The Collect Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. The Collect A key phrase in the Collect is “to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ” with a hint about the world. In RCL A the Gospel is Matthew 4:12-23 in RCL B the Gospel is Mark 1:14-20, both concern the call and ready answer of Peter, Andrew, James and John to leave their nets and follow. In RCL C, the Gospel selection concerns a different incident, but the OT lesson is Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 which recalls that the entire nation of Israel hearing the Law read aloud and readily understanding and thus accepting its call. Perhaps RCL B best illustrates the Collect since its OT concerns Jonah who famously did not readily answer his call and the city of Nineveh, that did to Jonah’s chagrin. Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 All the people of Israel gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had given to Israel. Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month. Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 Then Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people answered, "Amen, Amen," lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep." For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our LORD; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." The Historical Books Hebrew Scriptures that are usually labeled historical in this sense are Joshua, Judges, 1 - 2 Samuel, 1 - 2 Kings, 1 - 2 Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah. Historical writings claim to be bound by the facts, and intend to record people, places, and events as they really were and as they, implicitly or explicitly, explain and give significance to the writer’s own times. The Historical Books In the first four ‘historic’ books it is hinted that in the future the monarchy will be replaced with a newly constituted, priest-directed people, living in God’s regulated commonwealth, and focused on the holy space and time of temple and worship. The last two of these the books of Ezra and Nehemiah then chronicle the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the successful creation of such a theocratic order. After The Return In the last two weeks in Isaiah, we read about the time of the exile and later the joy of the people about the return. In Nehemiah we learn what happened next. Nehemiah, is written as a narrative, and begins as he serves as “cup bearer to the King.” He learns that the walls of Jerusalem are gone and that there is trouble in Judah. His sadness before the King Artaxerxes, prompts the king allow him to go to Judah with authority to deal with these problems. Orientation Nehemiah was a Jewish leader of the post exilic era. He was the ‘Cup Bearer’ to the King, Artaxerxes. He obtained permission to visit Palestine on a mission to help and was accompanied by an armed escort provided by the King. He arrived in Jerusalem in 444BC despite much opposition from local leaders and a threatened attack from Samaria, he rebuilt the walls. His leave ended and he returned to the court. In 432 BC he returned a second time and started important reforms, the observance of the Sabbath, and denounced intermarriage of Jews with non Jews. Nehemiah, good guy! Nehemiah spends years as Governor. And the author reports that he was a generous and efficient ruler, who with his family, did not tax for personal gain, as had prior rulers. The reading occurs after the walls have been rebuilt, security established and as more exiles returned. Historic Perspective There seem to have been four stages of the return: (1) a return under Cyrus (about 538 B.C.) led by Sheshbazzar, who commenced rebuilding the temple but, under local opposition, had to leave it unfinished; (2) a return under Darius 1(521 - 485) led by Zerubbabel and Jeshua, who also encountered opposition but, with encouragement from the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, completed the temple; (3) a group, under Artaxerxes 1(464 - 423), led by Ezra, who brought a codification of Mosaic law; (4) another group, under Artaxerxes 11(404 - 358), led by Nehemiah, who came twice under Artaxerxes to build the walls of Jerusalem. The Reading The reading makes little sense without context. The reading is evidently the first of a two-act commemoration of the wall’s completion. The first is the recitation of the law of Moses by the prophet Ezra. The Law or book was in Hebrew, and it was interpreted to the people in the more familiar Aramaic, commonly spoken at that time. The second act is the re-establishment of the Festival of Booths. The book then continues with a recitation of Nehemiah’s other reforms and acts. Ezra and Nehemiah 1 Ezra a Jewish priest and scribe of the 5th and 4th century, who played a central role in the reform of Judaism. In the scriptures he was to have arrived in the 7th year of the King Atrxerxes and worked with a warrant from the King. His was the time when Judaism became exclusive, and outsiders were identified as gentiles. He promulgated a set of laws and one of the first was the Feast of Tabernacles. The chronology of the time is difficult. Modern scholars theorize that Ezra arrived in 397 BC, and thus a generation later than Nehemiah. Ezra and Nehemiah 2 Others, in a not widely supported theory, suppose that Ezra did not exist but was an idealized creation of the “chronicler.” The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah are thought to be one book and a continuation of the history begun in the of Chronicles. Modern scholars believe that the complier of the books known as the “Chronicler” wrote considerably later than the time of Nehemiah. The books were originally written in Aramaic not Hebrew. Ezra returns to Jerusalem
Master of the Feathery Clouds
(illuminator active in Utrech in 1460s)
Fol. 296v, 90x80;
National Library of the Netherlands Psalm 19 -Caeli enarrant
1 The heavens declare the glory of God, *
and the firmament shows his handiwork. 2 One day tells its tale to another, *
and one night imparts knowledge to another. 3 Although they have no words or language, *
and their voices are not heard, 4 Their sound has gone out into all lands, *
and their message to the ends of the world. Psalm 19 -Caeli enarrant
5 In the deep has he set a pavilion for the sun; * it comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber; it rejoices like a champion to run its course. 6 It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens and runs about to the end of it again; * nothing is hidden from its burning heat. Psalm 19 -Caeli enarrant
7 The law of the LORD is perfect
and revives the soul; *
the testimony of the LORD is sure
and gives wisdom to the innocent. 8 The statutes of the LORD are just
and rejoice the heart; *
the commandment of the LORD is clear
and gives light to the eyes. Psalm 19 -Caeli enarrant
9 The fear of the LORD is clean
and endures for ever; *
the judgments of the LORD are true
and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold,
more than much fine gold, *
sweeter far than honey, than honey in the comb. Psalm 19 -Caeli enarrant
11 By them also is your servant enlightened, *
and in keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can tell how often he offends? *
cleanse me from my secret faults. Psalm 19 -Caeli enarrant
13 Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins;
let them not get dominion over me; *
then shall I be whole and sound,
and innocent of a great offense. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my
heart be acceptable in your sight, *
O LORD, my strength and my redeemer. Psalm 19 This Psalm is a hymn to God as creator of nature and giver of the law. The glory of God is manifested in the phenomena of the heavens and particularly in the might of the sun. The sky and the successive days and nights are personified as members of a choir ceaselessly singing God's praises. The jarring change of topic in 19.7-14 is probably because a later writer added these verses praising the Mosaic law in order to counterbalance what seemed an almost pagan emphasis upon the revelation of God in nature. The modern reader might not see it that way as we celebrate nature and do not compete with the pagans to fill our pews. William Blake,
Frontispiece to Europe a Prophecy, copy E, 1794
Library of Congress
The image shows Urizen (Blake’s figure based on the God of the Old Testament) in the act of creating and/or circumscribing the material universe. This design, perhaps Blake's most famous, has also been titled by critics "The Ancient of Days" and "God Creating the Universe.”
Perhaps inspired by Psalm 19:
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows his handiwork.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a Just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot would say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a “that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear would say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a “If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts. Orientation The reading for today follows immediately after last week’s reading concerning gifts of the spirit. The concept is also discussed: Romans 12 : 4 For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function. Ephesians 4: 15 But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body's growth in building itself up in love. Context - Luke Timothy Johnson The New Testament Scholar, Luke Timothy Johnson in his book on the New Testament treats the section on gifts and the body as a whole rather than as individual sections as they are divided in our readings for this and last week. In the ancient world ecstatic utterances –’tongues’ were considered the most pure and direct spiritual manifestation of the spirit. Paul does not try to challenge the Divine origin of the gifts but rather tries to place them in a community context. Context More from Johnson This ‘context; has two reciprocal aspects that the gift is for the common good, not the aggrandizement of an individual; and second that within the diversity of the gifts there is a proper mix for the function of the Church. The Church in this context is identified as the body of Christ. Just as the body exists in “mutual interdependence” so should the members of the Church. All the functions of the body are required to be complete; there is no place for comparison or conflict among them. The Gospel
Luke 4:14-21 Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, The Gospel Luke 4:14-21 because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." Christ in the Synagogue,
plate from Doré's English Bible (1865),
by Gustave Doré (1832 - 1883)
Illustration for
Matthew 13: 53-58 Orientation The reading follows the temptation of Jesus as related in Luke. The reading for next week follows this reading. The appearance in Nazareth is the start of the Galilean Ministry. The next stop in Luke will be Capernaum. Order of Events The Synoptic Gospels Matthew, Mark and Luke - are said to be related by SIMILAR time lines and events. This is an instance where the order is different. Nazareth - Matthew 13.53-58; Mark 6.1-6 Capernaum - Matthew 7.28-29; Mark 1.21-28 Context This week’s reading continues on and afterward ‘all speak well of Him.’ This happiness ends when he compares himself to Elijah. He is taken to a hill to be thrown down but he escapes and moves on to Capernaum able to do only a few healings. Luke Timothy Johnson The Gospel of Luke desires to show Jesus as the Prophetic Messiah. In the Baptism of the earlier reading we see a prophetic anointment by John. Jesus as a prophetic messiah is further shown clearly in his rejection at Nazareth. Luke moves this story from the later position that it holds in Mark and Matthew, to the very start of His ministry. Luke Timothy Johnson The story has a second act after the reading. The town’s people at first hear Him gladly, and think well of him. But when He then compares Himself to Elijah they turn against Him and try to cast Him from a hill top. The reason according to Johnson is that Elijah the ancient prophet worked for the salvation of those outside of the historic people of Israel. The townspeople represent those Jews who do not accept a prophet who offers God’s visitation to any but themselves. What’s up - text continues 25 But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; 26 yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. 27 There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” 28 When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff . 30 But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way. Remember this is Luke the author of Acts The people at the start of the ministry of Jesus would not have known that long after His death, there would be a Council at Jerusalem concerning whether a gentile could be a Christian without first being Jewish. But by the time Luke wrote his Gospel, he knew about the issue and that he was going to cover it in Acts. We see Luke is already preparing his reader, likely a gentile Christian, to show Jesus as a Messianic Prophet who Himself wanted from the first to reach out to everyone not just one group. Readings Related? The exclusivity of the Jews and thus the concept of Gentile [non-Jewish person] date from the time of our OT reading. A part of the OT re-establishment of Israel, included the re-introduction of the feasts – the Psalm is part of that liturgy. In the Epistle Paul celebrates the oneness of the Church – just as Nehemiah reestablished the community of Israel. The walls Nehemiah rebuilt, God through Jesus now breaches. In both cases the wall is constructed and then breached, as people hear scriptures read aloud. January 25 is the day in the church calendar the Conversion of Paul is observed.
Caravaggio,
The Conversion of St. Paul, 1601
Oil on canvas, 91 × 69 in.
Santa Maria del Popolo, Rome
