Month: August 2022

Sunday 4^th September 2022 23^rd.Sunday in Ordinary C

1. WIS 9 13-19

• Read 9:1-18 KingSolomen’sPrayer ‘for-Wisdom!’ (But, ‘to-Wisdom!?)
• In 25 words myUnderstanding&Experience of ‘Wisdom&wisdom’?
• Name 7Men&Women who egregiously embody ‘Wisdom’?
• Why does this writer think that ‘Wisdom’ is not an autonomous divinity?

2. THE PSALM 89 3-6, 12-14, 17

• Read 89(90) 1-17 How to deal with any powerful moody capricious sultan!
• How do I understand&explain ‘death’? the relativity of ‘time&space’? the fragility of life? The prevalence of ‘forces’ that seem hostile or beneficial or indifferent?
• What is my best experience-based statement of ‘ThePurpose-of MyLife?
• Who else writes in this quasi-lyrical fashion about ‘human-contingency?
• How excellently am I grounded in Philosophy Science Arts Mythology?
• Apart from ‘Yahweh,’ what other ‘refuges’ are offered by Church&State&Media?

3. PHILEMON 9-10, 12-17

• Read 1-25! The writer is exploring some still-relevant problematic!

What sorts of leverage has a ‘bishop’ on one of the ‘faithful?’

How is someone’s social & other relations affected by (adult) Baptism?

What is the bond (&attendant duties) between Baptiser&Baptised?

How to ‘coerce’ someone while appearing to leave them ‘free?’

4. LUKE14 25-33

• Read 14: 1-35! Explorative testing of obvious&non-obvious aspects of discipleship!
• In the excerpt, is the impression given that only ‘men’ can be ‘disciples?’
• & are other English versions that smooth this ‘sexism’ out, merely lying?
• Hate/Family/Life/Cross! A memory of the harsh shock of ‘His’ actual ‘preaching!’
• ‘UnlessHeGiveUpAllHisPossessions!’ Whaat’s this to do with the two ‘parables?’
• In my local church, who is ‘giving up all ‘his’ (whatever about ‘her’) possessions?’

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

Confidential memorandum to TheMost ExcellentHighPriest Caiaphas! Dispatched by trusted messenger from Bar Shemaya, Stalker of TheNazarene!

Greetings! May Heaven’sBlessings adorn Your Excellency!

With all due modesty I re-iterate! Faithfully I continue, in-season&out-of-season to stalk TheNazarene! So as to keep Your Excellency informed, concerning his designs on ourHoly Law&Temple! Only yesterday he shouted shamelessly to the gullible crowds (Excellency, note this well!) ‘Hate your own family for-me! Carry the shameful cross for-me!’ Not long afterwords, he spoke to Achitophel (I spit), the ambitious Tower-Builder, and Jeroboam (I spit), the upstartSchismatic! How can we continue to ignore his reckless contumely? Finally, perhaps the supreme insult to our HolyPlace! To be a disciple of his (I spit), one is called upon to give up all possessions! Contrary to all the Dispositions&Prescriptions of TheDivineLaw! TheNazarene is a tool (I spit twice) of Beelzubub! Excellency, fare You Well!

6. RIDDLE But what truly is Wisdom?

A very necessary&demanding&autonomous divinity?

The teaching-for-life proffered by authoritative male teachers?

A store of knowledge distilled from reflective experience?

The procedures&processes&products of ‘TheEarth?’

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

Sunday 28^th August 2022 22^nd. Sunday in Ordinary C

1. Sir/ECCLUS 3: 17-20, 28-29 (Why this pick ‘n mix approach?)

• Read 3: 1-4:31 Wisdom’s exhortations about ParentsHumilityPoor!
• Is there any ‘teaching’ in this excerpt that is not ‘questionable?’

That the meek are more esteemed than the Ostentatious?

That Yahweh desires the Humility of ThePowerful?

That ‘Pride’ (what’s that?) is a fatal illness in a person!

That alert critical attention is the norm for all!

2. THE PSALM 67: 4-7 10-11 (Such meagre rejoicing)!

• Read 67(68) 1-35 One of the greatest ShoutPsalms of all! A programmatic Manifesto of ‘Israel’sCharism!’ Replete with chauvinistic elohistic vitality!
• ‘WidowOrphanLonelyPrisoner!’ But is anyone actually interested in these?
• ‘RainLifeHome!’ Who is making these available to those who are deprived?

3. HEB 12:18-19 22-24 (Notice vv 20-21 and 24b!)

• What is the equivalent in my local church, of

TheTheophany of Mount Sinai (Exodus 19 10-25)

TheTenWords/Deeds of Mt. Sinai (Exodus 20 1-17)

TheDarkness of Mt Sinai (Exodus 20: 18-21)

The Covenant of Mt Sinai (Exodus 24: 1-18)

• Is there a hint here in this excerpt, that men human or divine are ‘sans pareil!’

4. LUKE 14 1, 7-14

• ThePlaces-of-Honour!

What is the equivalent of these & who gets them, in my local church?

Who would dream of inviting TheCrippled to their dinner?

Much less positioning them in ‘ThePlaces-of-Honour!

If I did, what ‘recompence’ would I expect, at TheResurrection?

How important is ‘honour’ (& ‘shame!)’ in Northern/IrishSociety?

Do I actually find, that exhaltation is humbled & humility exhalted?

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

‘Well!’ ‘Well is right! Aw lave me alone, he took th’ biscuit above this mornin’!’‘What? More about drink drugs an’ ‘No, worse! Lucky I’d TheLittleFlower, God love ‘er, t’ lean agains’ ‘Whatdya mean, lean?’ ‘There was somethin’ in one a’ th’ readin’s, don’t ass me, they’re all like chewin’ th’ edge a’ y’r cuff! About “places of honour” ‘Oh’ ‘an’ on an’ on an’ on, like a gander wi’ a mout’ at bot’ ends!’ ‘Is places of honour like guard of honour?’ ‘It seems theyre seats up wi’ th’ snobs! Th’ man-above says, Wait till th’ call ya!’ ‘So what’s th’ sweat?’ ‘Phonsy tol’ me after, that y’r man was peeved, cos he wasn’t invited recently t’ sit up beside y’ know-who in town.’ ‘I don’t think..’ ‘An’ he nearly ate hisself in th’ car outside.’ ‘Yeah, I saw ‘im, i thought he was saying his book, whatever th’ call it!’ ‘As th’ oul’ Canon usedta say.’ ‘Aw I loved that man! “Comrades, don’t be looking for no high places! They’ll be th’ first, th’ mighty wi’ feet a’ clay, t’ be toppled from their pedestals! From womb t’ tomb, stay humble!!” ‘An’ he practised every word he preached! Aw, we lost a saint when we lost that man! Aw, boys a’ boys!’

6. RIDDLE Who are the important people in my church?

Clergy Women Divorcees Children

Cripples Gays & Lesbians Religious or…?

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

SUN21AUG2022 (’01) 21stSUNInORDINARY C

1. IS6^.18-21-

• Read 66.1-24! Isaiah ends in a web of Threats&Promises, harsh&tender’ &TheWelter of Yahweh’sEverchangingMoodiness vis-a-vis TheOtherGods’
• In 20words, what has ‘Yahweh’ in mind in this excerpt” &What is ‘TheGlory’ & ‘TheSign’ & ‘TheOffering”‘ &What would attract foreigners to ‘Jerusalem”
• ‘TheDistantIslands”. Did YahwehPeople ever make it to Oilean-na-hEireann^? •

2 THE PSALM . 116 1-2

• What is it about ‘Yahweh’, that would interest ‘TheNations’ & ‘ThePeoples”‘

• More than, say, Marduk Ra Demeter LughLamhFhada Odin Ishtar Athena
• In what 15Ways have I reliably experienced ‘TheFaithfulnessOfYahweh’^?
• How does ‘Yahweh’sSteadfastLove’ extend to-me & through-me &from-me’
• What is ‘TheGoodNews'” &What is the actual fruit of proclaiming-it?
• ‘TheWholeWorId” How is this proclamation’ being made to ‘all-the-other-species'”
• ForEver ” Bla-bla, if this isn’t ‘wishful thinking’, how can the claim be tested’

3 HEB12.5-7, 11-13

• ‘Sons” When TheBible plainly refers to ‘FathersSonsBrothers’, should we conceal this by (understandably) substituting ‘Inclusive language”‘ Or admit the bias’ * What sorts of ‘punishment/discipline’ are demonstrably ‘from Yahweh”
• Are women ‘disciplined by Yahweh’ differently-from-men” &If-so,why?
• But has my suffering inevitably been fruitful’ Or are stringent conditions needed”
• How is this writer able to talk so self-assuredly about ‘TheLord’ ^?
• Which 7Aspects of my AdultChristianExperience especially disillusion me’

4 LK13 22-30

• Read 13:1-35′ Genuine&dangerous, or fake&comforting, ‘discipleship”‘
• In 25words, my best Understanding&Experience of ‘salvation”‘
• Which is preferable’ Narrow or wide door’ Few or many entering”
• Why does ‘TheMaster ‘ lock the ‘Door” &Reject those who arrive afterwards’

• & can I understand or empathise-with the overall harshness of this excerpt
• Who really is being targeted by these fulminations? Disciples’ Jews’ Us’ Or First&Last. What benefit, if any, resides in such tendentious declarations’

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

‘Gran!”Yes, a mhilis^?“Sam an’ Boysie had another row’ in his LandRover at the bottom of our drive’ Boysie called her a word “0 my goodness ‘ an’ she ran off, shoutin’ another word “Effie me poor gersha I hope you didn’t. “But listen, Gran’ when Boysie comes up to the bungalow, Mam says laffin’, “Yous is some pair’ if it’s not one it’s th’other’ forever weepina nashina teeth'” “0 “Gran’ weepina nashina teeth””Yes, Effie is Mam sayin’ .”That maybe their teeth’s at-them” Like causin’ them to say a word . “But you an’ me, Gran’ our teeth doesnt’t 0, weepina nashina’ does somcthin’ t’ them, makin’ them narly ‘ like Chuckie. “Mam used to say, “Why’s that child always scringin’ its teeth'” “So Boysie an’ Sam, scringin’ their teeth, weepina nashina, ‘-‘But why, Gran’ they’re not a kid, like Chuckie. ”Grownups do weepina nashina teeth ‘cos they’re busted-up with anger “An’ they start scringin” Sam an’ Boysie’s angry’ Simple’ angry angry angry ‘

6. RIDDLE Which is embodied in my local church’

Threat Promise Shillyshally Truth’

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

SUN14Aug. (’01) . 20thSUNinORDINARY . C

1. JER38.4-6, 8-10 (Why such a paltry ‘sound-bite’?)

• Read 36.1 – 38.28′ Thevicissitudes of a ‘Mouth-of-Yahweh’ vis-a-vis ‘TheRulingAuthority! But where is this ‘shoutable encounter’ in my local church’

• Why are contemporary ‘churchmen’ not ‘thrown into theCistern” (Romero’)’
• So, is my relatively-unfraught ‘discipleship’ a danger-signal’
• As a priority, what aspect of my local church am I called on to protest-about’

2. THE PSALM : 39 2-4, 18 (An ungenerous nose-gay’)

• Read 39(40):1-16(17)’ A more intimate friend-connectedness withYahweh”
• Who, in my life, has embodied such importance in my regard?
• How preferable, to shout this song about one’s friend or spouse or mentor”
• In 60 words, write a ‘new song’ for my ‘GrcatSupporter”
• How PatriciusFiliusCalpornii remembered this psalm in his Confession’
• ‘Wretched&Poor&Mired”. Name 100 of these, in my local church’
• How was/is ‘Yahweh’sRescuing’ actually experienced’ Or is it ‘purely spiritual'”

3. HEB12 1-4

• Read 12 1-39′ The powerful Exemplar of Jesus’ as Perfecter-of-faith, Endurer -of-Hostility, Mediator-of-a-NewCovenant’ But will example suffice?
• What 20Factors are hindering the resolute unfolding of my own ‘Wholeness’? * Which inhibits me more’ Fear Shame Lethargy Incompetence Resentment or what?
• ‘Witnesses” What sorts of ‘role-models’ are being presented to children nowadays’
• ‘Sin”. But, if the ‘sense of sin’ has been deadened by ‘double-standardism’?
• Who is helping me to explore the riddle, ‘Life-before& after-Death”^?

4. LK12 49-53

• The ‘Jesus’ reflected in this excerpt’ How different is He from the ‘Jesus’ of popular religion(‘TheSacredHeart’)’

‘Fire BaptismDivision! Wa-wa’ Will He ruin our acceptable slumber? Will He inspire ‘christians’ to controvert the ambivalent ‘peace process’? Does He reckon ‘distress&division’ as resource to test ‘true faith”

What strategies are being deployed to keep Him ‘incommunicado'”

But aren’t we safe from Him really’ ‘cos who’d risk blowing the whistl

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

‘Sir’ May I frankly speak my mind”‘ ‘Friend’ As far as you can, never otherwise with me’ For what is fnendship, but truth”‘ ‘Sir, priceless encouragment’ I confess I’m dismayed when I hear you speak to disciples about fire&distress, &division in families” ‘Friend’ have you not realised yet, the word I bear? More earthquake than John’s! more conflagration than Jeremlah’s! more-cataclysm than Moses! more tempest than Jonah’s” ‘I’d supposed, sir, that you were gentle&meek&amenable &non-violent. “Amen’ Nothing of this speaking-of-me is truth’ not heaven’s-truth’ Moment-to-moment, in heaven’s-breath&with-all-my-heart, I engage whatever is happening’ With-you, friend’ with the poor&lame’ with the leaders of the people’ with my disciple; & my family’ what-more’ ‘Sir, I begin to see you’ with new eyes .’ ‘Friend’ What is friendship but our struggle to see each other’s total truth’ So too, whatever is happening, I offer it heaven’s fnendship! &Truth,friend, as you recognise yourself, like friendship, is heaven’s most necessary, but yet most abhorred gift ..

6. RIDDLE Which is best? Minimal, maximal, or hot&cold ‘Engagement’?

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

Sunday 7thAug 2022 (’01): C: 19thSUNinOrdinary

1. WIS18:6-9

• Read 18: 1-25! Expansion of the ancient ExodusNarrative!
• a good example of homiletic&chauvinistic ‘exegesis’! But is it ‘wisdom’? &’inspired’?
• How is this ‘selfrighteousness’ perpetuated in the ‘christian churches’?
• & Their unselfcritical obsession with seeing each other as ‘heretical’ or ‘schismatic’?
• What 5Blessings&5Dangers are associated with contemporary ‘discipleship’?
• Is this excerpt a ‘program’ for a tightly-knit, paranoid, patriarchial ‘church’?

2. THE PSALM 32:1,12,18-20.22

• Read 32(33) 1-22! The worshippers’ complex relatedness with ‘Yahweh’!
• But for an unfolded adult-awareness, is it credible? Or necessary?
• Have ‘worshipful’ modes of being ‘christian’ left us fangless&gormless?
• &Just too susceptible to ‘TheDivinities’ & ‘TheAuthorities’ & ‘TheMedia’?
• Though again it must be asked, ‘Who gives a curse for adult education’?
• ‘Help&Shield!’ ‘Help’ to do what? ‘Shield’ against what? &Whom? &Why?

3. HEB11:1-2, 8-19

• Read 10:19 -12:13! Explorations of ‘faith’ by a cleric/theologian’
• In 25 words, myUnderstanding&Experience of ‘faith’?
• Will this ‘statemental’ discourse usurp the primacy of ‘narrative’?
• How can homilists undertake to tell other adults ‘how it is’?
• In my church, are ‘Faith&Obedience’ pushed? But not ‘Wisdom&Responsibility’?
• What are my 5Anchors? my%RoleModels? My 5Resources?
• Who influences me most? ClergyPoetsGossipsLoversAncestorsEnemiesBossesOr?
• Which 3 ‘GreatlyConfide’ in me? &in which 3 do I ‘GreatlyConfide’? (Great!’)

4. LK12:32 – 48?

• How is the ‘Master/Slave’ dynamic embodied in my local church?
• In which 7’Situations-of-myLife’ am I ‘master’? Or ‘slave’? &Are these valences
• ‘inevitable’? &How might I overcome such ‘inevitability’?
• How are women-disciples & men-disciples negotiating power&initiative?
• In 35 words, what’s my unvalued&unfolded&inalienable ‘Treasure’?

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

‘Honest Gertie! I must say I didn’t like that-there above this morning!’ “God, Cissie, tell-us’ was-it.’ ‘Sumpin’ th’ man-above said in th’ readin’.’ ‘Aw well, OK, no sweat!’ ‘about servants.’ ‘Oh’ sota threatenin’ them with gettin’ bet-up be their owner’ ‘But Cissie. It’s th’ man-above! so it must be game-ball’ ‘I-know, Geretie! But I still says to t’ meself, “Is it right of ‘Im, God bless ‘Im, t’ be threatenin’ th’ poorsods like that’ bad enuff t’ be slavin’ all hours f’r peanuts.’

Peanuts is right! As my fellasayswhe he wants t’ be rude!’ ‘..there’s too much a’ that, lookin’ down on th’ workers’ Cardle Mark was right! It’s all chains an’ no daisies f’r some of us!’ ‘Not t’ mention peanuts hisself!’ ‘ Y’r man tried t’ take the harm out of it’ makin’ out it was a spiritual favour He meant! gettin’ bet-up, that is!’ ‘But Cissie…’ ‘..but Cissie saw through him! He has just one more chance t’ show respect f’r th’ workers! After that, it’s arriverderci roma!’ ‘Cissie, y’can speak that sorta french t’ Gertie all day.!!’

6. RIDDLE TheEssence-of-Discipleship? FlatteryBuddabilityCompassion

AnswerabilitySelfHypnosisCompromiseSloganising

GullabilityLoveTruthYearningIrony?

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