000 Allen FMT (i-xxii) - The Presbyterian Leader

Introduction xxi
As noted previously, after Trinity Sunday, the lectionary appoints two
readings from the Old Testament (plus psalms for liturgical use)—one as
a semicontinuous reading from a part of the Old Testament, and the other
a reading that is paired with the Gospel for the day. On each day after
Trinity Sunday, we discuss the semicontinuous reading first and, following
the custom in the 1992 edition of The Revised Common Lectionary, we
indicate this reading by the use of a plus sign (+) while also adding the
word “semicontinuous.” 9 We indicate the readings appointed to coordinate
with the Gospel by an asterisk (*) while adding the word “paired.”
In recent years, a number of people in Jewish and Christian communities
have rediscovered the notion of tikkun olam, the act of mending the brokenness
of the world so that people can live together in well-being, love,
peace, and justice. 10 The phrase tikkun olam often refers to actions of
human beings to repair breaches in the divine purposes for the communities
of humankind and nature.
A story from the Babylonian Talmud captures this spirit. Rabbi Beroka
was conversing with Elijah regarding who has a place in the world to come
when Elijah spotted two people passing by, and said, “These two have a
share in the world to come.” Rabbi Beroka asked them, “‘What is your
occupation?’ They replied, ‘We are jesters. When we see [people] depressed,
we cheer them up; furthermore, when we see two people quarrelling we
strive hard to make peace between them.’” 11
We pray that this book and its companions will encourage a similar
spirit in Christian preachers and congregations.