REFLECTIONS ON THE LECTIONARY READINGS

20 PENTECOST, PROPER 21, YEAR A, 28 SEPTEMBER 2008

CHRIST CHURCH, NORWAY, MAINE, THE REV. ANNE G. STANLEY

The Collect of the Day: Notice that God demonstrates power “chiefly in showing

                                           mercy and pity.”  How would our world, our national life,

                                           our personal lives differ if we were to change our

                                           understanding of “power?”

Exodus 17:1-7:  We continue hearing the saga of the Hebrew people in the

                              wilderness after God had rescued them from the Pharaoh

                              in Egypt.  Last week, remember, the people grumbled to Moses,

their leader, because they didn’t get the food they liked, but God provided   them with meat (quails) and bread (manna). In today’s narrative, the people gripe because they are thirsty.  Once again they quarrel with poor Moses. Despite their complaining and their doubts, though, God continues to supply their basic needs.  What message does this story have for us?

Psalm 78: 1-4, 12-16:  This psalm is a combination of several psalm “types.” We

are given instruction (Wisdom), we are told the story of  some of God’s marvelous deeds (History) as a way of praising God (Thanksgiving, Praise).

Philippians 2:1-13: Most of this reading (verses 6a through 11) is known as

                                    as the “Christ Hymn,” which Paul seems to have taken from

                                    the worship of his day and incorporated into his letter (epistle)

                                    to the people of Philippi. Paul’s own words at the end remind

                                    his readers to take responsibility for using God’s gift of

                                    salvation wisely as they (we) carry on through life. After all,

our experience of Christ dwelling within us WILL transform the way we live!

Matthew 21: 23-32: Here Jesus teaches about our response to God’s

gifts. What we DO in response matters, even if it means changing our minds after an initial “no.” He uses the examples of the tax collectors and the prostitutes, along with the second son, all of whom changed their minds and hearts (=repentance) and so entered the kingdom.  God opens the door for us (=forgiveness) and keeps it open as God waits.  In the same way, of course, we are to do this for each other.

The Rev. William Countryman writes that if our enemy walks through  the door we hold open, great, and if not, we need to hold it open anyway!