Proper 4 (C, E)
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VI, Cycle B
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: 1 Samuel 3:1-20 (C)
Bernhard Anderson points out that SamuelÍs career marked the transition from the old type of charismatic leadership to the new prophetic leadership which, from this time on, played an outstanding role in IsraelÍs life. He described Samuel as ñthe greatest spiritual leader of Israel since the time of Moses.'' Samuel considered Saul to be the best hope the people had in being saved from the Philistines. So Samuel secretly anointed Saul as ñprince'' over the people. In this passage, Samuel is called by the Lord in an interesting way, according to the report. The word of the Lord was rare in those days, so we are told. Visions were few. Of course today we donÍt know exactly what to do with ñvisions,'' unless one is among those few persons claiming to have had same. My assumption is that a ñvision'' was in fact a vivid sense of GodÍs action in oneÍs life, or we might say, in oneÍs mind. I myself am among those many clergy who believe we were ñcalled'' into ministry. ñVision'' doesnÍt exactly describe my experience, yet I recall ebbing and flowing, as it were, in the early days of my own decision making. How literally one may choose to read this report, we can perhaps agree that young Samuel was sensing a spiritual calling which he could not turn from, to which he knew deep down he must respond.
Lesson 1: Deuteronomy 5:12-15 (RC); Deuteronomy 5:6-21 (E)
Lesson 2: 2 Corinthians 4:5-12 (C, E); 2 Corinthians 4:6-11 (RC)
My wife just walked into the room where IÍm working, even as I was looking up this passage, and remarked to me, ñIsnÍt it wonderful how prayer works?'' She has been struggling with a personal issue having to do with some friends. Yesterday, she devoted quite a bit of time to praying about the issue. Last evening, her friend called with something which was clearly an answer to MarianneÍs prayer. Yes, indeed, prayer is wonderful. In this passage, Paul uses some extravagant language to say this. When we accept Jesus into our lives, the power of God goes to work, a power which we do not ourselves possess. But thereafter, whatever problems we may face, we are supplied with the power to overcome. ñWe are afflicted in every way, but not overcome; perplexed but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed....'' ThereÍs a reason for this: we are ñalways carrying in our bodies the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies.'' This word, directed to those who suffer, is a life-saving word.
Gospel: Mark 2:23„3:6 (C, RC); Mark 2:23-28 (E)
One has to be familiar with the ancient culture of the Jews in order to understand the healing passage here. ItÍs hard for us to imagine anyone who calls himself (these Pharisees were males) a religious leader being angered at seeing someone healed of an infirmity. But these people were more dedicated to their religious laws than to anything else. They really believed that to allow the breaking of those laws would endanger their precarious state of relationship with God. God might actually punish the entire community for such malfeasance. Compared to such a risk, the healing of one manÍs hand was of small importance. Today we would call that abysmal ignorance. But this is today. Much as we dislike the Pharisees, they did have their side to things, given their sincere beliefs.
JesusÍ role was to move an entire community, the world if you will, a quantum leap forward in an understanding of the nature of God. Contrary to those beliefs, God would never punish people for acts of humanity „ even if God punished people at all. So in these two examples, picking and eating grain on the sabbath, and healing a man on the sabbath, we see a new way of understanding the relative importance of religious conventions on the one hand and the best interests of individuals on the other. This did not mean the sabbath (Saturday for them, Sunday for us) should not be honored. This did not mean we need not have a ñday of rest'' on which we might all benefit from quiet religious observance and some family time together. It only meant that such observances need not be slavishly observed, nor are we to judge other people who may find other respectful ways to honor God. These days medical people, law enforcement officers, pharmacists, taxi drivers, and many other people must work on Sundays. WeÍd all be terribly frustrated if everyone shut down on Sunday. But it does mean IÍm not to crank up my power mower at 3 p.m. as the neighbors are settled down for a quiet cookout with friends.
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Title: ñAll Who Love And Serve''
Text: 1 Samuel 3:1-10
Theme: Samuel, like so many people reported to us by the Old Testament, felt that God was calling him to a mission. Does this happen today? I think it does.
1. Each of us has an array of talents, abilities, and limitations. Likewise, the world has the need for an extensive variety of vocations, jobs. WeÍre certainly not all alike.
2. One kind of calling is that of a church-related vocation. This needs to be emphasized, as there may be someone out there who needs to hear this word. The Church requires many different personality types for its work.
3. God probably doesnÍt call many people to some specific vocation, but by virtue of the particular assortment of gifts we have received, God surely does lead us into certain types of vocation.
4. Whatever we do with our lives, I think God wants us to utilize our talents for the good of others, whether we work in a factory, an office, a field, or a church. Insofar as we do our work with that intention in mind, intending also to live by a set of high moral standards, God will bless us in our work and enable us to be successful in the good sense of that word.
Title: ñSuffering, And The Power Of God''
Text: 2 Corinthians 4:5-12
Theme: In one way or another all of us are called to suffer. For most of us most of the time itÍs an inward thing: fears, anxiety, feelings of rejection or loneliness, loss of hope in some worthy venture. At times, it will be physical: illness or injury, a confrontation with an adversary. In all these things, Paul assures us that through Jesus we have the power to overcome. God doesnÍt very often seem to take away suffering. Even Jesus suffered. What God does is see to it that we grow in the process, that what happens can in the long run make us better, stronger people.
Many years ago, my wife was killed in a car accident. Our daughter was just ten days away from leaving for college. It was an absolutely devastating experience for both of us. When she did leave „ I insisted that she go, for her sake „ I went from living in a happy family with a loving wife and a busy school-age daughter to total loneliness. Prayer saw me through „ prayer, and the resultant infusion of power which resulted. Of course, as so many of you know from your experiences, it didnÍt happen all at once. That would have been to take away suffering. I was required to endure my season of grief. I shouted my anger at God, knowing, of course, that if I didnÍt go too far God would quietly listen and go on loving me.
Now, I can look back. Now I can see the clear imprint of divine presence in my life. Now I can see that when Sundays arrived, I was enabled to preach; when grieving people came to me, I understood better than before; when I spoke of GodÍs willingness to help, I had an authenticity which wasnÍt quite there earlier. Yes, God walked every foot of that anguished way with me, and though for a while I was afflicted in every way, I was not overcome. And slowly, my tragedy blessed my life, and though RuthanneÍs death will always remain a tragedy, God sent me someone else with whom IÍm very happy.
1. Suffering comes to us all.
2. Prayer will employ GodÍs ñnobler powers.''
3. We must endure as growth takes place.
4. Through God we will triumph at last.
Title: ñTime Out''
Text: Mark 2:23„3:6
Theme: As our culture has become more complicated, respect for Sunday as ñsabbath'' is nearly gone. For the great majority of busy people, itÍs a time to get chores done around the house, play ball with the children, do a workout, watch a ball game. Those of us who go to church, more often than not, return home to the above activities. I must admit that though IÍm immersed in the Protestant culture as clergy, I have been known to mow the lawn on Sunday if a busy week loomed ahead. So what word can we speak here?
I see young people who are so overwhelmed with commitments at work and elsewhere that they donÍt seem to have any time for reflection. Who was it who spoke of ñthe curse of the unexamined life''? I see children growing up with very little close association with parents, especially fathers, who see their rare days off as a chance to get in eighteen holes or shoot a few pheasants, then drop in bed to get rested for an earlier start on Monday. I see more and more women launched on careers in medicine and law who are champing at the bit to get in there and show what they can do. Great. ItÍs all wonderful. But unless there is time for reading, for unhurried relating to wife or husband, for walks in the woods, for leisurely fun with friends, and most of all for private prayer and public worship, the day will come when many will look back upon the pieces of an empty life. I see little boys and girls being picked up for drunkenness, injured or even killed in car accidents, middle schoolers in trouble, all because they live in homes where there is love, yes, but no real positive time spent together discussing, finding out, understanding. This frantic pace is penalizing so many today. And many a marriage is eroding, men too tired for sex, women too wrapped up in how they look. Yes, there is a place for a sabbath period in everyoneÍs life, even if it isnÍt always on Sunday. And Jesus, who often went away by himself to reflect and pray and process what was happening, would certainly urge this.
1. To be healthy of mind, we all need some time for ourselves, unhurried time. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, ñGod cannot speak to a chatterer.''
2. Be sure you spend some time each week with the people you love. My wife insists that the two of us go to dinner together one night a week if possible, never less than once in two weeks. She insists that we concentrate on each other, listening, sharing, understanding. ItÍs good.
3. God will renew your strength. Read IsaiahÍs passage: ñThose who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint'' (Isaiah 40:31).
4. The result of this will be a better degree of mental health, closer family relationships, and better self-esteem.
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS
Even Archie Bunker struggled to understand suffering. His son-in-law ñMeathead,'' an agnostic, asked: ñArchie, if thereÍs a God why is there so much suffering in the world?'' Archie replied: ñIÍll tell you why ... Edith, if thereÍs a God why is there so much suffering in the world?'' There is only awkward silence, so Archie yells: ñEdith, would you get in here and help me? IÍm having to defend God all by myself.''
____________
In a George Will column in the December 22, 1997, issue of Newsweek, he quotes James Q. Wilson, recently retired professor from UCLA, as saying that there are three simple behavioral rules for avoiding poverty: finish high school, produce no children before marrying, and no children before the age of twenty. Only eight percent of families who observe these three rules live in poverty, whereas 79 percent of those who break any of these rules live in poverty. He also said, ñThe best predictor of a childÍs flourishing is the fervent devotion of two parents.''
____________
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 139:1-6 (C) „ ñO Lord you have searched me and known me.''
Psalm 80 (RC) „ ñGive ear, O shepherd of Israel.''
Psalm 81 (E) „ ñSing aloud to God our strength.''
Prayer Of The Day
Reveal to us, we pray, a vision of your will for us. Help us to cease our stumbling, to see with renewed clarity the way you would have us walk. Give us strength and energy for the way, we pray, that we may at once be worthy servants of our world and of thee. In ChristÍs name. Amen.
Lesson 1: 1 Samuel 3:1-20 (C)
Bernhard Anderson points out that SamuelÍs career marked the transition from the old type of charismatic leadership to the new prophetic leadership which, from this time on, played an outstanding role in IsraelÍs life. He described Samuel as ñthe greatest spiritual leader of Israel since the time of Moses.'' Samuel considered Saul to be the best hope the people had in being saved from the Philistines. So Samuel secretly anointed Saul as ñprince'' over the people. In this passage, Samuel is called by the Lord in an interesting way, according to the report. The word of the Lord was rare in those days, so we are told. Visions were few. Of course today we donÍt know exactly what to do with ñvisions,'' unless one is among those few persons claiming to have had same. My assumption is that a ñvision'' was in fact a vivid sense of GodÍs action in oneÍs life, or we might say, in oneÍs mind. I myself am among those many clergy who believe we were ñcalled'' into ministry. ñVision'' doesnÍt exactly describe my experience, yet I recall ebbing and flowing, as it were, in the early days of my own decision making. How literally one may choose to read this report, we can perhaps agree that young Samuel was sensing a spiritual calling which he could not turn from, to which he knew deep down he must respond.
Lesson 1: Deuteronomy 5:12-15 (RC); Deuteronomy 5:6-21 (E)
Lesson 2: 2 Corinthians 4:5-12 (C, E); 2 Corinthians 4:6-11 (RC)
My wife just walked into the room where IÍm working, even as I was looking up this passage, and remarked to me, ñIsnÍt it wonderful how prayer works?'' She has been struggling with a personal issue having to do with some friends. Yesterday, she devoted quite a bit of time to praying about the issue. Last evening, her friend called with something which was clearly an answer to MarianneÍs prayer. Yes, indeed, prayer is wonderful. In this passage, Paul uses some extravagant language to say this. When we accept Jesus into our lives, the power of God goes to work, a power which we do not ourselves possess. But thereafter, whatever problems we may face, we are supplied with the power to overcome. ñWe are afflicted in every way, but not overcome; perplexed but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed....'' ThereÍs a reason for this: we are ñalways carrying in our bodies the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies.'' This word, directed to those who suffer, is a life-saving word.
Gospel: Mark 2:23„3:6 (C, RC); Mark 2:23-28 (E)
One has to be familiar with the ancient culture of the Jews in order to understand the healing passage here. ItÍs hard for us to imagine anyone who calls himself (these Pharisees were males) a religious leader being angered at seeing someone healed of an infirmity. But these people were more dedicated to their religious laws than to anything else. They really believed that to allow the breaking of those laws would endanger their precarious state of relationship with God. God might actually punish the entire community for such malfeasance. Compared to such a risk, the healing of one manÍs hand was of small importance. Today we would call that abysmal ignorance. But this is today. Much as we dislike the Pharisees, they did have their side to things, given their sincere beliefs.
JesusÍ role was to move an entire community, the world if you will, a quantum leap forward in an understanding of the nature of God. Contrary to those beliefs, God would never punish people for acts of humanity „ even if God punished people at all. So in these two examples, picking and eating grain on the sabbath, and healing a man on the sabbath, we see a new way of understanding the relative importance of religious conventions on the one hand and the best interests of individuals on the other. This did not mean the sabbath (Saturday for them, Sunday for us) should not be honored. This did not mean we need not have a ñday of rest'' on which we might all benefit from quiet religious observance and some family time together. It only meant that such observances need not be slavishly observed, nor are we to judge other people who may find other respectful ways to honor God. These days medical people, law enforcement officers, pharmacists, taxi drivers, and many other people must work on Sundays. WeÍd all be terribly frustrated if everyone shut down on Sunday. But it does mean IÍm not to crank up my power mower at 3 p.m. as the neighbors are settled down for a quiet cookout with friends.
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Title: ñAll Who Love And Serve''
Text: 1 Samuel 3:1-10
Theme: Samuel, like so many people reported to us by the Old Testament, felt that God was calling him to a mission. Does this happen today? I think it does.
1. Each of us has an array of talents, abilities, and limitations. Likewise, the world has the need for an extensive variety of vocations, jobs. WeÍre certainly not all alike.
2. One kind of calling is that of a church-related vocation. This needs to be emphasized, as there may be someone out there who needs to hear this word. The Church requires many different personality types for its work.
3. God probably doesnÍt call many people to some specific vocation, but by virtue of the particular assortment of gifts we have received, God surely does lead us into certain types of vocation.
4. Whatever we do with our lives, I think God wants us to utilize our talents for the good of others, whether we work in a factory, an office, a field, or a church. Insofar as we do our work with that intention in mind, intending also to live by a set of high moral standards, God will bless us in our work and enable us to be successful in the good sense of that word.
Title: ñSuffering, And The Power Of God''
Text: 2 Corinthians 4:5-12
Theme: In one way or another all of us are called to suffer. For most of us most of the time itÍs an inward thing: fears, anxiety, feelings of rejection or loneliness, loss of hope in some worthy venture. At times, it will be physical: illness or injury, a confrontation with an adversary. In all these things, Paul assures us that through Jesus we have the power to overcome. God doesnÍt very often seem to take away suffering. Even Jesus suffered. What God does is see to it that we grow in the process, that what happens can in the long run make us better, stronger people.
Many years ago, my wife was killed in a car accident. Our daughter was just ten days away from leaving for college. It was an absolutely devastating experience for both of us. When she did leave „ I insisted that she go, for her sake „ I went from living in a happy family with a loving wife and a busy school-age daughter to total loneliness. Prayer saw me through „ prayer, and the resultant infusion of power which resulted. Of course, as so many of you know from your experiences, it didnÍt happen all at once. That would have been to take away suffering. I was required to endure my season of grief. I shouted my anger at God, knowing, of course, that if I didnÍt go too far God would quietly listen and go on loving me.
Now, I can look back. Now I can see the clear imprint of divine presence in my life. Now I can see that when Sundays arrived, I was enabled to preach; when grieving people came to me, I understood better than before; when I spoke of GodÍs willingness to help, I had an authenticity which wasnÍt quite there earlier. Yes, God walked every foot of that anguished way with me, and though for a while I was afflicted in every way, I was not overcome. And slowly, my tragedy blessed my life, and though RuthanneÍs death will always remain a tragedy, God sent me someone else with whom IÍm very happy.
1. Suffering comes to us all.
2. Prayer will employ GodÍs ñnobler powers.''
3. We must endure as growth takes place.
4. Through God we will triumph at last.
Title: ñTime Out''
Text: Mark 2:23„3:6
Theme: As our culture has become more complicated, respect for Sunday as ñsabbath'' is nearly gone. For the great majority of busy people, itÍs a time to get chores done around the house, play ball with the children, do a workout, watch a ball game. Those of us who go to church, more often than not, return home to the above activities. I must admit that though IÍm immersed in the Protestant culture as clergy, I have been known to mow the lawn on Sunday if a busy week loomed ahead. So what word can we speak here?
I see young people who are so overwhelmed with commitments at work and elsewhere that they donÍt seem to have any time for reflection. Who was it who spoke of ñthe curse of the unexamined life''? I see children growing up with very little close association with parents, especially fathers, who see their rare days off as a chance to get in eighteen holes or shoot a few pheasants, then drop in bed to get rested for an earlier start on Monday. I see more and more women launched on careers in medicine and law who are champing at the bit to get in there and show what they can do. Great. ItÍs all wonderful. But unless there is time for reading, for unhurried relating to wife or husband, for walks in the woods, for leisurely fun with friends, and most of all for private prayer and public worship, the day will come when many will look back upon the pieces of an empty life. I see little boys and girls being picked up for drunkenness, injured or even killed in car accidents, middle schoolers in trouble, all because they live in homes where there is love, yes, but no real positive time spent together discussing, finding out, understanding. This frantic pace is penalizing so many today. And many a marriage is eroding, men too tired for sex, women too wrapped up in how they look. Yes, there is a place for a sabbath period in everyoneÍs life, even if it isnÍt always on Sunday. And Jesus, who often went away by himself to reflect and pray and process what was happening, would certainly urge this.
1. To be healthy of mind, we all need some time for ourselves, unhurried time. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, ñGod cannot speak to a chatterer.''
2. Be sure you spend some time each week with the people you love. My wife insists that the two of us go to dinner together one night a week if possible, never less than once in two weeks. She insists that we concentrate on each other, listening, sharing, understanding. ItÍs good.
3. God will renew your strength. Read IsaiahÍs passage: ñThose who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint'' (Isaiah 40:31).
4. The result of this will be a better degree of mental health, closer family relationships, and better self-esteem.
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS
Even Archie Bunker struggled to understand suffering. His son-in-law ñMeathead,'' an agnostic, asked: ñArchie, if thereÍs a God why is there so much suffering in the world?'' Archie replied: ñIÍll tell you why ... Edith, if thereÍs a God why is there so much suffering in the world?'' There is only awkward silence, so Archie yells: ñEdith, would you get in here and help me? IÍm having to defend God all by myself.''
____________
In a George Will column in the December 22, 1997, issue of Newsweek, he quotes James Q. Wilson, recently retired professor from UCLA, as saying that there are three simple behavioral rules for avoiding poverty: finish high school, produce no children before marrying, and no children before the age of twenty. Only eight percent of families who observe these three rules live in poverty, whereas 79 percent of those who break any of these rules live in poverty. He also said, ñThe best predictor of a childÍs flourishing is the fervent devotion of two parents.''
____________
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 139:1-6 (C) „ ñO Lord you have searched me and known me.''
Psalm 80 (RC) „ ñGive ear, O shepherd of Israel.''
Psalm 81 (E) „ ñSing aloud to God our strength.''
Prayer Of The Day
Reveal to us, we pray, a vision of your will for us. Help us to cease our stumbling, to see with renewed clarity the way you would have us walk. Give us strength and energy for the way, we pray, that we may at once be worthy servants of our world and of thee. In ChristÍs name. Amen.
