Sunday, November 26, 2017

Advent 1B Readings & Commentaries

Apocalyptic writing is about the end of time. It is usually heavily symbolic, and it often depicts a very simplistic picture of good vs. evil.  It typically comes out of communities that are under great stress, whose identity and existence is uncertain. 

1st Reading:  Isaiah 64:1-9
The Book of Isaiah contains three related yet distinct voices.  First Isaiah (chs. 1-39) was written just prior to the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple and the taking of many of the Jews into exile in Babylon.  Second Isaiah (chs. 40-55) is written near the end of the time of exile, announcing a homecoming.  Third Isaiah (ch. 56-66) is from the period after the return, during the re-founding of Jewish faith and society. Chapters 63—66 show signs of division within the community and a longing for unity and forward vision. The two strong metaphors at the end of this reading—“our father” and “our potter”—make clear that Israel must be totally reliant on God for their present and their future.

64:1 O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence—2 as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil—to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence! 3 When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. 4 From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him. 5 You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you in your ways. But you were angry, and we sinned; because you hid yourself we transgressed. 6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. 7 There is no one who calls on your name, or attempts to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity. 8 Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. 9 Do not be exceedingly angry, O Lord, and do not remember iniquity forever. Now consider, we are all your people.

Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18
Our psalm today is a communal lament, calling on God as Shepherd to deliver the people from their enemies, with the plaintive refrain, “Restore us, O God of hosts….” This psalm may very well have its origins in the period of exile in Babylon.

1   Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; *
           shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.
2   In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, *
           stir up your strength and come to help us.
3   Restore us, O God of hosts; *
           show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
4   O Lord God of hosts, *
           how long will you be angered
           despite the prayers of your people?
5   You have fed them with the bread of tears; *
           you have given them bowls of tears to drink.
6   You have made us the derision of our neighbors, *
           and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
7   Restore us, O God of hosts; *
           show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
16 And so will we never turn away from you; *
           give us life, that we may call upon your Name.
17 Let your hand be upon the man of your right hand, *
           the son of man you have made so strong for yourself.
18 Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; *
           show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

2nd Reading:  1 Corinthians 1:3-9
The first Sunday of Advent wants to renew in us our longing for what here St. Paul calls, “the revealing of our Lord” and “the day of our Lord.”  What is necessary in the meantime is that we seek to be enriched and strengthened in our relationship with Christ, relying on God’s faithfulness, which we can best know in our fellowship with one another.  The word in Greek translated “fellowship” is one of the most important words in all of Paul’s writing:  koinonia (also translated as “communion, “participation,” or “sharing.” See also 1 Cor 10:16, Galatians 2:9, Philippians 2:1 and others.

1:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5 for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind—6 just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you—7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Gospel Reading:  Mark 13:24-37
In the New Testament, apocalyptic imagery is present in each of the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark & Luke) as well as in the Book of Revelation. Apocalyptic writing is about the end of time. It is usually heavily symbolic, and it often depicts a very simplistic picture of good vs. evil.  It typically comes out of communities that are under great stress, whose identity and existence is uncertain.  Its ultimate intention is to give such communities hope.  This portion of Mark’s “Little Apocalypse” (13:1-37) includes two short parables, “the fig tree,” and “the man on a journey.”  They serve to remind us of the blessing that awaits us and our need to keep awake, be watchful and ready.

13:24 Jesus said, “But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. 27 Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. 28 From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 32 But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35 Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”


The Scripture quotations (except for the psalm) are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.  The Psalm translation is from The Book of Common Prayer.  Commentaries are by Epiphany ESources, 67 E. Main St., Hornell, NY 14843, www.epiphanyesources.com , copyright © 2017.  All rights reserved. Permission is given to copy for congregational use, with attribution.

Thursday, November 23, 2017

Last Sunday after Pentecost, 2017: Proper 29A

1st Reading:  Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
After criticizing Israel’s shepherds (kings) in 34:1-10, God proclaims himself as the good shepherd who will re-gather a flock that has been scattered and abused. Among the sheep there will be some in need of judgment. The sheep need to be “fed with justice,” meaning that they must both be re-taught just living and are in need of justice given their past abuse by the bad shepherds. Finally, in line with the theme of shepherd and sheep, there will be a ruler in David’s line to come, David being with whom the shepherd image began.

34:11 For thus says the Lord God:  I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. 12 As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. 13 I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited parts of the land. 14 I will feed them with good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and they shall feed on rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord God. 16 I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice. 20 Therefore, thus says the Lord God to them: I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.  21 Because you pushed with flank and shoulder, and butted at all the weak animals with your horns until you scattered them far and wide, 22 I will save my flock, and they shall no longer be ravaged; and I will judge between sheep and sheep. 23 I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. 24 And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them; I, the Lord, have spoken.

Psalm 100
Psalm 100 is the quintessential psalm of thanksgiving. It has long been a fixture in Morning Prayer in the tradition of The Book of Common Prayer, where it is known as “The Jubilate” (see pp. 45, 82). Notice the metaphor of sheep, of frequent use in the Hebrew Scriptures (see especially Psalm 23 and today’s first reading).

1   Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; *
                  serve the Lord with gladness
                  and come before his presence with a song.
2   Know this: The Lord himself is God; *
                  he himself has made us, and we are his;
                  we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.
3   Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
     go into his courts with praise; *
                  give thanks to him and call upon his Name.
4   For the Lord is good;
     his mercy is everlasting; *
                  and his faithfulness endures from age to age.

Or this

Psalm 95:1-7
Psalm 95 is one of a series psalms (Beginning with Psalm 93) to praise God in his role as Creator and King. It has long been a fixture in Morning Prayer in the tradition of The Book of Common Prayer, where it is known as “The Venite” (see pp. 44, 82).

1   Come, let us sing to the Lord; *
                let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
2   Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *
                and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.
3   For the Lord is a great God, *
                and a great King above all gods.
4   In his hand are the caverns of the earth, *
                and the heights of the hills are his also.
5   The sea is his, for he made it, *
                and his hands have molded the dry land.
6   Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, *
                and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
7   For he is our God,
     and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *
                Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!

2nd Reading:  Ephesians 1:15-25
This passage may reflect an early Christian hymn, proclaiming the exaltation of Christ over the whole creation, including the Church.  Like in our first reading, at the end is emphasized that we remain his Body on earth.  In us lies the mission of his purpose to “fill all in all,” that is, as the Catechism of The Book of Common Prayer says, “to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ” (p. 855).

1:15 I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 18 so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. 20 God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. 22 And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Gospel Reading  Matthew 25:31-46
The last of the parables in Matthew’s Gospel, often called the parable of the sheep and the goats, might be better termed, “The Judgment of the Nations.” That alone is an important detail of the story. It is “the nations” that are being judged, not individuals. There is also the implication that this parable is intended for the Gentiles (whereas the previous parable was meant for the Jews, or at least their leaders). “The nations” is the same word that will end this Gospel (the disciples being sent to “the nations,” 28:19). The main point, however, will certainly be for all Jesus’ followers: our treatment of one another is our treatment of Jesus himself.

25:31 [Jesus said,] “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33 and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. 34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40 And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ 41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”


The Scripture quotations (except for the psalm) are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.  The Collect of the Day and the Psalm translation are from The Book of Common Prayer.  Commentaries are copyright © 2017 Epiphany ESources, 67 E. Main St., Hornell, NY 14843. www.EpiphanyEsources.com. All rights reserved. Permission is given to copy for congregational use with this attribution.

Advent & Christmas at Home

Advent

Prayer for Light

Leader           Light and peace in Jesus Christ our Lord.            (The sign of the cross may be made)
All                 Thanks be to God.

Leader           God be with you.
All                 And also with you.
Leader           Let us pray.
Kindle in our hearts, O Lord, the flame of love that is never overcome, that it may burn within us and shed its light on those around us, and that by its light we may have a vision of the holy city, where lives the true and eternal light, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Other prayers appropriate to use in place of the above can be found in the BCP, pp. 211-212).

The appropriate number of candles on the Advent wreath are lighted.  The household Grace follows, if this is mealtime.  The Bible Reading and discussion may occur during a meal or afterward.

Bible Reading
A passage of Scripture is read, using the scheme on the reverse side, or from the Daily Office readings
 (which can be found in the BCP, beginning on p. 937 (we are beginning Year Two).

The reading may be discussed.  The following simple format can be used:
v  Each person share a word, image or phrase from the passage that especially caught their attention and why they think it did so.
v  Each person shares some way in which the above touches their life.

Closing Prayers

Leader      The night is far spent, the day draws near.
All            Let us walk in the light while we have the light.
Leader      Maranatha.
All            Come, Lord Jesus.

Leader      Let us pray.

A time of free prayer of both intercessions and thanksgivings.

The Lord’s Prayer

The Peace
Advent Resources

The Blessing of an Advent Wreath

Bless, O Lord, our wreath of candles and greens, and, as we use it to mark the time from now to the celebration of your birth, guide us by its light to prepare our hearts to receive you again.  We pray in your holy Name.  Amen.

Setting Up the Crèche
v  Set up the nativity set sometime during the first three weeks of Advent.  Put only the animals in place to emphasize that this was first their home.  The shepherds could be nearby, and Mary and Joseph traveling toward Bethlehem.  Save both the baby and the wise men for later.
v  On the Fourth Sunday of Advent Mary and Joseph arrive and are placed in the set.
v  Christmas Eve add the baby Jesus; Christmas morning, the Shepherds.  Also get out the wise men and set them at a distance from the set, and, during the 12 days of Christmas, each day move them a bit closer until they arrive on the Eve of the Epiphany (January 5).

The Blessing of a Christmas Tree

The tree may be blessed before it is decorated by placing a single apple on it and recalling the story of Eden.

God of Adam and Eve, God of all our ancestors, we praise you for this tree.  It stirs a memory of paradise, and brings a foretaste of heaven.  Send your Child, the flower of the root of Jesse, to restore your good earth to the freshness of creation.  Then every tree of the forest will clap its hands, and all creation will bless you from these shining branches.  Bless this tree and the time we spend around it this holy season.  All glory be yours, now and for ever.  Amen.

Alternate Readings
If Forward Day by Day (the Daily Office Lectionary) is not used.

Week 1:  Isaiah’s Visions
           Isaiah 6:1-8; Isaiah 9:2-7; Isaiah 11:1-10; Isaiah 35:1-10; Isaiah 40:1-11
Week 2:  John the Baptist
           Malachi 3:1-4, Matthew 3:1-12; Mark 1:1-8; Luke 3:1-6, John 1:29-42
Week 3:  Abraham & Sarah; Elizabeth & Zechariah
           Genesis 12:1-4a; Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Luke 1:5-25; Luke 1:57-66; Luke 1:67-80
Week 4:  Mary & Joseph
           Luke 1:26-38; Luke 1:39-56

Gift Giving
What about spreading your gift giving out.  1st, a small gift on St. Nicholas Day; 2nd another gift or gifts on Christmas Day; 3rd one last gift on Epiphany (January 6).


Christmas Day through The Epiphany

Prayer for Light

Leader           Light and peace in Jesus Christ our Lord.            (The sign of the cross may be made)
All                 Thanks be to God.

Leader           God be with you.
All                 And also with you.
Leader           Let us pray.
Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Other prayers that can be used for the above can be found in the BCP, pp. 212-214 & pp. 237-238.

Bible Reading
A passage of Scripture is read, using the scheme on the reverse side, or from the Daily Office readings
 (which can be found in the BCP, beginning on p. 937 (we are beginning Year Two).

The reading may be discussed.  The following simple format can be used:
v  Each person share a word, image or phrase from the passage that especially caught their attention and why they think it did so.
v  Each person shares some way in which the above touches their life.

Closing Prayers

Leader      Joy to the world!
All            The Lord has come!
Leader      Jesus has been born for us.
People       Come let us adore him.

A time of free prayer may be had, encouraging both intercessions and thanksgivings.

The Lord’s Prayer

The Peace

Leader      The peace of Christ be always with you.
All            And also with you.



Christmas Resources

Alternate Readings

Christmas Eve/Day:  Luke 2:1-20 (can be divided 1-14 & 15-20)
Feast Days:
St. Stephen’s Day (12/26):  Acts 6:8—7:3, 51-60
St. John’s Day (12/27):  1 John 1:1-9
Holy Innocent’s Day (12/28):  Matthew 2:13-18
Holy Name Day (1/1):  Luke 2:15-21
Other Days:
John 1:1-14; Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23; Luke 2:22-40; Luke 2:41-52
The Epiphany (1/6):  Matthew 2:1-12


The Blessing of a Home at Epiphany
Chalk is used (that may have been blessed at the Epiphany Service at Church) to mark the following on the door of the home:

           20   +   C   +   M   +   B   +   18
The C-M-B stand for both the legendary names of the Magi—Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar—and also the Latin words “Christus, mansionem benedicat” (“Christ, bless the house”).

Once the marking is done, all say this rhyme
Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar!
Though the spring seems very far,
Oe’r us has risen a star.
Though the cold grows stronger,
Now the days grow longer.
Though the world loves night,
Christ is born our light.

Then inside the home, the following blessing is said.
Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of your presence, Bless all who live here with the gift of your love; and grant that they may manifest your love [to each other and] to all whose lives they touch. May they grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen them; and preserve them in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and for ever. Amen.

A candle may be carried to each room in the house, incense burned, and water may be sprinkled in each room to further the blessing.

When all is complete, the Song of Mary may be said (BCP, p. 119).


Copyright © 2017 Epiphany ESourses, 67 E. Main St., Hornell, NY 14843, www.epiphanyesources.com. All rights reserved. Permission granted to copy for home or congregational use, with attribution 


Monday, November 13, 2017

Pentecost 24, 2017: Proper 28A



And then he uses the same phrase he used at the end of the previous section:  “encourage one another.” This is his theme for the letter, and it is a communal one. Encouragement cannot come from myself; it takes a community for encouragement to flourish.

1st Reading (Track 1):  Judges 4:1-7
This is our only reading in the lectionary from the Book of Judges. It covers the time between the death of Joshua (the successor of Moses) until the birth of Samuel the prophet, the last judge of Israel. Those who served as “judge” were, in essence, the earthly rulers of Israel, who had only one King, the Lord. The overall story told in Judges is the gradual decline of Israel into civil and religious chaos. Today we have mention of a woman serving as Judge, Deborah. She was one of six major judges, the others being Othniel, Ehud, Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson. Women played a significant role in the early stories, but their role declines over time and mostly disappears by the time of Samson.

4:1 The Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, after [the judge] Ehud died. 2 So the Lord sold them into the hand of King Jabin of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor; the commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-ha-goiim. 3 Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord for help; for he had nine hundred chariots of iron, and had oppressed the Israelites cruelly twenty years. 4 At that time Deborah, a prophetess, wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel. 5 She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim; and the Israelites came up to her for judgment. 6 She sent and summoned Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali, and said to him, “The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you, ‘Go, take position at Mount Tabor, bringing ten thousand from the tribe of Naphtali and the tribe of Zebulun. 7 I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin’s army, to meet you by the Wadi Kishon with his chariots and his troops; and I will give him into your hand.’”

Psalm 123 (Track 1)
Psalm 123 is one of the “Songs of Ascent,” pilgrim songs, sung while on pilgrimage to Jerusalem for major festival celebrations in the Temple.  This brief song is a plea for mercy, which in this case is as much “favor” or “blessing” as forgiveness. It is a psalm that easily echoes down from the past: “God, show us the way to a better place.”

1     To you I lift up my eyes, *
                  to you enthroned in the heavens.
2     As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, *
                  and the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
3     So our eyes look to the Lord our God, *
                  until he show us his mercy.
4     Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy, *
                  for we have had more than enough of contempt,
5     Too much of the scorn of the indolent rich, *
              and of the derision of the proud.

1st Reading (Track 2):  Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18
Zephaniah was active as a prophet in the 7th century b.c.e., during the reign of Josiah (640-609). He appears to have been a native of Jerusalem and perhaps of royal blood. Zephaniah preached about the coming “Day of the Lord,” brought on by the worship of other gods. His preaching may have led to the reforms of Josiah in 621 b.c.e. (2 Kings 23). The Day of the Lord will be disaster for all, for Israel and all the nations. Late in the book (3:9-20) the possibility of repentance and salvation soften somewhat this otherwise harsh prophet.

1:7 Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of the Lord is at hand; the Lord has prepared a sacrifice, he has consecrated his guests. 12 At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish the people who rest complacently on their dregs, those who say in their hearts, “The Lord will not do good, nor will he do harm.” 13 Their wealth shall be plundered, and their houses laid waste. Though they build houses, they shall not inhabit them; though they plant vineyards, they shall not drink wine from them. 14 The great day of the Lord is near, near and hastening fast; the sound of the day of the Lord is bitter, the warrior cries aloud there. 15 That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness, 16 a day of trumpet blast and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the lofty battlements. 17 I will bring such distress upon people that they shall walk like the blind; because they have sinned against the Lord, their blood shall be poured out like dust, and their flesh like dung. 18 Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the Lord’s wrath; in the fire of his passion the whole earth shall be consumed; for a full, a terrible end he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth.

Psalm 90:1-8, (9-11), 12 (Track 2)
Psalm 90 is a wisdom hymn comparing the everlasting nature of God and the brevity of human life. There are echoes of Genesis in the psalm, “Dust you are and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 2:7, 3:19).

1     Lord, you have been our refuge *
              from one generation to another.
2     Before the mountains were brought forth,
       or the land and the earth were born, *
                  from age to age you are God.
3     You turn us back to the dust and say, *
                  “Go back, O child of earth.”
4     For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday
                                          when it is past *
       and like a watch in the night.
5     You sweep us away like a dream; *
                  we fade away suddenly like the grass.
6     In the morning it is green and flourishes; *
                  in the evening it is dried up and withered.
7     For we consume away in your displeasure; *
                  we are afraid because of your wrathful indignation.
8     Our iniquities you have set before you, *
                  and our secret sins in the light of your countenance.
[9    When you are angry, all our days are gone; *
                  we bring our years to an end like a sigh.
10   The span of our life is seventy years,
       perhaps in strength even eighty; *
                  yet the sum of them is but labor and sorrow,
                  for they pass away quickly and we are gone.
11   Who regards the power of your wrath? *
                  who rightly fears your indignation?]
12   So teach us to number our days *
              that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.

2nd Reading:  1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
The chief concern of the Christians in Thessalonica seems to have been the promised coming again of the Lord Jesus. Even Jesus himself seems to have thought it would be quickly, but the Thessalonians are beginning to question whether or not this is true. In the previous chapter he has assured them that those who have died will be taken care of. Now he speaks of how they should live, i.e., always in anticipation, never allowing one’s senses to dull. We may not know “the times and the seasons,” but we can always be ready.  And then he uses the same phrase he used at the end of the previous section:  “encourage one another.” This is his theme for the letter, and it is a communal one. Encouragement cannot come from myself; it takes a community for encouragement to flourish.

5:1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 When they say, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! 4 But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; 5 for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. 6 So then let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; 7 for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 25:14-30
The middle of the three great parables of Matthew 25, unlike the first and third, also appears in Luke’s Gospel (19:12-27). It has a harsh tone; one can easily imagine being the slave with one talent who dared not lose it and there be nothing left. You can hear an echo of the story of “the fall” from Genesis 3:8-13, when the first man and woman hide themselves from God because they are afraid. As that story goes, it is that fear that is as much the cause of the breakdown in relationship with God than the sin of eating the fruit. This parable has a simple message and it is not about investing wisely. It is that fear is the great enemy of the Gospel and live in the Kingdom of God.

25:14 Jesus said, “For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15 to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. 17 In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. 18 But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20 Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. 29 For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 30 As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”


The Scripture quotations (except for the psalm) are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.  The Psalm translations are from The Book of Common Prayer.  Commentaries are copyright © 2017 Epiphany ESources, 67 E. Main St., Hornell, NY 14843. www.EpiphanyEsources.com. All rights reserved. Permission is given to copy for congregational use with this attribution.