Almost the entire Sixth Century, B.C. saw God’s people living in exile in Babylonia. Permitted by the Persian Kings Cyrus and Darius to return, the Jewish people began to rejoice once again in the power of God’s saving presence. The Temple in Jerusalem was reconstructed in 515 B.C. and the full life of worship for God’s people resumed once again. As a way of reconnecting the sacred thread of God’s saving grace, the compilers of 1 and 2 Chronicles gather the history of God’s action among God’s people. This begins with nine chapters of genealogies. Today’s reading traces the thread from Adam to Jacob with a focus upon Judah; from this tribe comes the line of David.

God had you in mind when he spread out this array of families. Place yourself into this sacred history. Let this day be another in the sacred sequence of your personal history.

1 Chronicles 1—3

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: Sacred thread of saving grace

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the season of Pentecost this year we read Proverbs 27—29 and 1 Chronicles.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information

During World War II, German soldiers used to go to the theater at night with their wives after having spent the day gassing thousands of Jews. Comfortable in their seats, they would weep at the beauty of the music, unmindful of the atrocities that went on during the day, ears deaf to the screams and the sobs of those in the camps occurring at the same time as the concerts.

The Holocaust of the Twentieth Century A.D. had its precedent in the Eighth Century B.C. In today’s passage, Amos mourns for the virgin of Israel as though she has already died. He shares his grief in the hopes that the comfort and complacency of those moved only by music, would be shaken to a hunger and thirst for justice.

What are the changes that need to take place in you when it comes to making justice? Without it, the most beautiful music turns worship into vanity, and even blasphemy.

Amos 5—6

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the season of Pentecost we read Amos to Nahum with Lamentations 4—5 in the Ninth Week.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Justice flowing down like streams 5:24

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.

Two responses are announced after Jesus delivers the man with the legion of demons. The first is from the people of v. 36 who have seen the deliverance; the second comes from the man himself. The first reporters are shocked and frightened by the miracle, infecting the people with their fears; they ask Jesus to leave. The second telling comes with the joy, the peace, the energy of the man who had received such a wondrous gift. Both Mark and Luke use the Greek word for “preaching,” kerusso, to describe how he witnesses to the people. Know how different must have been the response of the people infected with joy!

Just as this man, do not stay at the feet of Jesus, but go and share the joy and radiance of your miracle contact with the Lord with many others in your day.

Luke 8:26–39

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Your power over evil v. 26ff

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
In year C, we generally read from the Gospel of St. Luke.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.