Category: Uncategorized

 Micah 5:2-5a

 Hebrews 10:5-10

 Luke 1:39-45, (46-55)

Dear Friends,

The prophet Micah describes the coming of a new ruler from Bethlehem, who will restore Israel and “stand and feed his flock.”

Luke tells the story of Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth.  At the sound of Mary’s voice, the babe in the womb of Elizabeth stirs with joy, and this is received by her as a sign that Mary’s own unborn child is “the Lord.”  Elizabeth’s response become the “Hail Mary” so well known in Catholicism, and Mary’s reply the equally famous “Magnificat”, in which song Mary rejoices in the God who uplifts the lowly and humbles the proud.

The Letter to the Hebrews describes how Christ’s coming into the world fulfills and replaces the former temple system of sacrificial offerings.  Jesus offers himself, once for all, fulfilling God’s will in a way that previous offerings could never do.

Comment:  As a Christian I look “back” to the law and the prophets and see their hope for a coming ruler fulfilled in a completely unexpected way by the birth of Jesus. This way of “looking back” is taken by Luke, who tells the birth story of Jesus from the vantage of two humble women of no apparent significance.  The Messiah comes not from royalty, but the common people!  This in itself tells us much about how God chooses to dwell among us.  The Letter to the Hebrews also looks back to see how this Jesus, in his life of obedience to the Father, fulfills the law and replaces the temple ritual.  May we continue to see how God works in such unexpected, simple ways, among unlikely people -people such as you and me.

Zephaniah 3:14-20

Philippians 4:4-7

Luke 3:7-18

Dear Friends,

This Sunday of Advent combines the themes of anticipatory joy with the coming of the powerful Messiah who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire!

The prophet Zephaniah calls on the people of Israel, who have lived in exile and defeat, to rejoice in anticipation of the coming of God.  The Lord will rescue them from disaster, deliver them from oppressors, and gather them safely home once more.  The judgment against them has been lifted.

In Luke’s Gospel, we hear the preaching of John as he baptizes at the river Jordan, calling the people to a repentance that shows up in a lifestyle of generosity, honesty, and integrity towards others.  He describes with vivid images the coming of “one who is more powerful than I,” who through the Holy Spirit and fire will bring the truth of God to bear upon the people.

Saint Paul encourages the Christians of Philippi with the expectation that the Lord is near.  They can rejoice and be free of worry, knowing that by their faith and trust in Christ, they can communicate every concern and thanksgiving they have to God. This trust produces profound peace.

Comment: Can joy and judgment go together?  Ultimately yes.  We do long for the perfect love and truth of God to come among us.  We can rejoice to know that God’s word will be the last word that triumphs over all human government and politics, decisions and acts.  We rejoice that love – not human love but the love we know in Christ – will prevail and complete all things.  We hope for this, even as we know that we ourselves must be held accountable when measured against the love of God.  Yet I can rejoice even in this, knowing that the love that judges me is the very love that will make me whole and clothe me in new life.

Malachi 3:1-4

Philippians 1:3-11

Luke 3:1-6

Dear Friends,

The prophet Malachi declares the coming of a messenger to prepare the way for God’s judgment.  The impact will be like fire and soap to cleanse and restore the priesthood of Israel to serve God rightly.

Luke’s Gospel describes the ministry of John the Baptist, who prepares the people for the coming of God through a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. “All flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

Speaking to the Philippian Church, Paul expresses his confidence that the work God has begun in them will be made complete when Christ comes again.

Comment: This Sunday in Advent always emphasizes the theme of repentance and preparation for the coming of Christ.  There is so much in our world, not to mention in my own heart, that needs the refining and cleansing fire of God’s Spirit!  And we can present ourselves before Christ in complete confidence of the love he demonstrated on the cross.  Everything he does with us, in us, for us, and through us, is for good.  Rather than avoid this loving judgment, we claim it and seek it, so that “all flesh may see the salvation of God.”

Jeremiah 33:14-16

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

Luke 21:25-36

Dear Friends,

The prophet Jeremiah looks forward to a time when the Lord will restore the defeated Northern Kingdom of Israel and reform the corrupt Southern Kingdom of Judah (Jerusalem).  This will take place through the person of a descendant of King David.

Today’s reading from Luke’s Gospel contains the final part of Jesus’ reply to his disciples, who wanted to know what signs would indicate the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem (and by implication, the destruction of Jerusalem with it).  Amidst times when everything appears to be falling apart, they are to stand in confidence that Jesus will come to establish the rule of God upon the whole earth.

Saint Paul encourages the Christians of Thessalonia to continue the life of love and holiness they have learned in Christ.  In this way they will be ready for the Lord Jesus at his coming again to fulfill God’s plan to restore the earth.

Comment: Jesus did not give his followers specific time-tables for the “end of the world.”  Still, many things he described did take place literally within his generation, including the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple in 70 AD.  I find it quite helpful to take this message about the impermanent nature of our world and our history seriously. All the things (and people!) upon which we rely will pass away.  All human governments and projects come and go, but the words of Christ remain with us as a constant.  I cannot know a date or time when Jesus will come again, that is, when all people will be healed and united under Christ’s way, truth and life. But I don’t need to know this date. What I need to know is Jesus himself. Whenever and however he comes, I know I can stand in trust and thanksgiving before the one who unfailingly offers himself by the cross to love and redeem me.

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14

Psalm 93

Revelation 1:4b-8

John 18:33-37

Dear Friends,

The verses from Daniel 7 give us an image of God, the Ancient of Days, sitting in judgment. “One like a son of man” is presented to God and is given rule over all the peoples of the earth.  Christians will see this as a reference to Jesus, who as the Apostles Creed says, is “seated at the right hand of God, from where he will judge the living and the dead.”

John 18 contains the conversation between the Roman governor Pilate and Jesus about the charge that Jesus claims to be the Messiah (Jewish King) – placing him in rebellion against Roman authority.  Jesus describes a kingship that does not belong to human categories.  Only those who can hear truth can hear and recognize the authority of Jesus.

Revelation 1 tells us Good News:  the one who comes in judgment is equally “him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father.”  We join in saying a great Amen!

Comment:  My life – my thoughts, words and deeds – is placed alongside the truth of God.  I am under judgment, as is our world, and this is ultimately very good news.  I dearly want this torn and troubled world to be brought under God’s truth, just as I so dearly need that same truth to redeem my own living.  And that is exactly what Jesus does.  He makes God’s truth visible to me in human form and calls all that is false in me to account.  This is not punishment – it is redemption!  It is God’s good pleasure that we be set free by the truth, and as we are unable to accomplish this on our own, he “loves us and frees us from our sins” by the offering of his own life to be laid down for us.  And more, his life is given to come alive in us now as we say “yes” to his grace and listen to his voice.

 1 Kings 17:8-16

Hebrews 9:24-28

Mark 12:38-44

Dear Friends,

1 Kings 17 tells the story of the prophet Elijah, who is sent by the Lord to the home of a poor widow.  Though it is a time of famine and drought and she is at the end of her meager food supplies, she is assured that her food will not fail.

In Mark 12:38, Jesus celebrates the faith and generosity of a poor widow whose tiny offering of two coins represents all she has to give.  She really honors God by giving this away, in contrast to covetous and greedy scribes who “devour widows’ houses” by using the law to take property from widows who in that culture were vulnerable women with no male protectors.

The Letter to the Hebrews compares the priesthood of Christ with the temple priesthood.  In contrast to the endless repetition of temple sacrifice, Jesus’ offering is once and for all.  He not only bears the sins of many, but will come again to save those who eagerly await him.

Comment:  The prophet Elijah is sent to a poor widow, and through her God provides food in time of famine both for the prophet and the widow with her son.  Jesus rejoices in the wholehearted trust of another widow, who trusts God to the extent that she will give all she has to honor the Lord. Do I have the courageous trust of these widows?  I do not think I’ve been tested by life as have they, so honestly, I do not know the answer.  Their example, and that of others like them, calls me to trust the care of God not only myself or my loved ones, but also challenge me to be vividly aware of those who live on the margins. Their reality calls me to honor the call of God to live a more caring and generous life so that I might become a person who honors God’s desire to provide for all.

Isaiah 25:6-9
Psalm 24
Revelation 21:1-6a
John 11:32-44

Dear Friends,

The prophet Isaiah looks forward to a time when God fulfills all promises and brings all people into the great banquet that is fullness of life.  Described as a feast of rich food and wine, this festive gathering means the end of all sorrow and death.  In the present time, we still wait for this “time” – but we wait with joyful confidence that God is good.

The Revelation to John describes the day foretold by the prophet Isaiah with the image of a new and restored Jerusalem, a sign of God dwelling with us, making all things new.  This new life again is seen in the end of sorrow, suffering, and death.

In John’s Gospel, Jesus performs the great sign of raising Lazarus from death. John is showing us that in Jesus the power of God to make new, to end suffering and death, is present.  The words, “Unbind him, and let him go” sum up this work of God.

Comment:  God’s desire for all people is that we be set free from all that binds and harms us.  “Unbind him…let her go” are for us all.  We look at the suffering, pain, and death in our world, and we wait for this day.  I do not feel foolish in this hopeful waiting.  I see in the real person of Jesus, his life, death and resurrection, this very thing enacted in human history.  There is no situation that our God cannot and will not redeem!

Jeremiah 31:7-9

Hebrews 7:23-28

Mark 10:46-52

Dear Friends,

The prophet Jeremiah speaks word of hope to a conquered people, living as captives in a foreign land.  God will bring them all back home again, saving and restoring Israel once more in their own land.

Mark’s Gospel tells the story of a blind man begging on the streets of Jericho.  Crying out for mercy when Jesus passes by, his sight is restored by Jesus who says, “Your faith has made you well.”

The Letter to the Hebrews continues its comparison of Jesus with the Temple Priesthood of Jerusalem.  Unlike the temple priests, the risen Jesus continues for ever and is “able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”

Comment: Today’s lessons all remind me of my need to persistently cry out to God, who in Jesus comes to save and restore us all.  Is there blindness, where I experience myself without vision, not knowing where to go?  Cry out in faith!  Is there defeat, failure, and captivity in my life?  A promise is made that the Lord will bring me back from this place. I am reminded today of my need to trust the risen and living Jesus who is always aware of us, hears us, and calls to us.  What I need to do, day after day, is remember to look to him with faith, especially when it seems I am not heard.

Isaiah 53:4-12

Hebrews 5:1-10

Mark 10:35-45

Dear Friends,

The prophet Isaiah describes a person who is struck down by God to bear the iniquities of the people of Israel.  Christians later saw in this the foreshadowing of Jesus who, in obeying the will of God, went “like a lamb led to its slaughter.”  For us, Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Mark’s Gospel tells the story of James and John, disciples of Jesus, who ask for special placement when he comes into his glory.  This becomes a teachable moment for Jesus to show them what his coming really means – a cross.  “The son of man came…to give his life as a ransom for many.”  To join him is to become one who lives to serve and save others rather than seek promotions.

The Letter to the Hebrews compares the high priesthood of the temple to the life and work of Jesus.  Human priests do not presume to take this position of honor, because they too are people subject to weakness and sin.  Jesus also did not presume to take his role, but was appointed by God and responded with obedience even when it led to suffering and death.

Comment: Peter, Paul, and Mary – that pop group of the 1960’s, sang a song about a man with a “long chain on” who accepts the hospitality of a simple meal, and prays a beautiful grace to God before eating.  When offered to have his chain cut free, he says, “We best let it be.”  Jesus freely comes to us and accepts the work God his Father gives – to enter into our human weakness and take it upon himself.  It is hard to understand how Jesus can take and bear my sin, let alone the sin of the world. Yet we understand the prophet Isaiah to speak of that very possibility – a person who bears the afflictions of God’s people.  It is a pure gift that passes understanding, a gift of love. The One who created all things, and created me, saves and restores us!  I don’t need to understand how.  I need to rejoice daily and let my life respond with gratitude and readiness to follow this wonderful Lord who comes for us all

Amos 5:6-7,10-15

Hebrews 4:12-16

Mark 10:17-31

Dear Friends,

The prophet Amos declares God’s judgment against those who exploit the poor for their own gain.  Even so, they may yet turn from their evil in order to “seek the Lord and live,” receiving graciousness from the Lord rather than judgment.

In Mark’s Gospel, a man wants to know from Jesus how to seek the Lord and live.  He has kept the commandments of God but for one thing: the invitation of Jesus to sell his possessions and give to the poor reveals a troubled place in his heart (you shall not covet).  As always, the issue is not wealth in itself, but the terrible hold our possessions can exert on us which can separate us from the life God asks us to live.

The Letter to the Hebrews affirms the power of God’s word to sort us out and reveal our true motivations.  Knowing that none of us can survive such scrutiny without guilt, the letter goes on to assure us of the grace and mercy of Jesus who understands our weaknesses and will help us.

Comment:  Not only is the way of life pointed out to us in the words of the prophets, but the very help we need to live as God’s children is given to us in Jesus the Lord. Thanks be to God who loves you and me! The Lord does not abandon us when we fail to whole heartedly love God and our many kinds of neighbor, near and far.  Trusting the love of God made visible in Jesus Christ, I can humbly allow God’s word to reveal my faults and correct me, knowing that the purpose of this correction is to prepare me (and you!) for mercy, grace, and life with God.

David S. Robinson, Rector

Saint Matthew’s Episcopal Church

Maple Glen, PA 19002