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Well, she did it again. Vicky of Nashville–who organizes the Revised Common Lectionary–is talking about me and my toys again. Most people know that all that glitzy stuff that’s marketed on TV will fade and get tarnished, even though we’ve spent a lot on them. Scriptures to be unveiled this upcoming weekend remind those who will hear them to choose wisely the things that endure.

JEREMIAH 2:4-13 continues God’s rant about the People who have disobeyed the Covenant. “What wrong did your ancestors find in me…? My people have changed their glory for something that does not profit…” This parent is upbraiding the children for scatterbrained actions: “they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters; AND they have dug out cisterns for themselves.” Jeremiah speaks about the Baalim and other local gods; we can address militarism and consumerism–all are worth nothing, in the long run. The reason the People of the Covenant felt so empty and unfulfilled is that they’ve put their money on the wrong horse! Who among us would do that?

The author of HEBREWS 13:1-8 offers a list of righteous behaviors: hospitality, remembrance of the imprisoned and the tortured, respect for marriage, not loving money… “Do not neglect…” the worthwhile while filling any empty spaces with our love of earthly prosperity and prestige. How many times have we “entertained angels unaware”? We usually recognize these in hindsight, but they’re everywhere!

Jesus speaks about these things to guests at a banquet, all scrabbling for the best seats (LUKE 14:7-14). “Always stand at the end of the line at the covered-dish supper, and maybe someone ahead of you will have you come ahead of them.” “All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” But sometimes the head of the line isn’t all that great, and those who get first pick may well get filled before dessert! Ronald F. Byars says that “the One who has already invited those who do not take an invitation for granted,” is the host. (FEASTING on the WORD, C 4:25)

The silverware in the house in which I grew up was not real silver. After my parents died, my wife and I inherited this flatware, among other things. The other day I saw a butter-knife from the set: the stainless steel blade was fine, but the silver-plate had all come off the now rusty and rough base-metal handle. Once it glittered, but now was essentially worthless. A story of Life, if I care to see.

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Come along every Tuesday to hear a preview of Scriptures assigned by the lectionary to the upcoming weekend; and bring a friend! horacebrownking.com

As a relatively sound human being, I can find an excuse for almost everything. “It’s too late…too early…too old…” “I’ll do it tomorrow…” but tomorrow never comes. Scriptures to be heard on the upcoming weekend will try to jazz up our lazy lives and incorporate the urgency of God’s Word. Not much has changed, has it? We proclaim, with our hands over our hearts, “liberty and justice for all (white men)”, and don’t worry much about the homeless and others who beg on street corners.

JEREMIAH 1:4-10 tells of a Divine Appointment to “pluck up and to pull down…to build and to plant”. In other words, to be a prophet. Jeremiah tries to change God’s mind: “I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy”. But God is tenacious in this ordination: “you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you.” Yep. You can run, but you cannot hide. BUT the One who calls also sustains. God continues to be engaged with God’s People, who have worth and dignity. The role of a prophet is to speak for God–is that you??

The woman who wrote HEBREWS 12-18-29 says, “See that you do not refuse the one who is speaking…” God’s call is so persistent that all the earth and heavens shake until we accept the challenge. The One who lives at Mt. Zion is very serious about claiming The People for telling the news and ordering justice, not just as a covenant of Sinai, but as an ongoing duty for the created ones.

The Call comes often, until you respond. God doesn’t take “No!” for an answer, as I’ve found out. oundmot

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And the Gospel, LUKE 13:10-17, reminds us that the opportunity to heal is not limited to certain days, but is always present. The leader of the synagogue–who probably was once called to speak God’s Presence–has equated Jesus’ healing with “work”…but Jesus presents healing as God’s good pleasure. It’s to be noted that the woman (how’d she get in here? This is a men’s-only gathering) didn’t ask to be healed, nor did she appear to recognize Jesus. He did it because God told him to. Is Wholeness just for the in-crowd, or does God touch everyone? Let Tradition be seen for what it is.

God doesn’t take “No!” for an answer, God keeps hunting us down wherever we may run, as I’ve found out. Are we Too Young, or Too Old? Are we listening to voices of The System, or our friends? Do we protest our pretend ignorance? What is God calling you to say??

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Come join us every Tuesday to help explore the lessons assigned to the upcoming weekend by the Revised Common Lectionary; at horacebrownking.com

We continue our Summer exercise of contrasting life in the System with life anticipating God’s Kingdom. One of the problems (we think) of being The Creator is that letting humans take over is asking for imperfection. A story, an exhortation and a history lesson all comprise the readings assigned to the upcoming weekend. We need to hear them as they speak to the surrounding culture and our own malaise.

ISAIAH 5:1-7 is often known as The Song of the Vineyard. It’s a love song, and a complaint: God has done everything right for this vineyard, even planting it in person, and is now asking “Why?” Isaiah portrays the Creator as resignedly saying, “OK, try it your way. But don’t come running to me when everything blows up…!” Stacey Simpson Duke reminds us, “we do not have to look far for examples of bloodshed where justice should be, or cries of pain in place of righteousness.” (FEEDING on the WORD, C 3:342) Does God really give up on us? Or can we loaf through our morals knowing that Grace will cover over our sin…?

The unknown writer of the Letter to the HEBREWS speaks to her mainly Jewish readers about the Faith of the Old Heroes. Gideon, Barak, Sampson & Co. did mighty deeds against impossible odds because they trusted in God and not their own calculations. So don’t be discouraged: we’re not alone! “Faith allows people to see beyond what is right in front of them…to see what God is doing in their midst.” (David E. Gray, op.cit.,354)

LUKE 12 seems to be a chapter in Jesus’ travels where he runs thin on patience and tells things as they are. Especially verses 49-56, our reading for the day. He hasn’t come to validate human institutions, but to unleash a cleansing fire, even in our families. (Take THAT, James Dobson) Not those other households, but our own. Jesus’ hearers are urged away from the hypocrisy–bad acting–of saying one thing yet doing the opposite.

Scripture lessons today confront us with our own lack of endurance and our unwillingness to see what God has done/is doing/will do. “The good news is that Someone still sings, plows, plants, guards, and looks for good fruit.”–Paul Simpson Duke, op.cit., 345

Invite your friends to discuss these things, attend worship and join our merry band each Tuesday, as we meet the Revised Standard Lectionary readings for the upcoming weekend; at horacebrownking.com

Lessons to be read this weekend will hit us squarely–and also bring a measure of comfort to those who can rid themselves of distractions. But there’s so much to hear and do and buy and promise! The readings say that God isn’t pleased with The Way Things Are, and challenges each of us to stop the idolatry and get on with TRUE worship and service.

ISAIAH 1:10-20 is a rant by God. (Let the reader be worked up.) “I have had ENOUGH…I do not delight in the blood of animals, incense is an abomination to me…who asked THIS from your hands?” Seems like folks in the time of Isaiah were no different from the folks of today, making a big show of worship yet abusing the poor and vulnerable. “If you are willing (to seek justice and be obedient) you shall eat the good of the land–BUT…” Stacy Simpson Duke observes that “our inattention to injustice deligitimates our praise.” (FEEDING on the WORD, C 3:318) Do you have blood on your hands?

The Letter to the HEBREWS (11:1-3, 8-16) tells of Faith, and of Abraham’s journey which is ours. Reformed Theology maintains that our Faith is a response to God’s Grace. (John Godsey, lecture notes) No one can imagine the finality of things not (yet) seen, but if we trust in God, it’s sure to happen. In God’s time, not ours. Abraham is cited for his willingness to pull up stakes from the familiar and go to an unknown land, following God’s direction. Are we?

It’s good to read the whole chapter of LUKE 12; but vocalization focuses on verses 32-40. This deals with our fear: headlines proclaim disaster, social media loves to spread gossip. But hang in there, for “it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” What’s Really Important in the greater scheme of things is to hear and do God’s work above everything else. Our future rests upon the promises of a restorative God. The imperishable things of Heaven ace out the moth-eaten stuff we have here.

There are a lot of things in contemporary life to fear–some days we feel like hiding under the blankets. But our faith is in a triumphant God, who (when everything is said and done) wants to make all things right if only we hear what God says to us. And do something about it.

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Every Tuesday we explore the scripture passages assigned by the Revised Common Lectionary to the upcoming weekend; come join us at horacebrownking.com