Musings for September 16

Sunday, September 16, 2012
Lectionary 24
Proper 19
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Reflection by Gary Lazenby

INTRODUCTION
Three weeks ago we heard John's gospel's version of Peter's confession of faith. This week we hear Mark's version, when Peter says, "You are the Messiah." In John, the stumbling block is Jesus' invitation to eat his flesh, given for the life of the world. In Mark too the scandal has to do with Jesus' words about his own coming death, and here Peter himself stumbles over Jesus' words. But Jesus is anointed (the meaning of "messiah") in Mark only on the way to the cross (14:3); so we are anointed in baptism with the sign of the cross.

Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, martyr, died around 258
Cyprian served as a bishop during a time of great persecution of Christians. He insisted on receiving back those who had left the faith under duress. He also provided medical care during a severe epidemic.

Prayer of the Day (ELW)

O God, through suffering and rejection you bring forth our salvation, and by the glory of the cross you transform our lives. Grant that for the sake of the gospel we may turn from the lure of evil, take up our cross, and follow your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

First Reading

Isaiah 50:4–9a

The image of the servant of the Lord is one of the notable motifs in the book of Isaiah. Today’s reading describes the mission of the servant, whom early Christians associated with Jesus. Like Jesus, the servant does not strike back at his detractors but trusts in God’s steadfast love.

⁴The Lord GOD has given me
the tongue of a teacher,
that I may know how to sustain
the weary with a word.
Morning by morning he wakens —
wakens my ear
to listen as those who are taught.
⁵The Lord GOD has opened my ear,
and I was not rebellious,
I did not turn backward.
⁶I gave my back to those who struck me,
and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;
I did not hide my face
from insult and spitting.
⁷The Lord GOD helps me;
therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like flint,
and I know that I shall not be put to shame;
⁸he who vindicates me is near.
Who will contend with me?
Let us stand up together.
Who are my adversaries?
Let them confront me.
⁹It is the Lord GOD who helps me;
who will declare me guilty?

Psalm (ELW)

Psalm 116:1–9

I will walk in the presence of the LORD. (Ps. 116:9)

¹I love the LORD, who has ^| heard my voice,

and listened to my ^| supplication,

²for the LORD has given ^| ear to me

whenev- ^| er I called.

³The cords of death entangled me;

the anguish of the grave ^| came upon me;

I came to ^| grief and sorrow.

⁴Then I called upon the name ^| of the LORD:

"O LORD, I pray you, ^| save my life." R

⁵Gracious is the ^| LORD and righteous;

our God is full ^| of compassion.

⁶The LORD watches o- ^| ver the innocent;

I was brought low, ^| and God saved me.

⁷Turn again to your rest, ^| O my soul.

for the LORD has dealt ^| well with you.

⁸For you have rescued my ^| life from death,

my eyes from tears, and my ^| feet from stumbling;

⁹I will walk in the presence ^| of the LORD

in the land ^| of the living. R

Second Reading

James 3:1–12

This text uses various images to illustrate how damaging and hurtful the way we speak to and about others can be. Not only are we to control our speech, but what we say and how we say it is to reflect our faith.

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. ²For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. ³If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. ⁴Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. ⁵So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.
How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! ⁶And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. ⁷For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, ⁸but no one can tame the tongue — a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. ¹⁰From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. ¹¹Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? ¹²Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.

Gospel

Mark 8:27–38

This story provides the turning point in Mark’s gospel. Peter is the first human being in the narrative to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, but he cannot accept that as the Messiah Jesus will have to suffer. Moreover, Jesus issues a strong challenge to all by connecting discipleship and the cross.

²⁷Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" ²⁸And they answered him, "John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." ²⁹He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Messiah." ³⁰And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.
³¹Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. ³²He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ³³But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things."
³⁴He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ³⁵For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. ³⁶For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? ³⁷Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? ³⁸Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

Reflection

In this part of Mark’s Gospel, Jesus seeks confirmation from his inner group of disciples of what the gossip is about him – “Who do people say that I am?” And then of their opinions – “What do you all say that I am?” When Peter says, “You are the Messiah,” he confirms the authority, the status, the honor of Jesus – as seen by his closest followers. The right answer at the right time. But, I do feel sorry for Peter. Sometimes he is bold and “right on”. But sometimes he seems to have “no clue”. In verse 30, he calls Jesus the Messiah. Three short verses later, Jesus is calling Peter “Satan.” I think that Jesus’ “Satan-naming” of Peter resulted from his closest friends still misunderstand and/or unwilling to follow the logic of what Jesus has been teaching them. Even though Peter believes that Jesus is the Messiah, Peter still can’t focus on things other than human. Peter tries his best to advocate for his friend, but does not want to lose him in the process. There are times when I am a lot like Peter. My beliefs and actions seem to be “right on”. The faith questions seem to be answered with good understanding and a strong willingness to grow. But there are times when I seem to be muddled in confusion, not knowing where this faith journey is leading me. There are some significant challenges that are presented in this Gospel text. Do we really need to be completely willing to lose in order to save? That’s what Jesus says. And Jesus will be there helping me take up the cross and follow Him.

Quote

“But who prays for Satan? Who, in eighteen centuries, has had the common humanity to pray for the one sinner that needed it most?” Mark Twain

Let us Pray

…for all who are willing to deny themselves and take up their cross and follow

…for all who are unwilling to deny themselves and take up their cross and follow

…for those of us who continue to dwell on human things rather than on the divine

…for Connor, Livia, Rebecca, Kevin, and Megan as they begin their two year confirmation journey

---for those in the world who experience suffering and rejection

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