Matthew 6: This is the chapter with the Ash Wednesday reading: "WHEN you give alms...pray...fast..." Not "IF".
This is the chapter with Jesus teaching us his prayer, the "Our Father." OUR Father! What about that???
This is the chapter that tells us not to worry about money, to seek God's Kingdom and his righteousness, and NOT TO WORRY!
Genesis 16-18: Trouble in Abraham's household. Sarah and Hagar aren't getting along. Each feels that she is judged by the other. This household seems to be at the other end of the "happiness spectrum" from the family in the TV show "Sister Wives." Despite the hard times between Jews and Arabs, both claim the fatherhood of Abraham. Both are blessed by God; both are destined to be "mighty nations."
The giving of the covenant between God and Abraham; Abraham's new name, the sign of circumcision. The promise of a child to Abraham. And--why do people always forget this? Abraham laughs, too. He laughs so hard he falls down! (17:17). And note the almost plaintive quality in Abraham's words: "O that Ishmael might live in your sight! (17:18). This...shall we call it "exceptionalism" ?...of the children of Isaac becomes increasingly problematic. Whenever God favors one person or nation it is possible to take a different perspective and to ask how that is fair. What about the one NOT favored?
The visit of the Three Men. Full of mystery and a delightful over-the-top sense of what it is to be hospitable in the desert. "a little bread"--as much as a commercial baker kneads with a dough machine!--and a whole beef worth of barbecue, plus yogurt and milk!
Abraham's memorable bargaining session with the LORD on behalf of Lot's town. "Far be it from you to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked!" says Abraham (18:25). Yet the reader and the hearer might say... well maybe that happened in the Noah story...It seems to happen all the time that the innocent die with the wicked. A challenging and wonderful conversation to listen in on!
Psalm 6: Introducing one more major, major theme in the Psalms: "How long, O Lord?"
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