Sunday, August 28, 2022

Hospitality and entertaining Angels

 Scripture: Jeremiah 2:4-13 and Psalm 81:1, 10-16  •  Sirach 10:12-18 or Proverbs 25:6-7 and Psalm 112  •  Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16  •  Luke 14:1, 7-14


This week's letter to the Hebrews and gospel account are lessons in humility and hospitality. Jesus was invited to a Sabbath meal at the home of a leading Pharisee, and tells us where to sit - not in the place of honor, but in the lowest seats where we may be exalted and asked to move up, rather than embarrassed and asked to move down. his lesson, and the real heart of the lesson, is to have the heart of a servant"The next time you throw a party, don’t invite your rich friends and neighbors, so that they might return the favor some day and invite you to one of their nice parties. Rather, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind. Then you will be blessed, because they can’t repay you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” 


Jesus challenges, and sometimes provokes, the status quo, but always based in compassion and understanding of vulnerability. Ultimately, Jesus is the grace, love and mercy of God. The gracious host who shows us God's kingdom, and appropriate "table manners." There's a whole lot of watching going on. Read Ven. Irene  Egmalis-Maliaman's "Watching."  In our zeal to get ourselves situated, we can begin to look like we are playing a game of musical chairs with a complete emphasis on getting in the right chair on time. Let us not be afraid of where we are seated."


Read Steve Goodier's wonderful story about Booker T. Washington, and lesson in humility and spirit in "A Humble Spirit ."

Finally we have that beautiful passage from the letter to the Hebrews,"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it." Who are angels who may have shown us hospitality? What is it to be hospitable?

Sunday, August 21, 2022

Seeing as Jesus sees - Fulfilling the law

 Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10 and Psalm 71:1-6  •  Isaiah 58:9b-14 and Psalm 103:1-8  •  Hebrews 12:18-29  • Luke 13:10-17  


In this week's gospel account, Jesus heals a woman on the Sabbath. He sees her. She doesn't ask to be healed. She is "bent over" - in a weakened state from the Greek word astheneia. For a good discussion of what Jesus, saw, and why he healed on the Sabbath in the presence of the leader of the synagogue, see Peter Woods' "Believing and Seeing."

 What did the leader of the synagogue say? Who did he blame? What was Jesus' reply?
Should one ever "break the law?" If so, for what reason(s)? What should the consequences be for the "law-breaker?"  Consider Ryan Wilson's "When Compassion Trumps the Law," 


Sunday, August 14, 2022

The Cost of Peace

 

  • Scripture: Isaiah 5:1-7 and Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19  • J
  • eremiah 23:23-29 and Psalm 82  • 
  • Hebrews 11:29-12:2  • 
  • Luke 12:49-56
      • I always enjoy exchanging the peace at Church. At our church, everyone makes an effort to exchange the peace with everyone,  when possible. What does it mean to exchange God's peace? Considering today's Scripture, God's peace comes at a cost. Bonhoeffer, in his Cost of Discipleship, says grace is not cheap. What is the cost of God's peace? 

        Read two excellent articles which address God's peace; Debie Thomas' "Disturbing  the Peace," and The Rev. Canon Frank Logue's "The Cost of True Peace."

    Restless Faith

     Scripture:  Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 and Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23  •Genesis 15:1-6 and Psalm 33:12-22  • Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16  • Luke 12:32-40




    These are restless times, it seems. There are many challenges to our faith in our communal and individual lives. Abraham and Sarah experienced it, but found fulfilment in their faith, despite their circumstances. Read the great faith chapter of Hebrews, and today’s gospel. What is faith? How should we approach faith in light of our anxiety and restlessness?



    See Debie Thomas’ “Called to Restlessness,” and Amy Richter’s “By Faith.”