Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Oct. 11, 2015

Jesus and the rich young ruler, Armenian icon.

Perhaps it is only a coincidence that today’s readings come at the start of Stewardship time, but it is hard to ignore the theme of subjecting ourselves to God, caring for those less favored, and, in the Gospel, giving everything that we have to the poor. The Prophet Amos warns Israel’s Northern Kingdom that its habit of living well while “trampling” on the poor will lead to disaster. “Seek good and not evil,” urges the prophet who, a few verses later, will exhort the people of God to “let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”

Psalm: Psalm 90:12-17

In the first part of this Psalm, the author – held by tradition to be Moses himself – has warned of God’s anger with a sinful people. He now calls on God to return, to show loving-kindness, to teach the people to be wise, and to replace adversity with gladness. Through God’s works, grace and splendor, the Psalmist prays, may the people enjoy prosperity.

Second Reading: Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12

The writer of Hebrews musters surprisingly warlike images of Jesus as a frighteningly sharp two-edged sword that pierces, divides, cuts soul apart from spirit and our body’s joints from our bones’ marrow. We are laid bare, called to account before God! But he also says that Jesus, fully human, knows and understands us: As God’s response to the Psalmist’s prayer for protection from God’s anger, Jesus is the word of God and our great high priest, and through him we receive God’s mercy and grace.

Gospel: Mark 10:17-31

Jesus’ words in this Gospel might seem harsh: If the rich man can’t give all his money to the poor, he isn’t welcome in God’s kingdom. But why? This man is good. He keeps the commandments. Mark even tells us that Jesus loved him. Perhaps Jesus is still reflecting on the verses that came just before, contrasting this wealthy man with the innocent children who will inherit God’s kingdom. Or Jesus may be exaggerating for effect, as he did with his response to the Pharisees about divorce. But even if we don’t take these verses literally, we can hardly ignore Jesus’ compelling call to serve others, to care for the least of these, and to place ourselves last in order to be first in God’s Kingdom.

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Oct. 4, 2015

Christ Blessing the Children, 1540s; Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1472–1553. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Today’s readings don’t seem easy. First, we hear a part of the creation narrative in that some have interpreted to diminish the status of women. Mark’s Gospel reflects those words in a rejection of divorce so strict that it has been invoked to hold people in abusive relationships. Can we read these faithfully, yet more generously? Perhaps they speak more broadly of creation and the universal call to men and women to take responsibility for our relationships with plants, animals and each other. This is a good thought to hold as we celebrate St. Francis’ day with our Blessing of the Animals.

Psalm: Psalm 8

A psalm that begins as a hymn of praise turns to a catalog of the glories of God’s creation: The heavens, the moon, the stars, all the work of God’s hands, are so great that mere humanity seems small in comparison. Yet we are given charge of all the wild and domestic animals and creatures of the sea. Surely we are called to exercise the same careful and loving stewardship over this creation as we count on God to provide for us.

Second Reading: Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12

Today we begin seven weeks with the letter to the Hebrews, a journey that will carry us to the end of Pentecost. Hebrews is thought to be an ancient letter to Jewish Christians who had returned to Judaism for fear of persecution. While it is fervently pro-Christian, we should take care not to read parts of it as anti-Jewish. Today’s verses echo Psalm 8 in recognizing humanity’s God-given stewardship over creation. We should be mindful of creation as God, through Jesus, is mindful of us.

Gospel: Mark 10:2-16

These are hard words to hear in a modern society where divorce has become acceptable, if unhappy; a difficult end to a relationship. In the patriarchal culture of Jesus’ time, though, it was even worse: A man could set aside his marriage for any reason in a world where a woman alone had no option but to beg, risking homelessness and starvation. Of course Jesus came down hard on that! Further, most modern theologians agree that Jesus quoting Genesis on “male and female” addressed relationship, rather than today’s understanding of same-gender love. Finally, when we look at the innocence of a child, we begin to grasp Jesus’ idea of God’s kingdom. Don’t judge others. Don’t be unkind.

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sept. 27, 2015

A Byzantine style fresco of Moses and the manna in the church of St. Anne in Châtel-Guyon, France.

Today’s readings cover a lot of ground! First we hear an amusing story of the people in the desert, so sick and tired of manna that they want to go back to slavery in Egypt for something good to eat. God tells a despairing Moses to assemble 70 elders to help him carry the spiritual load. Then, two men who had remained in the camp started prophesying without supervision! A young man runs to tell on them, and Moses’ assistant Joshua wants them punished. But Moses says no: He only wishes that all the people could prophesy and share God’s spirit. We’ll hear a remarkably similar story in today’s Gospel. What do you suppose these narratives have in common?

Psalm: Psalm 19:7-14

Today’s Psalm sings out praise and thanksgiving for the glory of God’s teaching. Sweeter than honey and more desirable than gold, God’s laws and commandments enlighten us and keep us on a straight path. We all too easily slip and fall into sin, so we pray that God will keep us from losing our way. The psalm concludes with a familiar prayer that we might all adopt before we speak: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.”

Second Reading: James 5:13-20

James’ powerful epistle has told us to care for our neighbors, to protect the weak and to do the work that God has given us to do. Now he concludes his letter with a call to prayer. Are we suffering? Pray! Are we happy? Sing hymns of praise! Are we sick? Ask for prayer! Prayer works. When we bring our brothers and sisters back to God’s way, we save them from death. Amen!

Gospel: Mark 9:38-50

Doesn’t John’s complaint to Jesus sound a lot like Joshua warning Moses? “Hey! People are casting out demons in your name! Make them stop! They’re not authorized!” But Jesus echoes Moses’ advice: Don’t worry about it! Be glad that others are doing God’s work in God’s name. Jesus, perhaps using an old rabbinic tradition of contrasting an act with an extreme alternative, goes on with some pretty scary language about staying on the right path or else. But his point is clear: If people are with us, don’t throw them out.

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

Christ With the Children, Carl Heinrich Bloch, 19th century Danish painter.

Doing the right thing doesn’t always make people happy. Sometimes our best efforts to be good can get us in trouble. Look for this theme today and think about how our spiritual ancestors in Scripture dealt with this tough reality. The Wisdom of Solomon from the Apocrypha, written in King Solomon’s name not long before the time of Jesus and the evangelists, poses a stark choice: If you’re wise, if you follow God’s ways, the unwise may call you a trouble-maker and try to get revenge. But they, blinded by wickedness, will ultimately pay a higher price.

Psalm: Psalm 54

This Psalm, attributed by tradition to King David, is noted with the curiously specific advice that it be accompanied by stringed instruments! It recalls a time when the young David had to flee in terror from an angry Saul who sought to kill him. This narrative resonates with the reading from Wisdom: When insolent and ruthless enemies seek our lives, God’s laws will not hold them back. This is a time to pray, to call on God who delivers us from trouble and upholds our lives.

Second Reading: James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a

If we have wisdom and understanding, our lives will reflect that in our good and gentle works. Bitter envy and selfish ambition do not come from God. Greed and craving get us in trouble; coveting what others have leads us into conflicts, disputes, even murder. Rather, sow peace in order to grow peace. Draw near to God, and God will grow closer to us.

Gospel: Mark 9:30-37

Sometimes the Apostles seem almost ridiculous in their cluelessness. Today Jesus tells them for a second time that he must suffer, be rejected, killed and then rise again. Not only do they still not get it, but they are afraid to ask. Did they think long and hard about this? Apparently not. Rather, they got off to themselves and argued about which of them was the greatest. Jesus, who must have been thoroughly exasperated, showed them a small child. Following Jesus is not about greatness and power, he said. It is about welcoming the smallest and weakest among us.

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

The Prophet Isaiah, tempera on panel, Lorenzo Monaco (circa 1370–circa 1425).

The figure of the Suffering Servant in Isaiah is easy for Christians to visualize as Jesus Christ, and there is a reason for this: Isaiah understands the Servant as Messiah, the new King David who will emerge to lead Israel out of exile and back to glory. Christians see Christ as Messiah, who comes to save all humankind. Speaking with the tongue of a teacher, the Servant shows us God’s way. As Jesus would teach, the Servant turns his cheek to his enemies, responding to violence with peace.

Psalm: Psalm 116:1-8

The Psalmist, too, speaks from a place of suffering, sorrow and grief in a Psalm traditionally understood as a song of thanksgiving for recovery from illness. When he was sick, near death, full of grief, he called out to God and God answered. Saved from the grip of death, his tears wiped dry and his feet set firmly upon the road, he shouts out in gratitude: “I love the Lord.”

Second Reading: James 3:1-12


The teacher’s tongue may tell God’s way, but our tongues are tricky, small but powerful, James writes in delightful wordplay that likens our tongues to other little yet strong things that control forces beyond their size: A horse’s bridle, a ship’s rudder, a spark that starts a forest fire. Our tongues can bless, but tongues may curse, as well. Watch our tongues, James warns. Use them wisely to praise and bless our brothers and sisters, not to express hurtful things.

Gospel: Mark 8:27-38

We have reached the mid-point of Mark’s Gospel, and the narrative is taking a turn. Last week we saw Jesus for the first time extend his ministry to a Gentile, healing a woman’s child. Now, in a strange conversation with his disciples, much new is unveiled: First, Jesus confirms Peter’s bold announcement, the apostles’ first recognition that Jesus is the Messiah. Then, to Peter’s horror, Mark’s narrative turns toward the cross. Jesus tells them that he must endure great suffering, rejection and death. If they want to follow him, Jesus warns, they must deny themselves and take up the cross: You’ll have to lose your life in order to save it.

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

“Jésus christ et le ‘canaanite’ femme.” Jean Germain Drouais, oil on canvas, 1784.

God feeds the hungry, gives drink to the thirsty, heals the blind and the deaf and takes the side of the oppressed. The call for justice, simple justice, from God to us and from us to our neighbors, resonates through our readings today. The Prophet Isaiah sounds the call, speaking from exile in Babylon, where he tells the people to remain strong and fearless, knowing that God will come to save us, opening our eyes and ears both physically and metaphorically, and bringing us sustenance and joy.

Psalm: Psalm 146

Singing the praise of God who cares for God’s people and loves us deeply, the Psalmist calls us to look beyond earthly rulers, who cannot help us in the long run. Rather, place our hope in God, creator of the earth and all that is in it, who reigns forever. God’s caring justice favors the poor and the oppressed, those most in need: Hungry people, prisoners. those who are blind; the stranger, the widow, the orphan; those weighed down by life’s load. In caring for the least among us, as Jesus would later call on us to do, God cares for us all.

Second Reading: James 2:1-17

James’ rich advice this week should speak as clearly to us today as it did to its first century audience. What if a homeless person showed up this morning, looking for a haircut and a bath? Would we greet that person warmly? Would we greet them at the Peace with a friendly smile? Would we invite them to coffee hour? God calls us to love all our neighbors, both rich and poor, James gently reminds us. Speaking kindly to our poor and hungry neighbors is not enough; we must feed and clothe them too. Faith without such works is dead.

Gospel: Mark 7:24-37

Jesus is traveling in Gentile country when a woman with a sick child approaches him in hope. He responds with a nasty insult! How in Heaven’s name can this be? Is this a true story of the Jesus we worship and love? There’s a lot of theological and scriptural unpacking to be done here, but perhaps we’re seeing Jesus’ fully human side at first. Then, when the woman’s faith empowers her to challenge Jesus, he listens, he learns, and he heals her child, just as he will restore hearing and speech to the deaf Gentile man in the next town down the road.

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Aug. 30, 2015

Ancient icon depicting James, the Brother of Jesus.

Last week we heard the people recommit to God’s covenant as they crossed the Jordan into Canaan with Joshua. Now we back up in time, to Deuteronomy, to listen as Moses emphasizes the importance of following God’s covenant. By carrying God’s teaching through the generations, the Israelites will earn the promised land, gaining the world’s respect for its wisdom and discernment.

Psalm: Psalm 15

Echoing Moses’ wisdom, the Psalmist – said by tradition in this Psalm to be King David himself – proclaims that those who live blamelessly and with righteousness and truth may earn God’s protection. Be honest, be trustworthy, be fair; protect the innocent. Follow these ways, and abide upon God’s holy hill.

Second Reading: James 1:17-27

After spending more than a month with the letter to the Ephesians, we now turn for a month or so to the letter of James. This epistle is traditionally attributed to James, the brother of Jesus, but it was probably written by a later Jewish Christian, perhaps around the same time as Matthew’s Gospel. Martin Luther is said to have disliked the letter of James because it seems to conflict with Luther’s belief in salvation by faith alone. This passage is akin to today’s other readings in its emphasis on God’s covenant – “care for the widows and orphans in their distress.” James seems in no doubt that we are called not merely to hear God’s teaching but to act on what we hear.

Gospel: Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

After our summer digression into John’s Gospel, we now return to Mark for the rest of this liturgical year. In keeping with today’s readings, we find Jesus arguing with the scribes and Pharisees over the details of following God’s teachings and keeping God’s laws. Challenged because his disciples failed to follow strict ritual practices before eating, Jesus cites the Prophet Isaiah as he raises up the spirit of God’s laws in favor of blind adherence to ritual. It is not eating that defiles us, Jesus proclaims, but the sins that come from our mouths and our hearts.

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Aug. 23, 2015

“Joshua and the Children of Israel Crossing the Jordan With the Ark of the Covenant” by Benjamin West, 1800.

Decisions, decisions. When major life changes confront us, how do we decide? How do we find God in the process? Listen for this theme in today’s readings. We begin as Joshua, successor to Moses, leads the people into the Promised Land at last. First, though, they have a decision to make: Do they return to the gods of their ancient ancestors? Or do they renew the covenant that their ancestors Abraham and Moses made with God who led them out of exile in Egypt and brought them safely through the desert? Their response is clear: “We … will serve the Holy One, for he is our God.”

Psalm: Psalm 34:15-22

In our third Sunday with this Psalm, it concludes its hymn of praise and thanks to our merciful, saving God. Like the Israelites entering Canaan, those who make the decision to follow God’s commandments will earn God’s protection against fear, sorrow and danger. Those who choose otherwise, the wicked and the unrighteous, will eventually be punished, the Psalmist sings; but those who choose to serve God can trust in God.

Second Reading: Ephesians 6:10-20

Here, too, as we reach the conclusion of the letter to the Ephesians, we hear a call to choose: As a persecuted church, a tiny minority in the Empire of Rome, the people clearly understood that their struggle was not against “blood and flesh” – surely an echo of Jesus’ promise in John – but against the powerful earthly rulers who stood for the forces of evil. Our armor, breastplate, helmet, sword, belt and sturdy shoes of faith in God protect us when we choose to boldly declare our faith.

Gospel: John 6:56-69

Our month-long journey through Jesus’ difficult discourse about eating his body and drinking his blood comes to its end today. Previously, the skeptics and those who were short on faith had turned away from Jesus in disgust. Now the division grows, as even many of his own disciples become uncomfortable and leave. Only his closest disciples make the decision to remain with Jesus. They accept this hard teaching, even if they don’t understand it, because they know Jesus as the Holy One of God. In the end their faith wins out over doubt.

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Aug. 16, 2015

Wisdom personified as a woman, Sophia. Ancient Russian Orthodox icon.

It may be a gift to be simple, as the Shakers sang, but the authors of Wisdom and the Psalms don’t treat simplicity so kindly, using the word “simple” for a naive person, lacking experience or, well, wisdom. Wisdom – personified in the Old Testament as a woman, present with God at the Creation – sets the table for a great feast, and invites the simple to come and be made wise. Through wisdom we learn to walk in God’s way.

Psalm: Psalm 34:9-14

A bright young man came up with a puzzled look one morning after hearing a similar reading. “I don’t understand about ‘fearing’ the Lord,” he said. “Are we supposed to be afraid of God?” We were quick to reassure him: Think rather of being in awe – awestruck by God’s love and righteousness. If you love life, the Psalmist sings, follow God’s way. Speak kindly and with truth; avoid evil and do good; work for peace.

Second Reading: Ephesians 5:15-20

Today’s verses from the Letter to the Ephesians continue where last week’s reading left off. Echoing Proverbs’ advice to become wise, this reading too urges us to follow God’s way, filled with the Spirit, giving thanks for all our blessings in prayer and song to God in Jesus’ name.

Gospel: John 6:51-58

Jesus’ long narrative in John’s Gospel has taken a turn. The crowds that have been awed by Jesus feeding the multitude begin to doubt him when he tells them that he is the “living bread.” Now they argue back. As the discussion turns adversarial, John calls the crowd “The Jews,” a term that will become more problematic as we move toward the Passion and find John blaming the Jewish Temple leaders for Jesus’ death. But Jesus is steadfast, even if his audience seems horrified: All must “eat his flesh and drink his blood” to earn salvation and eternal life.

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Aug. 9, 2015

Prophet Elijah in the Desert, Dieric Bouts the Elder, Oil on panel, 1464-68, Sint-Pieterskerk, Leuven, The Netherlands.

God provides physical and spiritual sustenance in time of trouble: This theme continues in this week’s readings. Here the Prophet Elijah, pursued by an angry Queen Jezebel, is depressed, unwilling to get up or to eat. He goes to sleep under a broom tree and hopes to die. God sends an angel, though, who tempts Elijah with hot cakes and water and caring support, giving him strength to go on with his prophecy.

Psalm: Psalm 34:1-8

We will read Psalm 34 in three parts in coming weeks. A Psalm of praise and thanksgiving for God’s protection in time of trouble, it is held in tradition as a hymn sung by King David after he escaped from a threatening situation. In an unusual sensory metaphor that has been adopted in a contemplative Taizé chant, the Psalmist tells us to “taste and see” that God is good when we are thankful for God’s protection.

Second Reading: Ephesians 4:25-5:2

This lesson offers good advice for those who lived in community in the early church. It is good advice, too, for those in church community in any era: Tell the truth. If you’re angry with your neighbor, work it out; don’t let anger divide you. Don’t steal; work honestly, and share with those in need. Be honest, but be positive. Be gracious. Forgive one another. In short, love each other as Jesus loves us, and try to live as Jesus would have us live.

Gospel: John 6:35, 41-51

The verse that ended last week’s Gospel is repeated as the first verse this week: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” These words describe our hope in the Eucharist so clearly that we often sing them in the Fraction Anthem before Communion. Here, though, the crowd following Jesus starts to push back. They know Jesus. They know his parents. They watched him grow up. Who is he to be talking like this? But Jesus stands firm, and will continue to do so as we stay with this Chapter of John for the next three Sundays. In Jesus we know God. Through Jesus, God is with us.