Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Dec. 20, 2015

“Visitation”, from Altarpiece of the Virgin (St Vaast Altarpiece) by Jacques Daret, c. 1435 (Staatliche Museen, Berlin)

Micah, one of the early prophets, wrote this beautiful short book in poetic form some 700 years before Christ. Recalling the defeat of the northern Kingdom, Israel, by the Assyrians, Micah writes to the people of Jerusalem in Judah. foretelling that a new ruler who will come from the village of Bethlehem – which had given birth to King David. In words that we may recognize from their use in Handel’s Messiah, we hear that the new ruler will unite them as a shepherd leads his flock, all under God’s protection in peace.

Canticle 15 (Luke 1:46-55)

In place of a Psalm today we have a Canticle, the verses of Luke’s Gospel that Mary sang when she visited her sister Elizabeth while the two women were both pregnant with Jesus and John. (We will hear the verses that come just before this song in today’s Gospel.) This song, called the Song of Mary or the Magnificat, celebrates a powerful and merciful God who protects the weak and the oppressed: A God who practices the righteous justice that brings good news to the poor. Now, for a fascinating bible study experience, turn to 1 Samuel 2:1-10 to read a similar response from another woman, Hannah, who gave birth to a God-given son, Samuel, who prepared the way for Israel’s first kings.

Second Reading: Hebrews 10:5-10

Here’s another snippet from Hebrews, the letter that we went through for several weeks in our Second Readings this past autumn. Consistent with its theme of contrasting Jewish Christianity against Temple Judaism, it echoes prophecies of Isaiah and Amos, who warned of a God who “takes no pleasure” in temple sacrifices. Instead, it proposes that God’s promise to Israel at Sinai has been fulfilled in Jesus’ Incarnation and sacrifice.

Gospel: Luke 1:39-45


Here is the first part of Luke’s account of Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth. Both women are pregnant – Elizabeth with John, Mary with Jesus – both visited by angels with the news that they would give birth in spite of the seemingly insurmountable obstacles of Elizabeth’s old age and Mary’s status as a virgin. When the women meet, Elizabeth feels John leap in her womb, and Mary bursts into the Magnificat, the song we hear in today’s Canticle.

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Dec. 13, 2015

Good Shepherd, mosaic, Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna, Italy, c.425-426 CE.

On this, the Third Sunday of Advent, traditionally known as Gaudete (“Rejoice”) Sunday, our readings call us to rejoice. Much of the short book of Zephaniah prophesies Israel’s violent destruction, amid scornful threats of Israel’s enemies’ destruction. These verses, though, anticipate a joyous time when God will restore Israel, rejoicing with its people in gladness and love. It declares God’s favor for the oppressed, a theme of liberation that John the Baptist will echo.

Canticle 9 (Isaiah 12:2-6)

“Surely it is God who saves us. We will trust in God and not be afraid.” These familiar verses offer us joy and comfort in knowing that we are safe under God’s protection. The prophet Isaiah likens salvation to drawing water, a meaningful metaphor for people in arid lands. Isaiah calls the people to raise their voices in joy and praise. Make God’s deeds known among all the people. Cry aloud! Ring out your joy! Rejoice!

Second Reading: Philippians 4:4-7

Last Sunday in the opening verses of Philippians we heard Paul express his love. Now, near the end of this affectionate letter from prison in Rome to this little church in Greece that he had founded years before, he urges them to be gentle and kind: Rejoice in God’s love and trust in God’s mercy and peace. We often repeat his words, “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,” as a blessing at the end of our Eucharist.

Gospel: Luke 3:7-18

The long-haired, ranting prophet yells at the crowds. He calls them “a brood of vipers” and warns that God might chop them down and burn them up if they don’t repent. This does not sound like rejoicing! But John’s message is urgent: Prepare the way for Jesus, whose sandals John is not worthy to untie. Prepare for Jesus’ coming: Share your clothing and your food with those who have none. Don’t cheat. Don’t be selfish! Jesus’ mother, Mary, also sang of filling up the hungry with good things; and Jesus himself will remind us, “When I was hungry, you gave me food …” This is Jesus’ way. We are called to make it our way.

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Dec. 6, 2015

Saint John The Baptist Preaching In The Wilderness

As we move into Advent, today’s readings tell of a Messenger who makes the way ready for the Messiah’s coming. Malachi, whose name in Hebrew actually means “my messenger,” warns that God’s Messenger will cleanse the rebuilt Temple with fire. The people must be made pure and pleasing to God. If you love Handel’s “Messiah,” you may feel like singing along with Malachi: “Who can endure the day of his coming?” he asks. “He is like a refiner’s fire!”

Canticle 16 (Luke 1: 68-79)

In place of a Psalm today we sing a Canticle taken from Luke’s Gospel. These verses tell the story of John the Baptist’s father, Zechariah, a priest of the Temple. When Zechariah had refused to believe that his elderly wife, Elizabeth, had really become pregnant after an angelic visitation, God struck him mute. But his voice returned when he held the infant and named him John. This child, Zechariah declares, is to be a prophet like Abraham, the Messenger who will “go before the Lord to prepare his way.”

Second Reading: Philippians 1:3-11

Paul begins his letter to the people of Philippi in Greece in formal “epistolary” fashion, offering greetings, love and thanks for their friendship and prayers for their well-being. Paul remembers with gladness how eagerly they had accepted and shared the message of the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus. He prays for this little congregation’s continued spiritual growth and insight, which he hopes will yield them a harvest of righteousness in God’s love through Christ.

Gospel: Luke 3:1-6

A bit later in Luke’s Gospel, John is grown up now, beginning his public life as a prophet “crying out in the wilderness.” Notice how much detail Luke gives to naming the Roman and Jewish leaders of the time, including Zechariah, John’s father. Perhaps this is Luke’s way of emphasizing that John was a real person, a real prophet who existed at a specific time. Then the narrative shifts as John utters the words of Isaiah, naming himself as the Messenger who will “Prepare the way of the Lord … make his paths straight.”

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Nov. 29, 2015

Christ Pantocrator Mosaic, Duomo, Cefalu, Sicily. (12th Century)

The wheel of the seasons has come around to Advent, and a new liturgical year begins. As Advent moves toward the Incarnation, our readings look toward the fulfillment of God’s promise to humanity and our desire for forgiveness as we hope for salvation. Israel in exile understood the prophet Jeremiah’s words to be a promise that the people would return safely to Jerusalem, protected by God’s righteous justice. Christians honor that understanding, while also seeing in the prophet’s words an image of Jesus as our righteous king and savior.

Psalm: Psalm 25:1-9

Echoing the prophet’s promises to Israel, today’s Psalm imagines humanity – personified as King David – facing threats of humiliation and defeat. Trusting fully in God for our salvation, relying on God’s everlasting compassion and love, we ask God to forgive our youthful errors and wrong turnings while showing us the right path; we ask God to remember us instead with all God’s compassion and love.

Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

After reading through several New Testament letters during Pentecost, we now take only a one-week peek into Paul’s letter to the people of Thessalonika in Northern Greece. It’s an attractive excerpt, though, showing Paul on his caring, pastoral side as he writes to a beloved church community from far away, keeping them in his prayers, thanking God for their love, and hoping that they will be reunited. In the meantime, he urges them to hold one another in love and be strong while awaiting Jesus’ return.

Gospel: Luke 21:25-36

In this excerpt from Luke’s version of the Last Supper, we hear Jesus giving the disciples dire warnings, in apocalyptic language, of hard times to come. The Temple will be destroyed and Jerusalem fallen to its foes, but these signs will signal that Jesus’ return and the world’s redemption is drawing near. Luke makes Jesus’ coming sound scary, and perhaps that is his point: The people of God should live good lives and be ready, so Jesus’ coming won’t take us by surprise.