November 15, 2020, Lectionary

Israel had been oppressed by one regime for twenty years and then God gave a woman the instructions for her to tell a man what to do. We who observe could find several puzzles in this. Judges 4:1-7

Lord have mercy on us. Our ears and hearts have had more than enough of scorn and contempt. Psalm 123

We all want peace and security, but Paul says to put faith and love in our hearts and hope in our minds, and to build up one another with these. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

In order to get to how the first hearers would have heard the story, think of the talents as money, huge amounts of money, in an agrarian society struggling to exist in a world where the top 2% hold most of the wealth and power. Matthew 25:14-30

Thoughts about Listening

Too often we think of listening as going only one direction. Judges 4:1-7

If I allow attitudes like scorn and contempt for anyone into my thoughts and words, by that means and to that extent, I inhibit my usefulness to give the gift of listening. Psalm 123

My quest: How can I build up someone today? 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

I want to be able to give the gift of listening no matter the wealth differences in society. Matthew 15:14-30