Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Nov. 6, 2016
The Beatitudes
Does this reading remind you of Revelation? Much of the book of Daniel is apocalyptic literature, an imaginative genre that was popular from late Old Testament times through early Christianity and was understood as symbolic, not literal. Daniel tells of a vivid dream about four scary beasts that represent earthly kings. In later verses, we would meet a winged lion, a tusked bear, a four-headed leopard, and an iron-toothed monster with 10 horns! But the nightmare ends with reassurance that resonates as we recall all those who have died and gone on to their eternal rest: God will win and reign forever.
First Reading (BCP Service II): Ecclesiasticus 2:1-11
We mark All Saints Day with a rare visit to the Apocrypha, the books at the end of the Old Testament. Ecclesiasticus (not to be confused with Ecclesiastes), is also known as “The Wisdom of Jesus ben Sirach,” or “Sirach” for short. Calling on the people to stay true to their faith when Israel had fallen under Greek rule, Sirach reminds us to remember all the saints, and discover that those who trust in our compassionate God are never disappointed; those who call upon our merciful God are never neglected.
Shouting out praise for God’s glory, the Psalmist sings out a new song, a song of praise with full hearts and voices, worshiping God so fully that the people physically embody their prayer in dance, music and song. We rejoice that God takes pleasure in us; we praise God who lifts up the poor. But then the short Psalm takes a sudden turn that might remind us of an ancient vision of Judgement Day: It recognizes God not only as protector of the faithful but also as stern judge of all who’ve turned against God’s way.
Second Reading: Ephesians 1:11-23
Christ is King, and God has placed him at God’s right hand and given him great power to rule over us all, in the present and for all time to come. So the author of Ephesians assures his flock, writing in Paul’s name to the persecuted Christians of Ephesus in Asia Minor. From that time onward, all the people of God, baptized in Christ and sealed by the Spirit, are the saints of God. We are Christ’s body on earth, pledged through our inheritance through baptism to redemption as God’s own people.
Gospel: Luke 6:20-31
Think you know the Beatitudes? For most of us, Matthew’s narrative of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is the version we remember, as it guides us toward service and neighborly love. Today, though, we hear Luke’s rather different view of the Beatitudes in Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain. Luke’s version is much more directly focused on caring for the poor, and that means those who have no money or resources, not only the “poor in spirit.” We are called to give food to the hungry and water to the thirsty, not just stand with those who “hunger and thirst for righteousness.” Don’t just turn the other cheek: Forgive your enemies … and pray for them. In these Beatitudes, doing unto others is not easy, but it is essential. It binds us as the people of God.