[Uucf-bible] Other readings this week

[Erika Noll Webb]

I thought I would pitch in a few more of the lectionary readings this week.
The first is from John, and eloquently referred to by my Mother-in-Law on
our last visit with a finger raised to the Heavens as she exclaimed "Only
through Him".  It was some conversation about whether anyone non-Christian
could be saved, and she was responding with the Johnian view of salvation
only through Jesus Christ--the very argument that keeps me in the "Follower
of Jesus" not "Christian" camp.  =)  However, I like the bread metaphor
anyway, even though John is my least favorite of the Gospels.  We often sing
during communion a Taize-like song based on the first line.  The second I
picked because it is the joyful type of Psalm that I like.  I like the "O
taste and see that the LORD is good" of the last line--I'm not sure why
"taste" get dropped in here, but it seems to fit nicely with the Bread of
Life from John.

John 6:35, 41-51

6:35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will
never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

6:41 Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, "I am the
bread that came down from heaven."

6:42 They were saying, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father
and mother we know? How can he now say, 'I have come down from heaven'?"

6:43 Jesus answered them, "Do not complain among yourselves.

6:44 No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I
will raise that person up on the last day.

6:45 It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.'
Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me.

6:46 Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he
has seen the Father.

6:47 Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life.

6:48 I am the bread of life.

6:49 Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died.

6:50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of
it and not die.

6:51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this
bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the
world is my flesh."




Psalm 34:1-8

34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in
my mouth.

34:2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.

34:3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

34:4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my
fears.

34:5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed.

34:6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from
every trouble.

34:7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers
them.

34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge
in him.