Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Oct. 5, 2014

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants.

In recent readings we have followed the story of God’s people through the lives of the biblical patriarchs from Abraham to Joseph; then heard the story of Moses, with God’s help, leading Israel out of slavery in Egypt. Now on Mount Sinai in the desert comes a significant encounter: Establishing their identity and their hope, the people join in covenant with God, accepting the commandments that will guide their lives and ensure their righteousness in relationship with God and others.

First Reading (Track 2): Isaiah 5:1-7

When Jesus blessed bread and wine at the Last Supper, he was honoring a Jewish Passover tradition that goes back to ancient times. It’s no wonder, then, that the bible is full of parables involving wine, the fruit of the vine, and the vineyards from which it comes. Isaiah tells of God planting a vineyard, caring for it with love. But the harvest yielded “wild” grapes – in the original Hebrew, “stinking, worthless, sour” grapes. What happened? The vines represent the people, who disappointed God by failing to be just and righteous, not loving others as themselves.

Psalm: Psalm 19

All the heavens sing of God’s glory. All the skies reveal the work of God’s hand! This triumphant Psalm sings of the beauty of God’s creation. And then the theme turns, and we sing similar praise for the commandments, God’s law. True, just and righteous, God’s teaching stands above all earthly creation; sweeter than honey, more precious than gold.

Psalm (Track 2): Psalm 80:7-14

This poetic Psalm echoes Isaiah’s parable of the vineyard, but it adds a noteworthy twist: In Isaiah’s vision, God is disappointed by the sour fruit and decides to demolish the vineyard, tearing down its wall and hedge and commanding a drought to make it a waste. Our Psalm, on the other hand, calls on God’s compassion and remembers God’s grace in leading Israel to freedom and making it a nation. With the Psalmist we ask for another chance, calling on God to preserve the bountiful vines that God had planted.

Second Reading: Philippians 3:4b-14

Paul proclaims his stature as a devout Jew and a Pharisee, observant and righteous, and acknowledges that he once persecuted the infant church. But now. he tells the Philippians, everything has changed because he has faith in Christ. He will give up everything he has gained, in favor of living, suffering and dying with Jesus, in the hope of resurrection and life.

Gospel: Matthew 21:33-46

In today’s reading we find Jesus still arguing with the temple authorities. He tells another parable set in a vineyard. Using language quite similar to the Isaiah reading, Jesus tells of a vineyard whose tenant growers beat up and kill the slaves sent to collect the owner’s produce, and then even kill his own son. What will the owner do? Surely he will kill the evil tenants, the chief priests and Pharisees say. But Jesus brings a deeper message: If we hope to inherit the Kingdom of God, we should help produce its fruit.

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?

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sept. 21, 2014

Laborers in the Vineyard, 11th Century Byzantine.

God has brought Israel out of Egypt with a mighty hand, protected the children in the first Passover, and led Moses and the people through the Red Sea as they move on toward the Promised Land … and now they complain about the food! “Why didn’t God just kill us in Egypt,” they whine. “That would have been better than starving!” But the message is clear: Even when God’s people grumble and whine, even when we stumble and fall, God loves us all the same, and God provides.

First Reading (Track 2): Jonah 3:10-4:11

Last week we heard Matthew’s Gospel about the parable of the king who forgave a slave’s debt – until that slave declined to forgive his debtor in turn. Now we look back to the First Testament for another insight to God’s desire to forgive: Jonah, having resisted God’s call to go prophesy to Israel’s ancient enemies in Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, is now angry because God declined to destroy Nineveh after its people repented. But God stands firm, preferring mercy and forgiveness to revenge.

Psalm: Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45

The Psalmist looks back and remembers the joys and trials of Israel in the desert, and places it in the context of God’s covenant with the people at Mount Sinai: God will give the people land and wealth. The people shall respond by following God’s teaching and God’s laws, calling them to be righteous and just. Praise the Lord indeed!

Psalm (Track 2): Psalm 145:1-8

Like a great symphony that ends with a mighty coda, the book of Psalms comes to a triumphant close with joyous hymns of praise for God’s great glory. Psalm 145, which serves as a transition to that finale, reinforces the message that we heard in Jonah as the Psalmist exults in God’s righteousness, grace, generous mercy and steadfast love.

Second Reading: Philippians 1:21-30

We now turn to Paul’s letter to the people of Philippi in Macedonia, Northern Greece, a Gentile community largely populated by the descendants of Roman soldiers. It was Paul’s first church in Europe, and his affection is apparent throughout the short letter. He is thought to have written this letter from prison in Rome, where his execution was a real possibility; and this may have inspired his reflections on life and death. If he lives, he says, he will take joy in continuing to spread the Gospel; but he is just as willing to die, for he understands death as being with Christ forever.

Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16

Like so many of Jesus’ parables, this Gospel forces us to stop and think. If we read it with a modern understanding of fairness, we probably side with the workers who toiled all day. Why should those who came late and worked for only an hour be paid the same as those who worked hard all day? Unfair! But God’s ways, as reflected in the parable, are not our ways: We all earn God’s grace in equal measure, whether we were cradle church-goers or just arrived last week. God’s gifts to others in no way take away from God’s gifts to us; and God’s generosity should give us cause for celebration, not jealous grumbling.

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sept. 14, 2014

The Unmerciful Servant, Willem Drost, 1655.

With a mysterious God-driven pillar of cloud and fire protecting their flank, the Israelites flee slavery in Egypt, hotly pursued by Pharaoh’s army. Now, in this familiar story, Moses – with God’s help – parts the waters of the sea so the Israelites may cross on dry ground. When they reach safety, Moses orders the water back, and Pharaoh’s entire army is drowned. This ancient story may seem violent and warlike, as befits the culture and custom of its time. But the message for Israel goes deeper: God promised to bring the people out of Israel with a mighty hand, and now the people’s history moves on toward Sinai, the Jordan and the Promised Land.

First Reading (Track 2): Genesis 50:15-21 (Track 2)

A theme of forgiveness runs through today’s readings. Last month, we saw Joseph’s brothers arrive in Egypt, fleeing famine, but terrified that their now-powerful brother might take revenge for the way they had treated him. Many years later, their father Jacob (Israel) has died, and now they are worried again. Without their father’s guarding hand, will Joseph turn on them? But Joseph, weeping, reassures them that just as God returns good for evil, so will Joseph forgive.

Psalm: Psalm 114

The Psalmist looks back at the events of the Exodus and sings out in praise over God’s powerful actions to save the people and bring them out from slavery to the land. God can make the sea flee and rivers turn back. God makes mountains and hills skip like rams and lambs. The earth trembles indeed at the presence of our God.

Psalm (Track 2): Psalm 103:1-13

Sunday’s Psalm picks up the theme of Joseph’s response to his brothers: God forgives us, God heals us, God redeems us, God’s love and mercy for us is steadfast. As a mother loves her children even when they misbehave, so God loves us and forgives us, offering us compassion, not the punishment that our bad behavior might seem to deserve.

Second Reading: Romans 14:1-12

Following last week’s assertion that loving our neighbor is the greatest commandment, fulfilling all the rest, Paul now goes on to remind us not to judge one another. Writing in the context of urging Rome’s Gentile and Jewish Christian communities to come together in grace and peace, Paul exhorts the people: Let’s not judge our neighbors if they do things differently than we do. Even if our neighbor makes us angry, we should forgive. Stand together in giving glory to God, and leave the judging to God.

Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35

Peter has an important question for Jesus: If someone keeps bothering me, just how many times do I have to forgive that person? Not just seven times, but 77 times, Jesus says, and we can be pretty sure that “77” really means “don’t stop forgiving, period.” And then Jesus tells one of those parables that really make us think. Who wouldn’t be outraged at the slave who, forgiven a crushing debt, turns around and cruelly fails to forgive another? The ungrateful slave gets what is coming to him. The lesson for us, perhaps, is best expressed in the words that Jesus taught us to pray: Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.”

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sept. 7, 2014

Ezekiel’s Wheel, Fra Angelico, 1455 CE), Basilica of the Holy Cross, Florence.

In highly specific instructions, God ordains a symbolic meal for a people on the run. Having fought hard-hearted Pharaoh through a dozen plagues with God’s help, the people now stand on the brink of escape from slavery in Egypt. This joyous outcome, though, must begin with a horrible, bloody punishment visited not only on the children and animals of Egypt but on their pagan gods, while the chosen people are saved, literally, by the blood of the lamb. This gory sacrifice may belong to a place and time in ancient history, but the underlying grace remains: God has delivered God’s people into freedom.

First Reading (Track 2): Ezekiel 33:7-11

The Prophet Ezekiel, identified in tradition as a priest exiled to Babylon six centuries before Jesus, during the wars that would eventually lead to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, warned the people that God would punish them for their wickedness by taking away the covenant that had given them the promised land. In these verses, the prophet hears God’s warning that God does not desire to punish the people, but wishes that they would save their lives by turning back – repenting – from their evil ways.

Psalm: Psalm 149

Today’s Psalm joyously dances and shakes tambourines to celebrate a God’s gift of victory for the faithful. It is couched in the language of violence, exulting in the swords, fetters and iron chains used to execute vengeance against the people’s enemies. We might wish for a more peaceful view of God, but it is important to recognize the range of emotion in the Psalms, from this warrior shout of victory to the quiet, protective love of the Good Shepherd in Psalm 23.

Psalm (Track 2): Psalm 119:33-40

Psalm 119, the longest Psalm, celebrates God’s Torah as a glorious gift to humankind. The Psalms in English often render “Torah” as “laws,” “statutes” or “ordinances,” but the source of the Psalmist’s affection may be more clear when we understand it as God’s “teaching.” Here’s a curiosity: This entire Psalm is an “alphabetic acrostic.” Every line in each of its 22 eight-verse stanzas begins with a Hebrew letter in alphabetical order. The lines of today’s reading all begin with the Hebrew letter “Hey,” or “H.”

Second Reading: Romans 13:8-14

Seeking to bridge the worlds of Jewish and Gentile Christianity, Paul focuses onthe law. He looks at Jesus’ commandment to love our neighbors, and recognizes that this incorporates all the commandments. Love, he says, does no wrong to those around us. If we love our neighbors; we won’t do things that hurt our neighbors. We won’t kill them, we won’t steal from them, we won’t be jealous of what they have. Love fulfills the law.

Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20

Here is Jesus’ promise that he will be there among us when we gather in his name, in prayer and in the real presence of the Eucharist. But what is this about “gathering two or three” to work out conflicts among members of the church? We might not like it much if the church nowadays followed this formal practice to sort out one another’s sins. But Jesus may be getting at something deeper: When we gather together, in celebration or in conflict, Jesus is with us and shows us the way.

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Aug. 31, 2014

Moses and the Burning Bush, Byzantine mosaic at St. Catherine’s Monastery, Sinai.

The ancestral story of the chosen people hits another high point as Moses encounters God in the burning bush on Mount Horeb (another name for Mount Sinai). When God informs Moses that God intends for him to lead the people out of Egypt to the Promised Land, Moses asks a curious question: What is God’s name? “I am who I am,” God replies, uttering a Hebrew phrase that Jewish tradition considers too holy to write or speak: “Say to the Israelites, ‘I am’ has sent me to you.” Perhaps this tradition adds a nuance to Jesus’ question in last week’s Gospel: “Who do you say that I am?”

Psalm: Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c

Well matched to today’s First Reading, this Psalm of thanksgiving and praise recalls the people’s descent from Abraham and their sojourn as aliens and oppressed slaves in Egypt. When we sing praise for Moses’ service in protecting the people so they might “observe God’s laws,” we celebrate the survival of not just dry legislation but of “Torah,” God’s timeless teaching that guides the way we live.

Second Reading: Romans 12:9-21

We have walked with Paul in his letter to the people of Rome through more than two months of Pentecost, listening and learning as he works out a theology of new life in God’s grace through Christ. Today he concludes the letter with a beautiful, poetic summary of his call to Rome’s Jewish and Gentile Christians to live together in love. “Hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another … Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” What was good advice then remains good advice now. Live in harmony. Live peaceably with all. Amen!

Gospel: Matthew 16:21-28

Immediately following last week’s Gospel, in which Jesus praised Peter and called him the rock upon which he will build the church, Jesus turns in the next verses and declares Peter “Satan,” ordering him out of his sight. The evangelist – likely reflecting evolving church tradition a generation or two after the crucifixion – shows us a powerful image of Jesus as Messiah, predicting his own death and resurrection as necessary steps toward the universal justice that will come with God’s kingdom.

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Aug. 24, 2014

Moses found by Pharaoh’s daughter. Fresco at the ancient synagogue of Dura Europos in Syria, circa 200 CE.



Joseph and his family came to Egypt to escape famine; but over the generations things changed. The Hebrew people increased in numbers, but now toil as Pharaoh’s slaves. Evil Pharaoh, fearing this growing community, decides to kill all the Hebrew baby boys, a threat that scripture will later echo in Herod’s decision to kill Bethlehem’s babies after the birth of Jesus. But the baby Moses escapes in a floating basket. He will go on to become the next great figure in the ancestral stories, who will lead the people out of Egypt on a long trek toward the Promised Land.

Psalm: Psalm 124

The Psalmist remembers the people’s deliverance from slavery in a hymn of thanksgiving to the God who carried them through the frightening exodus from Egypt. We remember their passage through the Red Sea and then, in striking imagery, the Psalm likens the people to a bird escaping from a snare. The hymn concludes with joyous thanksgiving: “Our help is in the name of the Lord.”

Second Reading: Romans 12:1-8

In his letter to the Romans, Paul returns to a beautiful metaphor that he uses often to describe the body of the church: Like our own bodies, the church has many parts. Each has a purpose, and all must function together to make the body work. True for the 1st century church in Rome, it’s just as true today: Some lead, some teach, some give, some learn, some listen; some offer compassion. All together we make up one body in Christ.

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-20


Versions of this key Gospel passage appear in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. It is a major turning point in all the Gospels, an important moment in which Jesus first acknowledges that he is the Messiah, the son of the living God. Matthew then shows Jesus declaring Peter “the rock” upon which he will build the church. All three Gospels, in almost identical words, show us Jesus “sternly” commanding the disciples not to tell anyone that he is the Messiah. Theologians still debate the meaning of this “Messianic secret.” Why do you suppose Jesus would tell his disciples not to spread such good news?

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sunday, Aug. 17, 2014

The Canaanite woman asks for healing for her daughter. Ilyas Basim Khuri Bazzi Rahib, a Coptic monk, Egypt. 1684.

Joseph has been through a lot since last week’s reading, when we saw his jealous brothers sell him into slavery. He went to Egypt, did well, fell from grace, was sent to prison on a false charge, but bounced back to become Pharaoh’s chief governor. Now his brothers have come to Egypt fleeing famine, and they’ve encountered Joseph. As you can imagine, they fear his revenge! But Joseph forgives them, just as God has forgiven the wrongs of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; and the ancestral line of the Bible’s patriarchs will live on.

Psalm (Page 787, BCP): Psalm 133

The Psalmist exults in the blessedness of unity in this short, ancient hymn of praise. As Joseph’s family came back together in love, and as Paul will urge the Christian community of Rome to come together in friendship, it is good and pleasant when families and friends live together in blessed unity.

Second Reading: Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32

Continuing his exhortation to Rome’s Jewish Christian and Gentile Christian communities to get along, Paul points up his own Jewish heritage, placing himself in Abraham’s direct line as a descendant of Benjamin, the youngest of Joseph’s brothers, whom Joseph loved. Paul assures us that God’s promises to Israel and to the Gentiles are equally irrevocable, regardless of our disobedience. We all earn God’s love, regardless of our sins, regardless of our ancestry. God is merciful to all.

Gospel: Matthew 15:10-28

We get not just one but two Gospel stories this week, perhaps told by Matthew as a way to emphasize that Jesus’ way is not only for Jews but Gentiles as well. First, Jesus mocks a group of Pharisees who had challenged his disciples for ignoring ritual traditions. He speaks a blunt and rather earthy criticism: Neglecting to wash our hands before eating doesn’t defile us, but the words that come out of our mouths may do so. Then, Jesus surprises us again with a burning insult for a Canaanite woman who sought help for her daughter, likening them to stray dogs scrounging for crumbs. Really, Jesus? Really? But the words from the mother’s mouth clearly come out of her heart. Jesus is changed by the encounter. He praises her faith and heals her child.

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014

Jesus walking on the water, Lorenzo Veneziano, 1370

The stories of the bible’s dysfunctional first family continue into the fourth generation! Israel (Jacob) loved Joseph more than any of his other children. This, not surprisingly, makes his brothers jealous. They briefly consider murdering him, but decide to simply sell him into slavery instead. Now scripture shows us again that even the patriarchs weren’t noble people but flawed, broken, sometimes downright bad. Yet still God loved them, as God loves us. Joseph will eventually forgive his brothers, as God forgives us.

Psalm (Page 738, BCP): Psalm 105: 1-6, 16-22, 45b

This Psalm remembers Joseph’s life as a slave in Egypt, his feet bruised in fetters and his neck choked in a stout iron collar. But God was faithful to Joseph, who gained the Egyptian king’s trust and eventually rose to a place of power in Pharaoh’s court. God has done marvelous things for the people, the Psalmist exults. Sing praises! Glory in God’s holy name!

Second Reading: Romans 10:5-15

Paul is urging Rome’s Gentile Christian community and its Jewish Christians to love one another. Salvation is for all through Jesus, he writes, emphasizing that there is no distinction between Jew and Greek (Gentile): God is God of all, and is generous to all who recognize Jesus as Lord and call upon God’s name. Don’t judge our neighbors, Paul says, but proclaim the good news of the Gospel so that all may be saved.

Gospel: Matthew 14:22-33

Jesus walks on the water! This striking image is surely one of the most well-known Gospel stories. Now, imagine it from the viewpoint of the disciples. Jesus had “made them” go ahead without him, so he could finally get a little time alone to pray after his grief at hearing of his cousin John’s beheading was interrupted by the huge crowd that had to be fed. Now a violent storm has come up, the apostles are alone on the boat, and they’re scared … and here comes Jesus, calmly walking across the stormy sea! Peter, first to believe that it really is Jesus, steps out onto the water, too. But his faith isn’t strong enough to keep him from sinking, without Jesus’ help. Would you trust Jesus enough to step out of that boat?