September 26, 2021, Lectionary

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Last Updated: Saturday, 25 September 2021 22:17

Published: Saturday, 25 September 2021 22:17

Written by Wilma Zalabak

Chapter 7 in Esther is the turn of the reversal. Such a delightful book about God turning sorrow into joy. Let us pray for similar turnings. Esther 7:1-10; 9:20-22

He will deliver us from the snare of the fowler, the trap of the predator. He will make a way to disentangle us from embarrassment and difficulty. (Compare Psalm 91:3.) Psalm 124

The promises for those who pray for the sick are amazingly ambiguous, and therefore broadly applicable. The word can be translated either "saved" or "healed" and there is no indication of "when." "Raised up" might be from the sickbed or the grave or depression or sin, and "when" is not specified. And the forgiveness might come to anyone, the pray-ers, the pray-ee, or bystanders. I'll happily receive it all, whatever is God's will. James 5:13-20

Because we bear the name of Christ, whoever assists us will be rewarded, and whoever also bears the name of Christ, though different or young, is not to be disparaged by us. Mark 9:38-50

Thoughts about Listening

A fun part of the story is to notice all the ways Queen Esther used to prepare her husband, the King, to listen to her request. Esther 7:1-10; 9:20-22

The trapped and ensnared are to be freed, not bullied into listening more and more to the predator. Psalm 124

Think about your most notable misunderstanding because of someone's not stating something specificly enough. Continued listening was a means to clarification. James 5:13-20

When I receive the generous listening, it's like receiving a glass of cool water on a hot day. Mark 9:38-50