Some of you might be thinking, why have a lectionary? Why have a liturgical year? Why can't i read whatever i want in the bible?

Well, of course you can. The scriptures are open to be read by all. However, since the dawn of the early church, believers have sought to see Christ "pre-eminent in all things" (see Col. 1) - therefore, to see how the Passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus is reflected in the changing of seasons; but not only the pascal mystery, but also the entire life of Jesus. If He is to live in us, then we should continue to dive into His earthy ministry - not only the continued one now, through the Church - but His incarnation. And in that, we reflect on how He was spread through the early Church - specifically in the New Testament letters, and foreshadowed in the Old and New Convenants. So - that's why you have all those readings.....they are decided upon by a conference of Bishops - of leadership who pray and ask for the Holy Spirit to guide them in their discernment - much akin to a governing body of Assemblies of God churches, or the Southern Baptist Convention - and they decide upon a translation of scripture and what verses to meditate upon - given the context of where we are in the calendar year. 

Which brings us back to the task at hand.....that being reading the above readings. 

I encourage you as you read, to read through it once. Then stop and re read; and every time something "jumps out" at you (meaning, strikes your attention), ask the Holy Sprit to give you fresh revelation - maybe you hear something new, maybe it's a clarification, maybe an insight, etc....

ALSO - with any narrative - try "putting" yourself into the story - imagine yourself in different perspectives - that the Lord would speak to you.....His word is living and effective, and ALWAYS has something new to say. 

SO. These readings. 

The word that comes to me is HOSPITALITY. What God seems to be really focusing on is telling people about the nature of what it looks like as a Christian to really "serve" people. To be like Abraham, who by the way, is serving THE LORD! Hello!?! Can you even imagine what that was like? And his hospitality was met by God's generosity - not as "a reward" of his hospitality, but as a CONSEQUENCE. There is a difference. The blessing of God comes as a consequence to faithfulness. But blessing has nothing to do with material gain, and more to do with gain of faith. Hence, the Lord promising a child - to have faith in such a thing, well the faith would be the gift in of itself.

To serve as Paul suggests, that is to endure "all sufferings as to make up for whatever is lacking", is not a reference to Christ, but rather, the church. How many people come to church every week and have little faith? How many people go through hardship and do not unite it to the cross of Jesus Christ? What would happen if a church of believers endured any "fleshiness" so as to make much of the glory of God? After all, it is not by our own character or volition, but by the grace of God we are able to serve with an intent to "see Christ" - and that's the mistake that Martha makes in the Gospel - it's not serving - it's that she loses why she was serving in the first place - that is, to serve and sit at the feet of Jesus. 

well, that, and time to just "be" with the Lord. 

In service, or ministry, we must seek the face of Jesus - that is, to serve Christ, and not the people around you. In the "rule of St Benedict", one of the tenants is that you greet everyone as if you're greeting Jesus. If we did that, then we would treat everyone as they deserve - not by their merits, but by the blood of Jesus.