Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Aug. 21, 2016
Jesus healing the bent woman. On the “Two Brothers Sarcophagus,” mid-4th century, Vatican Museum.
Does this reading seem familiar? We heard it last Epiphany, hardly six months ago. When God called Jeremiah, the young man doubted his ability to do this important job. “Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy!” But God reassures him: Even before Jeremiah was born, God knew him, and knew that he would be a prophet to nations and kingdoms, with power “to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”
First Reading (Track Two): Isaiah 58:9b-14
The book of Isaiah actually contains the work of three ancient writers, according to modern bible scholars. Now we hear from the third Isaiah, who prophesies soon after the nation’s return from exile: The temple and the city must be rebuilt; and that will be hard work. But Isaiah promises that all will be well if they follow God’s covenant: Be just, share with the needy, and care for the afflicted. Do all this, and honor the Sabbath, and Judah’s ancient glory will be restored.
We sang this Psalm portion, too, in Epiphany, and this makes sense since it fits well with the reading from Jeremiah. In these verses the Psalmist speaks for us from a place of weakness and fear, seeking refuge in God as we ask for protection and help. God knows us, like Jeremiah, since before our birth; God sustains us throughout our lives as our strength and our hope.
Psalm (Track Two): Psalm 103:1-8
This familiar hymn of thanksgiving is beloved for its assurances that God loves us, has mercy on us and takes care of us. It is easy to imagine the people of Isaiah’s time singing verses like these as they traveled home from exile. In its hopeful verses we remember that God forgives us, heals us and redeems us. We count on God’s mercy and grace, gentle spirit and abundant love.
Second Reading: Hebrews 12:18-29
Last week’s Hebrews reading celebrated the Old Testament heroes who made up the “cloud of witnesses” that now stands with us as we follow in Jesus’ way. Today we remember Moses receiving the Ten Commandments: The people were terrified as the the sky went dark, lightning flashed, thunder roared, and the earth shook with God’s power. But now we have a new covenant under Jesus. God gives us through Christ a kingdom that cannot be shaken.
Gospel: Luke 13:10-17
As a teacher and rabbi in Judaism’s ancient tradition, Jesus knew and followed Torah, God’s law and teaching. He faithfully kept the Sabbath. But even when he was teaching in the synagogue, out of compassion he stopped what he was doing to heal a woman’s painful disability. The woman was overjoyed, but the leaders of the synagogue were outraged. How dare Jesus work on the Sabbath? But Jesus called out their hypocrisy, reminding them that they would not hesitate to work to protect their own property on a Sabbath. Why should a woman in pain for 18 years have to wait another hour?