Archive for the ‘Abraham’ Tag
Above: The New Jerusalem
Image in the Public Domain
Faithful Community
NOVEMBER 6, 2022
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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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Genesis 22:1-19 or Zechariah 8:7-17
Psalm 145:1-9
Revelation 21:9-27
John 15:26-16:15
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Genesis 22:1-19 is the outlier in this group of assigned portions of scripture. I refer you, O reader, to other posts in which I have covered that terrible tale of child abuse and attempted murder.
A dark tone exists also in John 16:1-4. Consider the circumstances of the Johannine, Jewish Christian community. Expulsion from synagogues was their reality. Religious persecution, although not constant from the imperium, was possible. Furthermore, a time when
anyone who kills you will think he is doing a holy service to God
functions, in this liturgical context, as a commentary on Abraham in Genesis 22:1-19.
Otherwise, the assigned readings depict a happy reality of dwelling in God. This reality is not free of troubles, but one lives in harmony with God, at least. And faith communities provide contexts in which members support one another. They have instructions from God:
These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to one another, under true and perfect justice in your gates. And do not contrive evil against one another, and do not love perjury, because all those things that I hate–declares the LORD.
–Zechariah 8:16-17, TANAKH: The Holy Scriptures (1985)
The original context of Zechariah 8:16-17 is Jerusalem after the return of exiles. The passage also applies to Christian faith communities, however. People are to love God and each other.
May we do so, by grace, and glorify God.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
FEBRUARY 1, 2021 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF SAINT HENRY MORSE, ENGLISH ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST AND MARTYR, 1645
THE FEAST OF SAINT BENEDICT DASWA, SOUTH AFRICAN ROMAN CATHOLIC CATECHIST AND MARTYR, 1990
THE FEAST OF CHARLES SEYMOUR ROBINSON, U.S. PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER, HYMN WRITER, AND HYMNOLOGIST
THE FEAST OF GIOVANNI PIERLUIGI DA PALESTRINA, ITALIAN ROMAN CATHOLIC COMPOSER AND MUSICIAN
THE FEAST OF SAINT SIGEBERT III, KING OF AUSTRASIA
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https://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2021/02/01/faithful-community-part-vi/
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Above: Tear Ducts
Image in the Public Domain
The Tears of the Christ
SEPTEMBER 11, 2022
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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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Genesis 13:1-16 or Ezra 1:1-7; 3:8-13
Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26
Revelation 7:9-17
John 11:1-3. 16-44
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Jesus wept.
–John 11:35, The New Jerusalem Bible (1985)
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They will never hunger or thirst again; neither the sun nor scorching wind will ever plague them because the Lamb who is at the throne will be their shepherd and will lead them to springs of living water; and God will wipe away all tears like their eyes.
–Revelation 7:16-17, The Jerusalem Bible (1966)
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I could take so many paths through the assigned readings for this week. These readings are rich texts. I will take just one path, however.
Before I do, here are a few notes:
- Abraham waited for God to tell him which land to claim. Abraham chose well.
- Lot chose land on his own. He chose poorly. However, at the time he seemed to have chosen wisely; he selected fertile land.
- I agree with Psalm 136. Divine mercy does endure forever.
- The chronology of the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah weaves in and out of those books. I know, for I blogged my way through them in chronological order at BLOGA THEOLOGICA last year.
For the record, the chronological reading order of Ezra-Nehemiah follows:
- Ezra 1:1-2:70; Nehemiah 7:6-73a;
- Ezra 3:1-4:5;
- Ezra 5:1-6:22;
- Ezra 4:6-24;
- Nehemiah 1:1-2:20;
- Nehemiah 3:1-4:17;
- Nehemiah 5:1-19;
- Nehemiah 6:1-7:5;
- Nehemiah 11:1-12:47;
- Nehemiah 13:1-31;
- Nehemiah 9:38-10:39;
- Ezra 7:1-10:44; and
- Nehemiah 7:73b-9:38.
I take my lead in this post from the New Testament readings. Tears are prominent in both of them. Tears are on my mind during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are also on my mind as I continue to mourn the violent death of my beloved. Her departure from this side of the veil of tears has left me shaken and as forever changed me.
The full divinity and full humanity of Jesus are on display in John 11. We read that Jesus wept over the death of his friend, St. Lazarus of Bethany. We also read of other people mourning and weeping in the immediate area. We may not pay much attention to that. We may tell ourselves, “Of course, they grieved and wept.” But two words–“Jesus wept”–remain prominent.
There is a scene in The Gospel According to Saint Matthew (1964) that fits this theme. At the time, Hollywood studios had recently released technicolor movies about a Jesus who had no tear ducts yet had an impressive command of Elizabethan English while resembling a Northern European. Yet Pier Paolo Pasolini, who committed about half of the Gospel of Matthew to film, presented a Jesus who had tear ducts. Immediately after the off-camera decapitation of St. John the Baptist, the next shot was a focus on Christ’s face. He was crying. So were the men standing in front of him.
Jesus wept.
We weep. Jesus weeps with us until the day God will wipe away all tears of those who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
JANUARY 23, 2021 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF SAINT JOHN THE ALMSGIVER, PATRIARCH OF ALEXANDRIA
THE FEAST OF CHARLES KINGSLEY, ANGLICAN PRIEST, NOVELIST, AND HYMN WRITER
THE FEAST OF EDWARD GRUBB, ENGLISH QUAKER AUTHOR, SOCIAL REFORMER, AND HYMN WRITER
THE FEAST OF JAMES D. SMART, CANADIAN PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER AND BIBLICAL SCHOLAR
THE FEAST OF PHILLIPS BROOKS, EPISCOPAL BISHOP OF MASSACHUSETTS, AND HYMN WRITER
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https://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2021/01/23/the-tears-of-the-christ/
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Above: Joseph Reveals His Dream to His Brethren, by James Tissot
Image in the Public Domain
Trusting in God, Part II
AUGUST 20, 2023
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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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Genesis 37:1-28 or Isaiah 30:15-25
Psalm 18:16-30
1 Corinthians 6:1-11
Matthew 11:2-19
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Patriarchs in Genesis had dysfunctional families. Abraham tried to kill his son Isaac, on faith that God had told him to do so. (Yes, I argue with that story.) Isaac’s son Jacob, with the help of Jacob’s mother, fooled him and defrauded Esau. Jacob seemed not to care about the rape of his daughter Dinah and, in a different context, acted in such a way as to foster tension among his sons, most of whom fooled him into thinking that his son Joseph was dead. With family like that, who needs enemies?
The main idea in 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 is that believers ought to conduct themselves in ways that glorify God and distinguish them from unbelievers. Yet even when holy people do that, they will still receive criticism, for some people thrive on finding faults, even if those faults are imaginary. It is preferable that the criticisms be baseless; that way they show up the critics.
During the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah (reigned 727/715-698/687 B.C.E.), the kingdom entered into a military alliance with Egypt against Assyria. This was an ill-advised alliance; Egypt was not trustworthy. The author of Isaiah 30 argued that the alliance indicated a lack of trust in God, who was reliable. After the announcement of divine wrath followed the prediction of mercy.
Trusting in God liberates one to do as one should and become the person one should be. One can lay aside the desire for revenge, not to lead a life defined by anger, and value justice instead. With confidence in God one can avoid foolish decisions that end badly. One, trusting in God, can find the source of ultimate peace and strength.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
JULY 30, 2018 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF CLARENCE JORDAN, SOUTHERN BAPTIST MINISTER AND WITNESS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS
THE FEAST OF SAINT PETER CHRYSOLOGUS, ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP OF RAVENNA AND DEFENDER OF ORTHODOXY
THE FEAST OF SAINT VICENTA CHÁVEZ OROZCO, FOUNDRESS OF THE SERVANTS OF THE HOLY TRINITY AND THE POOR
THE FEAST OF SAINT WILLIAM PINCHON, ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP
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https://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2018/07/30/trusting-in-god-part-viii/
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Above: The First Council of Nicaea
Image in the Public Domain
Relationships
JUNE 4, 2023
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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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Song of Songs 8:6-7
Psalm 89:5-8
Hebrews 11:4-7, 17-28
John 5:19-24
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Trinity Sunday is frequently a difficult occasion to preach, for many heresies have their origin in attempts to explain the Trinity. Yet on this day, the only Christian feast devoted to a doctrine, one must say something.
The Bible offers a variety of images for God from Genesis to Revelation. Abraham and God, we read, took walks together and engaged in conversations. Yet, as we read in Exodus, the understanding of God had become one of a remote figure whose holiness was fatal to most people–Moses excepted. We read of the heavenly court, modeled after earthly royal courts, in Psalm 89. And we read in John 5 that Jesus and YHWH/God the Father have a relationship.
The full nature of divinity exceeds human capacity to grasp it, but we can know some truths. Hebrews 11 reminds us of the faithfulness of God in relating to we human beings. By faith, we read, people have committed great deeds that have glorified God and benefited others, even long past the lifespans of those who have committed those great deeds. The theme of relationship is also present in the Song of Songs (a book I advise reading in TANAKH: The Holy Scriptures, 1985). The relationship in Song of Songs 8 is between a man and a woman (marital status unknown), whose love has placed their lives at risk. Love and death are linked for them.
Let me be a seal upon your heart,
Like the seal upon your hand.
For love is fierce as death,
Passion is mighty as Sheol;
Its darts are darts of fire,
A blazing flame.
Vast floods cannot quench love,
Nor rivers drown it.
If a man offered all his wealth for love,
He would be laughed to scorn.
–Song of Songs 8:6-7, TANAKH: The Holy Scriptures (1985)
Neither can anything quench or drown divine love for us, despite our frequent lack of love for God. Yet for a relationship to be healthy, more than one figure must be engaged in maintaining it. May we embrace the mystery of the Holy Trinity and pursue and deepen a healthy relationship with God, whose goodness and mercy alone pursue us in Psalm 23.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
JUNE 15, 2017 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF JOHN ELLERTON, ANGLICAN PRIEST AND HYMN WRITER AND TRANSLATOR
THE FEAST OF CARL HEINRICH VON BOGATSKY, HUNGARIAN-GERMAN LUTHERAN HYMN WRITER
THE FEAST OF SAINTS LANDELINUS OF VAUX, ROMAN CATHOLIC ABBOT; AUBERT OF CAMBRAI, ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP; URSMAR OF LOBBES, ROMAN CATHOLIC ABBOT AND MISSIONARY BISHOP; AND DOMITIAN, HADELIN, AND DODO OF LOBBES, ROMAN CATHOLIC MONKS
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https://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2017/06/15/relationships/
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Above: The Sacrifice of Isaac, by Caravaggio
Image in the Public Domain
Active Faith
AUGUST 8 and 9, 2022
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The Collect:
Almighty God, you sent your Holy Spirit to be the life and light of your church.
Open our hearts to the riches of your grace,
that we may be ready to receive you wherever you appear,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
—Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), page 44
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The Assigned Readings:
2 Chronicles 33:1-17 (Monday)
2 Chronicles 34:22-33 (Tuesday)
Psalm 89:1-18 (Both Days)
Hebrews 11:1-7 (Monday)
Hebrews 11:17-28 (Tuesday)
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How blessed the nation that learns to acclaim you!
They will live, Yahweh, in the light of your presence.
–Psalm 89:15, The New Jerusalem Bible (1985)
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That is the theology in the accounts of Kings Manasseh and Josiah of Judah. We read of Manasseh (reigned 698/687-642 B.C.E.) in 2 Chronicles 33:1-20 and 2 Kings 21:1-18. The story in 2 Kings is more unflattering than the version in 2 Chronicles, for the latter mentions his repentance. Manasseh’s grandson, Josiah (reigned 640-609 B.C.E.) is on the scene in 2 Chronicles 34-35 and 2 Kings 22:1-23:30. His fidelity to the Law of Moses delays the destruction of Judah, we read.
Hebrews 11 focuses on faith. Verse 1 defines faith as
the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
—The New Revised Standard Version (1989)
In context this definition of faith is consistent with the understanding of St. Paul the Apostle, for whom faith was inherently active, hence the means of one’s justification with God. In the Letter of James, however, faith is intellectual, so justification comes via works. This is not a contradiction, just defining “faith” differently. Active faith is the virtue extolled consistently.
I argue with Hebrews 11:17-20. The near-sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22) was a form of child abuse. There was no way it did not damage the father-son relationship. Earlier in Genesis Abraham had interceded on behalf of strangers in Sodom (Chapter 18). Yes, he had relatives there (see Genesis 13, 14, and 19), but he argued on behalf of strangers. In Chapter 22 he did not do that for his son, Isaac. God tested Abraham, who failed the test; he should have argued.
Did I understand you correctly?
would have been a good start.
May we have the active faith to follow God. May we know when to question, when to argue, and when to act. May we understand the difference between an internal monologue and a dialogue with God. Out of faith may we act constructively and thereby leave the world better than we found it.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
MARCH 23, 2016 COMMON ERA
WEDNESDAY IN HOLY WEEK
THE FEAST OF GEORGE RUNDLE PRYNNE, ANGLICAN PRIEST, POET, AND HYMN WRITER
THE FEAST OF SAINT GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR, PATRIARCH OF ARMENIA
THE FEAST OF HEINRICH VON LAUFENBERG, GERMAN ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST AND HYMN WRITER
THE FEAST OF SAINT TURIBIUS OF MOGROVEJO, ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP OF LIMA
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https://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2016/03/23/active-faith-2/
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Above: The Parable of the Sower
Image in the Public Domain
Grace and Character Flaws
JULY 14-16, 2022
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The Collect:
Eternal God, you draw near to us in Christ, and you make yourself our guest.
Amid the cares of our lives, make us attentive to your presence,
that we may treasure your word above all else,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
—Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), page 43
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The Assigned Readings:
Genesis 12:10-20 (Thursday)
Genesis 13:1-18 (Friday)
Genesis 14:1-16 (Saturday)
Psalm 15 (All Days)
Hebrews 5:1-6 (Thursday)
Ephesians 3:14-21 (Friday)
Luke 8:4-10 (Saturday)
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Yahweh, who can find a home in your tent,
who can dwell on your holy mountain?
Whoever lives blamelessly,
who acts uprightly,
who speaks the truth from the heart,
who keeps the tongue under control,
who does not wrong a comrade,
who casts no discredit on a neighbour,
who looks with scorn on the vile,
but honours those who fear Yahweh,
who stands by an oath at any cost,
who asks no interest on loans,
who takes no bribe to harm the innocent.
No one who so acts can ever be shaken.
–Psalm 15, The New Jerusalem Bible (1985)
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Abram (later Abraham) was a fascinating, contradictory, and frequently puzzling figure, for he was a human being. In Genesis 12-14 alone he pretended that Sarai (his wife) was his sister, lied to the Pharaoh (who, unlike Abram, suffered because of the lie), prospered (in large part due to that lie), remained in Canaan and engaged in warfare while Lot, his nephew, moved to Sodom. At the end of Chapter 14 Abram encountered Melchizedek, hence one reason for the reading from Hebrews 5, I suppose.
The traditional name of the reading from Luke 8 is the Parable of the Sower. Nevertheless, the emphasis in the story is the soils, so, as some commentators I have read have argued, we should refer to the Parable of the Four Soils. Each of us is, under the best circumstances, good soil, albeit not entirely so. That is a fact of human nature. Abram/Abraham and Sarai/Sarah had serious defects of character, as did St. Paul the Apostle. Likewise, you, O reader, and I have character flaws. Nevertheless, may the lovely prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21 be others’ prayer for us and our prayer for others.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
MARCH 16, 2016 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF SAINTS ADALBALD OF OSTEVANT, RICTRUDIS OF MARCHIENNES, AND THEIR RELATIONS
THE FEAST OF SAINTS ABRAHAM KIDUNAIA, ROMAN CATHOLIC HERMIT, AND MARY OF EDESSA, ROMAN CATHOLIC ANCHORESS
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https://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2016/03/16/grace-and-character-flaws/
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Above: Eliezer Meeting Rebekah at the Well
Image Source = Elsie E. Egermeier, Bible Story Book (1939)
Scan by Kenneth Randolph Taylor
The Commandment to Commit Agape
JUNE 27, 2022
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The Collect:
Sovereign God, ruler of all hearts,
you call us to obey you, and you favor us with true freedom.
Keep us faithful to the ways of your Son, that,
leaving behind all that hinders us,
we may steadfastly follow your paths,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
—Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), page 41
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The Assigned Readings:
Genesis 24:34-41, 50-67
Psalm 140
1 John 2:7-11
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I know that Yahweh will give judgement for the wretched,
justice for the needy.
The upright shall praise your name,
the honest dwell in your presence.
–Psalm 140:12-13, The New Jerusalem Bible (1985)
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The reading from Genesis 24 might prove confusing unless one reads the entire chapter. In it Abraham sends a servant (whom the text does not name) to find a wife for Isaac. The standard for a wife is good character. Rebekah, daughter of Laban, passes the test by extending hospitality (a matter of life or death in that place and culture) to the servant. She becomes Isaac’s beloved. On the other hand, we read of her devious side in Genesis 27. That, however, is another story for a different story.
The standard for righteousness in 1 John 2:7-11 is love–agape, to be precise. Agape is unconditional and selfless love, the variety of love that leads one to sacrifice for another person. The person who lacks agape resides in spiritual darkness, but he or she who has agape knows the way to go.
This is an appropriate standard to apply to questions of individual actions and governmental policies, especially when lives are at risk. Extending hospitality might constitute the difference between people living or dying, or of living in a better situation or in worse circumstances. The commandment to love unconditionally and selflessly applies, does it not? It might be politically unpopular, but it still applies.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
MARCH 8, 2016 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF CHARLOTTE ELLIOTT, JULIA ANNE ELLIOTT, AND EMILY ELLIOTT, ANGLICAN HYMN WRITERS
THE FEAST OF SAINT HUMPHREY OF PRUM, ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP OF THEROUANNE
THE FEAST OF JOHN HAMPDEN GURNEY, ANGLICAN PRIEST AND HYMN WRITER
THE FEAST OF SAINT JOHN OF GOD, FOUNDER OF THE BROTHERS HOSPITALLERS OF SAINT JOHN OF GOD
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https://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2016/03/08/the-commandment-to-commit-agape/
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Above: Hezekiah
Image in the Public Domain
The Law of Moses, Faith, Works, and Justification
JUNE 13-15, 2022
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The Collect:
O God, throughout the ages you judge your people with mercy,
and you inspire us to speak your truth.
By your Spirit, anoint us for lives of faith and service,
and bring all people into your forgiveness,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
—Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), page 39
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The Assigned Readings:
2 Chronicles 29:1-19 (Monday)
2 Chronicles 30:1-12 (Tuesday)
2 Chronicles 30:13-27 (Wednesday)
Psalm 130 (All Days)
Galatians 3:1-9 (Monday)
Galatians 3:10-14 (Tuesday)
Mark 2:1-12 (Wednesday)
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For with Yahweh is faithful love,
with him generous ransom;
and he will ransom Israel
from all its sins.
–Psalm 130:7b-8, The New Jerusalem Bible (1985)
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The Law of Moses receives positive treatment in 2 Chronicles 29 and 30. Keeping it is an outward sign of devotion to God in the narrative from the reign of King Hezekiah. After all, the theology of the Babylonian Exile is that it resulted from widespread and persistent disregard for the Law of Moses, especially those regarding idolatry and social injustice, especially economic exploitation and judicial corruption.
What are we to make, then, of St. Paul the Apostle’s attitude toward the Law of Moses? The immediate context of Galatians 3 was the question of the relationship between faith and works with regard to justification with God. St. Paul argued that justification with God occurs via faith alone, faith being inherently active; faith and works were, in the Apostle’s mind, a package deal. He cited the example of Abraham, whose faith God reckoned as righteousness. The author of the Letter of James cited that example also, but to argue that
a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
–James 3:24, Revised Standard Version–Second Edition (1971)
For the author of James faith was intellectual and not inherently active, so the pairing of faith and works was crucial. The men agreed that active faith was essential.
Jesus came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it. He engaged in disputes with religious officials whose legalism amplified certain aspects of the Law of Moses while ignoring the mandate to practice mercy, also part of the law. Our Lord and Savior argued that certain religious leaders taught the Law of Moses wrongly, not that the law was invalid. The law, ideally, was something that would become part of one, that one would keep it in principle, bearing in mind that some parts of it were culturally specific examples, and not becoming bogged down in them. It was something one was supposed to keep as a matter of reverence and gratitude, not legalism. Perhaps St. Paul was objecting more to legalism than to the Law of Moses itself. He was, after all, engaged in a dispute with Judaizers, who insisted that Gentile converts to Christianity (then a Jewish sect) became Jews first. The context of argument contributed to taking an opposite position, not seeking a moderate position.
Jesus agreed with Rabbi Hillel, who summarized the Torah as loving God with all of one’s being. Hillel continued,
The rest is commentary. Go and learn it.
Much of that commentary consists of instructions (many of them culturally specific) about how to care for the vulnerable people in our midst. May we Gentiles follow the lead of our Jewish brethren and ask ourselves how to apply those laws in our contexts. Then may we live according to the divine mandate to love God fully and each other as we love ourselves. May we do this out of reverence and gratitude, as an expression of faith.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
MARCH 4, 2016 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF PAUL CUFFEE, U.S. PRESBYTERIAN MISSIONARY TO THE SHINNECOCK NATION
THE FEAST OF SAINT CASIMIR OF POLAND, PRINCE
THE FEAST OF EMANUEL CRONENWETT, U.S. LUTHERAN MINISTER, HYMN WRITER, AND HYMN TRANSLATOR
THE FEAST OF SAINTS MARINUS OF CAESAREA, ROMAN SOLDIER AND CHRISTIAN MARTYR, AND ASTERIUS, ROMAN SENATOR AND CHRISTIAN MARTYR
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https://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2016/03/04/the-law-of-moses-faith-works-and-justification/
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Above: Jephthah
Image in the Public Domain
Liberty to Love Each Other in God
JUNE 6 and 7, 2022
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The Collect:
Compassionate God, you have assured the human family of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Deliver us from the death of sin, and raise us to new life,
in your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
—Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), page 39
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The Assigned Readings:
Genesis 22:1-14 (Monday)
Judges 11:29-40 (Tuesday)
Psalm 68:1-10, 19-20 (Both Days)
Galatians 2:1-10 (Monday)
Galatians 2:11-14 (Tuesday)
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The upright rejoice in the presence of God,
delighted and crying out for joy.
Sing to God, play music to his name,
build a road for the Rider of the Clouds,
rejoice in Yahweh, dance before him.
–Psalm 68:3-4, The New Jerusalem Bible (1985)
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Liberty in God is freedom to love God and our fellow human beings, to glorify God and work for the benefit of others, especially the vulnerable, those who need it the most, in society. We are responsible to and for each other, regardless of whether we acknowledge that fact and behave accordingly.
The readings from Judges 11 and Genesis 22, which concern human sacrifice, are troublesome. The famous and infamous story of the near-sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham, his father, is a tale of a man who interceded on behalf of strangers yet not his son. Abraham failed the test of faith; he should have argued. The less well-known story from Judges 11 is the tale of Jephthah, who spoke before he thought. Thus he ensnared himself in an oath to sacrifice his only child. He, unlike Abraham, went through with it. Among the lessons these stories teach is that Yahweh does not desire human sacrifice.
More broadly speaking, God does not desire any form of human exploitation. Rather, God condemns all varieties of human exploitation. They are inconsistent with interdependency and responsibility to and for each other. That is a fine standard by which to evaluate any human or corporate action or policy, is it not?
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
MARCH 4, 2016 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF PAUL CUFFEE, U.S. PRESBYTERIAN MISSIONARY TO THE SHINNECOCK NATION
THE FEAST OF SAINT CASIMIR OF POLAND, PRINCE
THE FEAST OF EMANUEL CRONENWETT, U.S. LUTHERAN MINISTER, HYMN WRITER, AND HYMN TRANSLATOR
THE FEAST OF SAINTS MARINUS OF CAESAREA, ROMAN SOLDIER AND CHRISTIAN MARTYR, AND ASTERIUS, ROMAN SENATOR AND CHRISTIAN MARTYR
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https://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2016/03/04/liberty-to-love-each-other-in-god/
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Above: Icon of Christ in Majesty
Image in the Public Domain
Prejudices and Prophecy
OCTOBER 21-23, 2021
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The Collect:
Eternal light, shine in our hearts.
Eternal wisdom, scatter the darkness of our ignorance.
Eternal compassion, have mercy on us.
Turn us to seek your face, and enable us to reflect your goodness,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
–Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), page 51
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The Assigned Readings:
Jeremiah 23:9-16 (Thursday)
Jeremiah 26:12-24 (Friday)
Jeremiah 29:24-32 (Saturday)
Psalm 126 (All Days)
Hebrews 7:1-10 (Thursday)
Hebrews 7:11-22 (Friday)
Mark 8:22-26 (Saturday)
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When the Lord turned again the fortunes of Zion:
then we were like men restored to life.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter:
and our tongue with singing.
Then said they among the heathen:
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
Truly the Lord has done great things for us:
and therefore we rejoiced.
Turn again our fortunes, O Lord:
as the streams return to the dry south.
Those that sow in tears:
shall reap with songs of joy.
He who goes out weeping bearing the seed:
shall come again in gladness, bringing his sheaves with him.
–Psalm 126, Alternative Prayer Book 1984
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The prophet Jeremiah labored faithfully for and argued with God during especially dangerous times. The Kingdom of Judah was a vassal state, false prophets were numerous, and true prophets were targets of the theocratic royal regime. The process of exiling populations had begun, and the full-scale Babylonian Exile had not started yet. False prophets predicted a glorious future and condemned faithful prophets. Yet even Jeremiah, who predicted doom and gloom, stated that divine deliverance and restoration would come in time.
The appearance of Melchizedek in Genesis 14:17-21 linked Abram/Abraham to the Davidic Dynasty, for Melchizedek was the King of Salem (Jerusalem). Hebrews 7 linked Melchizedek to Jesus (“resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever”–verse 3b, The New Revised Standard Version). At the end of the line of faithful Hebrew prophets (ending with St. John the Baptist) stands Jesus, greater than all of them. He is, as Hebrews 7:22 states,
the guarantee of a better covenant.
—The New Revised Standard Version (1989)
Jesus, permanently a priest (7:24), is the Messiah (“Christ” in Greek) unbounded by time. Now he exists beyond human capacity to harm him, but he did die via crucifixion. There was a resurrection, fortunately.
Often we mortals desire to hear words which confirm our prejudices and belie hard truths. Perhaps we know sometimes that what we want to hear is inaccurate, but we accept it anyway because doing so is bearable. Or perhaps we are so deluded that we cannot distinguish between true and false prophecy, prophecy often having more to do with the present day and the near future than the more distant future. Yet, even when we seek to distinguish between true and false prophecy, our ignorance can prove to be a major obstacle. I know of no easy way out of this conundrum. No, the best advice I can offer is to seek to live according to affirming human dignity and loving others as one loves oneself. Following the Golden Rule is sound advice. One might err in the execution of it, but I propose that God will not condemn one for loving one’s neighbors. As for the details of prophecy, they will unfold according to course.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
JULY 4, 2015 COMMON ERA
INDEPENDENCE DAY (U.S.A.)
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https://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2015/07/04/prejudices-and-prophecy/
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ORDINARY TIME DEVOTIONS 
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