Thoughts on Sunday’s Lessons for Oct. 13, 2024 (Pentecost 21B/Proper 23)

Christ and the Rich Young Ruler (1889), oil painting on canvas by Heinrich Hofmann (1824-1911). Riverside Church, New York. Ironically, this painting was purchased for Riverside Church by John D Rockefeller Jr., one of the richest men in the world. (Click image to enlarge.)

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

Tormented beyond imagination, Job has lost everything. All 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 just before this reading. Did his lack of piety or his great wickedness anger God. Now 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 God will hear him, he is sure that he will prevail. He looks in every direction, he can’t find God anywhere. Terrified, he wants to vanish into darkness. Next week, we hear God’s reply.

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

We are called to subject ourselves to God, to behave justly, and to give generously to the poor, never stealing from or harming those who are less favored than we are. Listen for this theme through Sunday’s Lectionary readings. In our Track Two first reading the Prophet Amos warns Israel’s Northern Kingdom that its practice of living well while trampling the poor will lead to disaster at the hands of the Assyrians. “Seek good and not evil,” urges the prophet. Indeed, just a few verses after this passage, Amos will utter this familiar call to the people of God: “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 final agony he cried out the words that begin Psalm 22: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” The Psalmist’s pain revealed in these verses seem to echo Job’s lament. This is the cry of one who has suffered as Job has suffered, mocked by those around him and sunk in the depth of despair. He thinks that he has no place to turn. And yet God remains, the creator who knew him as an infant and who, he prays, will remember him now.

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

We jump in to the middle of this Psalm in Sunday’s readings, skipping past the first portion in which the writer – held by unlikely tradition to be Moses himself – has warned of God’s anger with a sinful people. In these verses we plead with God to return, to show loving-kindness, to teach the people to be wise, and to replace our adversity with gladness. Through God’s works, grace and splendor, we pray, may the people be wise, turn the work of our hands to God’s purposes, and enjoy prosperity as the result of our handiwork.

Second Reading: Hebrews 4:12-16

Perhaps this passage from the letter to the Hebrews unintentionally reveals its roots in Roman persecution of the early church that had led some Christians to abandon their faith out of fear. It speaks of Jesus in terms 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 …” And yet, though we are called to account before God, we know that Jesus, as fully human, knows and understands us: Through Jesus, the living and active word of God and our great high priest we receive God’s mercy and grace.

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, when we will 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 in any way stand between us and real love of God and neighbor.

Thoughts on Sunday’s Lessons for Oct. 14, 2018

Reflect on this: This painting of Christ and the Rich Young Ruler (1889) by Heinrich Hofmann (1824-1911), was purchased for Riverside Church in New York by John D Rockefeller Jr., one of the richest men in the world. (Click image to enlarge.)

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

You should really turn back and read the portion of Job that came just before this reading. Job has lost everything, including all his possessions and much of his family. Now his friends, seeking to console him, have done a spectacularly poor job of showing compassion. He must have done something wrong, they assured him, asking if his lack of piety or his great wickedness might have angered God. Now Job responds with bitter, angry words. He deserves a chance to lay out the facts, to argue his case before God, he says; and if he could get a hearing, he would surely prevail. But he looks in every direction yet can’t find God anywhere. He is terrified and wants to vanish into darkness. Hold these thoughts: We’ll hear God’s response to Job next week.

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

The strong theme of Sunday’s readings reminds us how important it is to subject ourselves to God, behaving justly and giving to the poor, never stealing from or harming those less favored. Indeed, we hear in the Gospel that no matter how well we follow the commandments, we must furthermore give everything that we have to the poor. The Prophet Amos, warning Israel’s Northern Kingdom that its habit of living well while trampling the poor will lead to disaster at the hands of the Assyrians. “Seek good and not evil,” urges the prophet. A few verses after this reading, Amos will call on 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?” This Psalm, titled “Plea for Deliverance from Suffering and Hostility” in the New Revised Standard Version, also echoes Job’s lament. It is the cry of one who has suffered as Job has suffered, mocked by those around him and sunk in the depth of despair. He thinks that he has no place to turn; but there is still God, who knew him as an infant and who, he prays, will remember him now.

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

We jump in to the middle of this Psalm in Sunday’s readings, skipping past the first portion in which the writer – held by unlikely tradition to be Moses himself – has warned of God’s anger with a sinful people. In these verses we plead with God to return, to show loving-kindness, to teach the people to be wise, and to replace our adversity with gladness. Through God’s works, grace and splendor, we pray, may the people be wise, turn the work of our hands to God’s purposes, and enjoy prosperity as the result of our handiwork.

Second Reading: Hebrews 4:12-16

The letter to the Hebrews may reveal its roots in persecution in the early church: It speaks of Jesus, the word of God, in terms 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. But we also know 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

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 may have done with his response to the Pharisees about divorce in last week’s Gospel. But even if we think we can get away with not taking 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.

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. 18, 2015

James and John stand alongside Jesus in this Orthodox icon of Jesus and the 12 apostles.

If you want to be in charge, be careful what you ask for. Throughout today’s readings we hear of servant leadership, sacrifice, and walking humbly with our God. Isaiah’s “Suffering Servant,” who we meet often in our readings (most recently only last month) may make us think of Jesus in his willing sacrifice to bear the sins of many. In its original context, though, Isaiah writes of the servant’s suffering in the past tense, remembering the sacrificial pain of Israel’s exile that was now coming to an end.

Psalm: Psalm 91:9-16

We hear only the second half of Psalm 91 today. Take a moment, though, to look up the preceding verses in the Psalter (Pages 719-20, BCP). There we learn of another servant who suffered, yet who received God’s protection against illness and enemies. In today’s verses, the Psalmist assures us that we gain protection by seeking refuge in God. Then, in a form that is quite unusual in the Psalms, God speaks directly in the first person, assuring the servant of God’s protection, honor and salvation.

Second Reading: Hebrews 5:1-10

The Letter to the Hebrews, likely written to lure backsliding Jewish Christians back to the early church, proclaims Christ’s role as the new high priest, one with a new covenant and new sacrifice. The fully human Jesus suffered “with loud cries and tears.” Learning obedience through suffering, he became the greatest of the line of priests that began with King Melchizedek, the first high priest named in Genesis. As the perfect image of God, Christ earned salvation for us all.

Gospel: Mark 10:35-45

Jesus nicknamed James and John “the Sons of Thunder,” and they do seem to be a fiery pair. We saw them a few weeks ago, complaining that other people were casting out demons in Jesus’ name. Now again they act clueless. They don’t ask but tell Jesus that they want to sit at his side in God’s kingdom. Jesus has news for them: To follow Jesus we must be servants, not those served; if we wish to be first, we must be the slave of all. Let’s not be too quick to judge them, though! When ambition prompts us to seek applause and praise, that might be a good time to reflect on Jesus’ way.

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012.

First Reading: Job 38:1-7,34-41
Job, who has been lamenting his condition and looking everywhere for God, angrily demanding that God come out of hiding and hear him, now gets his wish. Or does he? A mighty God speaks to him out of a whirlwind and quickly sets Job quite literally in his place. God thunders, hurling poetic words at Job like thunderbolts: “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.” God is great. Job is small. And so are we.

Psalm 104:1-9,35, 37c
This hymn of exaltation must have rung out over the ancient Temple in Jerusalem with trumpet blasts and shouts of praise. It portrays God as creator and ruler over all creation and imagines God riding across the world on the wings of clouds, spreading out mountains and valleys, oceans and rivers.

Second Reading: Hebrews 5:1-10
The author of Hebrews is preaching a sermon historically understood as an effort to persuade first century Jewish Christians who had returned to Judaism to come back to Christ. It presents Jesus as the perfect high priest, offering up prayers and supplications for all, and learning obedience through his sufferings. He has now become our salvation, and we are called to imitate him.

Gospel: Mark 10:35-45
Don’t we love to volunteer? We’re eager to step forward, roll up our sleeves, and serve in the church and community. But do we love it even more when the work is done and we hear our name called out for public applause? Perhaps we should pay attention to what’s going on with the apostles, who Mark often portrays clueless and missing Jesus’s message. Are we ready to be the slave of all; to serve, not to be served; and if called, to give our lives in Christ’s service?