Musings for Pentecost 13

Sunday, August 26, 2012
Lectionary 21
Proper 16
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Midweek Musings

Reflection by Pastor Macholz

INTRODUCTION
In today's gospel many people take offense at Jesus' invitation to eat his flesh and drink his blood; even many of Jesus' disciples peel off. This is the backdrop in John's gospel for Peter's confession of faith. "To whom can we go?" asks Peter, in words we sometimes sing just before the gospel is read. "You have the words of eternal life." In order to take such a stand, as Peter and Joshua did, Paul tells us to arm ourselves with the word of God. We pray in the Spirit that we might be bold ambassadors of the gospel.

Prayer of the Day (ELW)

Holy God, your word feeds your people with life that is eternal. Direct our choices and preserve us in your truth, that, renouncing what is false and evil, we may live in you, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

First Reading

Joshua 24:1–2a, 14–18

In the Near East, covenant means agreement or alliance. It describes relationships and is the primary word used to characterize the relationship between God and Israel. By delivering Israel, God has already begun the relationship. Joshua calls upon the people to respond.

Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel; and they presented themselves before God. ²And Joshua said to all the people, ¹⁴Now therefore revere the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. ¹⁵Now if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." ¹⁶Then the people answered, "Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods; ¹⁷for it is the LORD our God who brought us and our ancestors up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight. He protected us along all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed; ¹⁸and the LORD drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the LORD, for he is our God."

Psalm (ELW)

Psalm 34:15–22

The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous. (Ps. 34:15)

¹⁵The eyes of the LORD are up- ^| on the righteous,

and God's ears are open ^| to their cry.

¹⁶The face of the LORD is against those ^| who do evil,

to erase the remembrance of them ^| from the earth.

¹⁷The righteous cry, and ^| the LORD hears them

and delivers them from ^| all their troubles.

¹⁸The LORD is near to the ^| brokenhearted

and saves those whose spir- ^| its are crushed.

¹⁹Many are the troubles ^| of the righteous,

but the LORD delivers them from ^| every one.

²⁰God will keep safe ^| all their bones;

not one of them ^| shall be broken.

²¹Evil will bring death ^| to the wicked

and those who hate the righteous ^| will be punished.

²²O LORD, you redeem the life ^| of your servants,

and those who put their trust in you will ^| not be punished.

Second Reading

Ephesians 6:10–20

Like a general giving a rousing speech to troops before battle, this letter closes by calling on Christians to be equipped for spiritual warfare against evil. The full armor of God includes truth, righteousness, peace, faith, the gift of salvation, and the word of God inspired by the Spirit.

¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. ¹¹Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹²For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. ¹⁴Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. ¹⁵As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. ¹⁶With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
¹⁸Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. ¹⁹Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.

Gospel

John 6:56–69

The "hard saying" that offends Jesus’ disciples is his claim that his followers must eat his flesh and drink his blood. The followers who return to their old lives know something about how odd this sounds. Simon Peter, on the other hand, knows something about the scarcity of living, gracious words. He asks the most important question: "To whom shall we go?"

⁵⁶Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. ⁵⁷Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. ⁵⁸This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever." ⁵⁹He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. ⁶⁰When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?" ⁶¹But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, "Does this offend you? ⁶²Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? ⁶³It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. ⁶⁴But among you there are some who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. ⁶⁵And he said, "For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father." ⁶⁶Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. ⁶⁷So Jesus asked the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?" ⁶⁸Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. ⁶⁹We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."

Reflection

"Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. ⁶⁹We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."

These words of Peter, this understated confession of faith, have always stood at center of my life and hope on the journey. Here Peter recognizes what others fail to see, that this man Christ is the one, the messiah promised of old and that there are no other options in place. While others turn away Peter solidifies his stance, his following and his belief in this one from whom others less than pleased.

You may recognize these words as part of our liturgy; they are found in the Gospel acclamation often sung as the Gospel processes to the middle of the congregation to be read. They speak to the incarnation of Christ, the word become flesh, as it become flesh in our midst in its reading. They remind us that Jesus is the one who offers what we most need in this life; that is life. He is the source of our strength and hope, the foundation on which we build, the promise of eternity.

To whom else would you go? From time to time we try other gods, other avenues for relief and hope, other places and people for what we need. Yet when all else fails God remains firmly planted as the Word that gives life and nourishment and love. “We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” Thanks be to God!

Quote.

Christ is not valued at all unless he is valued above all! Augustine

Let us Pray

For civility in politics

That we might work together as a nation for the sake of the whole

For those seeking shelter and food

To be Christ to others

For religious tolerance

Pentecost 12

Sunday, August 19, 2012
Lectionary 20
Proper 15
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

Midweek Musings

Reflection By Judy Lazenby

INTRODUCTION
Wisdom prepares a feast, sets her table, and invites all to come and eat her bread and drink her wine. The first chapter of John's gospel owes much to the biblical tradition that imagined Wisdom as existing before anything was created and having a role in the work of creation. Christ, the wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24), today invites us to eat his flesh and drink his blood. John's gospel includes no account of the institution of the Lord's supper, but here we can't help hearing Jesus' words as an invitation to the meal of bread and wine we share.

Prayer of the Day (ELW)

Ever-loving God, your Son gives himself as living bread for the life of the world.
Fill us with such a knowledge of his presence that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life to serve you continually, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

First Reading

Proverbs 9:1–6

Wisdom is portrayed as a woman who invites people to partake of her banquet. Just as ordinary food is necessary for physical life, Wisdom’s food—insight and understanding—is necessary for fullness of life with God. Partaking of Wisdom’s banquet is the way to life.

Wisdom has built her house,
she has hewn her seven pillars.
²She has slaughtered her animals, she has mixed her wine,
she has also set her table.
³She has sent out her servant-girls, she calls
from the highest places in the town,
⁴"You that are simple, turn in here!"
To those without sense she says,
⁵"Come, eat of my bread
and drink of the wine I have mixed.
⁶Lay aside immaturity, and live,
and walk in the way of insight."

Psalm (ELW)

Psalm 34:9–14

Those who seek the LORD lack nothing that is good. (Ps. 34:10)

⁹Fear the LORD, you saints ^| of the LORD,

for those who fear the ^| LORD lack nothing.

¹⁰The lions are in want and ^| suffer hunger,

but those who seek the LORD lack nothing ^| that is good. R

¹¹Come, children, and lis- ^| ten to me;

I will teach you reverence ^| for the LORD.

¹²Who among you takes plea- ^| sure in life

and desires long life to en- ^| joy prosperity?

¹³Keep your ^| tongue from evil

and your lips from ^| lying words.

¹⁴Turn from evil ^| and do good;

seek peace ^| and pursue it. R

Second Reading

Ephesians 5:15–20

True wisdom integrates our new reality in Christ with our Christian fellowship and daily conduct. Because we are filled with the Spirit, Christians regularly rejoice together, give thanks to God for one another, and care for one another. In this way we revere our Lord Jesus Christ.

¹⁵Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, ¹⁶making the most of the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, ²⁰giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel

John 6:51–58

In John’s gospel, the feeding of the five thousand leads to extended teaching in which Jesus identifies himself as the true “bread of life.” Finally, in these verses, he makes a connection that would not be understood until after his death, in light of the church’s celebration of holy communion.

⁵¹I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."
⁵²The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" ⁵³So Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. ⁵⁴Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; ⁵⁵for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. ⁵⁶Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. ⁵⁷Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. ⁵⁸This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever."

Reflections

Are we getting the message yet about Jesus being the Bread of Life? Just as Jesus teaches the disciples over and over, we too need to hear the message repeatedly as well. In this passage we hear that this heavenly food is not like the bread we eat and yet still die, but bread and wine that feeds us eternally. This analogy is very basic and clear, unlike many that Jesus used in his teachings. If we are one with Jesus and take Him into ourselves, just as we do any food, let Him become part of us, we will have eternal life. Truly a gift of grace!

Quote

With bread and wine you can walk your road. Spanish Proverb

Prayers

We pray for:

…the hungry

…the lonely

…the unprotected

…the sick and dying

Musings for Pentecost 11

Sunday, August 12, 2012
Lectionary 19
Proper 14
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

Midweek Musings

Reflection by Ken Klassen

INTRODUCTION
Jesus says that the bread he gives for the life of the world is his flesh, and whoever eats this bread has eternal life now and will be raised on the last day. In Ephesians Paul tells us what this life Jesus gives us looks like, this life we live as those marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit in baptism. We live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us. The whole purpose of life is giving yourself for the other.

Prayer of the Day (ELW)

Gracious God, your blessed Son came down from heaven to be the true bread that gives life to the world. Give us this bread always, that he may live in us and we in him, and that, strengthened by this food, we may live as his body in the world, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

First Reading

1 Kings 19:4–8

First Kings chapter 18 describes the contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. The contest proves that the Lord is God; and afterwards Elijah orders the killing of the Baal prophets. Angered by the deaths of her prophets, Queen Jezebel threatens to kill Elijah. This reading finds Elijah fleeing, fatigued, and in utter despair.

⁴But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: "It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors." ⁵Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, "Get up and eat." ⁶He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. ⁷The angel of the LORD came a second time, touched him, and said, "Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you." ⁸He got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God.

Psalm (ELW)

Psalm 34:1–8

Taste and see that the LORD is good. (Ps. 34:8)

¹I will bless the LORD ^| at all times;

the praise of God shall ever be ^| in my mouth.

²I will glory ^| in the LORD;

let the lowly hear ^| and rejoice.

³Proclaim with me the greatness ^| of the LORD;

let us exalt God's ^| name together.

⁴I sought the LORD, who ^| answered me

and delivered me from ^| all my terrors.

⁵Look upon the LORD ^| and be radiant,

and let not your faces ^| be ashamed.

⁶I called in my affliction, and ^| the LORD heard me

and saved me from ^| all my troubles.

⁷The angel of the LORD encamps around those who ^| fear the LORD

and de- ^| livers them.

⁸Taste and see that the ^| LORD is good;

happy are they who take ref- ^| uge in God!

Second Reading

Ephesians 4:25—5:2

Christians are called to be imitators of God. This does not mean Christians are perfect. Rather, the Spirit is at work in our lives so that our actions and attitudes genuinely reflect the love and forgiveness we have received through Christ and his death.

Chapter 4

²⁵So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. ²⁶Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, ²⁷and do not make room for the devil. ²⁸Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. ²⁹Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. ³⁰And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. ³¹Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, ³²and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.

Chapter 5

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, ²and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Gospel

John 6:35, 41–51

After feeding more than five thousand people in the wilderness, Jesus teaches them regarding the true significance of this remarkable sign.

³⁵Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. ⁴¹Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." ⁴²They were saying, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, 'I have come down from heaven'?" ⁴³Jesus answered them, "Do not complain among yourselves. ⁴⁴No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. ⁴⁵It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. ⁴⁶Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. ⁴⁷Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. ⁴⁸I am the bread of life. ⁴⁹Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. ⁵⁰This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. ⁵¹I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."

Reflection

In one of my earlier reflections, I shook my head as the disciples clearly didn't understand what Jesus was teaching them. Why was that, why didn't they understand? Did Jesus purposely choose a group of dullards? That's a topic for another reflection, but alas, I digress.

In reflections that followed, I have been tempted to fall back to that topic, but I didn't; I didn't until this week. I read a reflection by The Rev. Dr. Alyce M. McKenzie who writes that the most overworked cinematic cliché in recent decades is "You just don't get it, do you?" In our Gospel reading, here comes that cliché again. The Jews just didn't get it. Jesus could have said to the crowd, I'm talking about the Bread from Heaven that God has sent into your world to feed you so that you may have eternal life if you believe in me. I'm not talking about physical bread that leaves you hungry again. God sent the manna, not Moses. God sent me. I am God's own Son. I'm the manna. You just don't get it, do you?

Again, Jesus could have said, Really? You think you know my origins. You think that my parents were Joseph and Mary and you think that knowing where I grew up invalidates my claims? Didn't you hear me say that "The Bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world" (John 6:33)? God has come into your here and now through me. You just don't get it, do you?

When someone uses the cinematic cliché, it's either the beginning of an argument or the end of a relationship. Perhaps that's why Jesus doesn't say it. He is interested in neither. What Jesus is interested in is initiating a dialogue that can lead to a faith that is the beginning of a relationship. He doesn't want to start an argument or end a relationship. He just wants us to get it.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we pray for wisdom and the patience to understand your scriptures. Help us to listen for your voice and obey. We ask that your protecting hand will be on all of those who serve our country and work for peace. Teach us compassion for the sick, the suffering, and those in need.