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There seems to be something inherent in humans which makes us attempt to make God in our image, not the other way around. We ascribe our own emotions and vengeances to God in some sort of way which may make us feel better about ourselves. Texts to be heard on the upcoming weekend recognize our humanity and provide us with God’s more unfailing way.

JEREMIAH was not a popular guy: he insisted on calling a spade a spade, as opposed to the prevailing culture of “everything’s fine”. In chapter 15:15-21 he spoke his own frustration of being the “only one” to announce the injustice and militarism of Jerusalem & environs. “In your forbearance do not take me away; know that on your account I suffer insult.” How long must he endure this dark night of the soul? Are Christians today likewise put down for painting a picture of God which exceeds our everyday way of viewing things?

ROMANS 12:9-21 is a towering covenant portraying the Christian Life. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” How do we reflect God to the ones hard to love? These “rules” are countercultural: can we “live in harmony with one another” while riots and protests are the rule of the day? Not said here is Paul’s conviction that the community of those who try, the Church, is the sanity in all the disorder; if you will, the Voice of God cutting through the cacophany of Life Today.

In MATTHEW 16:21-28, we see the human side of Peter coming through: just after he had proclaimed Jesus as the Christ, Peter began to cut down the holy side of Jesus. “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” To which Jesus replied, “you are setting your mind not on divine things, but on human things”. That’s the core of it, isn’t it? Disciples of every age are reminded that speaking the Gospel will not make them popular, perhaps even leading to suffering and death! Are Ye Able? The struggle of the Church throughout the ages has been to keep “pure”, not to sell out to the surrounding culture. Who’s on board?

Scriptures such as these convict me and embarass me in my quest to be a Man of Today. My moments of holiness are few and far between; much of my life and ministry has not been countercultural. Peter-like, I proclaim Jesus the Christ, but then turn to making the Church more comfortable in the midst of a crying need of materialism and discrimination… Pray for me, and I for you…

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Please join us every Tuesday to get slapped around by the Scriptures to be read on the upcoming weekend–at horacebrownking.com

Some of the toys my kids let me play with as I watched TV were called Transformers: they seemed like some sort of machinery, but if you twisted them just right, they developed into humanoid figures. Texts to be explored on the upcoming weekend remind us that things are often more than they seem; and that God is at work changing and developing Creation, taking the everyday stuff and making it holy.

The word “prophet” means “one who speaks for God”. Third ISAIAH uses this device in 51:1-6 to tell those recently returned from Babylonian exile that YHWH continues to build them into New Things. The Good Old Days are now past, and the faithful are encouraged to look forward. The Old Times can’t /shouldn’t be forgotten, but can be seen as foundations for the future. God can and will transform glorious futures from an ugly history! Those who “practice righteousness and seek the Lord” are given patience to wait for the “joy and gladness will be found in [Zion], thanksgiving and the voice of song”.

St. Paul continues to build the Church, in ROMANS 12:1-8. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds…” How then shall Christians live? Can we present an alternative to scrabbling in the dust for prestige and earthly power? Is there a way to advertise to the tired and storm-blown that a new understanding of Success can be spoken here? Eleazar S. Fernandez observes that “nonconformity in relation to the world is the stance that the community of believers must take in light of the life and ministry of Jesus and of the coming new age….The community of believers must live differently, as if the future were already present.” (FEEDING on the WORD, A 3:378)

The Gospel is yet from MATTHEW 16:13-20–“and whom do YOU say that I am?” Here is begun the formal idea of Church: “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church”. Please note that this entire stance is based upon the grace of God through Jesus. Although the Jewish community has been well-established, God his here refining the old values of justice and righteousness. As we ascent to God continuing to work through us, our confession is that of the unfinished holiness in our midst.

This is truly a radical position, one which we’re all called to affirm. May the powers of Heaven bless us, even as we form a branch of loving, welcoming community.

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Every Tuesday we begin thinking about the Scriptures assigned to the upcoming weekend (common lectionary). You’re invited to come along at horacebrownking.com

In some circles there’s a feeling of individualism: as long as I’m OK, then it doesn’t matter about the rest of you guys. Lessons to be heard this weekend speak to the community formed around the Christ. Persons involved are reminded that God’s Grace is universal, that it is God’s intention to include everyone in the Kingdom. “The days after Pentecost offer a season for communal theological reflection about relationships with those who do not have the same faith convictions.”–Stephanie Y. Mitchem, in FEASTING on the WORD, A 3:342.

The Third section of Isaiah (56–66) is aimed at those returning from Exile in Babylon and those who have “stayed home”. In ISAIAH 56:1, 6-8 we read about the coming salvation even for “foreigners” and the “outcasts of Israel” who are willing to keep the Sabbath and to hold fast God’s covenant. The “salvation” preached here is not a matter of Who’s In and Who’s Out, but rather an acknowledgement that having been touched by God, the whole community will WANT to emulate the Holy Life. God invites everyone, even the looney neighbors next door.

In the 11th chapter of ROMANS, Paul continues to bemoan the fact that his Jewish People have yet to answer the call of Christ. He maintains that those who have observed the Covenant of old are still receiving God’s mercy, even though their experience is yet incomplete. But God isn’t ready or willing to let any of us go: we can reject God and the Creative Plan, but God continues to chase us as the Hound of Heaven. And those who taste salvation are encouraged to build a community which reflects holy Justice and strives after holy righteousness.

MATTHEW tells a puzzling story in 15:21-28: away from his home base, Jesus is confronted by a Gentile woman requesting a healing for her tormented daughter. Jesus argues that his ministry is for the Jews only–but she prevails by asking for the crumbs dropped under the table. Impressed by her faith, Jesus heals the girl. It appears that God’s compassionate power is EVERYwhere! Was there an echo here of Third Isaiah’s commentary to the Jews who claimed an exclusive entrance to God’s grace? Is there implied a command to go into even the toxic areas nearby with the banners of Justice and Righteousness?

Martha C. Highsmith reminds us that “Grace is God’s alone to offer, and God offers it, it seems, to all people–the Jew and the Gentile, the ins and the outs, the faithful and the disobedient.” It’s good to celebrate our salvation–we do so by being inclusive, living the life of Justice, presenting a face of Righteousness to a yet-skewed world.

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Join in at horacebrownking. com every Tuesday a we examine scriptural lessons to be read on the upcoming weekend.

Scriptures to be heard this weekend all involve people who have left their comfort levels to meet and be met by God. Most of us are reluctant to risk our safety in order to speak out our faith and to actively seek justice. MAYbe I and my friends who luxuriate in comfortable pews will be encouraged and empowered to announce yet again God’s Kingdom for our times…

The prophet Elijah has proven YHWH’s power by calling down fire from heaven, and then despatching the prophets of Baal. This didn’t sit well with Queen Jezebel, who threatened Elijah with death & destruction. Naturally enough, Elijah ran. (I KINGS 19:9-18) Today’s reading finds him at the holy mountain whining to God, who asks him twice, “Elijah, what are you doing here?” Empowered by the sound of silence, Elijah gets himself together and heads back to Israel. How then shall we hope? And what shall we do?

The Apostle Paul is still grieving that the People of the Jews haven’t accepted Jesus as their Messiah. (ROMANS 10:5-15) Paul announces a new view of heavenly geometry, that Christ is the center about which all things–and persons–turn. He coulda been an esteemed teacher of the Law; but his choice is to risk arrest and eventual execution. HIs rhetorical questions ask how the uninformed are to hear without a preacher; and how can there be a preacher without some risk involved?

You’ve probably heard the story found in all three synoptics about Jesus walking on the water. Here it’s presented in MATTHEW 14:22-33, aimed again at Matthew’s Jewish hearers to prove that Jesus really IS an able saviour. Sent to sail in troublesome water, the Disciples fear that Jesus has abandoned them–but he came to them in the impossibilty of WALKING ON THE WATER. Peter/everyman gets out of the boat to be with Jesus; but the storm distracts him, and he begins to sink. Water is seen here as the Enemy: Israelites live in an arid rocky land. Their Creation story involves God separating land from water, and they’ve heard the stories of Noah and the Sea of Reeds. They were not comfortable! “Don’t fear, it is I” becomes more than an exercise in grammar; good Jewish boys will recognize “I” as part of the Holy Name.

The witnesses we hear about are those who’ve left their comfort-zone and risked everything on the Lordship of Jesus. A cowardly person myself, I pray for the opportunity to risk my own well-being. Maybe tomorrow.

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

‘Most every Tuesday we meet here for the opportunity to be challenged by the scriptures to be heard on the upcoming weekend. Come along forthe fun at horacebrownking.com