Category Archives: Special Days

Ascension Sunday

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Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sunday, May 12, 2013.

The Ascension of our Lord, Albrecht Durer.

The Ascension of our Lord, Albrecht Durer.

First Reading: Acts 1:1-11
In these opening verses of the Acts of the Apostles, the author tells us that this is his second book, following after his first volume, the Gospel of Luke. Reflecting on the many appearances of Christ to his apostles between his resurrection and ascension into heaven 40 days later, Luke tells us that Jesus assured the disciples that God’s power would continue in them through baptism in the Holy Spirit, a mysterious idea that will become clear a few days later on the first Pentecost.

Psalm: Psalm 47
Another psalm of praise and joy, these verses celebrate God’s royal reign as mighty king. This image may seem strange to us as modern Americans, who gave up kings and royals centuries ago. We may smile at Britain’s royals and enjoy the pageantry of the wedding of William and Kate, but kings aren’t for us, we think. Still, the idea of an almighty ruler watching over us with love and justice can be reassuring in troubled times.

Second Reading: Ephesians 1:15-23
The idea of kingship comes up again in Paul’s letter to the people of Ephesus in ancient Anatolia (now Turkey), but here the ruling power is vested in the resurrected Christ, who sits at God’s right hand, far above all earthly rule, authority, power and dominion. Christ is the head of all things for the church; we are the body of Christ on earth. This awesome charge offers us the spirit of wisdom and revelation through Christ, and calls us to live as Jesus would have us live, working to bring in God’s kingdom on earth.

Gospel: Luke 24:44-53
Today’s readings began with the opening page of Acts, and they conclude with this Gospel, the final page of Luke. Try this: Read this Gospel, then go back and re-read the first lesson, and see how Luke’s words flow through. In the Gospel, Luke tells us of Jesus declaring that he is the Messiah foretold by the prophets, and that humanity’s sins will be forgiven though his resurrection. Acts opens the next chapter, empowering God’s people through the Holy Spirit to bring this good news to the world.

All Saints B

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Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012.

LazarusFirst Reading: The Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9
(If you can’t find this book of Wisdom, look in the Apocrypha, also known as the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books at the end of the Old Testament. They are not in every Bible.)
As we celebrate with the readings of All Saints Day today, Wisdom reminds us of God’s promise of eternal life. This ancient text warns that “the foolish” face only the darkness of death, while promising that those who keep God’s ways and live good lives will “abide with God in love” forever.

Psalm 24
Today’s psalm, too, celebrates the rewards for those who live as God would have us live. Originally it might have been a responsive chant sung by priests and people as they approached the Temple for worship. The priest calls, “And who shall stand in his holy place?” The crowd roars back, “Those who have clean hands and pure hearts!” “Who is the king of glory?” How would you respond?

Second Reading: Revelation 21:1-6a
Continuing the All Saints Day theme of a glorious life after death for those who love God, Revelation describes a holy city coming down out of heaven, standing in stark contrast to what the writer, John of Patmos, saw as the dark and demonic earthly city of the time: Rome, portrayed as Babylon. Death and pain will be no more in the New Jerusalem, for God will be with us every day, wiping the tears from our eyes.

Gospel: John 11:32-44
Lazarus has died, and Jesus weeps. Jesus knew his friend was dead, so he took his time getting to Bethany, which angered Lazarus’s sisters, Mary and Martha. Maybe he could have done something, if only he had hurried. So often death in the family brings not only sadness but anger and rage. And then, whispering a quiet prayer to God, Jesus calls out and Lazarus answers. Death does not have the last word, and for us this offers hope.

Feast of St. Matthew

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Thoughts on the Lessons for Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012.

First Reading: Proverbs 3:1-6
Keep God’s commandments and use them to guide your life, and you will be amply rewarded with a good life and good reputation. It’s a message echoed in the psalm and second reading. (This is from what is known as “wisdom literature” and is popularly attributed to King Solomon.)

Psalm 119:33-40
The Psalmist’s message is similar and simple: Learn God’s laws and commandments and follow them faithfully. God’s way turns us away from what is worthless and gives life.

St. Matthew

Woodcut image of St. Matthew from the Golden Legend, c.1489.

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14-17

Second Timothy, one of the short “pastoral epistles” written in Paul’s name, offers guidance to a growing church, echoing the Psalmist’s call for unity in tradition guided by Scripture. But here’s a twist: In Timothy’s time, the New Testament was not yet assembled into a book, and the four Gospels were only then being written down. “Scripture” meant the Old Testament, with its strong Torah command to love God, love our neighbor, and care for the poor and the alien. This is good advice in any age.

Gospel: Matthew 9:9-19
Matthew was a tax collector, a job that would have made him roundly despised in ancient Israel: The tax collector preyed on his neighbors on behalf of the hated Roman empire. Yet Jesus called him, and Matthew followed … and then they sat down to dinner in Matthew’s house. Having mercy and calling sinners is Jesus’s way, not self-righteously looking down on those we consider beneath us.