Sunday, November 18, 2012
Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Midweek Musings
Reflection by Deb Johnson
INTRODUCTION
November begins with All Saints Day and ends in or near Advent, when we anticipate Christ's coming again. So the readings today tell of the final resurrection and the end time. In the turmoil of hope, fear, and disbelief that these predictions provoke in us, Hebrews sounds a note of confident trust. Christ makes a way for us where there is no way, and we walk it confidently, our hearts and bodies washed in baptismal water, trusting the one who has promised. The more we see the last day approaching, the more important it is to meet together to provoke one another to love.
November begins with All Saints Day and ends in or near Advent, when we anticipate Christ's coming again. So the readings today tell of the final resurrection and the end time. In the turmoil of hope, fear, and disbelief that these predictions provoke in us, Hebrews sounds a note of confident trust. Christ makes a way for us where there is no way, and we walk it confidently, our hearts and bodies washed in baptismal water, trusting the one who has promised. The more we see the last day approaching, the more important it is to meet together to provoke one another to love.
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Prayer
of the Day (ELW)
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Almighty
God, your sovereign purpose brings salvation to birth. Give us faith to be
steadfast amid the tumults of this world, trusting that your kingdom comes and
your will is done through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
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First
Reading
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Daniel 12:1–3
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The book of Daniel is an
example of apocalyptic literature, which is full of strange visions and
symbolism. Arising during times of great persecution, apocalyptic literature is
concerned with God’s revelation about the end time and the coming kingdom of God, when God will vindicate the
righteous who have been persecuted.
At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish, such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. 2Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish, such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. 2Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
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Psalm
(ELW)
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Psalm 16
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My
heart is glad and my spirit rejoices; my body shall rest in hope. (Ps. 16:9)
1Protect me, O God, for I
take refuge in you;
I have
said to the LORD,
"You
are my Lord, my good above all other."
2All my delight is in the
godly that are in the land,
upon those
who are noble among the people.
3But those who run after
other gods
shall have
their troubles multiplied.
4I will not pour out
drink offerings to such gods,
never
take their names upon my lips.
5O LORD, you are my
portion and my cup;
it is you
who uphold my lot.
6My boundaries enclose a
pleasant land;
indeed,
I have a rich inheritance.
7I will bless the LORD
who gives me counsel;
my heart
teaches me night after night.
8I have set the LORD always
before me;
because
God is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
9My heart, therefore, is
glad, and my spirit rejoices;
my body
also shall rest in hope.
10For you will not abandon
me to the grave,
nor let
your holy one see the pit.
11You will show me the
path of life;
in your
presence there is fullness of joy,
and in your
right hand are pleasures forevermore.
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Second
Reading
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Hebrews 10:11–14[15–18] 19–25
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Images of worship and
sacrifice are used throughout Hebrews to highlight what Christ has uniquely
accomplished through his death. Because we have received forgiveness through
Christ’s death, we live with sincere hearts by trusting in God’s promises and
encouraging love and good works from each other.
11And every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins. 12But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, "he sat down at the right hand of God," 13and since then has been waiting "until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet." 14For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. 15And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying,
16"This is the covenant that I will make with them
after those days, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds,"
17he also adds,
"I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more."
18Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.
19Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, 20by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, 25not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
11And every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins. 12But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, "he sat down at the right hand of God," 13and since then has been waiting "until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet." 14For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. 15And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying,
16"This is the covenant that I will make with them
after those days, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds,"
17he also adds,
"I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more."
18Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.
19Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, 20by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, 25not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
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Gospel
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Mark 13:1–8
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In the
last week of his life, Jesus warned his disciples concerning trials that were
to come upon them and upon the world. He exhorts the listener: Do not be
alarmed.
As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!" 2Then Jesus asked him, "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down."
3When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, 4Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished? 5Then Jesus began to say to them, "Beware that no one leads you astray. 6Many will come in my name and say, 'I am he!' and they will lead many astray. 7When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. 8For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.
As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!" 2Then Jesus asked him, "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down."
3When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, 4Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished? 5Then Jesus began to say to them, "Beware that no one leads you astray. 6Many will come in my name and say, 'I am he!' and they will lead many astray. 7When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. 8For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.
Reflection
The
readings this week look toward the end of time.
Is that really so bad? After the
news of the last few weeks I think the end of time and living not in the world
as we know it would be more joyous (remember the word from All Saints Day: God will wipe away our tears, the feast on
the mountain top). I am often dismayed as I read the headlines, when I listen
to snippets of what is happening in the world, and yes, am caught by the stories
on the early morning news. I am still
reeling from the negative comments made during the campaigns, and I cringe when
I hear myself thinking and saying something negative about myself and
others. We live in, contribute to and
are a broken world.
“I
can relate to those scatter pieces on the tabletop because my life is made of
much the same. Bits of hurt tossed here
and there, dreams shattered” says Holley Gerth (2012, p 19). Yet she goes onto write what she hears as
God’s response: “I [God] think in a completely different way. I took what was perfect, my Son, and made him
broken so that you could be whole. And because you belong to him, your
brokenness can bring healing to others to.”
(p.20).
We
don’t have to wait to the end times for all to be whole. Through God’s forgiveness and grace we begin
anew, again and again and again and again.
We live in today’s time and we can move from brokenness and anger and
despair. We can move toward wholeness,
faith and hope. “Yes, with God’s help” and
yes, as a community.
Let
us not worry about the future. Let us
not ignore today and push aside what is wrong to talk only about the glory that
awaits in the end time. Let us live
today with God’s love and hope and forgiveness. Let us be ripples of love and
hope, rather than separation and anger. Yes, with God’s grace and help.
Let
us pray
·
For broken relationships, that healing
may be found
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For the children in our midst that we
focus on their strengths and potential
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For safety of workers in our communities,
around the worlds, and especially our service members.
·
For the dormant season of winter, that
the earth be renewed and readied for spring
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For ripples of hope that they circle the
globe
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