Third Sunday after Epiphany
January 24, 2010

Scripture Introductions
by Stewart Clarke

You may want to revise, adapt, correct, or replace these
introductions.  The whole point is to honour the Scriptures and the interest
and intelligence of our congregations.   (What you find in parentheses, you
may want to skip, and anything in footnotes you may want to ignore.   Or not!)

If you wish, you could consider Haiti and reflect on the total disruption of
Judaic society as the Babylonians over-ran and destroyed Jerusalem and
Judah, followed by the Exile in Babylon. And, then, in time, there is
repopulation and reconstruction and, in our first reading, the review and
renewal of the laws of the land, the society and their faith. 

The Epistle reading may be a reminder of the wide variety of skills required
to rebuild, and, hopefully, renew and strengthen/purify Haiti, and the
Gospel reading can suggest priorities of meeting peoples' real needs3 rather
than catering to those in positions of power or graft.



The first reading is from the book of Nehemiah (among the books of history
in our Bible, but among the "Writings" in the Hebrew Scriptures4)  

Nehemiah, one of the Jewish community in exile in Babylon who had done well
and risen to be a senior civil servant5, had come to Jerusalem as governor,
and taken over the rebuilding of Jerusalem.  Under his driving spirit, the
walls were completed. But something more was required.  The builders had
faced down the challenge of nearby rulers, but still more was needed.  They
needed a reminder and assurance of who they were.   So the people were
gathered to a reading of Scripture.  

(What was read is not indicated.  It could have been Scriptures collected
and edited during the Exile.  Ezra appears for the first time in this book,
standing on a dais, reading and interpreting. )

Let's listen to the account of this historic moment in Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10.

You may wish to reserve your acclaim to follow the Gospel reading, or use
traditional words, or say something like:  May we hear and respond to God's
words with joy and commitment, Amen



The Psalm is of universal praise to God, with special emphasis on God's Law,
one of God's blessings to people. 
Let's..  
Psalm 19 (VU p.740)
  


(The Epistle raises the possibility, if you will, of Paul's wit and humour.
{ahem!})
Apparently, some in the church of Corinth thought that they were superior to
others because of their special gifts. Paul has a choice. He can try to
argue and convince them, but, if they are really full of themselves, this
won't work very well.  He can, however, try another way: humour, almost
teasing.  
Let's listen to Paul's comments on parts of the Body of Christ - in argument
- in:
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a

May we be blessed with the awareness of our part in the Body of Christ.
Amen. 



The Gospel reading tells of Jesus coming home. Following his baptism, he has
spent a significant period in the wilderness (forty days that are simply
ignored in this choice of readings6), reviewing his style of ministry.
Now, in the synagogue, he publicly announces his style of ministry, and how
it will reflect, sometimes in surprising or uncomfortable ways, what the
prophet Isaiah had promised.7  (There is a strong practical emphasis, like
spirituality in working clothes.)

Let's rise to honour and be open to the Good News for us in: 
(Let's listen closely for the Good News for us in:)
Luke 4:14-21

May we be reminded that God is at work through all the world's people (not
just those with whom we are comfortable). Amen. 

It is appropriate to follow the readings with thanks and praise.  

(Comments to Stew at stewclarke@eastlink.ca.)