Sunday, November 17, 2019

33^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time/Proper 28/23^rd Sunday after Pentecost

First Reading: Isaiah 65:17-25
Psalm – Isaiah 12
Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Gospel Reading: Luke 21:15-19

The liturgical color for the day is: Green

From the Leadership Development Bible Study – Unit 3 on 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

What of the first in the line at the fellowship every single week?  What of those gossiping continually about what goes on?  To say that such will always be the case does not dismiss this reality as something that we must accept in the church.  To be that challenge to one another to “not grow weary in doing what is right,” is part of the fabric of our life together.  This must be done from a posture of “outdoing love for one another” and not from the stand of correcting the naughty individual.

The fact that some will not “pull their weight” while others will do the heavy lifting, is not cause for those who are doing the heavy lifting to be resentful or scornful.  Our service to the church, as the Body of Christ, is to be a joyful response to the manifold grace of God.  Such a response does not insist on recognition or equality of giving, rather it depends on not growing “weary in doing what is right.”

From the Leadership Development Bible Study – Unit 3 on Luke 21:15-19

In the gospel of Luke, we hear the exchange between Jesus and the disciples.  As they emerge from the temple they are in amazement of the great stature and beauty of the place.  There is something about it.  It is breathtaking.

There is a permanence there that one can see.  It is the sort of place that will stand forever.  So, when Jesus says that not a stone will stand there is a perceived impossibility to what he says.  It is, as if, it cannot make sense.  Nothing can happen to the grandness of the temple.

Right there is the Lukan truth.  For the ones for whom Luke is writing, it has already happened.  The temple is no more.  The very place that had this permanence about it was in ruins and destruction was all around.  They are dealing with the reality of destruction being all around them, Jesus’ words ring true, “By your endurance you will gain your souls.”

Ponder…

While the Temple comes to an end, it proves not to be the end of all things.  What things may be coming to an end in our understanding of the church as an institution?  How do these things not mark the end of the church?

Rev. Dr. Daris Bultena
General Presbyter and Stated Clerk