Proper 18
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VI, Cycle A
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Exodus 12:1-4 (C)
Here we have the beginning instructions to the Jews in preparation for the Passover of God. The ancients believed in the sacrifice of animals as a form of worship and obedience. They imagined themselves required to prepare to do so now. As Bernhard Anderson observed, "Every reader of the Bible has to make up his mind about the historical nucleus which lies at the heart of the tradition that has been elaborated and colored by Israel's faith over a period of generations."
Lesson 1: Ezekiel 33:7-9 (RC); Ezekiel 33:(1-6) 7-11 (E)
Ezekiel is instructed by God. He is to warn those people who are lost in their wicked ways that they may yet change. If they do not, they will die, but Ezekiel will be innocent. Were he not to warn them, the blood of the lost will be on his hands. That must have been quite an incentive for Ezekiel to speak out.
Lesson 2: Romans 13:8-14 (C); Romans 13:8-10 (RC)
Paul reiterates the basic teaching of Jesus, that we are to love each other. All the legalisms of past moral systems amount simply to that commandment. Paul also again expresses his belief that the culmination of the historical process draws near. This, of course, proved to be wrong, as Paul would later surmise. But his main point, that the works of "darkness" will prove destructive to the wrongdoer and salvation will come to those who live in love, is forever true.
Lesson 2: Romans 12:9-21 (E)
(See Proper 17)
Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20 (C, RC, E)
Jesus is quoted here as urging direct confrontation with troublesome church members. It seems likely that this was a case of later church theologians putting words in Jesus' mouth. There certainly was no "church" at the time of Jesus' earthly life, that coming into existence as a result of his death. Also, it doesn't sound like Jesus to reject a problem parishioner quite so quickly. It is likely that by the time Matthew wrote some seventy or so years after the death of Jesus, early churches had problems more or less like some we occasionally see, and the writer felt Jesus would surely have given instructions such as this had he been around to do so. Actually, the technique makes sense, except that a loving pastor (see the Romans passage for today) would surely be more long-suffering than suggested here.
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Title: "Tradition"
Text: Exodus 12:1-14
Theme: Contemporary Judaism still values the Passover as a binding celebration, a way of reminding each Jew that he or she is part of a historic community. Their unique and exalted heroism throughout history has earned them a place of honor as People of God. I don't know how many Jewish people believe the story of the Passover literally. I do know that there are serious concerns in today's Jewish world that fewer and fewer young Jews are worshiping and otherwise remaining faithful to the Jewish traditions. The Exodus is their binding religious force. The Passover, with all its associated traditions, is the common memory which holds that admirable people together in union.
Within Christianity, we too celebrate the traditions of the Exodus as forerunner to the birth and ministry of the Messiah, our Christ. Just as the Passover meal symbolized the binding force of that event for the Jews, so the Eucharist, the Mass, Holy Communion, serves that role for us. There was a time when the Communion meal was a literal feast, but too many hungry people caused a transition to a symbolic meal. Now we who name the name of Christ as Lord know ourselves bound together by that sacrament.
1. Traditions are important to hold people together in mutual commitment.
2. The Mass for Catholics, Communion for Protestants, serves in that way. In the sacrament, we perceive the presence of our Lord. We don't all agree in regard to how literally that idea is to be interpreted. Whether the body and blood are literally present, or are symbolized (my belief) in the elements, what is important is that we believe God can manifest the Spirit to and within us in a special way when we receive those elements together through the Church.
3. Holy Communion holds us in a close relationship with God, wherein by confession and repentance we are forgiven our sins and empowered to move beyond our sinful nature.
Title: "Evangelism: Telling Friends"
Text: Ezekiel 33:(1-6) 7-11
Theme: Ezekiel learns that a solemn and profound responsibility is his. He must warn people that it's folly to worship gods other than God. If he pronounces the warning faithfully, he will be innocent of their unhappy fates. If he fails in this, their blood will be on his hands.
We Christians have a somewhat related responsibility. Dr. Weatherhead told of two men who, after working together and commuting together for years, encountered tragedy in the death of one man's wife. His friend of many years, thinking to console him, told how much strength and consolation he had found in his church. But his friend looked up at him with anger and accusation in his eyes, and said, "We've been friends all these years and never once, never once, did you invite me to your church."
Title: "Making Love Real"
Text: Romans 13:8-14
Theme: The undergirding basis of our Christian faith is Love with a capital "L." Having said this, the question arises as to what is meant by "Love," and what practical form it is to take. Paul was most eloquent on the subject when writing to those recalcitrant Corinthians. "If I give away all I have," he wrote, "and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing." Peter put the matter this way: "You must make every effort to support your faith with goodness, and goodness with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, and godliness with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love" (2 Peter 1:5-8). John said,"Whoever loves a brother or sister abides in the light" (1 John 2:9). "No one has greater love than this," said Jesus, "to lay down one's life for one's friends." But he also said something else, and this is what takes it all out of the abstract. "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me" (Matthew 25:35).
1. The Church fails unless it teaches and practices love.
2. Love is as much something we do as it is something we feel.
3. True love goes out of its way to help others in time of need.
Title: "Where Two Or Three Are"
Text: Matthew 18:15-20
Theme: We could take that last sentence, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them," out of context and have a great basis for a sermon on worship. Or on church management. The larger passage, though, has some good guidance for clergy and others during times of disagreement. We have already raised the likelihood that this is not a direct quote of Jesus. There was no "Church" at the time of Jesus' life. However, there is a theme here which is relevant to all of us who are active in a church.
1. Because we are human beings with all the frailties of that condition, there are inevitable conflicts among us. Many a church has been torn apart by people who thought they were right. This passage implies that we are never right if we do not deal with disagreements with love.
2. If we love, we listen to each other. The wisdom of the first bit of advice, go to the other person in private, lies in the respect it shows for the other. I recall John Wesley's story of the church member who lived in a fine home inherited from his father, yet who gave practically nothing to the church. Wesley went to him to scold him for this (they were a little more direct about such things in his day). But the man, with tears in his eyes, told of the heavy debts which his father had left. The man could have ignored those debts, but felt that as a matter of honor he should pay them. As a result, the amount of income he had left over was very small. In light of that, his contributions were generous. Wesley apologized, left, and recorded this little lesson in his journal with the observation that he would not, thereafter, be so quick to judge.
3. There are times when conflicts cannot be resolved. We have all encountered that mercifully rare church member who is simply determined to win, no matter what. If the church is endangered, more severe steps must be taken. Still, we are to give the troublesome person another chance to act in love, though this time it makes sense to have a witness. This is not only for protection against later slander. It may also make the difference when the individual sees that several of his or her fellow church members are concerned.
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS
(Quote from The Indianapolis Star in May, 1997.) Dateline Honolulu -- by Paul Arnett, Honolulu Star Bulletin. "University of Hawaii football player Shannon Smith drowned over the weekend while saving the youngest child of Fred vonAppen."
The head football coach said Smith was part of a hiking party Saturday afternoon that included several members of the vonAppen family and Hawaii players Tim Carey and Chris Shinnick as well. According to Kauai police reports, Smith and the vonAppens were swimming at Waipahee Slippery Slide, which was once a tourist attraction but is now closed to the public. Smith and vonAppen's six-year-old son, Cody, went down the natural slide together, but once in the water the two got in trouble.
"It probably lasted two minutes, but it was the most chaotic and frightening experience of our lives," vonAppen said Monday. "There were about eleven of us hiking into this remote area Shannon wanted to show us ... He and Cody got there first, so when he came out, they went down the slide together. I don't think Shannon knew how dangerous the water was because he was used to it, but it was rough and swirling with a vicious current that sucked you under."
vonAppen's wife, Thea, was taking pictures from a nearby cliff when she saw that Smith and her son were in harm's way. She went down the slide and quickly got herself into trouble. "Shannon passed off Cody to Thea," vonAppen said. "She's a very strong swimmer, but I could tell that something was wrong. She yelled out that they were in trouble down there. So I tore off my jacket and jumped in. I was immediately sucked under. I looked up and all I could see was swirling murky water and some light up above me."
The coach went on to tell how Smith, struggling, managed to hand the boy to Thea, who handed him to vonAppen, who managed to hand him to Tim Carey who was standing near shore. The article continues: "By this time other members of the party had arrived to help. Smith was still above water and refused to get out until everyone else was safe." The article then tells how the others finally managed to get out of the water, but Shannon Smith had disappeared. "I know Shannon stayed in the water to make sure we got out safely," Coach vonAppen said. "He could have swum to shore at any time. I don't know how he stayed up as long as he did because he was in the center of the whirlpool. He is a hero. You can't say enough about what he did."
Smith, a junior, figured to battle Eric Hannum for the place kicking duties this spring. "He would have been 21 today." (Greater love ...)
____________
Several years ago, a woman came to my office to complain about my handling of a confirmation class. She was gentle and polite, but made it clear that her sixth grade daughter felt there should be more to learn in the class than I was teaching. To make a long story short, I asked the mother for time to think about her criticism and, after a couple days, I decided she was right. Because she was honest enough to let me know how she felt, but fair enough to share her complaint only with me, I learned from the experience, the class was improved, and her family and mine became very good friends.
____________
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 149 (C) -- "Sing to the Lord a new song."
Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9 (RC) -- "O come, let us worship and bow down."
Psalm 119:33-40 (E) -- "Turn my heart to your decrees."
Prayer Of The Day
Grant me integrity to hear those criticisms which I deserve, the honorable willingness to tell others what they need to hear, the kindness to do so without intent to hurt, and the wisdom to know what is deserved and what is not. In Christ's name, Amen.
Lesson 1: Exodus 12:1-4 (C)
Here we have the beginning instructions to the Jews in preparation for the Passover of God. The ancients believed in the sacrifice of animals as a form of worship and obedience. They imagined themselves required to prepare to do so now. As Bernhard Anderson observed, "Every reader of the Bible has to make up his mind about the historical nucleus which lies at the heart of the tradition that has been elaborated and colored by Israel's faith over a period of generations."
Lesson 1: Ezekiel 33:7-9 (RC); Ezekiel 33:(1-6) 7-11 (E)
Ezekiel is instructed by God. He is to warn those people who are lost in their wicked ways that they may yet change. If they do not, they will die, but Ezekiel will be innocent. Were he not to warn them, the blood of the lost will be on his hands. That must have been quite an incentive for Ezekiel to speak out.
Lesson 2: Romans 13:8-14 (C); Romans 13:8-10 (RC)
Paul reiterates the basic teaching of Jesus, that we are to love each other. All the legalisms of past moral systems amount simply to that commandment. Paul also again expresses his belief that the culmination of the historical process draws near. This, of course, proved to be wrong, as Paul would later surmise. But his main point, that the works of "darkness" will prove destructive to the wrongdoer and salvation will come to those who live in love, is forever true.
Lesson 2: Romans 12:9-21 (E)
(See Proper 17)
Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20 (C, RC, E)
Jesus is quoted here as urging direct confrontation with troublesome church members. It seems likely that this was a case of later church theologians putting words in Jesus' mouth. There certainly was no "church" at the time of Jesus' earthly life, that coming into existence as a result of his death. Also, it doesn't sound like Jesus to reject a problem parishioner quite so quickly. It is likely that by the time Matthew wrote some seventy or so years after the death of Jesus, early churches had problems more or less like some we occasionally see, and the writer felt Jesus would surely have given instructions such as this had he been around to do so. Actually, the technique makes sense, except that a loving pastor (see the Romans passage for today) would surely be more long-suffering than suggested here.
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Title: "Tradition"
Text: Exodus 12:1-14
Theme: Contemporary Judaism still values the Passover as a binding celebration, a way of reminding each Jew that he or she is part of a historic community. Their unique and exalted heroism throughout history has earned them a place of honor as People of God. I don't know how many Jewish people believe the story of the Passover literally. I do know that there are serious concerns in today's Jewish world that fewer and fewer young Jews are worshiping and otherwise remaining faithful to the Jewish traditions. The Exodus is their binding religious force. The Passover, with all its associated traditions, is the common memory which holds that admirable people together in union.
Within Christianity, we too celebrate the traditions of the Exodus as forerunner to the birth and ministry of the Messiah, our Christ. Just as the Passover meal symbolized the binding force of that event for the Jews, so the Eucharist, the Mass, Holy Communion, serves that role for us. There was a time when the Communion meal was a literal feast, but too many hungry people caused a transition to a symbolic meal. Now we who name the name of Christ as Lord know ourselves bound together by that sacrament.
1. Traditions are important to hold people together in mutual commitment.
2. The Mass for Catholics, Communion for Protestants, serves in that way. In the sacrament, we perceive the presence of our Lord. We don't all agree in regard to how literally that idea is to be interpreted. Whether the body and blood are literally present, or are symbolized (my belief) in the elements, what is important is that we believe God can manifest the Spirit to and within us in a special way when we receive those elements together through the Church.
3. Holy Communion holds us in a close relationship with God, wherein by confession and repentance we are forgiven our sins and empowered to move beyond our sinful nature.
Title: "Evangelism: Telling Friends"
Text: Ezekiel 33:(1-6) 7-11
Theme: Ezekiel learns that a solemn and profound responsibility is his. He must warn people that it's folly to worship gods other than God. If he pronounces the warning faithfully, he will be innocent of their unhappy fates. If he fails in this, their blood will be on his hands.
We Christians have a somewhat related responsibility. Dr. Weatherhead told of two men who, after working together and commuting together for years, encountered tragedy in the death of one man's wife. His friend of many years, thinking to console him, told how much strength and consolation he had found in his church. But his friend looked up at him with anger and accusation in his eyes, and said, "We've been friends all these years and never once, never once, did you invite me to your church."
Title: "Making Love Real"
Text: Romans 13:8-14
Theme: The undergirding basis of our Christian faith is Love with a capital "L." Having said this, the question arises as to what is meant by "Love," and what practical form it is to take. Paul was most eloquent on the subject when writing to those recalcitrant Corinthians. "If I give away all I have," he wrote, "and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing." Peter put the matter this way: "You must make every effort to support your faith with goodness, and goodness with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, and godliness with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love" (2 Peter 1:5-8). John said,"Whoever loves a brother or sister abides in the light" (1 John 2:9). "No one has greater love than this," said Jesus, "to lay down one's life for one's friends." But he also said something else, and this is what takes it all out of the abstract. "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me" (Matthew 25:35).
1. The Church fails unless it teaches and practices love.
2. Love is as much something we do as it is something we feel.
3. True love goes out of its way to help others in time of need.
Title: "Where Two Or Three Are"
Text: Matthew 18:15-20
Theme: We could take that last sentence, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them," out of context and have a great basis for a sermon on worship. Or on church management. The larger passage, though, has some good guidance for clergy and others during times of disagreement. We have already raised the likelihood that this is not a direct quote of Jesus. There was no "Church" at the time of Jesus' life. However, there is a theme here which is relevant to all of us who are active in a church.
1. Because we are human beings with all the frailties of that condition, there are inevitable conflicts among us. Many a church has been torn apart by people who thought they were right. This passage implies that we are never right if we do not deal with disagreements with love.
2. If we love, we listen to each other. The wisdom of the first bit of advice, go to the other person in private, lies in the respect it shows for the other. I recall John Wesley's story of the church member who lived in a fine home inherited from his father, yet who gave practically nothing to the church. Wesley went to him to scold him for this (they were a little more direct about such things in his day). But the man, with tears in his eyes, told of the heavy debts which his father had left. The man could have ignored those debts, but felt that as a matter of honor he should pay them. As a result, the amount of income he had left over was very small. In light of that, his contributions were generous. Wesley apologized, left, and recorded this little lesson in his journal with the observation that he would not, thereafter, be so quick to judge.
3. There are times when conflicts cannot be resolved. We have all encountered that mercifully rare church member who is simply determined to win, no matter what. If the church is endangered, more severe steps must be taken. Still, we are to give the troublesome person another chance to act in love, though this time it makes sense to have a witness. This is not only for protection against later slander. It may also make the difference when the individual sees that several of his or her fellow church members are concerned.
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS
(Quote from The Indianapolis Star in May, 1997.) Dateline Honolulu -- by Paul Arnett, Honolulu Star Bulletin. "University of Hawaii football player Shannon Smith drowned over the weekend while saving the youngest child of Fred vonAppen."
The head football coach said Smith was part of a hiking party Saturday afternoon that included several members of the vonAppen family and Hawaii players Tim Carey and Chris Shinnick as well. According to Kauai police reports, Smith and the vonAppens were swimming at Waipahee Slippery Slide, which was once a tourist attraction but is now closed to the public. Smith and vonAppen's six-year-old son, Cody, went down the natural slide together, but once in the water the two got in trouble.
"It probably lasted two minutes, but it was the most chaotic and frightening experience of our lives," vonAppen said Monday. "There were about eleven of us hiking into this remote area Shannon wanted to show us ... He and Cody got there first, so when he came out, they went down the slide together. I don't think Shannon knew how dangerous the water was because he was used to it, but it was rough and swirling with a vicious current that sucked you under."
vonAppen's wife, Thea, was taking pictures from a nearby cliff when she saw that Smith and her son were in harm's way. She went down the slide and quickly got herself into trouble. "Shannon passed off Cody to Thea," vonAppen said. "She's a very strong swimmer, but I could tell that something was wrong. She yelled out that they were in trouble down there. So I tore off my jacket and jumped in. I was immediately sucked under. I looked up and all I could see was swirling murky water and some light up above me."
The coach went on to tell how Smith, struggling, managed to hand the boy to Thea, who handed him to vonAppen, who managed to hand him to Tim Carey who was standing near shore. The article continues: "By this time other members of the party had arrived to help. Smith was still above water and refused to get out until everyone else was safe." The article then tells how the others finally managed to get out of the water, but Shannon Smith had disappeared. "I know Shannon stayed in the water to make sure we got out safely," Coach vonAppen said. "He could have swum to shore at any time. I don't know how he stayed up as long as he did because he was in the center of the whirlpool. He is a hero. You can't say enough about what he did."
Smith, a junior, figured to battle Eric Hannum for the place kicking duties this spring. "He would have been 21 today." (Greater love ...)
____________
Several years ago, a woman came to my office to complain about my handling of a confirmation class. She was gentle and polite, but made it clear that her sixth grade daughter felt there should be more to learn in the class than I was teaching. To make a long story short, I asked the mother for time to think about her criticism and, after a couple days, I decided she was right. Because she was honest enough to let me know how she felt, but fair enough to share her complaint only with me, I learned from the experience, the class was improved, and her family and mine became very good friends.
____________
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 149 (C) -- "Sing to the Lord a new song."
Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9 (RC) -- "O come, let us worship and bow down."
Psalm 119:33-40 (E) -- "Turn my heart to your decrees."
Prayer Of The Day
Grant me integrity to hear those criticisms which I deserve, the honorable willingness to tell others what they need to hear, the kindness to do so without intent to hurt, and the wisdom to know what is deserved and what is not. In Christ's name, Amen.
