Above: The Denial of Saint Peter, by Caravaggio
Image in the Public Domain
The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Part VI
OCTOBER 17, 2021
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The Collect:
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning:
Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them,
that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of life,
which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
—The Book of Common Prayer (1979), page 236
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The Assigned Readings:
Haggai 2:20-23 or Daniel 7:(1-3) 4-8 (9-18) 19-28
Psalm 38 or 55
Matthew 26:57-27:2 or Mark 14:53-15:1 or Luke 22:54-23:1 or John 18:13-28
Romans 9:6-33
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The assigned readings, taken together, focus on the contrast between the justice of God and the injustice of human political and economic systems. When God destroys corrupt human systems, a better order replaces them. In the Gospels Jesus becomes a scapegoat whom St. Simon Peter denies knowing. The options for the Psalm fit the mood of Holy Week well, with the major exceptions of the confession of sin in Psalm 38 and the vengeful desire in Psalm 55.
To write or speak of the Kingdom of God and how it differs from human social norms and institutions is to, among other things, to criticize human social norms and institutions. To do so, when one dies it properly, is to contemplate one’s complicity in collective sin. That would lead to repentance, or turning one’s back on sin. That can, when enough people do it, lead to social reform. After all, society is people.
May we not deny Christ as he is present among us in the victims of injustice.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
DECEMBER 20, 2016 COMMON ERA
THE TWENTY-FOURTH DAY OF ADVENT
THE FEAST OF SAINT DOMINIC OF SILOS, ROMAN CATHOLIC ABBOT
THE FEAST OF ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL TAIT, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY
THE FEAST OF SAINT PETER CANISIUS, ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST
THE FEAST OF WILLIAM JOHN BLEW, ENGLISH PRIEST AND HYMN WRITER
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https://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2016/12/20/the-passion-of-our-lord-jesus-christ-part-vi/
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