Good As New: A Radical Retelling of Scriptures

The following readings for year C are taken from the 'Good as New" translations of New Testament texts: These are produced in loving memory of Roy Wood who introduced them to our congregation and to the many of you who have asked for them.

March 7  Third Sunday of Lent              Paul's First letter to Corinth 10: 1- 14

     Let me remind you, my friends, of the history of those of us whose origins are Jewish.  A cloud showed our ancestors the way to go.   They found a path through the sea.  Those experiences of the cloud and the water gave them a relationship with Moses.  They were bound together  by special food and drink, which God provided.  They got their drink from God's Rock, which they found everywhere they went.  However, most of them didn't live up to God's hopes, and they died at various stages on the journey through the desert.  (Today we think of Jesus as God's Rock.)    Our history is a warning to us.  We must not make the same mistakes as our ancestors.  Don't worship material things like some of them.  We're told, "The people held wild parties which got out of hand."  We must not be irresponsible in our sexual behaviour, like some of them.  On one day a great number died as a result of over- indulgence.  We must not try our Leader's patience as our ancestors did.  Some of them died from snakebites.  Nor must we be always looking on the gloomy side, like them.  They lacked the will to live.  We're meant to learn a lesson from the stories of what happened to those people, even though we live at a much later time.  So don't be too sure of yourself, or you'll fall flat on your face.  What you are going through every one of us has to go through, at some time or another.  God is reliable and won't let you get into any trouble you can't cope with.  God will also give you any extra toughening up you need and show you the way out of your difficulties.                                                    

March 7      Third Sunday of Lent         Luke 13:  1 - 9

    Somebody told Jesus about the people from Galilee Pilate had killed while they were at worship.  Jesus said,  "Do you think they were singled out for that fate because they were bad people, worse than other Galileans?  No, it doesn't work like that.  But if you don't mend your ways, a similar fate will be yours.  Remember those eighteen people who were killed when the Siloam tower fell on them?  Were they more wicked than all the other people living in Jerusalem at the time?  Of course not!  But if you don't come to your senses, you'll all die under a heap of rubble."                                              Then Jesus told them this story:  "A woman had a fig tree in her garden, but couldn't get any fruit from it.  So she said to her gardener,  "We've had this fig tree for three years now and there 's still no fruit on it.  Chop it down; it's only taking up space!"  The gardener said,  'May I suggest we keep it one more year.  I'll loosen the roots and put some compost round them.  We may get some fruit next year.  If not, we'll chop it down.' "

March 14   Fourth Sunday of Lent       Paul's 3rd Letter to Corinth  (2 Corinthians 1 - 9)   5: 16 - 21  

We have to stop putting labels on people.  (We thought once upon a  time we could put a label on Jesus.  We now know we'll never understand him by doing that.)  Anyone who's a friend of Jesus is a new person, living in a new world.  None of the old labels apply.  God has made this possible by seeking a new relationship of friendship with us.  Jesus was the matchmaker God used to make fiends with us.  now Jesus calls on us to be matchmakers, getting people to be friends with one another.  Jesus was God in person, making friends with the world.  Everyone's past conduct was overlooked.  We've been given the job of spreading friendship far and wide.  Jesus has appointed us to speak on God's behalf.  We're bringing you the special invitation from God that Jesus has entrusted to us.  God's message is, "Please let's be friends!"  Jesus always acted from the highest motives.  He was thought a rogue because he mixed with rogues like you and me.  He accepted that bad label in order to share with us his quality life in God's company.

March 14  Fourth Sunday of Lent       Luke 15: 1-3, 11B - 32

Jesus had a special attraction for those excluded from respectable society.  They listened to what he had to say.  This annoyed the strict sect.  Their complaint was: "He spends his time with disreputable types of people and even has meals with them!"  Jesus explained what he was doing like this:   "Once there was a man with two sons.  The younger one said to his father  'Dad, let me have the money you intend leaving me in your will.'  So the father made over to both his sons the share of his estate he had decided to leave them.  A few days later, the younger son packed his bags and went abroad.  Away from home he soon went through his money, living without a thought for the next day.  At the very moment his money ran out, there was a slump in the country where he was living and there were no jobs worth having.  All he could get was a job on a farm looking after some pigs.  Sometimes he was so hungry, he felt like eating the pig food.  No one took pity on him.  Finally he came to his senses and said, 'Back home the workers on Dad's farm get as much food as they need and more, but I'm dying of hunger.  I've enough of this job; I'm going home to Dad!  This is what I'll say to him, "Dad, I've led a selfish life and I've treated you shamefully.  I'm not fit to be thought of as your son.  Please give me a job on the farm, I'll do anything!"'        

"So he made his way back home to his father.  His father saw him coming in the distance and his heart melted at the sight of him.  He ran toward him and hugged and kissed him.  Then the son began the speech he'd prepared, 'Dad, I've led a selfish life and I've treated you shamefully; I'm not fit to be though of as your son..."But his father said, 'We must get you into some decent clothes right away.  My new jacket - I haven't worn it yet - I'm sure it will fit you.  And I've got a bright shirt and some new shoes to go with it.  Let's have a big party and get some good food in.  I thought my son was dead, but here he is! ALIVE!  I thought I'd lost him forever, but he's back where he belongs!"

"At the same time the party was getting into full swing, the older son was out working in the fields.  On his way back to the house he heard the sound of music and dancing.  He stopped to ask those standing in the doorway what was going on.  They said, "Your brother's come home and your father's throwing a party to celebrate his safe return.'  The older son was furious and refused to go in.  So his father came out and tried to persuade him.  But he said to his father, "I've been working my fingers to the bone for you all these years, and I've always done what you asked me to do.  When have you ever had a party for me, so I could have a good time with my friends?  But this worthless son of yours comes home after wasting all your money on wild adventures, and no expense is spared to make him welcome!"  The father said, 'My boy, I've got you with me all the time.  Everything I have is yours as well.  It's right for us to have a party and to be happy.  He's not just my son; he's your brother!  We'd given him up for dead, but he's alive; we thought we'd lost him, but he's come back home.' "

June 13  Third Sunday After Pentecost   Luke 7: 36 - 8: 3

One of the strict sect, called Simon, invited Jesus home for a meal.  Jesus went into his house and lay out on one of the couches where the food was being served.  One of the town prostitutes with a bad reputation found out that Jesus was there.  She came in with a jar of highly scented oil and stood by Jesus.  She started to cry, and used her tears to wash Jesus' feet.  Then she dried them with her hair.  She kissed his feet over and over again and massaged them with the oil.  Simon was very shocked by this and thought,  "If this fellow were one of God's speakers, he'd know who this woman is, making advances to him like that, and what she does for a living."  Jesus turned to him and said,  "I've something to say to you Simon."  He said,  "Alright, Teacher, let's hear it!"                                                

"There were once two people who'd borrowed money from a moneylender.  One owed five hundred dollars, the other just fifty.  Neither of them could pay the money back, so the moneylender cancelled their debts.  Which one of them will appreciate the moneylender the most?"  Simon said,  "The one, I imagine, who had the biggest debt."

Then Jesus looked back to the woman again.  "Take a good look at this woman, Simon.  When I came in from the street you didn't trouble to provide a bowl of water for me to wash my feet, but she's washed my feet with her tears, and dried them with her hair.  I've not had one kiss from you, but she's not stopped kissing my feet ever since she came in.  You didn't put a spot of oil on my head as is customary with an honored guest, but she's massaged my feet with expensive perfume.  So you see, she must have been forgiven for the many things she's done wrong.  That's why she loves me so much.  Those who think they've very little to be forgiven for, don't show much love."  Then Jesus said to the woman,  "You're okay by me!"

The other guests discussed the incident among themselves.  Some said, "Who does he think he is, letting people off as lightly as that?"  Finally, Jesus said to the woman, "Your trust in me has given you new life.  From now on, I want you to feel good about yourself!"

Jesus now went on a tour of the towns and villages, telling people the Good News about God's New World.  As well as his twelve male helpers, Jesus had several woman on his team.  Some of these Jesus had helped with personality problems and weaknesses.  They included among others, Mary surnamed the Magdalene, who had been an extremely difficult person before meeting Jesus, Joanna, the wife of one of Herod's chief ministers, and Susanna.  These woman were well off, and helped with expenses.

June 20  Fourth Sunday after Pentecost  Paul's Letter to some Celtic Christians (Galatians) 3: 23 - 29

Before this invitation to trust, we were tied to the rules.  It was like being in prison.  The rules kept us under tight control until the coming of Jesus.  He showed us how to relate to God by means of trust.  Now we have trust, we no longer need such a harsh regime.  Jesus has brought us into the family of God through trust.  All of you who declared your trust in Jesus share his identity.  Differences in race, sex, and class no longer matter.  You all belong to one another because you belong to Jesus.  That also means you belong to Abraham and get your share of what was promised.

June 20  Fourth Sunday After Pentecost  Gospel According to Luke 8: 26 - 29

 Jesus and his friends landed near the town of Kursa, which is on the other side of the lake from Galilee.  As Jesus was getting out of the boat, a man who was mentally ill came to meet him.  For a long time he had not worn any clothes, or had anywhere decent to live.  He sheltered in the caves where the dead were buried.  When he saw Jesus, he fell down in front of him and screamed,  "Leave me alone, Jesus.  You're God's Chosen. For God's sake stop torturing me!"  Jesus quickly got to grips with the man's case.  He learnt that he had frequent attacks, when he had to be guarded and tied down.  Sometimes he would break loose and run off into the desert.  Jesus asked him, "What is your name?"  "My name's Legion," he said,  "I'm so many people all in one.  Please don't have me put away!"  On the hillside nearby, a large herd of pigs was feeding.  Confused voices from the man's mind begged Jesus,  "Why can't we plague the life out of those pigs instead?!"  Jesus said,  "Okay, off you go!"  The pigs rushed down the bank into the lake and drowned.

 The farm workers looking after the pigs saw what happened and ran off to tell their neighbours in the town and the surrounding district.  People came out to see what was going on.  They found the man having a serious talk with Jesus.  He was fully dressed, and his mind was clear.  They were still afraid of him.  When the farm workers told how the man had been healed, the locals asked Jesus to leave the district.  They were anxious about the rest of their livestock.  As Jesus was getting back into the boat, the man who had been cured begged to go with him.  But Jesus pointed him towards his home.  He said, "That's where you should be now.  Your family needs you.  Tell them what God has done for you."  Off he went and told everyone in the town how Jesus had helped him.                                 

July 11  Seventh Sunday After Pentecost   Paul's letter to Colossians  1: 1 - 14

This letter comes from Paul and from his friend Timothy, employed by God to work for Jesus, God's Chosen.  It's for the loyal Christian community of Colossae (Quaketown).  May you have the goodness and peace that come from the Loving God.

When we talk with God, Parent of our Leader Jesus, we always say "thank You" when we mention you.  That's because we've heard about the trust you have in Jesus and the love you have for one another as Christians.  You have great prospects in the future life God is getting ready for you.  You've heard that before, when you got the Good News, the message you can rely on.  The Good News is having a big effect the world over, and it's had a big effect on your lives too since you heard it and realized how generous and loving God is.  Epaphras. a much-loved colleague of ours, was your teacher.  As a loyal helper of Jesus, he's made it his job to care for you.  Epaphras has been telling us how God's Spirit has made you into a loving people.

Ever since we got such a good report fro Epaphras, we've mentioned you often when we talk with God.  We hope you'll get a clear idea of what God wants of you, so you can do your best for the Leader and make him happy.  You'll get to see the results of all your hard work and learn more about God's ways.  Aim to be reliable.  The one famous for being reliable will help you.  Then you'll be ready for anything that comes your way.  Show your appreciation to the Loving God by being bright and cheerful.  You're going to get a share of the wonderful things being got ready for God's people.  We've been rescued from evil's grip and become citizens of the New World.  The one we all love, Jesus, God's Likeness, has brought this about.  We've been set free and waved goodbye to our feelings of guilt.