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Readings and Reflections on the Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost

Job 1:1; 2:1-10
Psalm 8
Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12
Mark 10:2-16

 

Dear Friends,

The Book of Job raises the difficult question of the suffering we experience in this life.  Why do we struggle and suffer? These verses suggest that suffering is a test inflicted upon us by Satan, with God’s permission, to see if we have strong faith. I am grateful that Jesus’ words in the Gospels suggest a different understanding than Job.  What IS being modeled for us in Job’s story that we can also find in Christ is to trust in God, regardless of circumstances that tempt us to despair.  The book of Job also teaches that understanding God is well beyond our human ability, but as Christians we know that Jesus reveals God as a loving and good Father.

In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus is asked about divorce.  In a male dominated culture where women were almost entirely powerless, Jesus challenges the attitude that sees women as “dispensable assets.”  He affirms the “one flesh” unity of a husband and wife as God’s intention for a marriage.  Not for the only time, Jesus calls for a deeper understanding of human dignity than his culture practiced, a way which expresses God’s love and value for everyone.

The Letter to the Hebrews is concerned with showing that Jesus is the unique Son of God who is greater than the law, the prophets, and the angels.  Though higher than us all, Jesus has come to live and suffer among us, so that he might restore us as the children of God – a restoration that the law and prophets are unable to accomplish.

Comment: Jesus is always seeking to restore us to the life God intends us to have – here and forever.  I want to be reminded every day of this wonderful work Jesus comes to do for me and everyone else. He wishes to work through every aspect of my life, in times of suffering, in struggles with relationships, in every situation to guide me into the ways God wishes to work in my life.  It is a great and daily challenge, especially when we suffer, to remember to trust in the God who can raise us from any death we may face.

David S. Robinson, Rector
Saint Matthew’s Episcopal Church
Maple Glen, PA 19002
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Readings and Reflections on the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

 

Numbers 11:4-6,10-16,24-29
Psalm 19:7-14
James 5:13-20
Mark 9:38-50

Dear Friends,

In the reading from Numbers, Moses is overwhelmed by the demands of the people and cries out to God.  In response, the Lord directs Moses to recruit seventy elders who will receive a share of the spirit that was put upon Moses so that they may assist him in leading the people.  Not everyone welcomes this shared leadership, but it is accepted and affirmed by Moses.

In Mark’s Gospel, the disciples of Jesus wish to stop a man who is exercising power in Jesus’ name, but Jesus affirms the work done in his name by this person.  This is followed by warnings against getting in the way of other people who trust Jesus, as well as anything that gets in our own way of trusting and following Christ.

The Letter of James reminds Christians to turn to prayer, praise, and confession of sin to care for themselves and one another.

Comment:  When Simon and Garfunkel sang the song “I am a rock, I am an island,” I am convinced this lyric was an ironic affirmation of the opposite: we really aren’t intended to make it through life on our own. Moses needs to share leadership or he’ll be crushed.  Jesus recruits disciples, and affirms people who aren’t in the “inner disciple circle” who are doing work in his name. James points out that we need to turn to God and seek help from one another to stay well.  That sounds great, except that people are difficult. Some people who “want to help” don’t understand their own hidden agendas that are in reality about meeting their own needs.  Still, we need the help of others.  The key for me has been to take responsibility for asking people, who I know I can trust, to pray for me and with me. It is important for me to ask such people for counsel, and talk things over with others.  But I’m very careful about who I ask!

David S. Robinson, Rector
Saint Matthew’s Episcopal Church
Maple Glen, PA 19002
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Readings and Reflections on the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Proverbs 3:1-6

2 Timothy 3:14-17

Matthew 9:9-13

Dear Friends,

Matthew 9:9-13 tells the story of Matthew’s call to follow Jesus.  In a culture where rabbis recruited “the best of the best,” it is shocking to see Jesus ask a religiously failed and worldly corrupted man to join him as a disciple.

Jesus might well have told the critics of his association with tax collectors and other religious failures that he was merely enacting the words of Proverbs 3:1-6.  He is living out a mission that restores Matthew, and others like him, into a wholehearted trust in the Lord and a new life of faithfulness.

Paul reminds Timothy of the great gift of the sacred writings that are animated by God’s own spirit to train and equip those who belong to God (and presumably desire to listen and be led by God!)

Comment:  When approached as a rule book, scripture becomes a source of human judgment and division.  When approached as a meeting place with the Lord, scripture becomes a source of faith, hope and love.  Jesus seems to take the latter view, and calls everyone into a living conversation with the living God. Is my Bible reading more like consulting a book of rules and sayings – or does it lead me into genuine conversation with God about the things of my life world?  May I have the boldness of Matthew to get up from that conversation and follow Christ!

David S. Robinson, Rector
Saint Matthew’s Episcopal Church
Maple Glen, PA 19002
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Readings and Reflections on the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

Isaiah 50:4-9a

James 3:1-12

Mark 8:27-38

Dear Friends,

Isaiah here describes a servant who hears the words of the Lord and offers them to the people who are weary.  However, the speaking of God’s message only brings rejection and hardship to the messenger. Confronted with this reality, the servant trusts God to help and uphold him.

In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus the servant of God lets his followers know that he will suffer much as the suffering servant(s) described by the prophet Isaiah.  Peter does not want to hear it, but Jesus rebukes Peter and calls his disciples to follow in this hard path of the servants of God.

James has been teaching about the practical life of faith, and here challenges Christians to get their speaking under control. Words are powerful, and can do great harm to others and to ourselves. How can we bless God and yet speak ill of one another from the same mouth?

Comment:  It is not easy to be followers of Jesus. It is very easy for a person to excuse themselves and say “I’m not a preacher or a minister” and so on, but in fact we either claim our life as followers of Jesus or we do not.  May the Lord uphold and encourage me in both speaking and living the message of Jesus.  When I see how poorly I listen and how timid I am to follow, may I be strengthened by His great mercy and grace towards me. The Lord patiently waits for me to learn and amend my ways. Knowing I will never get there by my own strength, my Lord reaches out to help me if I will welcome that help.

David S. Robinson, Rector
Saint Matthew’s Episcopal Church
Maple Glen, PA 19002
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Readings and Reflections on the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Isaiah 35:4-7

James 2:1-10; 14-17

Mark 7:24-37

Dear Friends,

The prophet Isaiah speaks words of encouragement to a people who’ve been through disaster and see no light at the end of the tunnel.  “Be strong, fear not! Behold your God …will come and save you.” He paints for them images of eyes being opened, lame men leaping, and waters quenching the desert places.

Mark’s Gospel shows Jesus at work as the saving presence of God among the people as he heals a girl from an unclean spirit and cures a man who is deaf-mute.  The little girl’s mother was a “foreigner” who would have been considered by Jews as outside of the saving reach of God.  But by putting her to the test, Jesus’ lifts up her example so that his fellow Jews may see the faith of a foreigner that seeks and receives the help of God.

In the James passage, we are challenged not to have favoritism among ourselves based on human standards and appearances – in this case favoring the rich over the poor.  This is a form of judging our neighbor rather than loving them as we should. He goes on to point out that our actions speak louder than words.  If we have genuine faith, it is not what we say but what we do that will reveal the genuine nature of our faith, for better or for worse.

Comment: Perhaps the combined import of these lessons is to challenge us to be the living, active signs of God’s saving presence by the love we show to our neighbor.  And the neighbor here defined is not limited to people who are comfortable for me to engage, but especially those who differ – the foreigner, the poor, people pushed to the fringe. In our current American scene, this would also seem to imply the call to love those who hold differing political opinions. God’s circle of love is always larger than the one I wish to draw! 

David S. Robinson, Rector
Saint Matthew’s Episcopal Church
Maple Glen, PA 19002
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Readings and Reflections for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

Jeremiah 23:1-6

Psalm 23

Ephesians 2:11-22

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

Dear Friends,

The prophet Jeremiah condemns the leaders of Israel who have failed to act as proper shepherds to the people.  The Lord declares that He personally will gather his scattered and mistreated flock and raise up shepherds who will genuinely care for them.

In Mark’s Gospel Jesus welcomes his disciples as they return from their first mission. They have been sent out as shepherds to proclaim the good news that God has come near to gather and save them.  But there is no time to rest, because crowds of people who seek the shepherding of Jesus keep coming to them, hungry for the help and compassion of God.

Paul declares to the Church in Ephesus what we have seen demonstrated in Mark’s Gospel.  Non-Jews and Jews alike have “access in one Spirit to the Father.”  There are no strangers in Christ, but all are gathered and into one flock.

Comment:  When people today speak of “inclusion” – this is what they might best reference.  The compassion of God knows no human boundaries, and seeks to gather the entire human family as one people in the name of Christ. Harsh words of exclusion are found in the scriptures also, spoken by the prophets or by Christ, and seem reserved for those who scatter and divide people, neglecting the great shepherding project of the Lord.  In a world that seems to work hard to polarize and divide us into separate “flocks” I must watch my heart carefully for thoughts, words and deeds that would tempt me to disown people who Christ desires to gather and bless.  May I remember Jesus has offered his life, going to the cross, to gather and reconcile all people to God and one another.  How can I help this to happen?

David S. Robinson, Rector
Saint Matthew’s Episcopal Church
Maple Glen, PA 19002
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Readings and Reflections for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

Amos 7:7-15

Psalm 85:8-13

Ephesians 1:3-14

Mark 6:14-29

Dear Friends,

Mark 6 contains the unpleasant story of Herod being tricked into beheading John the Baptist.  Put simply, this is a reminder of how the world often works.  The level of violence and manipulation that “make the world go round” is truly appalling. The gospel accounts do not sugar coat the ugly realities of our world.

The prophet Amos declares the judgment of God who measures Israel and finds the nation at fault.  Amos is told by the officials of the temple to go “practice his profession” somewhere else – the king and country don’t want to hear it!  The prophet replies that he is not a “professional” (think “politician”) but merely a person who is speaking as the Lord requires of him.

Ephesians 1:3-14 is a great shout of praise to God who chooses to bless us richly with grace, forgiveness, and insight into the Divine plan of salvation. We who believe are caught up in this plan as we hope in Christ and live for God’s glory.  We have believed (trusted) in this Good News and God’s own Holy Spirit has been given to us.

Comment:   The world is full of appalling events, and the nations of the world do much that is worthy of condemnation. Into this context is the hymn-like shout of S. Paul that there is Good News!  God’s purpose to redeem the human family is in fact at work among us, touching one life after another. I am always grateful for the glimpses of this Good News amidst the bad news: there are daily acts of kindness, love, and sacrifice for others on the personal, community, and international level.  Meanwhile, I seek to stand with the prophet Amos by being open to hearing and obeying the word of God that challenges me to uphold the Good News of God that for me is powerfully expressed in Jesus Christ. 

David S. Robinson, Rector
Saint Matthew’s Episcopal Church
Maple Glen, PA 19002
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Readings and Reflections for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Job 38:1-11

2 Corinthians 6:1-13

Mark 4:35-41

Dear Friends,

Job 38 contains a small portion of God’s reply to the challenge of a suffering man.  This “opening statement” from God clearly depicts the great distance between what human beings can know, and the reality of God who has created all things.  After a good bit more of this, Job gets the point and says, “I have uttered what I did not understand…and repent in dust and ashes.”

Mark 4:35-41: When Jesus calms the wind and sea with the power of the Creator, the disciples on the boat with him are filled with awe.  A moment ago, they were like Job, wondering if Jesus (God) cares about the danger they face.  Jesus invites them to trust in the face of fear.

2 Corinthians 6:1-13: Paul declares his “parental love” for his “children” at Corinth.  He has suffered for them through “sleepless nights…patience….kindness...genuine love” so that they might be raised up in Christ.  He says this because his children are “whining” and wanting to follow other “parents” who seem more impressive and suitable to their tastes.  How quickly we human beings can become discontent and complain!

Comment: Human suffering of all kinds challenges our faith and trust in God.  It is a question as old as the book of Job. God’s “reply” to Job (in my words) seems to be, “It’s way over your head, you can’t grasp it all.” This may be true, but it doesn’t help me emotionally.  Jesus seems equally harsh when he says to his frightened disciples, “Why are you afraid….have you no faith?”   But we ARE afraid and troubled by suffering and death.  At those times, I try to remember and cling to the assurance from Jesus that the heavenly Father knows even the fall of a sparrow, and that we are of great value to God, even if we can’t understand how it all “works.”

David S. Robinson, Rector
Saint Matthew’s Episcopal Church
Maple Glen, PA 19002
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Readings and Reflections for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Ezekiel 17-22-24

2 Corinthians 5:6-10,14-17

Mark 4:26-34

Dear Friends,

When the prophet Ezekiel tells the allegory of the cedar tree, he is speaking to the exiled people of Israel with a message of hope.  The tender twig of cedar that is planted and grows into a great tree is a picture/promise of restoration from disaster and renewed life after desolation.  The Lord declares the ability to bring low what is high (The Empire of Babylon) and raise up what is low (Israel).

Mark 4 gives us two parables from Jesus, both about growth.  Seeds grow in a very miraculous way – so much from so little- and Jesus likens the working of God to this amazing growth.  He then draws from Ezekiel’s story of the cedar twig to shape another allegory/parable of the mustard seed, which is tiny but becomes large and hospitable tree.  This is how God works among us!

St. Paul describes the “walk of faith” to the Christians of Corinth.  Having just earlier discussed the struggles of life and the frailty of our human bodies, the faith walk involves seeking to please and honor the Lord (Jesus) in whatever situation or condition we find ourselves. This is so hard to do!  Knowing that the Lord has prepared a life for us that cannot be destroyed, we are encouraged to take heart and to live not for ourselves but for Christ.

Comment: We need to be set free from our anxieties – our concerns for ourselves, others who are dear to us, and for our country – if we are to be fully alive to God’s life and work in us.  Jesus encourages us to trust in the God who can take what is low and little (you and me, our homes and churches, and even an entire nation when it is fallen low) and create places of life and refuge in the world.  Can I dare allow God to “sow” me like a seed?  To do this I must allow my “anxious self” to be buried so that my “faith self” can emerge. This is a daily struggle as you and I try our best to get those “weeds of anxiety” out of the way…not always with success. Still, we can trust the Lord will help us and make good things to grow.

David S. Robinson, Rector
Saint Matthew’s Episcopal Church
Maple Glen, PA 19002
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Readings and Reflections for the Third Sunday of Pentecost

Genesis 3:8-15

2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1

Mark 3:20-35

Dear Friends,

In Genesis 3:8-15 we have the story of Adam and Eve when they disobeyed the command not to eat of the tree of knowledge. Now aware and knowing their “nakedness”, they seek to hide from God’s presence.  Perhaps we could say they’ve exchanged innocent awareness of and trust in God’s presence for an anxious self-awareness and self-reliance.  The consequences of this exchange are many and painful.

In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus is at work to restore and heal God’s people. Yet many people, including certain religious leaders, do not understand or trust his work, thinking his power comes from evil. His own family appears to be concerned that he is going too far with this work. Jesus gives a frightening reply and makes a surprising affirmation. To call what comes from God “evil” places a person in a hopeless situation, as you have just disowned God who is your only and ultimate hope! On the other hand, anyone who seeks to honor God becomes one of God’s own family.

Paul tells the church in Corinth of the great confidence that belongs to those who believe and trust that the God who raised Jesus also will raise them.  Our material and physical lives will indeed fall apart sooner or later.  But when our flesh (earthly tent) is destroyed, God has prepared a life for us that cannot be destroyed – the same life seen in the Risen Christ!

Comment: As the hymn Amazing Grace tells it, may we always trust in the beautiful grace and work of God in Jesus Christ, especially in the midst of “dangers, toils and snares.”  Many voices and feelings try to sabotage our simple trust in the God Jesus calls our loving Abba.  The voice of Satan is clearly heard in any message that tells us that it is up to us alone to make our own way in life.  May we always resist this voice, and be content in our walk of daily trust in God through the voice of Jesus.

David S. Robinson, Rector

Saint Matthew’s Episcopal Church
Maple Glen, PA 19002