Proper 14 (C, E)
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VI, Cycle B
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 (C)
How can our hearts not break for David? For all his nefarious activities in the bedroom, he was a decent and God-guided man. He loved his son „ loved him too much to protect him from the dangers of battle which every man was required to face in those days. Yes, 20,000 men died that day. Somehow, thatÍs a statistic. But one young man? ThatÍs a tragedy. I read that 58,000 Americans died in Vietnam. ThatÍs a terrible statistic. But to go to the wall, to see the name of William Johnson, or Mark Harrison, is to feel a deep sadness after all that time.
I know this. I landed with the 90th Division in Normandy. A few years ago, I wandered among the thousands of white crosses in the cemetery at Omaha Beach in Normandy. I saw nameplates of men who had served with me. Boys, eighteen, nineteen, few more than twenty. Sergeant Brewer, ñM'' Company, 357th Infantry. I sat beside him as he died. Yes, the tragedy of humankindÍs hatred and violent competition is so very terrible. One wonders why God allows such things, yet what can we do but redouble our efforts to preach peace, and kindness, and the turning of the cheek? Do you remember the scene as General George Patton stood among the smoldering remains of burning tanks and mutilated dead men? How he stared at this colossal devastation, then mused, ñWar; God how I love it''? What word can we speak?
Lesson 1: 1 Kings 19:4-8 (RC)
Lesson 1: Deuteronomy 8:1-10 (E)
Lesson 2: Ephesians 4:25„5:2 (C); Ephesians 4:(25-29) 30„5:2 (E); Ephesians 4:30„5:2 (RC)
WouldnÍt this make for a wonderful world if everyone could actually be like PaulÍs description here? Unfortunately, thatÍs not what we see. One could use the theme: ñBe angry but donÍt sin.'' There is a place for anger. Every time we pick up a newspaper we see new reasons to be angry. Renewed nuclear bomb testing. Just today the announcement of yet another school shooting in Virginia. A previously distinguished official in Miami now indicted for fraud. There is a place for anger.
However, I am inclined to couple this passage with the lesson from 2 Samuel. These two passages depict the opposite extremes of the human situation. Paul holding forth a lovely version of humanity: reform of bad habits, only decent talk, cessation of all bitterness and wrath and anger and slander and malice, kindness to everyone, tenderheartedness, a forgiving attitude. We are to pray for that. We are to understand that God has forgiven us, given us the gift of grace. We are to make the effort to imitate God. Then there is the hatred, ethnic violence, murder, and deceit which are evident in the experience of David and his people. They, more accurately than Paul, I fear, characterize the world as it is. And yet, if our Christian faith is to be believed, PaulÍs scenario must be possible, if not at once, then in first one, then another, then a group, then a community. Clearly, this is what the Church is to be. I may not be able to cause another man to be as Paul describes, but I can try to be like that myself.
Gospel: John 6:35, 41-51 (C); John 6:41-51 (RC); John 6:37-51 (E)
John has rephrased the message of Jesus in thought forms which, though quite clumsy to our ears, must have made sense to JohnÍs readers. The ancient concept of the world as flat allowed John to speak of Jesus coming down and going up. Today, many of us think more in terms of another dimension than a location identifiable astronomically. If Jesus used these words, he was speaking in thought forms which would have communicated. The analogy of Jesus as ñbread'' was understandable to a people who celebrated the ñmanna'' in the desert, and that afforded Jesus an analogy which would make sense.
Setting aside the matter of the degree in which John had access to literal quotes, and the degree in which John used words as Jesus might very well have used them, we see here the affirmation that, spiritually, we are filled by the presence of the Spirit of Jesus, and until we are filled in that way, mere earthly consumption, whether it be bread or food in the specific sense, or the myriad of products we consume, there can be no lasting satisfaction of the soul. Any of us who purchased the latest toy, then became bored when it didnÍt bring the anticipated satisfaction, can understand this. I have a dozen or so trinkets around the house which I thought would be fun, and now I wish I could have my money back.
I recall two confidential conversations (I donÍt think this breaks those confidences). One very wealthy man, the CEO with the big salary type, said he would love to quit what heÍs doing and work in a hospital as a full-time volunteer. Easy to say, perhaps, since he had a lot, but it bespoke a genuine inner sense of something missing despite his wealth. The other man, a successful businessman and entrepreneur, held back tears as he shared with me his own sense of inner poverty „ and I happened to know this man had a lot of money.
ThereÍs the sermon. It just isnÍt out there, the satisfaction we seek, so long as we ignore what Jesus has said here. And I know that many of my readers have learned the truth of this, that inner joy and worth has more to do with the Christian life than with possessions.
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Title: ñHope For Tomorrow''
Text: 2 Samuel 18:33; Ephesians 4:25„5:2
Theme: Briefly explain why Absalom has died, and refer to a fatherÍs grief, and the fact that he dared not shield his son from danger, not because of political repercussions, but because the young man would never have forgiven his father for refusing him a chance to win honor on the field of battle. ThatÍs a strange characteristic of most males. I think most females are too smart for that. I so well recall my early teen years as war was raging in Europe, and I often laid awake at night afraid the war would end before I had a chance to enlist. Of course I had no idea what it was really like, nor do I fault the young men who sought to avoid the draft in the Vietnam era. Though I was in a war, I sometimes think it takes more courage to walk away from a fight than to fight. Certainly, Christianity teaches that.
I recently read about a confrontation in a major eastern city between a man driving a BMW and a truck driver who was offended at the other driverÍs driving. The truck driver jumped from his truck and shouted at the BMW driver to get out and fight. The other man, however, waved his hand in greeting and drove away. The truck driver then shouted taunts of ñcoward.'' Then a bystander told the truck driver: ñDonÍt you know who that was? He was (name) who won the state Golden Gloves light-heavyweight boxing championship a few years ago.'' A reporter later interviewed the man, inquiring why he had driven away from an easy victory. The man explained that he is a member of a Baptist church. He believes in turning the other cheek. He said that he is against violence, and felt that to fight an opponent who has volunteered and trained for the match is not like hitting someone like that truck driver.
1. Courage is needed most in seeking peace. Jesus said, ñBlessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.''
2. Somehow, we need to demonstrate the courage to live as Paul recommends.
3. God supplies courage. But there is always a price to pay for those who exemplify courage. We can think of any number of situations in everyday life where this can be practiced: letting the aggressive driver have his way, smiling at an unfair criticism, standing up for someone who may be unpopular in your in-group.
4. God will reward courage. He wonÍt remove the cost, but he will arm us. Frankly, many of us have been raised in a culture which sees turning the other cheek as weakness. It does, indeed, require courage, but itÍs the only way PaulÍs advice can be followed, and itÍs the way of the true Christian.
Title: ñAdventurous Faith''
Text: John 6:47
Theme: Jesus has promised that whoever believes has eternal life. First, we need to define ñbelief.'' Is it intellectual conviction? Yes, in part. One cannot move farther in the Christian faith without some degree of intellectual acceptance of the precepts of the faith. And yet, there are many people who desire this who cannot fully, as Dr. Weatherhead puts the matter, ñsign on the dotted line.'' Paul Tillich speaks of ñthe doubt which is implicit in every act of faith.'' He adds, ñExistential doubt and faith are poles of the same reality....'' Then this: ñSerious doubt is the confirmation of faith.'' So belief as Jesus used the word must allow for the natural human inability to entirely control what we think is true. It would be a shame to take the position that anyone who claims to be a Christian yet is doubtful about one or more of its precepts is, therefore, outside the pale. I feel that congregations need to hear that their struggles with belief as intellectual conviction are normal and that Jesus would fully understand and love them just the same.
But ñbelief'' as Jesus used the word also has the element of action. Tillich said something else in his Dynamics of Faith: ñCourage as an element of faith is the daring self-affirmation of oneÍs own being in spite of the powers of ïnonbeingÍ which are the heritage of everything finite. Where there is daring and courage there is the possibility of failure. And in every act of faith this possibility is present. The risk must be taken.'' That is to say that real ñbelief'' as we find the word here is not mere intellectual conviction; it is a commitment. It is a willingness to invest our lives even in the face of our doubt. It is to stand forth, to do and say what we are told by Jesus is right, and to be willing to live or die by those values. It is to love ñin spite of,'' as Dr. Tillich would put the matter.
ItÍs an old story and youÍve probably told it. Some of your people havenÍt heard it though. Besides, remember what Milton Berle said: ñPeople like to hear a joke they already know. They start laughing sooner.'' This is about the young man who rode into a western town at the turn of the century. He went to the local saloon and announced that the following day he would stretch a cable across the canyon outside of town and then he would walk across it pushing a wheelbarrow. Now the geezers in the saloon pictured that canyon „ more than 100 yards across, 100 or more feet deep. They pictured that wind whipping down the length of the canyon and decided the man was a fool. So the betting started and the odds were overwhelmingly against the stranger.
That afternoon, one of the townsmen was walking in some nearby woods. He saw the stranger practicing. The man had stretched a cable between two trees maybe fifty feet apart, and forty feet in the air, and was walking back and forth, doing dance steps and all in all, thoroughly at home on the cable. It dawned on the townsman: this guy can actually do this.
Well, the next day all was ready, the cable was stretched across the canyon, the crowd was gathered, the betting complete. The stranger had built a small platform and was pushing the wheelbarrow onto the cable, ready to step off and do his promised trick. The skeptical people were yelling, ñYouÍre crazy. YouÍll be killed. DonÍt do it.'' But the man who knew better called out: ñGo ahead. I believe you can do it.'' The stranger stopped. He stepped down from the platform, pushed through the crowd. He asked: ñWho was that who said he believes in me?'' The man identified himself. ñGood,'' said the performer. ñAll I need to make my act complete is someone to ride in the wheelbarrow.''
ThereÍs the difference between belief and faith. Belief says, ñI think you can do it.'' Faith rides in the wheelbarrow. I think that in this passage, the word ñbelief'' really meant faith.
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS
ñLove has heaven on its side.''
„ S.K.
____________
Viktor Frankl told of an awful day in the Auschwitz concentration camp where he suffered unthinkable mistreatment, and as he and other inmates ñstumbled on for miles'' in ice and snow, he began to think of his wife. He wrote this: ñMy mind clung to my wifeÍs image, imagining it with an uncanny acuteness. I heard her answering me, saw her smile, her frank and encouraging look. Real or not, her look was then more luminous than the sun which was beginning to rise.
ñA thought transfixed me: for the first time in my life I saw the truth as it is set into song by so many poets, proclaimed as the final wisdom by so many thinkers. The truth „ that love is the ultimate and highest goal to which man can aspire. Then I grasped the meaning of the greatest secret that human poetry and human thought and belief have to impart: The salvation of man is through love and in love.''
____________
Some time ago, a newspaper account reported that a cross had been planted in the front yard of a black minister who had recently moved into a white neighborhood. Doused with kerosene, the cross was then set on fire as a dire warning to the black family. But the minister gathered his family together, got some hot dogs out of the refrigerator, then invited their neighbors over for a cookout.
____________
Years ago, in a small town in the South, it was the custom for the townspeople to hold a community Christmas party for all the children. One year, the people were gathered, the tree was filled with gifts, and a joyous spirit filled the gymnasium where the party was held. One little boy in attendance was „ well, back then they called him retarded. Today we might say ñhandicapped.'' His eyes were fixed on one special present high in the great Christmas tree. It was wrapped in wonderful red paper, tied with a wide green ribbon. One by one presents were handed to each of the children. But this special little boy had eyes only for that red package. Finally, when every other child had his gift, the only package left on the tree was that red present. At last, the man playing Santa Claus took down the box and handed it to the child. Happily, he tore off the wrappings, opened the box, and „ it was empty. Someone had played a joke on the tragic little fellow. When I heard this, I thought there must be some way in which this true, sad story symbolizes the way in which many of us expect the toys of this world to bring happiness.
____________
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 130 (C) „ ñOut of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.''
Psalm 33 (RC) „ ñRejoice in the Lord, O you righteous.''
Psalm 34 (E) „ ñI will bless the Lord at all times.''
Prayer Of The Day
Dear God, we confess that our good intentions are often not sufficient to restrain us when we are angered, that our courage too often fails when the right thing to do is fearsome and costly. Arm us then, we pray, for the difficult challenge of the Christian life. In JesusÍ name we pray. Amen.
Lesson 1: 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 (C)
How can our hearts not break for David? For all his nefarious activities in the bedroom, he was a decent and God-guided man. He loved his son „ loved him too much to protect him from the dangers of battle which every man was required to face in those days. Yes, 20,000 men died that day. Somehow, thatÍs a statistic. But one young man? ThatÍs a tragedy. I read that 58,000 Americans died in Vietnam. ThatÍs a terrible statistic. But to go to the wall, to see the name of William Johnson, or Mark Harrison, is to feel a deep sadness after all that time.
I know this. I landed with the 90th Division in Normandy. A few years ago, I wandered among the thousands of white crosses in the cemetery at Omaha Beach in Normandy. I saw nameplates of men who had served with me. Boys, eighteen, nineteen, few more than twenty. Sergeant Brewer, ñM'' Company, 357th Infantry. I sat beside him as he died. Yes, the tragedy of humankindÍs hatred and violent competition is so very terrible. One wonders why God allows such things, yet what can we do but redouble our efforts to preach peace, and kindness, and the turning of the cheek? Do you remember the scene as General George Patton stood among the smoldering remains of burning tanks and mutilated dead men? How he stared at this colossal devastation, then mused, ñWar; God how I love it''? What word can we speak?
Lesson 1: 1 Kings 19:4-8 (RC)
Lesson 1: Deuteronomy 8:1-10 (E)
Lesson 2: Ephesians 4:25„5:2 (C); Ephesians 4:(25-29) 30„5:2 (E); Ephesians 4:30„5:2 (RC)
WouldnÍt this make for a wonderful world if everyone could actually be like PaulÍs description here? Unfortunately, thatÍs not what we see. One could use the theme: ñBe angry but donÍt sin.'' There is a place for anger. Every time we pick up a newspaper we see new reasons to be angry. Renewed nuclear bomb testing. Just today the announcement of yet another school shooting in Virginia. A previously distinguished official in Miami now indicted for fraud. There is a place for anger.
However, I am inclined to couple this passage with the lesson from 2 Samuel. These two passages depict the opposite extremes of the human situation. Paul holding forth a lovely version of humanity: reform of bad habits, only decent talk, cessation of all bitterness and wrath and anger and slander and malice, kindness to everyone, tenderheartedness, a forgiving attitude. We are to pray for that. We are to understand that God has forgiven us, given us the gift of grace. We are to make the effort to imitate God. Then there is the hatred, ethnic violence, murder, and deceit which are evident in the experience of David and his people. They, more accurately than Paul, I fear, characterize the world as it is. And yet, if our Christian faith is to be believed, PaulÍs scenario must be possible, if not at once, then in first one, then another, then a group, then a community. Clearly, this is what the Church is to be. I may not be able to cause another man to be as Paul describes, but I can try to be like that myself.
Gospel: John 6:35, 41-51 (C); John 6:41-51 (RC); John 6:37-51 (E)
John has rephrased the message of Jesus in thought forms which, though quite clumsy to our ears, must have made sense to JohnÍs readers. The ancient concept of the world as flat allowed John to speak of Jesus coming down and going up. Today, many of us think more in terms of another dimension than a location identifiable astronomically. If Jesus used these words, he was speaking in thought forms which would have communicated. The analogy of Jesus as ñbread'' was understandable to a people who celebrated the ñmanna'' in the desert, and that afforded Jesus an analogy which would make sense.
Setting aside the matter of the degree in which John had access to literal quotes, and the degree in which John used words as Jesus might very well have used them, we see here the affirmation that, spiritually, we are filled by the presence of the Spirit of Jesus, and until we are filled in that way, mere earthly consumption, whether it be bread or food in the specific sense, or the myriad of products we consume, there can be no lasting satisfaction of the soul. Any of us who purchased the latest toy, then became bored when it didnÍt bring the anticipated satisfaction, can understand this. I have a dozen or so trinkets around the house which I thought would be fun, and now I wish I could have my money back.
I recall two confidential conversations (I donÍt think this breaks those confidences). One very wealthy man, the CEO with the big salary type, said he would love to quit what heÍs doing and work in a hospital as a full-time volunteer. Easy to say, perhaps, since he had a lot, but it bespoke a genuine inner sense of something missing despite his wealth. The other man, a successful businessman and entrepreneur, held back tears as he shared with me his own sense of inner poverty „ and I happened to know this man had a lot of money.
ThereÍs the sermon. It just isnÍt out there, the satisfaction we seek, so long as we ignore what Jesus has said here. And I know that many of my readers have learned the truth of this, that inner joy and worth has more to do with the Christian life than with possessions.
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Title: ñHope For Tomorrow''
Text: 2 Samuel 18:33; Ephesians 4:25„5:2
Theme: Briefly explain why Absalom has died, and refer to a fatherÍs grief, and the fact that he dared not shield his son from danger, not because of political repercussions, but because the young man would never have forgiven his father for refusing him a chance to win honor on the field of battle. ThatÍs a strange characteristic of most males. I think most females are too smart for that. I so well recall my early teen years as war was raging in Europe, and I often laid awake at night afraid the war would end before I had a chance to enlist. Of course I had no idea what it was really like, nor do I fault the young men who sought to avoid the draft in the Vietnam era. Though I was in a war, I sometimes think it takes more courage to walk away from a fight than to fight. Certainly, Christianity teaches that.
I recently read about a confrontation in a major eastern city between a man driving a BMW and a truck driver who was offended at the other driverÍs driving. The truck driver jumped from his truck and shouted at the BMW driver to get out and fight. The other man, however, waved his hand in greeting and drove away. The truck driver then shouted taunts of ñcoward.'' Then a bystander told the truck driver: ñDonÍt you know who that was? He was (name) who won the state Golden Gloves light-heavyweight boxing championship a few years ago.'' A reporter later interviewed the man, inquiring why he had driven away from an easy victory. The man explained that he is a member of a Baptist church. He believes in turning the other cheek. He said that he is against violence, and felt that to fight an opponent who has volunteered and trained for the match is not like hitting someone like that truck driver.
1. Courage is needed most in seeking peace. Jesus said, ñBlessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.''
2. Somehow, we need to demonstrate the courage to live as Paul recommends.
3. God supplies courage. But there is always a price to pay for those who exemplify courage. We can think of any number of situations in everyday life where this can be practiced: letting the aggressive driver have his way, smiling at an unfair criticism, standing up for someone who may be unpopular in your in-group.
4. God will reward courage. He wonÍt remove the cost, but he will arm us. Frankly, many of us have been raised in a culture which sees turning the other cheek as weakness. It does, indeed, require courage, but itÍs the only way PaulÍs advice can be followed, and itÍs the way of the true Christian.
Title: ñAdventurous Faith''
Text: John 6:47
Theme: Jesus has promised that whoever believes has eternal life. First, we need to define ñbelief.'' Is it intellectual conviction? Yes, in part. One cannot move farther in the Christian faith without some degree of intellectual acceptance of the precepts of the faith. And yet, there are many people who desire this who cannot fully, as Dr. Weatherhead puts the matter, ñsign on the dotted line.'' Paul Tillich speaks of ñthe doubt which is implicit in every act of faith.'' He adds, ñExistential doubt and faith are poles of the same reality....'' Then this: ñSerious doubt is the confirmation of faith.'' So belief as Jesus used the word must allow for the natural human inability to entirely control what we think is true. It would be a shame to take the position that anyone who claims to be a Christian yet is doubtful about one or more of its precepts is, therefore, outside the pale. I feel that congregations need to hear that their struggles with belief as intellectual conviction are normal and that Jesus would fully understand and love them just the same.
But ñbelief'' as Jesus used the word also has the element of action. Tillich said something else in his Dynamics of Faith: ñCourage as an element of faith is the daring self-affirmation of oneÍs own being in spite of the powers of ïnonbeingÍ which are the heritage of everything finite. Where there is daring and courage there is the possibility of failure. And in every act of faith this possibility is present. The risk must be taken.'' That is to say that real ñbelief'' as we find the word here is not mere intellectual conviction; it is a commitment. It is a willingness to invest our lives even in the face of our doubt. It is to stand forth, to do and say what we are told by Jesus is right, and to be willing to live or die by those values. It is to love ñin spite of,'' as Dr. Tillich would put the matter.
ItÍs an old story and youÍve probably told it. Some of your people havenÍt heard it though. Besides, remember what Milton Berle said: ñPeople like to hear a joke they already know. They start laughing sooner.'' This is about the young man who rode into a western town at the turn of the century. He went to the local saloon and announced that the following day he would stretch a cable across the canyon outside of town and then he would walk across it pushing a wheelbarrow. Now the geezers in the saloon pictured that canyon „ more than 100 yards across, 100 or more feet deep. They pictured that wind whipping down the length of the canyon and decided the man was a fool. So the betting started and the odds were overwhelmingly against the stranger.
That afternoon, one of the townsmen was walking in some nearby woods. He saw the stranger practicing. The man had stretched a cable between two trees maybe fifty feet apart, and forty feet in the air, and was walking back and forth, doing dance steps and all in all, thoroughly at home on the cable. It dawned on the townsman: this guy can actually do this.
Well, the next day all was ready, the cable was stretched across the canyon, the crowd was gathered, the betting complete. The stranger had built a small platform and was pushing the wheelbarrow onto the cable, ready to step off and do his promised trick. The skeptical people were yelling, ñYouÍre crazy. YouÍll be killed. DonÍt do it.'' But the man who knew better called out: ñGo ahead. I believe you can do it.'' The stranger stopped. He stepped down from the platform, pushed through the crowd. He asked: ñWho was that who said he believes in me?'' The man identified himself. ñGood,'' said the performer. ñAll I need to make my act complete is someone to ride in the wheelbarrow.''
ThereÍs the difference between belief and faith. Belief says, ñI think you can do it.'' Faith rides in the wheelbarrow. I think that in this passage, the word ñbelief'' really meant faith.
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS
ñLove has heaven on its side.''
„ S.K.
____________
Viktor Frankl told of an awful day in the Auschwitz concentration camp where he suffered unthinkable mistreatment, and as he and other inmates ñstumbled on for miles'' in ice and snow, he began to think of his wife. He wrote this: ñMy mind clung to my wifeÍs image, imagining it with an uncanny acuteness. I heard her answering me, saw her smile, her frank and encouraging look. Real or not, her look was then more luminous than the sun which was beginning to rise.
ñA thought transfixed me: for the first time in my life I saw the truth as it is set into song by so many poets, proclaimed as the final wisdom by so many thinkers. The truth „ that love is the ultimate and highest goal to which man can aspire. Then I grasped the meaning of the greatest secret that human poetry and human thought and belief have to impart: The salvation of man is through love and in love.''
____________
Some time ago, a newspaper account reported that a cross had been planted in the front yard of a black minister who had recently moved into a white neighborhood. Doused with kerosene, the cross was then set on fire as a dire warning to the black family. But the minister gathered his family together, got some hot dogs out of the refrigerator, then invited their neighbors over for a cookout.
____________
Years ago, in a small town in the South, it was the custom for the townspeople to hold a community Christmas party for all the children. One year, the people were gathered, the tree was filled with gifts, and a joyous spirit filled the gymnasium where the party was held. One little boy in attendance was „ well, back then they called him retarded. Today we might say ñhandicapped.'' His eyes were fixed on one special present high in the great Christmas tree. It was wrapped in wonderful red paper, tied with a wide green ribbon. One by one presents were handed to each of the children. But this special little boy had eyes only for that red package. Finally, when every other child had his gift, the only package left on the tree was that red present. At last, the man playing Santa Claus took down the box and handed it to the child. Happily, he tore off the wrappings, opened the box, and „ it was empty. Someone had played a joke on the tragic little fellow. When I heard this, I thought there must be some way in which this true, sad story symbolizes the way in which many of us expect the toys of this world to bring happiness.
____________
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 130 (C) „ ñOut of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.''
Psalm 33 (RC) „ ñRejoice in the Lord, O you righteous.''
Psalm 34 (E) „ ñI will bless the Lord at all times.''
Prayer Of The Day
Dear God, we confess that our good intentions are often not sufficient to restrain us when we are angered, that our courage too often fails when the right thing to do is fearsome and costly. Arm us then, we pray, for the difficult challenge of the Christian life. In JesusÍ name we pray. Amen.
