First Sunday of Lent
March 1. 2009

Scripture Introductions
by Stewart Clarke

We move into Lent, and a focus on Covenants: agreements, if you will, 
or unions with God as one of the partners.  The first covenant was with "Adam," or "Humankind," 
and may have implicitly included the "Garden" of Nature. Today, we move on to the covenant 
with Noah and living creatures.  We will move to Abraham, and on, as we "zoom" in with a finer or closer focus.

As usual, these introductions are offered[1] for use, or for modification, or as springboards to your own creations.   
They are offered in the firm belief that, especially in worship,  they can help focus our attention, 
and provide a context to help us understand the message. (There are comments in parentheses 
that you may prefer to skip.)

March 1, 06. First Sunday in Lent.
The first reading today is beyond history (it is often called "myth,"[2] which has to do, not with "facts" 
of science or history, but with the power and depth of meaning of the story.  Such passages 
can have vital messages as a foundation for a lifestyle or community.)
 
After 40 days (meaning, simply, "a long time") of rain, and another long period of waiting, 
Noah and all those in the Ark land on dry ground!  God offers a covenant with the survivors, 
both human and all other creatures. It seems, in the story, as if God has had a change of heart or mind, 
and assures the survivors of more consideration!   A rainbow appears, portrayed as a sign of hope 
and of the covenant.  When we see the rainbow, we are no longer to be in constant dread of a massive flood, 
but to recognize it as a sign of hope, and of responsibility in Creation.  We have often preferred to emphasize 
the right to subdue nature, which is found in Gen.1: 28; in this passage, the covenant includes those 
we have often subdued!

(The story comes from the Priestly tradition, marking it as fairly late in composition.  
The general theme of flood and rainbow is reflected in different cultures, as in Babylon.  
Whether this is an old Hebrew story that is repeated, or one that is borrowed and reworked 
to the glory of God, it speaks of essential meaning and responsibility in and for Creation.)

Let us listen to this ancient story, and may God speak to us through its telling.
Genesis 9:8-17

You may wish to simply pause after the reading, and reserve thanks and praise 
until after the Gospel, or you may say something like[3]:

God bless to us this vision of grace to all creation. Amen



The Psalm picks up the thought of covenant with God, and the responsibility of following God's way.  
(In Hebrew, it is acrostic, with verses beginning with the letters of the alphabet in turn, though, 
of course, we lose this in translation.  It is like a much more sophisticated form of: "A is for Aardvark!")
Let us.

Psalm 25:1-10 (VU p.752)



In the Epistle (Letter) reading, (written in elegant Greek, I am told) the author links Noah 
and the flood with Baptism and Salvation in Christ.  This link has spoken powerfully 
to Christians over the years.

Let us listen as the author, in Peter's name, explains:
1 Peter 3:18-22

We may add something like:
May we be reminded of the significance of our own Baptism.   Amen



In the Gospel, we have the story of Jesus' Baptism and of his acknowledgement 
or acceptance as God's Son. This is followed by Jesus' Temptation and the beginning of his ministry, 
which sounds, at this point,[4] almost like a continuation of the ministry of John the Baptist! 
And the reference to "forty days" reminds us of the Flood.

Let us rise to honour and be open to the Good News for us in:
(Or: Let us listen closely for the Good News for us in:)

Mark 1:9-15

And we may add something like:
May God bless to us this reminder of Jesus' meaning and message. Amen .

It is appropriate to follow the readings with thanks and praise.

Notes:

 With thanks to DH, CAM and EMC
 "Myth" can be understood in a scientific framework, in which it is understood as being wrong.   
It comes, rather, from a classic background of rhetoric.  There are, in that world, four ways of communicating 
and influencing. One is logic, which we value above all else, but there are also pathos, which has to do with feeling, 
ethos, which has to do with community and mores, and mythos, which has to do with eternal meanings, 
usually in story form. Each, in its own way, was considered important, and can be important, today. RSC.
 You may prefer a more standard, "Hear what the Spirit is saying to us (or to the Church)," 
to which the congregation may reply, "Thanks be to God".
 As I read the Gospels, this particular emphasis will be replaced by an understanding of God's 
Realm or Kingdom as immediate, or among his followers. 


(Comments to Stew at stewclarke@eastlink.ca.)