Let the Scriptures Speak
We know the Bible is more like a library than a single volume. The contents, or books, span centuries and were compiled by a variety of writers. For the most part, the writers were recording stories, events and beliefs that had been passed down orally through generations. For example, the first chapter of Genesis relates one creation narrative, and the second chapter tells the story in a different way from a different tradition. But both contain truths that transcend the events of the stories – truths about God’s love for creation, our relationship with God and our responsibility to care for creation. The prophesies attributed to Isaiah speak of events that span 2 centuries and are believed to have been recorded by as many as 3 different writers. The Gospels were written between 2 and 3 generations after Jesus’ resurrection. Again, the 4 Gospel writers recorded stories about Jesus and his ministry that had circulated in the various Jewish and early Christian communities during the decades following Jesus’ resurrection.
The point is that readings from scripture we hear every Sunday come to us from a variety of oral traditions and were told and re-told around the campfire, at religious gatherings, at the family table and by believers sharing their faith with friends. They were told for decades, even centuries, before being written down. Our sacred stories were heard before they were read.
With this in mind, I suggest that we try putting our lectionary inserts aside and try listening to scripture rather than reading along with the Worship Leader. When we hear a passage punctuated with the reader’s inflection, pauses, cadence, we have the opportunity to relate to it as a human story rather than words on a page. Do take the insert home for further reflection and study, but try just listening when it’s read. All our Worship Leaders do an excellent job and we may find that we relate to the scriptures in a new way.
Rev. Betty+