Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sept. 28, 2014

Triumph of the Cross in Basilica San Clemente, Rome.

In last week’s Lectionary (which we replaced with the St Matthew’s Day readings), the people in the desert complained because they were hungry, and God provided quail and manna. Now they are grumbling again because there’s no water. Moses strikes a rock with the rod that he used to part the Red Sea’s waters, and water comes gushing out. Perhaps we can identify with the Israelites, who so soon forget their blessings and complain about what God hasn’t done for them lately.

First Reading (Track Two): Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32

We return to the Prophet Ezekiel, whose prophecy we heard two weeks ago, for another lesson. Here again, the prophet brings a stern warning that ends with a glimpse of hope. It’s a simple equation, as the prophet sees it: Fail in righteousness, refuse to be just, and die. But repent, turn away from wickedness, and enjoy life in the grace of God, who takes no pleasure in your death or that of your children. “Turn, then, and live.”

Psalm: Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16

In contrast with the cranky, complaining people in the desert who forgot God’s blessings, the Psalmist recalls that narrative quite well, “declaring the mysteries of ancient times” and promising to tell future generations how God’s power and marvels opened the sea, led the people toward freedom, and yes, gave them water streaming out of the desert’s hard rocks like a river.

Psalm (Track 2): Psalm 25:1-8

Perhaps we can hear in this Psalm an echo of Ezekiel’s prophecy: We may have sinned in the past and transgressed God’s love and God’s hopes for us; but we trust in the loving God of our salvation to remember us with compassion, protect us and guide us toward right paths in spite of our errors.

Second Reading: Philippians 2:1-13

Paul, in prison in Rome, sends the Philippians a beautiful passage, verses that may have been a popular hymn of the early church. Jesus, we sing in this hymn, took no pride in his position. Rather, he “emptied himself” in utter humility, accepting death by crucifixion; and in so doing became exalted as our anointed Lord and master. Be humble and unselfish with one another, Paul urges us. Place the needs of others before our own ambition, and in doing so, live as Jesus lived.

Gospel: Matthew 21:23-32

The high priests are trying to trap Jesus again, and remember, this encounter came the very next day after Jesus had come into the temple, overturned the money changers’ tables and ran them off! Jesus didn’t run away after that, but came right back to the temple with his friends the next day. The authorities surely wanted to know what he was up to, but Jesus trapped them back with a trick question of his own, then added a parable that makes us think: Is Jesus saying that it’s better to walk the walk than to talk the talk?