Sermon Illustrations for Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 (2023)
Illustration
Exodus 32:1-14
I came across a troubling article written by Neil McArthur at the University of Manitoba. In the article, McArthur wrote, “We are about to witness the birth of a new kind of religion. In the next few years, or even months, we will see the emergence of sects devoted to the worship of artificial intelligence (AI). The latest generation of AI-powered chatbots have left their early users awestruck — and sometimes terrified — by their power. These are the same sublime emotions that lie at the heart of our experience of the divine.” He continues in the article to assert that some people will come to see AI as a higher power, all-sufficient, and capable of great feats of creativity.
The temptation to worship false gods, however, is not new. The people of God, not long after being delivered by the hand of God from bondage in Egypt turned away from him to worship an idol they could see and touch. God was not pleased then and he is not pleased now. In Exodus 20:5, the Lord says he is a “jealous God.” What that means is clear. God loves and cares deeply for his people and wants to protect his people so that they do not fall prey to any who would harm them.
There are all kinds of different idols, including perhaps newly created Artificial Intelligence. John Calvin wrote, “For what is idolatry if not this: to worship the gifts in place of the giver himself?”
Bill T.
* * *
Exodus 32:1-14
In Exodus 10:10, Pharoah wisely interprets the warning Moses brings from God that the people should be allowed to Egypt to worship in the desert as an excuse for the people to escape slavery. In the 1917 Jewish Publication Society translation, Pharoah’s warning to Moses is rendered: “…see ye that evil is before your face.” Some ancient rabbis interpreted the Hebrew word ra’ah, translated “evil,” as an evil star in the heavens. They believed Pharaoh was using an astrological sign to frighten Moses and his people with a prediction they would experience blood and slaughter in the wilderness. The rabbis also suggested that this same ra’ah, or evil star, was being cited when Moses implored God not to destroy the people because of the Golden Calf, saying, “Wherever should the Egyptians speak, saying, For evil did he bring them forth, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth?” (32:12) (See The Soncino Chumash: The Five Books of Moses with Haphtaroth. The Soncino Press, pp. 379 & 551).
Frank R.
* * *
Philippians 4:1-9
On the whole, America is not a happy nation. In the 2023 report, we only rank 19th on the World Happiness Index. According to Mental Heal America, 21% of us are depressed (over 50 million). The lesson offers a remedy to these dynamics the good news that we can celebrate in the Lord and that this activity overcomes our despair. Martin Luther puts it well:
Until the heart believes in God, it is impossible for it to rejoice in him. When faith is lacking, man is filled with fear and gloom and is disposed to flee at the very mention, the mere thought of God. (Collected Sermons, Vol.3/2, p.106)
To this point John Calvin adds:
... we learn that this is the only remedy for tranquilizing our minds – when we repose unreservedly in this providential care, as knowing that we are not exposed either to the rashness of fortune or to the caprice of the wicked but are under the regulation of God’s fatherly care. (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol.XXI/2, p.118)
Faith and happiness go together. A 2019 Pew Research Center poll found that in the U.S. 36% of the actively religious are very happy compared to just 25% of the unaffiliated making this claim. This seems to be a function of the fact that a focus on God or the object of religion makes you happier because you are focused on that, and you forget yourself and all the trials and little hassles you are enduring. Having God in control makes you content and confident. The 6th-century BC Chinese philosopher Lao-Tzu had it right: “Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.”
Mark E.
* * *
Philippians 4:1-9
Amazingly, there are still denominations and churches within denominations who will not call women to serve as deacons, elders, or pastors. Yet, clearly in this letter to the church in Philippi, Paul reminds the church to be supportive of their leaders Euodia and Syntyche. The church is urged to help them as they lead the church in following the gospel. Now, the most often quoted portion of this chapter of the letter from Paul is about not worrying but to pray with thanksgiving to God who will hear our prayers. Still, I worry about churches which discount more than half their population, women absolutely feeling called by God to be spiritual leaders. I recently had a conversation with a deeply spiritual and capable leader who was denied access to leadership in her church. It pained me deeply to hear her story, as it did as I was being called as the first woman pastor to a church celebrating its nearly 140th year. Maybe more of us need to be reading the introduction to this chapter, rather than focusing on not worrying and offering prayers. Let’s include all people called by God.
Bonnie B.
* * *
Matthew 22:1-14
John Calvin noted in connection with this text that the wedding to be celebrated in the parable symbolizes the uniting of the Church to Christ “by the sacred bond of a spiritual marriage.” (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol.XVI/2, p.169) The connection between human love and spirituality in this way is most appropriate according to the latest neurobiological research. It seems that both spiritual exercises and love facilitate the saturation of the front part of the brain with dopamine, a good-feeling brain chemical related to feelings of happiness and enhanced energy (Daniel Amen, Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, p.81).
Martin Luther makes a similar point when he asserts about this text that “the great love Christ has for us is presented to us in the picture of the wedding feast.” (Complete Sermons, Vol.3/1, p.231) Of course the lesson proceeds to tell us of those who were too busy to respond to the wedding invitation (v.46), too busy to revel in God’s love. About them Luther observed:
It is truly base and shameful, that men who were created for a heavenly life, should be under the influence of such brutish stupidity as to be entirely carried away with transitory things. (Complete Sermons, Vol.3/1, p.171)
But the final word with which we want to leave worshippers is the love of God for us. On that matter Luther proclaimed in this sermon on the text:
... yea, He so completely gave himself to thee, that thou mayest not only glory in what he did for thy sake and gave to thee, but thou mayest comfortably and joyfully glory in him as being thine... he has in his heart a much warmer love and more loyal fidelity to you, than any bridegroom to his beloved bride. (Complete Sermons, Vol.3/1, pp.240-242)
Mark E.
* * *
Matthew 22:1-14
I came across this quote attributed to Eric Hoffer. It simply says, “The feeling of being hurried is not usually the result of living a full life and having no time. It is, on the contrary, born of a vague fear that we are wasting our life. When we do not do the one thing we ought to do, we have no time for anything else—we are the busiest people in the world.”
In 1974, Harry Chapin wrote and sang a song called “Cat’s in the Cradle.” It is a poignant song of a man too busy to enjoy his son. By the time he realizes that he wants to spend time with his son, his son is too busy to spend time with him. The last chorus contains the heart-breaking words, “And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon. Little boy blue and the man in the moon. "When you coming home, son?" I don't know when. But we'll get together then, dad. You know we’ll have a good time then.”
Too busy. It seems to me these the two words lead to more regret and sadness than just about any other words. In this passage, several people were just too busy to come to the king’s banquet. They would never attend. I wonder, how many people are too busy to consider God’s kingdom and a relationship with Jesus?
Bill T.
* * *
Matthew 22:1-14
Somebody talk the Master down.
This wedding party parable has apocalyptic implications. Now it was not unheard of for invitations to go out on the day of the event. I showed you examples from the papyri in this week’s commentary.
But talk about blaming the messenger! The servants who carry the invitations, who are ignored, abused, and even killed, are probably prophets and messengers of God. We who are the rejected and ignored, then get invited to the party. Hooray! Happy ending! So far, so good, but as a kid the ending scared me. Somebody was thrown out who wasn’t wearing the right garment. Did that mean I was going to hell for something I didn’t know about? What if I did something wrong I didn’t even know was a sin?
My big question remains: why didn’t others attending the party help this guy out, or clue him in?
There are some good lessons in this parable. When we realize the choice to accept God’s invitation lays squarely on us, we can no longer avoid taking responsibly for our thoughts and actions. God’s grace is available for everyone, but the choice to accept is ours.
Also, in order to avoid rejecting God’s invitation (as the religious leaders did) we need to become more aware of the grace God puts before us. Studying the scriptures with others who are seeking understanding of God’s invitation brings moments of enlightenment. When we listen carefully, we are blessed by the wisdom (and questions) revealed by searching and studying together.
Other lessons? Sometimes we think we’re entitled to the kingdom. Didn’t we “come forward” years ago. We can just phone it in.
I said earlier I can be frustrated with the story’s ending (the poor guy gets thrown out) and argue with it. Or, I can do something to change the ending of the second parable. What if the poor person couldn’t afford the right robe? What can we do to help him out. And if we were a bystander at the celebration, shouldn’t we have talked the Master, and then help?
Well, in any event, remember: Be dressed spiritually and open to God’s invitation.
I came across a troubling article written by Neil McArthur at the University of Manitoba. In the article, McArthur wrote, “We are about to witness the birth of a new kind of religion. In the next few years, or even months, we will see the emergence of sects devoted to the worship of artificial intelligence (AI). The latest generation of AI-powered chatbots have left their early users awestruck — and sometimes terrified — by their power. These are the same sublime emotions that lie at the heart of our experience of the divine.” He continues in the article to assert that some people will come to see AI as a higher power, all-sufficient, and capable of great feats of creativity.
The temptation to worship false gods, however, is not new. The people of God, not long after being delivered by the hand of God from bondage in Egypt turned away from him to worship an idol they could see and touch. God was not pleased then and he is not pleased now. In Exodus 20:5, the Lord says he is a “jealous God.” What that means is clear. God loves and cares deeply for his people and wants to protect his people so that they do not fall prey to any who would harm them.
There are all kinds of different idols, including perhaps newly created Artificial Intelligence. John Calvin wrote, “For what is idolatry if not this: to worship the gifts in place of the giver himself?”
Bill T.
* * *
Exodus 32:1-14
In Exodus 10:10, Pharoah wisely interprets the warning Moses brings from God that the people should be allowed to Egypt to worship in the desert as an excuse for the people to escape slavery. In the 1917 Jewish Publication Society translation, Pharoah’s warning to Moses is rendered: “…see ye that evil is before your face.” Some ancient rabbis interpreted the Hebrew word ra’ah, translated “evil,” as an evil star in the heavens. They believed Pharaoh was using an astrological sign to frighten Moses and his people with a prediction they would experience blood and slaughter in the wilderness. The rabbis also suggested that this same ra’ah, or evil star, was being cited when Moses implored God not to destroy the people because of the Golden Calf, saying, “Wherever should the Egyptians speak, saying, For evil did he bring them forth, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth?” (32:12) (See The Soncino Chumash: The Five Books of Moses with Haphtaroth. The Soncino Press, pp. 379 & 551).
Frank R.
* * *
Philippians 4:1-9
On the whole, America is not a happy nation. In the 2023 report, we only rank 19th on the World Happiness Index. According to Mental Heal America, 21% of us are depressed (over 50 million). The lesson offers a remedy to these dynamics the good news that we can celebrate in the Lord and that this activity overcomes our despair. Martin Luther puts it well:
Until the heart believes in God, it is impossible for it to rejoice in him. When faith is lacking, man is filled with fear and gloom and is disposed to flee at the very mention, the mere thought of God. (Collected Sermons, Vol.3/2, p.106)
To this point John Calvin adds:
... we learn that this is the only remedy for tranquilizing our minds – when we repose unreservedly in this providential care, as knowing that we are not exposed either to the rashness of fortune or to the caprice of the wicked but are under the regulation of God’s fatherly care. (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol.XXI/2, p.118)
Faith and happiness go together. A 2019 Pew Research Center poll found that in the U.S. 36% of the actively religious are very happy compared to just 25% of the unaffiliated making this claim. This seems to be a function of the fact that a focus on God or the object of religion makes you happier because you are focused on that, and you forget yourself and all the trials and little hassles you are enduring. Having God in control makes you content and confident. The 6th-century BC Chinese philosopher Lao-Tzu had it right: “Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.”
Mark E.
* * *
Philippians 4:1-9
Amazingly, there are still denominations and churches within denominations who will not call women to serve as deacons, elders, or pastors. Yet, clearly in this letter to the church in Philippi, Paul reminds the church to be supportive of their leaders Euodia and Syntyche. The church is urged to help them as they lead the church in following the gospel. Now, the most often quoted portion of this chapter of the letter from Paul is about not worrying but to pray with thanksgiving to God who will hear our prayers. Still, I worry about churches which discount more than half their population, women absolutely feeling called by God to be spiritual leaders. I recently had a conversation with a deeply spiritual and capable leader who was denied access to leadership in her church. It pained me deeply to hear her story, as it did as I was being called as the first woman pastor to a church celebrating its nearly 140th year. Maybe more of us need to be reading the introduction to this chapter, rather than focusing on not worrying and offering prayers. Let’s include all people called by God.
Bonnie B.
* * *
Matthew 22:1-14
John Calvin noted in connection with this text that the wedding to be celebrated in the parable symbolizes the uniting of the Church to Christ “by the sacred bond of a spiritual marriage.” (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol.XVI/2, p.169) The connection between human love and spirituality in this way is most appropriate according to the latest neurobiological research. It seems that both spiritual exercises and love facilitate the saturation of the front part of the brain with dopamine, a good-feeling brain chemical related to feelings of happiness and enhanced energy (Daniel Amen, Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, p.81).
Martin Luther makes a similar point when he asserts about this text that “the great love Christ has for us is presented to us in the picture of the wedding feast.” (Complete Sermons, Vol.3/1, p.231) Of course the lesson proceeds to tell us of those who were too busy to respond to the wedding invitation (v.46), too busy to revel in God’s love. About them Luther observed:
It is truly base and shameful, that men who were created for a heavenly life, should be under the influence of such brutish stupidity as to be entirely carried away with transitory things. (Complete Sermons, Vol.3/1, p.171)
But the final word with which we want to leave worshippers is the love of God for us. On that matter Luther proclaimed in this sermon on the text:
... yea, He so completely gave himself to thee, that thou mayest not only glory in what he did for thy sake and gave to thee, but thou mayest comfortably and joyfully glory in him as being thine... he has in his heart a much warmer love and more loyal fidelity to you, than any bridegroom to his beloved bride. (Complete Sermons, Vol.3/1, pp.240-242)
Mark E.
* * *
Matthew 22:1-14
I came across this quote attributed to Eric Hoffer. It simply says, “The feeling of being hurried is not usually the result of living a full life and having no time. It is, on the contrary, born of a vague fear that we are wasting our life. When we do not do the one thing we ought to do, we have no time for anything else—we are the busiest people in the world.”
In 1974, Harry Chapin wrote and sang a song called “Cat’s in the Cradle.” It is a poignant song of a man too busy to enjoy his son. By the time he realizes that he wants to spend time with his son, his son is too busy to spend time with him. The last chorus contains the heart-breaking words, “And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon. Little boy blue and the man in the moon. "When you coming home, son?" I don't know when. But we'll get together then, dad. You know we’ll have a good time then.”
Too busy. It seems to me these the two words lead to more regret and sadness than just about any other words. In this passage, several people were just too busy to come to the king’s banquet. They would never attend. I wonder, how many people are too busy to consider God’s kingdom and a relationship with Jesus?
Bill T.
* * *
Matthew 22:1-14
Somebody talk the Master down.
This wedding party parable has apocalyptic implications. Now it was not unheard of for invitations to go out on the day of the event. I showed you examples from the papyri in this week’s commentary.
But talk about blaming the messenger! The servants who carry the invitations, who are ignored, abused, and even killed, are probably prophets and messengers of God. We who are the rejected and ignored, then get invited to the party. Hooray! Happy ending! So far, so good, but as a kid the ending scared me. Somebody was thrown out who wasn’t wearing the right garment. Did that mean I was going to hell for something I didn’t know about? What if I did something wrong I didn’t even know was a sin?
My big question remains: why didn’t others attending the party help this guy out, or clue him in?
There are some good lessons in this parable. When we realize the choice to accept God’s invitation lays squarely on us, we can no longer avoid taking responsibly for our thoughts and actions. God’s grace is available for everyone, but the choice to accept is ours.
Also, in order to avoid rejecting God’s invitation (as the religious leaders did) we need to become more aware of the grace God puts before us. Studying the scriptures with others who are seeking understanding of God’s invitation brings moments of enlightenment. When we listen carefully, we are blessed by the wisdom (and questions) revealed by searching and studying together.
Other lessons? Sometimes we think we’re entitled to the kingdom. Didn’t we “come forward” years ago. We can just phone it in.
I said earlier I can be frustrated with the story’s ending (the poor guy gets thrown out) and argue with it. Or, I can do something to change the ending of the second parable. What if the poor person couldn’t afford the right robe? What can we do to help him out. And if we were a bystander at the celebration, shouldn’t we have talked the Master, and then help?
Well, in any event, remember: Be dressed spiritually and open to God’s invitation.
