Month: February 2022

Sunday Mar 6th  2022(2001) 1stSUNinLent C

1. DEUT26:4-10

• Read 26:1-19! Within this semi-paranoid, semi-jingoistic, ‘CultureCreed’, largely dictated by TempleInterests, can I yet glimpse a genuine ‘Yahwism’?
• Or is it acceptable to trample others’ Land&Culture, if ‘God’ says ‘OK! Do-it’!!?
• How did He end up in ‘The Temple’, rather than persevere in ‘TheWilderness’?
• ‘ThisLand’! ‘Canaan’ So, is this ‘creed’ an anachronistic re-reading of ‘history?
• Namely, ‘We subjugated these people, so how can we retroactively legitimate it?’
• What! Is ‘Yahweh’ so susceptible to the manipulations of storytellers?

2. THE PSALM: 90:1=2, 10-15

• Read 90(91) 1- 16! But how can the weak Yahweh so marvellously protect?
• What, in my experience of Yahweh, makes Him worthy of such trust?
• Isn’t this psalm mostly the tendentious wishful-thinking of a court-poet?
• ‘TheLion&TheGreatSerpent!’: What power can trample these? (Read GEN 3!)
• ‘I-am-with-you!’ Yahweh’s-own-mantra! &CanI carry such-weakness?

3. ROM10:8-13

• ‘NoDistinction!’ This dangerous incredible ‘word’! What? not only to be on-my-lips for devotion, but in-my-heart for valuation&embodiment!
• Wow! Who knows what risquéités Paul’s proclaiming in ROM as-a-whole!
• But then, isn’t ‘the true church’ safe! ‘cos who reads him anyway, except to carp!
• ‘CallOnTheName!’: Could access to ‘TheDynamicsThatMakesWhole’ be so simple?
• If my ‘christian formation’ predisposes me to ‘avoid wholeness’ Just prattle&dither!

4. LK4:1-13

• Read 1:5 – 4:44! Christian re-telling of ‘exodus narratives’!
• ‘Temptation’!Strenuous experiential testing of the realness of ‘faith-n-Yahweh’!
• However what if ‘YahwehFaith’ is importantly different from ‘ChurchFaith’?
• What 20 situations&Exemplars are testing either my ‘Yahweh-‘ or my ‘ChurchFaith?
• These 3Moments-of-YahwisticTesting’!

Which ‘exodus’ narratives are reflected in each?

What scenarios in my-own struggle-for-integrity are evoked?

Can I release this narrative from it pietistic shackles?

• ‘TheDevil’! Which other divinity wouldn’t enjoy subverting Yahweh? (DT6:4-25)

5. The presence&action of the BlessedOne, is it like this?

‘Sir’ Your time in the wilderness, wasn’t it really about TheWorld, TheFlesh,&TheDevil? A retreat, before you began your true work! Preaching TheGoodNews!’ ‘Friend, you speak in specious, but faded&empty words!’ ‘Your pardon sir! but how could… ‘ ‘Always, friend, from myDeath-in-Jordan to myDeath-by-Temple’s Resentment, I was always in TheWilderness! I was filled-with-TheBreath! I was tested in every way, to embrace TheOtherGods!’ ‘Surely, sir, that’s what I meant…’ ‘TheTruth, friend, is not the seemingly meaningful words beloved of TempleScrutiny! Truth is my costly embrace of TheEnslaved! how I might free them from TheSilkenShackles of Ignorance*Fear&Contagion!’ ‘Ah, sir! Such temerity, the cost…’  ‘Friend! Be filled with TheBreath! &then, what you call Temerity will be TheNewExodus-from-Egypt!!’

6. RIDDLE

            Which is preferred? Live ‘faith’ vicariously through biblical ‘cherrypicking’?

            Or step into our contemporary wilderness, ‘Filled-with-TheHolyBreath’?

Refections and comments can be emailed to adbi@chokmah.ie

Sunday Feb 27^th 2022(1995) 8^th  SUNinORDINARY C

1. SIR27:4-7

Sirach: An exaltation of traditional Hebrew wisdom that is, distilled Biblical knowledge about the handling of one’s life and different affairs.  As in this extract the Book offers clusters of proverbs this one being about tests of ‘character’. Much of this is not particularly ‘religious’ and while opinions are often linked with Yahweh, yet they can betray quite narrow views (like hatred or mistrust of women)                                                                                                                              In my Community

            How is the effectiveness/fruitfulness of the various Ministries assisted?

            What weight is given to the perceptions expressed by the ‘FootSoldiers’?

            Which are the ‘important offices’? How and to whom are they acceptable?

            How stringent or how lax are we, about ‘standards of excellence’?

            How are these ‘standards’ drawn up, and made known to all?

            What is being done about unfruitful or unzealous Ministries?

2. 1COR15:54-58

• Read 1COR15 again aloud&slowly&listening for the images
• ‘My physical nature’ In what ways is it ‘perishable”?

In what ways does ‘Death” invade or affect it?

• What sort of Animal is Paul imagining Death to be with a ‘Sting and a “Victory’? And what Animal could in turn, ‘swallow Death up’?
• If ‘Sin’ is ‘Death’sSting’, how does it get ‘Power’ from the ‘law’?
• And why is Paul continually in contention with the ‘Law’?
• How does this amazing Victory come ‘through our Lord Jesus Christ’?
• What are the Signs of this Victory in my Community?
• What factors are persuading me to give up ‘working at the Lord’sWork’?
• Who in my Community is supporting me ‘in the Lord’?
• How are we all negotiating between different ‘versions’ of the Lord’sWork?

3. LK6:39-45

• In this extract the Nazarene is portrayed like a ‘WisdomTeacher’ exploring the experiential arenas of ‘mutual relations’ and ‘fruitfulness’
• In my Community to what extent are ‘Disciples’ being ‘fully trained’?
• What else needs to happen, to better equip ‘Disciples’ for a hostile world?
• What is the Nazarene is seriously addressing my Community, thus

• Who are the ‘BlindGuides’ among you? And how is this judged?
• Why are the most excellent training methods not being provided for all disciples

(that is, all the Baptised who embrace Me!)?

• What can you do about the suspicion&resentment&complacency&sheer waste of
• talent that is rife among you?
• What will you point to, as concrete witness to your fruitfulness?
• What are you do lackadaisical about the thorns&brambles that are growing plentifully

among you?

• What needs&schemes occupy your imagination most of the time?
• How do you imagine Me, and what I really expect?

OVERALL QUESTION

            Lord! Of course I tend to think Your Words

            Are clever Ferrets at someone else’s throat!

            For their own Good! Why should I change?

Refections and comments can be emailed to adbi@chokmah.ie

            Sunday 20 February 2022 (’01): 7thSUNinORDINARY     C

 1. 1SAM26.2, 7-9,12-13, 22-23

• Read 26·1-25! Exploration of TheDignty&Prerogative of ‘Yahweh’sAnointed”
• How did this numinous understanding of ‘TheLord’sAnointed’ come to invest Jesus-of-Nazareth on the one hand, &Christian clergy on the other?
• In what sense was Saul ‘Yahweh’sAnointed’? (Read 1SAM8:1-12 25!)
• &OldSc1muelTbeAnointer!  Where is his like in ThelrishChristian Churches!
• &Who is initiating Women&Men who are truly ‘anointed-by-Yahweh’?

2. THE PSALM : 102:1-4, 8, 10, 12-13

• Read 102(103).1-22! Celebration of the ‘Fruits’ of Yahweh’s ‘SteadfastLove”
• What 10 Benefits do I consider myself ‘lndebted ToYahweh’ for?
• Nowadays, how apt is the ‘Father/Son’ relationship  as an image for the disposition     of Yahweh toward those who struggle to embody HisPriority?
• ‘Compassion&Love, SlowToAnger, RlchlnMercy!’ Who is this, in my local church?

3. 1COR15·45-49

• In 35words of contemorary language, what does he seem to be saying here?
• Where did Paul get these variations on TheFirstMan&TheLastMan”
• In what way are ‘TheSpiritual&Heavenly’ superior to ‘TheSoulful&Earthly’?
• How will an alert ecologically-engaged woman hear all of this ‘man-talk”?
• ‘Cos after all, ‘Eve’ is ‘MotherOfAllThatLives’!

4. LK6:27-38

• Are women-disciples also envisaged as active-agents in these challenging options?
• The exaggerated & somewhat perverse ‘morality’ of this ‘sermon’, does it matter that few if any Christians actually behave like this?
• Which will it be?  Measure-for-Measure? Or Measure-without-Regard?

5. The presence&action of the BlessedOne, is it like this?

Confidential  memorandum to TheMostExcellentHighPriest Caiaphas!

Dispatched by trusted messenger from BarShemayâ’, Stalker of TheNazarene! Greetings! May Heaven’sBlessings adorn YourExcellency!

Excellency, at YourBidding &for Yourlnfortmation, I am priveledged to be YourEyes&Ear, for You in respect of TheNazarene! Recently, on the third day of NewMoon, he brought his followers to a place in the wilderness, &there he solemnly named twelve men from the group! These are to be called TheTwelve, for TheTwelve of Jacob, peace be upon him! I’ve heard whispers too, that they are to be TheSeed, as it were, of a NewIsraeI! Thus far, I’ve seen no evidence of weapons collected, or special training but I remain alert tor any word of treasonable intentions! After TheTwelve were presented, TheNazarene began to preach the basics of his ethical program. I must admit I was very confused as I listened to what seemed the  ravings of a  madman! But let YourExcellency judge! ‘ThePoor will rule’ TheEnemy is to be embraced’ Never retaliate when robbed or injured! No Judgments, no condemnation ‘ Woe to TheRich!’ By Your leave, YourExcellency, I offer my impression of all this! The movement iniatated by TheNazarene is like a mall running sore! which, if ignored &neglected, will rapidly consume the entire body! Fare You Well!’

6. RIDDLE Which is the yearnable essential? Getting the pious rhetoric right?

Maintaining a discreet personal spirituality?

Risking a scandalous public discipleship?

Refections and comments can be emailed to adbi@chokmah.ie

Sunday 13^th February 2022 (’01) · 6thSUNinORDINARY : C

1. JER 17 5-8

• Read 16 1 – 17·27! The strange shape-changingSymbiosis of Jeremiah’s own febrile experience & the continually-encroaching’Imperative-of-Yahweh”
• Listening carefully, who can be sure where ‘Yahweh’ ends, &’Jeremiah’ begins!
• ‘Curse&Blessing!’: How be critical, &yet empathic, in regard to this outburst!

• Read PSl·l-6! The traditional ‘TwoWays’! Also JOB3·l-26! What-curse?

• ‘Trust–in-Yahweh!’·  Living to the full ‘TheStruggleToFreeTheOppressed’!

2. THE PSALM. 11-4, 6 (&What ofv5?)

• TheGoodProsper, TheWickedPerish’ Is this my experience of TheWheelOfFortune?

• Read Job21:1-34; 23 1-24·25! What? Is Job        controverting  ‘tradition’?

• ‘Trust/Me!’  Incresingly deceptive cliche in advertisements & the like
• Being so weak, in what sense can Yahweh be deemed to ‘ProtectTheJust’?

3 lCORl5:12, 16–20

• Read15 12-20! Exploring the complex relationship of God&Christ&Death!
• What evidence does he give, that God&Christ have truly ‘OverComeDeath’?
• In my world, apart from constant reiteration in teaching&homily, what are the indictations ThcOptions&Behaviours of Christians that ‘HeHasBeenRaised’?
• If my ‘Life-after-Baptism‘  is the same as ‘Christ’sLife-beyond-Death’, how am  I   being encouraged to embrace this, in my concrete ‘struggle-for-faith’?

4 LK6.l7, 20-26

• Read 6 12-49! For-Diciples  ‘Blessings&Woes’ &A selection of Wisdoms

• Seriously though! Who in my local church takes these as any more than a posy of pretty flowers to be snifft occasionally, &waved about in  ferverinos!

• In what sense are disciples being called&formed according to these ‘Guidelines’?
• Or what if all this is intended to be proclaimed&heard sorta ironically?
• What about the formation of AdultChnstianDisciples in Northern Ireland?
• But  ssshh’ Will ‘Catholic’ & ‘Protestant’ Disciples differ in value&quality?
• Is anything more urgent than to transcend ‘EcclesialParticularisms’?

5.The presence and action of the BlessedOne is it like this?

‘Gertie, wait till I tell ya ‘ ‘Cissie, didja hear something’..?’ ‘Above this mornin’, .he was goin’ on about the sermon on th’ plane..’ ‘What…’ ‘..an’ me sittin’ there like an eejitt, thinkin’  the-man–above had  worked  another  miracle…’  ‘Oh ..’  ‘But he was nearly finished when it dawned, he meant a sorta flat place ..’ ‘What, no nuracle?’  ‘The

 miracle was, that I got an’thin’ at all out of his oul’ rantin’!‘ ‘Well, my fella’s worse when he  ‘ ‘Just one thing I pulled outa feedin’ time at th’  azoo! Y’re better off hungry an ‘ poor an‘ weepin’, an’  people hatin’ ya for  bein’ a catholic..‘ ‘Well, my fella usedta hate me when I was a ..’ ‘But if y’re rich an’ fat-an’-full an’ laffin’, an’ everyone lovin’ ya, forget-it’ no-joy’ throw-it-in-now” ‘Of course, bein’ such a perverse, he still hates

me,  no, w that  I’m  no  longer  a..’  ‘So,  I  Just  looked  round,_  startin‘  with  head-a-wit himself, an’ all th’ other fat–cats! an’ sorta glanced at me own rags an’ so-on an’ so­ forth! I says, Cissie, me dearie, there’s for-ya! put that m yer pipe an’ smoke-it!!’ ‘Yeah, there’s still hope for us all!’ ‘Right, Gertie! I Just hope he wasn’t makin’ it up!’ ‘Ha’ That’d be one for th’ books OK!’

6.RIDDLE       What does TheAdultDisciple need most of all?

            Curse or Blessing? Preaching or Teaching? Or Example?

Refections and comments can be emailed to adbi@chokmah.ie