)
2009-12-07 by John Roberts
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Tell us that we don't need to be afraid of God's judgment as long as we share God's gifts and that we bloom where we are planted.



Messengers (December 6)
2009-12-04 by Peggy Dillner
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I read that the word Malachi means  "my messenger" or "Messenger of 'Yhwh.'"  My initial thoughts continue.

While the messenger to those of Old Testament times may take a different hue, our challenge is to hear the messengers of today.   What is it that we cannot stand to hear?  What is it we ought to be doing to bring justice and righteousness to this 21st century world?  Now when I read verses 2b and 3, I see that which is the "Ground of All Being" pushing aside the trivial and mundane and superfluous, and asking us what is our "right offering to the Lord."  In today's world and in this season of much fluff and little substance, we must ask ourselves exactly what it is that the Lord requires. 

Then I am sent back to Micah to "do justice, love kindess, and walk humbly with your God."  Ok.  I know it's not the lectionary scripture, but it is currently what I hear.



Bend me, shape me! (December 6)
2009-12-02 by Tim Norton
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            I can’t read this old testament prophecy without hearing (in my head) the reflective alto aria and the energetic chorus that follows it from Handel’s Messiah!   And the text speaks to a deep seated desire we have as those who are “watching and waiting” in this Advent season.  We want to be reformed, refined, and purified, to be made presentable to the Lord, and to welcome the “messenger of the covenant.”  We want to be made into an offering which will be pleasing to the Lord.

            And the three verses that follow these hold the key for us sinners.  This passage doesn’t seem to me complete without these next three that remind us how far we’ve fallen, how far we’ve strayed; but also that the Lord never has, and never will abandon us to death.  No matter what, the Lord says he’ll be there to bring us back.  That certainly is the good news of the Gospel, and isn’t it neat that the Gospel immediately follows this last book of the old testament?

             





Why Malachi? (December 6)
2009-11-30 by Peggy Dillner
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I believe months ago I volunteered to respond specifically to this lectionary selection.  Was I nuts?  Perhaps I thought the Advent season would inspire me...   

I've not yet dug deeply into the historical background of this passage (although, of  course, I initially was going to be extremely well prepared to respond to this august group!) but I will certainly do that prior to my next posting.  To whom was Maliachi speaking?  Why did he seem so harsh?  My initial readings of this text have me note the prophesy and the links to the New Testament (with a little help from Wikipedia):

See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me," (3:1)"See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way;" (Mark 1:2)
 "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you" (Matthew 11:10†, Luke 7:27)

 

A messenger.  Hmmm.  And what was the message?  Have we gotten it yet?   Who are today's messengers?   Do we understand they may be conduits from the Holy One?  I may shift my questioning as I research this passage, but my initial thought has to do with messengers - and the message they bring.

Am I off base?  What do others of you think?  (I'm off to do my homework!)

 Peggy D.

 

 

 

  
  





Covenant (December 6)
2009-11-30 by Winola Green
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I look at this passage as a call to the Jewish people to a time of repentence and preparation.  The Jewish Nation was called to return to their coventent with God so that their life may be as pleasing to God as in earlier times.

This Advent season is a call for us to repentence and prepartion and a reminder of the  new covenant. We regretfully use this time of preparing for a commercial season and need to be called back to the the blessed covenant God made with us through his son Jesus. God forgive us.  

We don't like to read of being refined and pruified. These appear harsh word for us. Pastor, I would like some discussion on the use and meaning of these words for us today. 

 





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