Thoughts on Sunday’s Lessons for June 16, 2024 (Pentecost 4B/Proper 6)

Ernte in der Provence (Harvest in Provence, 1888), oil painting on canvas by Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890). The Israel Museum, Jerusalem. (Click image to enlarge.)

First Reading (Track One): 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13

Saul, named king of Israel amid great hopes, hasn’t worked out. In fierce and bloody verses just before this reading, God had ordered Saul to gather an army and attack the neighboring Amalekites, utterly destroying all that they have and killing all their people and livestock. But against God’s command Saul spared the king and kept the best spoils for himself. Now God regrets having made Saul king, and rejects him. In today’s reading God sends Samuel to Bethlehem to find the next king from the sons of Jesse. Much to everyone’s surprise, God passes over seven strong, handsome sons to choose the youngest: David.

First Reading (Track Two): Ezekiel 17:22-24

It is only a few days until the Summer Solstice, and all nature has turned green and lush. How fitting that many of Sunday’s readings touch on planting, growing, and new life! Much of the prophet Ezekiel’s writings are filled with angry recriminations to a people in exile, but today’s passage looks forward more gently toward a restored Israel, using the metaphor of a mighty cedar, a lofty tree that provides nesting space for birds and shade for many creatures. The prophet’s words offer an inspiring reminder that, with God’s help, a mighty tree can grow from a sprig. In the beauty of creation, we know that God is good.

Psalm (Track One): Psalm 20

Mirroring the militaristic theme of Israel’s kings and their call to holy war against their neighbors, Psalm 20 is a prayer for victory, a blessing before battle. The Psalmist calls on God to defend the people, to send help and strength, accept their offerings and advance their plans. Rather than trusting in chariots and horses, the people call on the name of God to give victory to Israel’s king.

Psalm (Track Two): Psalm 92:1-4,11-14

Echoing the Track Two first reading’s image of a mighty cedar that grows from a sprig, this Psalm of praise and thanksgiving sings of mighty trees, too. It sings about cedars of Lebanon and lofty palms, standing for those who grow and flourish under God’s nurturing care. Through righteousness, justice, and faith in God’s loving kindness, the people hope to remain ripe and fruitful all their lives.

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:1-17

This week’s Lectionary metaphor of growth and fruitful harvest doesn’t jump right out at us in this passage from Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth. But read closely, and perhaps we can catch a glimpse of it in the last few verses: When we choose to live in Christ, our lives change. Just as the leaves fall in autumn and our flowers and gardens die, only to return full of life in the spring, everything that is old passes away in Christ’s new creation. Everything becomes new for us again in the life we gain through Jesus.

Gospel: Mark 4:26-34

The two parables featured in Sunday’s Gospel draw metaphors from seeds and sowing: tiny beginnings that grow up to yield food from the earth.These are also the first two of 18 parables in Mark’s Gospel in which Jesus tells stories that hint at the nature of the Kingdom of God. “The Kingdom is like” is surely the most frequent introductory phrase in this Gospel. But wait! There’s still more! This passage also begins another recurring theme in Mark: Jesus speaks through mysterious parables in which he intentionally disguises his mission. Then he explains the real meaning to his followers but tells them to keep it all secret. Perhaps Jesus’s repeated call for a Kingdom of God – a kingdom that might be seen as a regime change from Roman rule – was too dangerous an idea to talk about in public.

Thoughts on Sunday’s Lessons for June 20, 2021

First Reading (Track One): 1 Samuel 17: (1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49 or 1 Samuel 17:57-18:5, 10-16

We hear more about young King David in Sunday’s Track One first reading, but the lectionary offers worship planners a choice between two readings.

Christ sur ​​la mer de Galilée (1841), oil painting on canvas by Eugène Delacroix (1798-1863). The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art , Kansas City, Mo. (Click image to enlarge.)

The first option retells the familiar story of the battle between David and the Philistine giant Goliath. A less familiar story constitutes the alternative choice, which tells about an ominous encounter between King Saul and David after Goliath was slain. Together the narratives portray David rising to become King, against jealous Saul’s desire to kill him before he can assume the crown. We will continue following Saul, David and Solomon through August, whereupon our Track One first readings turn to an anthology of the Hebrew Bible’s wisdom literature including Proverbs, Job, Esther and Ruth.

First Reading (Track Two): Job 38:1-7,34-41

Even in times of chaos and fear, God remains with us: This theme informs this week’s Track Two readings. We are all surely familiar with the trials of Job, who was tested by God at the urging of the adversary. Job retained his faith in spite of horrifying tests that would break even the strongest. In this reading, nearing the end of the book, Job finally gets his wish that God come out of hiding and listen to him. But God, speaking out of a whirlwind with power and might, sets Job in his place with words like thunderbolts: “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.” Job quickly repents; and at the end his fortunes are restored.

Psalm (Track One): Psalm 9:9-20 or Psalm 133

This passage from Psalm 9 is paired with the David and Goliath reading. Befitting the first reading’s warlike setting, the Psalm gives thanks to God who protects the people in time of trouble and oppression; who never forsakes those who seek protection in God’s name. Psalm 133, which we also read recently on the second Sunday after Easter, is to accompany the first reading about David and Saul. It celebrates the goodness and pleasure of living in unity, comparing this with the luxury of anointing with fine oil so abundantly that it runs down one’s hair and beard.

Psalm (Track Two): Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32

This beautiful hymn of praise to a God of mercy who protects us in peril sets a pitch-perfect tone for the following Gospel story about Jesus stilling the storm. The psalmist recalls a time when a violent storm at sea came upon some travelers whom God had redeemed. When they cried out to God, the storm gave way to calm. The travelers arrived safely on the shore, and we are called to join them in thanks and praise to a loving God who protects us from peril and delivers us from distress.

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

The theme of this letter, which we will continue reading through early July, rests on Paul’s effort to reconcile and restore good relations after a period of trouble and anger among the Christian community in Corinth. Paul himself has suffered many things for following in Jesus’ way, he reminds them. He was subject to beatings and imprisonment, hunger and sleeplessness, riots and more. Although Paul doesn’t mention storm and shipwreck here, we know that he endured those trials, too. In spite of all difficulties, he urges, remember that God is with us. Open wide our hearts and accept God’s love.

Gospel: Mark 4:35-41

Huge crowds have been following Jesus in the Jewish territory along the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. Now he takes the apostles on a boat across the broad lake to Gentile country on the other side. Midway in the lake’s deep waters – the Gospel actually calls it a “sea” – we hear one of the beloved Gospel stories that many of us remember, when Jesus wakes from a peaceful slumber to quiet the wind and waves and save the ship. As children, though, we probably didn’t focus on the apostles’ reactions: First they fear that Jesus doesn’t know – or even doesn’t care – that they are in deadly danger, scared out of their wits. Then, catching their breath when all is calm again, they seem shocked to discover that Jesus actually has the power that they had just called on him to use.

Thoughts on Sunday’s Lessons for June 17, 2018

The Sower (1850), oil painting on canvas by Jean François Millet (1814-1875). Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. (Click image to enlarge.)

Saul, named king of Israel amid great hopes, hasn’t worked out. In fierce and bloody verses just before this reading, God had ordered Saul to gather an army and attack the neighboring Amalekites, utterly destroying all that they have and killing all their people and livestock. But against God’s command Saul spared the king and kept the best spoils for himself. Now God regrets having made Saul king, and rejects him. In today’s reading God sends Samuel to Bethlehem to find the next king from the sons of Jesse. Much to everyone’s surprise, God passes over seven strong, handsome sons to choose the youngest, David.

First Reading (Track Two): Ezekiel 17:22-24

It is only a few days until the Summer Solstice, and all nature has turned green and lush at last. How fitting that many of Sunday’s readings touch on planting, growing, and new life! Much of the prophet Ezekiel’s writings are filled with angry recriminations to a people in exile, but today’s passage looks forward more gently toward a restored Israel, using the metaphor of a mighty cedar, a lofty tree that provides nesting space for birds and shade for many creatures. The prophet’s words offer an inspiring reminder that, with God’s help, a mighty tree can grow from a sprig. In the beauty of creation, we know that God is good.

Psalm (Track One): Psalm 20

Fitting with the militaristic theme of Israel’s kings and their call to holy war against their neighbors, the Psalm for Sunday’s Track One option is understood as a prayer for victory, a blessing before battle, calling on God to defend the people, send help and strength, accept their offerings and advance their plans. Rather than trusting in chariots and horses, the people call on the name of God to give victory to Israel’s king.

Psalm (Track Two): Psalm 92:1-4,11-14

Echoing the promise in our first reading of the mighty cedar that grows from a sprig, this Psalm of praise and thanksgiving sings of mighty trees, too – cedars of Lebanon and lofty palms – standing for those who grow and flourish under God’s nurturing care. Through righteousness, justice, and faith in God’s loving kindness, we hope to remain ripe and fruitful all our lives.

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:1-17

The metaphor of growth and fruitful harvest doesn’t jump right out at us in these verses from Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth, but look closely and perhaps we can catch a glimpse of it in the last verses: When we choose to live in Christ, our lives change. Just as the leaves fall in autumn and our flowers and gardens die, only to return full of life in the spring, everything that is old passes away in Christ’s new creation. Everything becomes new for us again in the life we gain through Jesus.

Gospel: Mark 4:26-34

Like so many of Jesus’ parables, the two featured in Sunday’s Gospel draw metaphors from seeds and sowing, tiny beginnings that grow up to yield food from the earth. But something more is happening here: These are the first of 18 parables in Mark’s Gospel in which Jesus tells stories that hint at the nature of the Kingdom of God. “The Kingdom is like” is surely the most frequent introductory phrase in the Gospel. Here, too, begins another recurring theme in Mark: Jesus tells mysterious parables that intentionally disguise his mission, and he tells his followers to keep his healings secret. Was Jesus’ call for a Kingdom of God, a kingdom that might replace Roman rule, too dangerous an idea to bring up in public?

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 June 21, 2015

The Storm on the Sea of Galilee, Rembrandt van Rijn, 1633.

It isn’t difficult to find a common theme in this week’s readings: In times of chaos and fear, God is with us. In beautifully poetic language, God reminds Job that God created all things and remains in control of nature’s most powerful forces, including the winds, the waves and the sea.

Psalm: Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32

This hymn of praise gives us vivid images of a loving God who protects us from peril and delivers us from distress. It stands in striking parallel with today’s Gospel reading from Mark. Sailors on their ships stagger in stormy winds and huge waves that leave them afraid and helpless, until God comes in to still the storm and calm the waves. Their song of thanksgiving for God’s mercy must have been heartfelt indeed, reminding us of the apostles’ relief when Jesus stilled the storm.

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

There’s been trouble and anger in the church in Corinth, and Paul aches to restore good relations. Following Jesus’ way has taken Paul and the church through chaotic events from beatings and prison to hunger and sleeplessness. If he doesn’t mention storm and shipwreck, we know that Paul endured those trials, too. Through all difficulties, he urges the people to remember that God is with us; open wide our hearts and accept God’s love.

Gospel: Mark 4:35-41

Jesus has been preaching to Jewish crowds on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, and now he is leading the apostles across the broad lake to Gentile territory. Along the way we encounter one of those beloved Gospel stories that most of us remember from childhood Sunday school. As children, though, we might not have focused on the apostles’ reactions. First they fear that Jesus doesn’t know – or doesn’t care – that they are in deadly danger, scared out of their wits. Then, catching their breath when all is calm again, they seem shocked to discover that Jesus actually has the power that they had just called on him to use.