Month: September 2014

Posted on

The Unanswered Question

Text: Matthew 21:23-32
Date: Pentecost XVI Proper 21 + 9/28/14

I love this Gospel reading today for a number of reasons. One is the hidden humor of it all. The chief priests and elders of the people challenge Jesus’ credentials asking what’s His authority. Jesus decides to play a little game saying, “I’ll answer your question if you will answer mine.” “The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” You can see these important men huddling together not so much to discuss the real answer (they know the real answer!) but only the effect or political correctness of the two choices. They’re hard pressed between their agenda and their need for people’s respect and obedience. The answer? “We don’t know!” That’s funny enough but then Jesus follows through on the deal and refuses to answer them. Well, He actually doesn’t refuse since He then tells a parable which does answer their question. Continue reading “The Unanswered Question”

Posted on

Let Me Not Doubt

Date: Pentecost XV Proper 20a + St. Matthew + 9/21/14
Text: Matthew 19:27—20:16

Today we encounter once again that mystifying aphorism or saying of Jesus, “the last will be first, and the first last.” Most often, of course, heard in church basements where people are lining up to go through the buffet line, the actual meaning is quite the opposite. Back in the last chapter Jesus said, “many who are first will be last, and the last first” (19:30). Here He says the reverse, “the last will be first, and the first last.” Either way the meaning is the same, namely, in the kingdom or rule of God no one is going to be first and no one is going to be last. Rather, by God’s amazing grace, the playing field has been leveled. All are equal. Continue reading “Let Me Not Doubt”

Posted on

Till Worldly Passions Turn

Text: Genesis 50:15-21; Matthew 18:21-35
Date: Pentecost XIV Proper 19 + 9/14/14

The Hymn of the Day, written by a 13th century Italian mystic, Bianco da Siena, contemplates what is behind today’s scripture readings. It taps into the emotions surrounding Joseph’s forgiveness of his guilty and fearful brothers, St. Paul’s warning of the necessity to live in mutual forgiveness, and Jesus’ emphasis on forgiveness as a never-ending expression of His love redeeming and restoring our relationships in the family of God. Continue reading “Till Worldly Passions Turn”

Posted on

Words of Warning

Text: Matthew 18:1-20
Date: Pentecost XIII Proper 18 + 9/7/14

Lately St. Matthew has had us ask “Who is Jesus?” St. Peter spoke for us all under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, saying to the Lord, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Then we heard Jesus explain what that meant for Him to be the Christ, namely, that He came to suffer and die, to be the sacrifice for our sins and the sins of the whole world, and be raised again from the dead for our justification, salvation and life. Then He said that in order to follow Him, in order to be a Christian (a “little Christ”) the life of faith requires of us that we also take up our cross. In other words being a disciple, a Christian, entails a certain kind of suffering on our part for and in His name and even death to this world. It is to be “buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Rom 6:3-4). St. Paul wrote to the Colossians, that by this baptismal faith “with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world,” “for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Col 2:20; 3:3). Continue reading “Words of Warning”