Break Open the Word

The Third Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 5, 5 June 2016 Track One: I Kings 17:8-16 (17-24) Psalm 146 Track 2 I Kings 17:17-24 Psalm 30 Galatians 1:11-24 Saint Luke 7:11-17 Background: Resources on Galatians Since we are going to be traveling with Galatians over the next Sundays, I thought that I might lift up some resources that might be helpful to the preacher, the lay reader, or any Christian. Some may be scholarly and other might be lighter and more approachable fare. With this blog entry I would like to suggest Brigitte Kahl’s Galatians Re-Imagined Reading with the Eyes of the Vanquished . [1] By looking deeply into the Celtic background of Galatia, and to the tribal and imperial myths that surround the peoples who settle there, the author helps us to have an understanding of Paul that causes the reader to reexamine our assessment of Paul. Is the Law of the Jews the threat that we encounter in Galatians, or is there a much broader cultural and ...

The Second Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 4, 29 May 2016 Track One: I Kings 18:20-21, 22-29, 30-39 Psalm 96 Track 2 I Kings 8:22-23, 41-45 Psalm 96:1-9 Galatians 1:1-12 Saint Luke 7:1-10 Background: The Centurion A centurion, a professional soldier in the Roman army, commanded a division of the army of around 100 men or more. These divisions were changed under Marius in 107 BCE. Under Julius Caesar the numbers were increased and varied over time. He was a highly paid professional often earning up to seventeen times what a legionary soldier would earn. The appointment of centurions was not totally an internal military affair. Some were elected, or were appointees of the Senate in addition to being promoted from the legionaries. Since they were involved in actual fighting, they were chosen with size, strength, and dexterity in mind – especially in the use of the sword. They were expected to be strict disciplinarians as well. Track One First Read...