The Lessons Appointed for Use on the Sunday closest to October 12 Proper 23 Year C RCL Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7
Psalm 66:1-11 or 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c Psalm 111 2 Timothy 2:8-15 Luke 17:11-19 The Collect Proper 23 Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. THE COLLECT Proper 23 This week’s is a simple and direct prayer “that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works;….” The petition in this week’s collect is for God to give us the grace to do good works. This is a prayer for perspective that we do good works because of God’s faith in us. We do not prove our faith by good works. THE COLLECT Proper 23 The readings are a collection of good and bad examples. In Exodus in RCL A the incident of the golden calf illustrates a bad example of faith. In Amos in RCL B, the prophet calls on them to do good and not evil. Finally in RCL C Psalm 111 a reminder that the LORD is gracious and full of compassion. Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 These are the words of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining elders among the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. Back to Jeremiah Chapters 26-35 are events and prophecies written by Baruch in his memoirs and later collected. The topic is generally the nation’s restoration. The reading for today however concerns a letter from Jeremiah to the exiles. The letter also states that those who remained in Jerusalem would be subject to sword, famine, and pestilence. The Set Up The details of delivery are omitted, as is the reason for the letter. Two false prophets were telling the exiles that God would rescue them soon. Then Jeremiah tells them that it will be 70 years before the return. And, the unpleasant fate of the false prophets. The Advice The advice given is good, they are in essence being told to be good citizens and wait patiently. From the history of the era we know that they did just that. Some became high officials serving in the courts of the various kings. The return was made easier many years later because of the position of an exile with the court, they were given permission and resources to reconstruct the city walls. Modern The advice interestingly is not unlike the advice given to New Testament believers to ‘render unto Caesar’ and other similar advice from Paul in the many letters. 8 O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, *
happy the one who pays you back
for what you have done to us! 9 Happy shall he be who takes your little ones, *
and dashes them against the rock! This was the sentiment of at least some of the exiles – so Jerimiah continues against the flow – but we now know correctly so….. Importance of the Advice First, Jeremiah is not telling them that God can only help if they are in Israel. In short God is God there as well as home. Second, for modern Christians, this is a good prescription for living, as Christians, in a society that is not. That is to join into that society, which will keep the ‘group’ and thus preserve the traditions. Hans Memling, Angel Musicians, 1480s
Oil on wood, 165 x 230 cm (each panel)
Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Antwerp Choir Psalter, c. 1350
Manuscript (Ms. Liturg. 198)
Bodleian Library, Oxford
This Psalter was made in England. The initial on folio 91v, shown here is for the Psalm Cantate domino (Sing to the Lord). It shows a priest and two acolytes singing from a manuscript on a lectern in a fantastic Gothic church as a musician plays a viol in the border. Psalm 66:1-11 Page 673, BCP Jubilate Deo 1 Be joyful in God, all you lands; *
sing the glory of his Name;
sing the glory of his praise. 2 Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! *
because of your great strength your enemies cringe before you. 3 All the earth bows down before you, *
sings to you, sings out your Name." 4 Come now and see the works of God, *
how wonderful he is in his doing toward all people. 5 He turned the sea into dry land,
so that they went through the water on foot, *
and there we rejoiced in him. 6 In his might he rules for ever;
his eyes keep watch over the nations; *
let no rebel rise up against him. 7 Bless our God, you peoples; *
make the voice of his praise to be heard; 8 Who holds our souls in life, *
and will not allow our feet to slip. 9 For you, O God, have proved us; *
you have tried us just as silver is tried. 10 You brought us into the snare; *
you laid heavy burdens upon our backs. 11 You let enemies ride over our heads;
we went through fire and water; *
but you brought us out into a place of refreshment. The Psalm's title is “Praise for God’s Goodness to Israel.” The tone is a joyous one for rescue. Not apparent from the selection is the superscription that states that this is a song. The musical character is further indicated by the ‘chorus directives’ shown between V 4 and 5 and 7 and 8 by the word ‘Selah’ 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man and in high favor with his master, because by him the LORD had given victory to Aram. The man, though a mighty warrior, suffered from leprosy. Now the Arameans on one of their raids had taken a young girl captive from the land of Israel, and she served Naaman's wife. She said to her mistress, "If only my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, "Am I God, to give death or life, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Just look and see how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me." But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king, "Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come to me, that he may learn that there is a prophet in Israel." So Naaman came with his 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c horses and chariots, and halted at the entrance of Elisha's house. Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go, wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean." But Naaman became angry and went away, saying, "I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and would wave his hand over the spot, and cure the leprosy! Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them, and be clean?” 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c He turned and went away in a rage. But his servants approached and said to him, "Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, `Wash, and be clean'?" So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean. Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company; he came and stood before him and said, "Now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel." 2 Kings 15-19 [to make it make sense……. 15 Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company; he came and stood before him and said, "Now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel; please accept a present from your servant." 16 But he said, "As the LORD lives, whom I serve, I will accept nothing!" He urged him to accept, but he refused. "Then Naaman said, "If not, please let two mule-loads of earth be given to your servant; for your servant will no longer offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god except the LORD. 18 But may the LORD pardon your servant on one count: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, leaning on my arm, and I bow down in the house of Rimmon, when I do bow down in the house of Rimmon, may the LORD pardon your servant on this one count." 19 He said to him, "Go in peace." Introduction to 1 Kings The two books of Kings, like those of Samuel, were originally one. They continue the story of the monarchy begun in 1 -2 Samuel, and give a consecutive account of the Israelite kingdoms from the death of David and accession of Solomon, to the Exile Although the subject of 1 - 2 Kings is political history, its theme is the moral and religious failure that eventually led to the loss of national identity and autonomy. Each king is evaluated by how well he upheld the primacy of God and God's temple in Jerusalem or - more usually - how he failed in this responsibility, and in this departed from the ways of David. The Lands Controlled by King David Surrounded by Competing Groups on an important trade route! And right in the middle of all this – Elijah and Elisha! Elisha Elisha was a prophet during the reigns of several different kings in (849-785 B.C). There are two types of Elisha stories. One type is the lengthy narratives in which the prophet is involved with the great figures of the day today’s reading The other type is brief stories in which Elisha alleviates the distress of individuals. Both types of stories emphasize the miraculous. Other Elisha Miracles Elisha miracles: Clears a spring Stops a group irreverent boys Predicts victory over the Moabs Produces a great deal of oil for a widow, to sell and avoid being sold into slavery Heals the Shunammite’s son. Purifies a pot of poisoned stew. And feeds 100 men with 20 loaves of bread. An interlude on the miracles of Elisha The story assumes that the Arameans held the upper hand at this time. The ten talents of silver would have weighed 750 lbs. -a considerable fortune is intended. Naaman would have preferred to worship the LORD alone thenceforth if that would have been possible. He asked to take home two mule-loads of earth from Israel, the idea being that a god could not be worshiped apart from his own land. The notion that God was everywhere was then a new concept. Similarity with Jeremiah Alternate These stories bracket the issue concerning God’s sovereignty. Jeremiah assumes that universal sovereignty. Naaman assumes he must worship on soil from the territory of a god. The ‘young girl captive ‘ notice that she has taken Jeremiah’s advice and adopted the household in which found herself. Pieter de Grebber, (c. 1600 - 1652/53),
Elisha Refusing Gifts from Naaman, c. 1630 Oil on canvas, 112 x 163 cm, Private collection Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Damascus, was a leper. He was advised to seek out Elisha, the disciple of the Hebrew prophet Elijah, who bade him wash seven times in the river Jordan in order to be cured. Naaman did so, in spite of misgivings, and "his flesh was restored as a little child's" (II Kings 5:1-19). As a reward Naaman offered Elisha many gifts, which the latter refused, explaining that the cure had come only from Heaven. Pieter de Grebber was a painter in Haarlem, a contemporary of Rembrandt. Lambert Jacbsz (Dutch, 1598-1636), The Prophet Elisha and Naaman
Oil on canvas, The Hermitage, St. Petersburg Netherlandish Miniaturist,
Page from the Très Belles Heures de Notre Dame de Jean de Berry, c. 1409
Illumination on parchment, 203 x 284 mm, Museo Civico d'Arte Antica, Turin
The lower scene represents the cleansing of Naaman by the prophet Elisha. Psalm 111 Page 754, BCP Confitebor tibi1 Hallelujah!
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, *
in the assembly of the upright, in the congregation. 2 Great are the deeds of the LORD! *
they are studied by all who delight in them. 3 His work is full of majesty and splendor, *
and his righteousness endures for ever. 4 He makes his marvelous works to be remembered; *
the LORD is gracious and full of compassion. 5 He gives food to those who fear him; *
he is ever mindful of his covenant. 6 He has shown his people the power of his works *
in giving them the lands of the nations. 7 The works of his hands are faithfulness and justice; *
all his commandments are sure. 8 They stand fast for ever and ever, *
because they are done in truth and equity. Psalm 111 Page 754, BCP
Confitebor tibi 9 He sent redemption to his people;
he commanded his covenant for ever; *
holy and awesome is his Name. 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; *
those who act accordingly have a good understanding;
his praise endures for ever. Psalm 111 Page 754, BCP Confitebor tibi This is a Hymn of praise to the Lord for his great deeds and his fidelity to the covenant. The form is an acrostic psalm in which every line starts with a successive letter of the alphabet. Lost on us as this is a double translation with a different alphabet. It begins with the ritual cry, “Praise the Lord!” or Hallelujah! 2 Timothy 2:8-15 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David-- that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. The saying is sure: 2 Timothy 2:8-15 If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful-- for he cannot deny himself. 2 Timothy 2:8-15 Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth. 2 Timothy This is a part of the three ‘Pastoral Letters’ 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus. These letters are thought to contain much material that is not written by Paul. The concerns seem to be addressed to 2nd and 3rd generation Christians of the second and third centuries. The Text The superscription in the Oxford Annotated is “A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus” This is an appeal to show courage. Accepting the premise of the letter that Timothy has been over awed and is not making his witness with sufficient boldness. Paul holds himself as an example, an accepted convention of that day, but grating to modern tastes. The theological statement Note that followers can be less than ideal and even faithless, but even if we lack faith, Jesus will remain faithful to us. What do you think? Luke 17:11-19 On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. Luke 17:11-19 He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then he said to him, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well." Context This incident, is from the journey of Jesus to Jerusalem. The Superscription of this chapter is “Some Sayings of Jesus” The 9 were presumably Jews and the tenth a Samaritan, an outside group often used as an example of a generic ‘foreigner.’ Lepers Diagnosis From Leviticus 13:44-45 44 he is leprous, he is unclean. The priest shall pronounce him unclean; the disease is on his head. 45 The person who has the leprous disease shall wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head be disheveled; and he shall cover his upper lip and cry out, “Unclean, unclean.” Lepers Cure In Leviticus 14 there are a series of rituals to be performed once a person if cured presents himself before the Priest. The priest decides if the person is clean. If so, there are a series of rituals and even one for a person that cannot afford the more expensive sacrifices. SO? First, Jesus, heals these 10 of an obvious sickness, but commands that they observe the ancient traditions of the law. Second, the nine were faithless, Jesus did not withdraw the cure? The tenth was grateful, Jesus said: “Your faith has made you well.” But notice the physical healing had already happened as all ten turned to head to the temple. The Samaritan might not have been welcome at that temple, but that is not the point. WHOLENESS The physical healing was given to all ten. Was this an observation or an indication of an additional ‘healing’ perhaps salvation? Salvation in the sense of then being whole and aware of that wholeness. Christ heals a leper
Illustrator of Petrus Comestor's 'Bible Historiale', France, 1372 Cosimo Rosselli, Sermon on the Mount, 1481-82
Fresco, 349 x 570 cm, Cappella Sistina, Vatican
On the right side Christ is seen healing a leper. Cosimo Rosselli, Sermon on the Mount, 1481-82
Fresco, 349 x 570 cm, Cappella Sistina, Vatican
Detail from right side: Christ is seen healing a leper.
