Between the Lines: Easter 3: April 22, 2012

Text:  Luke 24:36b-48

Hand and foot prints (Photo credit: Irregular Shed)

He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.

If you are in a small group suggest that the participants divide into pairs and sit down across from one another a bit away from the group. In silence have them in turn take the hands of the other to inspect, explore, and feel. Give it time so people can get over the initial embarrassment. No talking. Bring the group back together and invite each person to say what it was like to hold and examine the hands of their partner.

Between the Lines: Sunday after Christmas: January 1, 2012

Text: Luke 2: [21] 22-40

Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word . . .”

What is it about this encounter that convinces Simeon that he is, at last, dismissed? What has he been waiting for? What is the word that assured him through these days, months, years? What might he do tomorrow? Will there be a new task, a new commission? I wonder.- Andy Kille

Between the Lines: Christmas Day: December 25, 2011

Text: Luke 2:1-14, (15-20)

Tending Flocks and Following Stars

All day I tend
the things of this world,
herding tasks and children
like so many cats.

But by night
I tend another flock—
forgotten selves
like so many sheep,
longing to be recognized
and pulled into the fold.

Their white fleeces glow
so brightly upon the landscape
that, from my sentinel position
in this twisted dream oak,

they appear as stars—
each cluster of warm bodies
a constellation as compelling
as those distant, twinkling suns
above me.

Or are those suns below?
My perspective is shattered.
Twinkling and bleating
become a single song.

In the distance, a lone light
calls to me. Is it a sheep
or a star? Someone tells me
not to be afraid—

but I don’t know
which way is down (or up).
I don’t know how to get out
of a tree that is rooted
in both directions.

- Kathie Collins

Between the Lines: Advent 4: December 18, 2011

Text: Luke 1:26-38

The Annunciation is a source of powerful art and music.  On the Educational Center website, you’ll find some links to images of the Annunciation. Look for images of “Vierge Ouvrante” or “Virgen Abridera.”  These images from the 15^th century are of the virgin as the mater misericordia, Mother of Mercy.  Under her cloak, as it opens out, she protects all sorts and conditions of Christians; on part of her body are carved (or painted) images of God the Father, Jesus crucified, and the Holy Spirit.  Her cloak opens up and these inner images appear.  Closed, she is a statue of Virgin and son. 

BibleWorkbench: Pentecost 24, November 7, 2010

Text: Luke 20:27-38

The question that the Sadducees bring to Jesus in today’s reading is not a real question. From their standpoint, the question can only be meaningless.  Since they do not believe there is any life to come, any speculation about how that life will be arranged is pointless from the very beginning. Which part of the Sadducees’ question does Jesus seem to challenge? What assumptions does Jesus seem not to share with the Sadducees?

BibleWorkbench: Pentecost 23, October 31, 2010

Text: Luke 19:1-10

Jungian analyst and teacher Marie Louise Von Franz writes that climbing up a tree and down again is symbolic of psychological rebirth.  The cross – the tree upon which Christ was crucified – suggests that the tree is also a symbol of spiritual rebirth.  To climb a tree is to climb toward heaven.  To sit in a tree is to retreat from reality, to move physically onto another plane within the material world, to gain a bird’s eye view of things – a new perspective.  Perhaps Zacchaeus (who was short in stature), in climbing the sycamore, perceived the world in a new way.  Perhaps he saw not only Jesus, but saw from Jesus’ viewpoint the possibility of the Kingdom of God.  And perhaps, if he had a vision of this wholeness, he was able to imagine his role in bringing it about – more than imagine even, to offer himself fully to the cause.

BibleWorkbench: Pentecost 22, October 24, 2010

Text: Luke: 18:9-14

Pull down the blinds and lock the door. Turn the lights low. Stand up, take a deep breath, shut your eyes and go inside yourself. Meet there your Pharisee who is standing off by himself. With your inner eye look around your world at the tax collector folks – thieves, rogues, and adulterers. Say out loud: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people.”

BibleWorkbench: Pentecost 21, October 17, 2010

Text: Luke 18:1-8

And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” How would you respond to Jesus’ question? Remember that the designation Son of Man can be understood in a number of ways, ranging from a way of saying “anyone” to a divine figure.

Do you find faith on earth? What does it look like? What are its qualities, its effects? From whence does it come, and how is it sustained? What does the story of the persistent widow and the unjust judge add to your understanding about whether the Son of Man might or might not find faith on earth?

- Andy Kille

Bible Workbench: Pentecost 19, October 3, 2010

Text: Luke 17:5-10

Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? This segment of the parable in Luke does not have a parallel in any of the other canonical gospels. What kind of societal relationship does it presume between the people Jesus is addressing and their slave? When do you simply expect someone to do what was commanded, whether explicitly or implicitly? When have you been expected to do what was commanded?

Bible Workbench: Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010

Text: Luke 24:1-12

“Why do you look for the living among the dead?” Who are the “dead” in your life? Name some of those who have expired and are breathing no more. Now name some of those you know who are “dead” even though they are breathing and walking around. How is it possible to be “dead” before the grave?