Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Aug. 14, 2016
First Reading: Isaiah 5:1-7
In the opening verses of today’s reading, Isaiah sings praise for God’s beautiful vineyard. But the prophet’s words soon take a darker turn. The vineyard was planned and planted thoughtfully and tended with care, but at harvest time it produced sour, unusable grapes. The vineyard’s failure angers God, who will tend it no more. Isaiah spells out the truths behind the metaphor: The vineyard is the house of Israel, the people of Judah. God planted them to reap righteousness and justice, but they’ve failed in this mission, and they will harvest bloodshed.
First Reading (Track Two): Jeremiah 23:23-29
Jeremiah is often nicknamed “the weeping prophet” because he spoke such anguished prophecy of warning and doom before the Temple was destroyed and the people sent into exile in Babylon. In these verses he describes a God who exists in every corner of earth and space, as far away as the stars, and as near as our beating hearts. Can we see a parallel between Jesus’ stark words in today’s Gospel and Isaiah’s description of a God who loves us yet has power to wield fire and destruction?
Isaiah’s vineyard metaphor finds an echo in the Psalmist’s song: Israel, the beloved vine that God brought out of Egypt, tended and nurtured, once grew so mighty that it filled all the land. But now everything has changed. The vine is ravaged, eaten by animals, burned like rubbish. Calling for God’s protection, the Psalmist asks God to tend the vine again, restoring the people and showing us the light of God’s countenance.
Psalm (Track Two): Psalm 82
The idea of God in a divine council of other gods seems strange to our modern ears. Isn’t our faith tradition firmly monotheistic? These verses may reflect an ancient understanding of our God as supreme over the lesser gods of other nations. But the deep message of this Psalm remains relevant through the ages. It reminds us that God insists on justice, and calls us to stand up for the weak, the orphan, the lowly, the destitute and the needy.
Second Reading: Hebrews 11:29 – 12:2
Following last week’s praise for Abraham as our ancestor in faith, we now hear more vignettes about Old Testament heroes who achieved greatness through their faith and now form a “cloud of witnesses” that surrounds and inspires us. Those witnesses should inspire us to “run with perseverance the race that is set before us” as we follow Jesus, who endured the shame of crucifixion and now sits at the right hand of God.
Gospel: Luke 12:49-56
This is one of those Gospels that makes us stop and think. Isn’t Jesus kind and caring – the Prince of Peace? Doesn’t Jesus love his enemies? He always turns his other cheek to those who would strike him! So what’s all this angry talk about not bringing peace but fire and division? Remember that we are following Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem and the cross in this Pentecost season. Walking this hard journey with him is not an easy path. The Kingdom is coming soon, and it may divide us even from friends and family.