Thoughts on Sunday’s Lessons for Oct. 6, 2024 (Pentecost 20B/Proper 22)

Job on the Ash Heap (c.1630), oil painting on canvas by Jusepe de Ribera (1591-1652). Sotheby’s, New York. (Click image to enlarge.)

First Reading (Track One): Job 1:1; 2:1-10

Why would an all-powerful, loving God allow bad things to happen to good people? The Book of Job is often held up as a guide to understanding this theological quandary, but this approach may leave the hopeful reader less than satisfied. What are we to make of its clear impression that God actually caused Job’s suffering because, incredibly, Satan talked God into testing Job as a sort of bet? As we read through Job in Track One this month, recognize it as an important part of the Bible’s wisdom literature, the books that unveil the authors’ ideas about life and God, seeking to explain the inexplicable.

First Reading (Track Two): Genesis 2:18-24

Think about relationships through Sunday’s unusually difficult Lectionary readings, trying to read them faithfully yet generously. Our Track Two first reading, for example, singles out the Genesis legend about God making Eve from Adam’s rib as a helper for the first man. Over the ages, this has often been interpreted to place women in a secondary status to men. Then in this week’s selection from Mark’s Gospel we hear another troubling passage: Jesus rejects divorce in words so strict and uncompromising that they have often been invoked outside their first century context to hold people in abusive relationships.

Psalm (Track One): Psalm 26

Just as Job, we are told, was “blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil,” Psalm 26 declares before God that the Psalmist has lived with integrity and trusted in God without faltering. Considering the trials of Job, we might wonder if the author of this psalm is tempting fate when he invites God to “test me … and try me.” We may also hear a hint of Pharisaical self-satisfaction in the writer’s desire not to be counted among the evildoers or to suffer their punishment. But in the end this plea is humble. It promises integrity and asks only for God’s pity and redemption.

Psalm (Track Two): Psalm 8

This beautiful psalm feels appropriate to a day when many congregations bless companion animals in memory of St. Francis of Assisi. It begins as a hymn of praise, celebrating the glories of God’s creation. In lyrical poetry it declares the beauty of the universe and all that populates it as testimony to God’s majesty: The heavens, the moon, the stars, all the work of God’s hands, are so great that mere humanity seems small in comparison. Even so, for better or for worse, we are given charge of all the wild and domestic animals and creatures of the sea.

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

Now we begin seven weeks with the letter to the Hebrews, a journey that will carry us to the end of the Pentecost season. The letter to the Hebrews is thought to be an ancient letter to Jewish Christians who had gone back 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. The verses we hear this Sunday recognize the stewardship over creation that God assigned to humanity in the Genesis creation stories, crowning human beings with glory and honor, “subjecting all things under their feet.”

Gospel: Mark 10:2-16

Jesus’s strict command against divorce is difficult to hear in modern times, when divorce has become acceptable, if unhappy; a troubled end to a relationship. In the patriarchal culture of Jesus’s time, divorce was even worse, because it was inequitable: A man could set aside his marriage for any reason, or keep his wife trapped in an abusive relationship. A woman had no recourse, could not practically initiate divorce, and worse, a woman alone was likely to end up homeless and hungry, shamed and reduced to begging. Should it surprise us that Jesus spoke firmly against that unequal practice, using language that recalled the words of Eve’s creation from Genesis?

Thoughts on Sunday’s Lessons for Oct. 10, 2021

First Reading (Track One): Job 23:1-9, 16-17

Job has been tormented beyond imagination and has lost everything: all of his possessions and much of his family are gone. His friends, seeking to console him, have done a very poor job of showing compassion. He must have done something wrong, they scolded him in the verses before this reading.

Christ and the Rich Young Man (1485-1491), woodcut manuscript illumination printed on paper by the anonymous Master of Antwerp in a 15th century bible translation. (Click image to enlarge.)

They wondered if his lack of piety or his great wickedness might have angered God. In Sunday’s Track One first reading, Job responds with bitter, angry words: He deserves a chance to lay out the facts. He has a right to argue his case before God. If only he could get a hearing before God, he is sure that he would  prevail. But although he looks in every direction, he can’t find God anywhere. He is terrified, and he wants to vanish into darkness. Stay tuned: Next week we’ll hear how God responds.

First Reading (Track Two): Amos 5:6-7, 10-15

A powerful theme flows through Sunday’s readings, reminding us how important it is to subject ourselves to God. We must behave justly and treat the poor generously, never stealing from those less fortunate; and, we hear in the Gospel, we are to give everything that we have to the poor. In the Track Two first reading, 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 after this passage, will exhort the people of God to “let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”

Psalm (Track One): Psalm 22:1-15

When Jesus was dying on the cross, in his last agony he cried out the words that begin Psalm 22: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” So begins this reading, which the New Revised Standard Version titles “Plea for Deliverance from Suffering and Hostility.” It echoes Job’s lament in the cry of one who is strung out, knocked down, worn out, feeling the depth of despair and no place to turn … except to God, who knew them as an infant and who, they pray, will be there for them now.

Psalm (Track Two): Psalm 90:12-17

In the portion of this Psalm that precedes the verses we hear in this reading, the author – held by tradition to be Moses himself – has warned of God’s anger with a sinful people. Now in this passage he 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  be wise, turn the work of our hands to God’s purposes, and enjoy the prosperity that our handiwork may yield.

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

The writer of Hebrews musters surprisingly warlike images of Jesus in this short passage, presenting him 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! Yes, God expects much of us. But we also hear that Jesus knows and understands us. Although Jesus is our great high priest who has passed through the heavens, he also can sympathize with our weakness, having been tested in every way as we are tested. We may approach the throne of grace boldly, seeking mercy and receiving grace.


Gospel: Mark 10:17-31

“Go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor … then come, follow me.” Really? This parable appears, with slightly different details about the man, in the Gospels of Mark, Matthew, and Luke.  Luckily for us, this parable is obviously not to be taken literally. We’re not expected to give everything we own to the poor. Uh, are we? Perhaps these verses, like the Sermon on the Mount, challenge us by setting Jesus as a standard of perfection that we can aim for but won’t likely reach. Or perhaps we are meant to squirm a little as we recognize just how rich we are, and ask ourselves if our possessions stand between us and real love of God and neighbor, just as Jesus, in Mark’s version, looked at the man and loved him.

Thoughts on Sunday’s Lessons for Oct. 7, 2018

The Garden of Eden (1350), oil painting on poplar wood by Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1553). The Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister , Dresden, Germany. (Click image to enlarge.)

First Reading (Track One): Job 1:1; 2:1-10

Many people find the story of Job and his troubles disheartening, particularly considering that a casual reading may give the impression that God caused suffering for Job because, literally, Satan talked him into it. But let’s be positive: Job is a great short story and an important part of the Bible’s wisdom literature, the books that teach us about life and God. Don’t we all wonder how bad things can happen to good people? Listen and ponder as we read through Job in the next four weeks. We hear parts of the beginning of Job today, and it starts off like an ancient folk tale. Remember, too, that in that time Satan was not understood as a devil with horns, but a kind of prosecutor or adversary in the heavenly order.

First Reading (Track Two): Genesis 2:18-24

Sunday’s readings aren’t easy. First, we hear a part of the second creation narrative in Genesis, a legend about Eve being made from Adam’s rib, that some have interpreted to place women in secondary status to men. Then in Mark’s Gospel we hear Jesus reject divorce in words so strict that they have been invoked to hold people in abusive relationships. Think about relationships in all today’s readings, trying to read them faithfully yet generously. Perhaps they invite us to think about all creation, and God’s universal call to men and women to be responsible for our relationships with plants, animals and each other. Hold these thoughts, too, as we celebrate St. Francis with our Blessing of the Animals.

Psalm (Track One): Psalm 26

Just as Job, we are told, was “blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil,” the Psalmist in today’s reading declares before God that he has lived with integrity, trusting in God without faltering. In the light of Job’s trials, one might wonder if the author of this psalm is testing fate when he invites God to “test me … and try me.” We may also hear hint of Pharisaical self-satisfaction in his desire not to be counted among the evildoers or to suffer their punishment. But in the end his plea is humble, promising integrity and asking for God’s pity and redemption.

Psalm (Track Two): Psalm 8

This resounding hymn of praise for God expresses our awe at the many glories of God’s creation. The heavens, the moon, the stars in their courses are all the work of God’s hands. The majestic arc of creation is so great that mere humanity seems small in comparison. Yet God has given humanity charge of all the animals, wild and domestic, and all the creatures of the sea. Surely we are called to exercise the same level of careful and loving relationship with this creation as we count on God to provide for us.

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

Why does God care for mere mortals so much that he sent a son and savior, the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s being, to become “lower than the angels” to live and die among us? Hear the echo of Psalm 8 in these verses as the author of Hebrews quotes a portion of it directly. This letter is thought to have been written to coax back Jewish Christians who had returned to Judaism in the face of persecution late in the first century. In this passage we hear that Jesus tasted death for all of us, through his sufferings raising us all up as his brothers and sisters.

Gospel: Mark 10:2-16

Jesus’ strict command against divorce is difficult to hear in a modern times, when divorce has become acceptable, if unhappy; a troubled end to a relationship. In the patriarchal culture of Jesus’ time, divorce was even worse, because it was inequitable: A man could set aside his marriage for any reason, or keep his wife trapped in abusive relationship. A woman had no recourse, could not practically initiate divorce, and worse, a woman alone was likely to end up homeless and hungry, shamed and reduced to begging. Should it surprise us that Jesus spoke firmly against that, recalling the words of Eve’s creation from Genesis? Then, in the next segment, when we see Jesus holding and blessing little children, we begin to see Jesus’ idea of God’s kingdom in the image of a child: Don’t judge others. Don’t be unkind.

What are “Track 1” and “Track 2”?
During the long green season after Pentecost, there are two tracks (or strands) each week for Old Testament readings. Within each track, there is a Psalm chosen to accompany the particular lesson.
The Revised Common Lectionary allows us to make use of either of these tracks, but once a track has been selected, it should be followed through to the end of the Pentecost season, rather than jumping back and forth between the two strands.
For more information from LectionaryPage.net, click here.

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 Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012.

First Reading: Job 23:1-9, 16-17
Job is still on the ash heap where we left him last week, scratching his sores with a shard of broken pottery. His friends have given up on trying to console him. Job’s words are bitter, angry. He wants a word with God, he wants to argue his case before God, but he can’t find God. In the darkness he is terrified and wants to vanish. Stay tuned as the story continues next week.

Psalm 22:1-15
Jesus, dying on the cross, cried out in his final agony the words that begin Psalm 22: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” So begins this reading, titled “Plea for Deliverance from Suffering and Hostility,” echoing Job’s lament in the cry of one who is strung out, knocked down, worn out, feeling the depth of despair and no place to turn … except to God, who knew him as an infant and who, he prays, will be there for him now.

Second Reading: Hebrews 4:12-16
Hebrews speaks of Jesus – “the word of God” – in language that we seldom associate with the Good Shepherd: “sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow … before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare …” God expects much of us, as today’s Gospel repeats. Are we ready to be laid bare before our God?

Gospel: Mark 10:17-31
“Go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor … then come, follow me.” Really? Stewardship season is coming soon, and we’ll be invited to pledge our support of the church. Luckily for us, however, we’re not expected to give everything we own – are we? Perhaps these verses, like the Sermon on the Mount, challenge us by setting Jesus as a standard of perfection that we can aim for but won’t likely reach. Or perhaps we are meant to squirm, remembering just how rich we are, and ask ourselves if our possessions stand between us and real love of God and neighbor.