Ordinary Time Week 7

Psalm: Psalm 105:1-11, 45

Old Testament: Genesis 29:15-28
Gospel: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
Epistle: Romans 8:26-39

Sorry, about a lack of a post last week. I have been in Yellowstone with little internet access until today. We have seen a lot of incredible things that creation has to offer. It is no wonder than that Jesus so often drew from creation when he was teaching in parables. Today in Matthew, we have the example of the mustard seed, which starts out tiny yet is able to grow into a large tree and be used by many other animals for refuge. Jesus also uses the examples of a treasure and a pearl of great price, both of which might be small and missed by others, but when found, bring great reward. He finally ends this segment with a parable that compares the kingdom of heaven to a fishing dragnet where at the end of the age, the fish will be separated. The parables are profound and deep, yet because they are drawn from everyday experiences, they are able make us think and try to understand even 2,000 years later.

Ordinary Time Week 6

Psalm: Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 

Old Testament: Genesis 28:10-19a 

Gospel: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 

Epistle: Romans 8:12-25

This post is a week late because I was in Yellowstone with limited access. Seeing the geysers and volcanic activity, and even just the animals and trees, make one realize just how amazing and creative nature really is. It is interesting to read Paul’s words about creation groaning (Rom. 8:22) in light of the geysers and boiling pools in Yellowstone. I don’t think Paul knew anything about these things, yet he says that all creation is waiting and groaning for humanities salvation. It is a strange thought that creation is awaiting humanities redemption, but we alone are created in the image and likeness and God and we were tasked as stewards to care for creation from the very beginning in the Garden of Eden. So, it makes sense within the biblical narrative, and all of creation is wrapped up into the story of salvation wrought by Jesus.

Ordinary Time Week 5

Psalm: Psalm 65:1-8, 9-13 

Old Testament: Isaiah 55:10-13 

Gospel: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 

Epistle: Romans 8:1-11

Welcome to another Sunday of Ordinary Time. This week, most of the readings revolve around the theme of farming and agriculture. God is seen as both the farmer and also as the being who creates and causes creation to function.

The whole chapter of Isaiah 55 is one of hope and calling the people of God to return in faithfulness and obedience and God will again bless them. Our three verses remind Judah, and us, why we can trust God. Just as the rain and water, when they come, produce vegetation and food for us to eat, so does the word of God produce fruit. God’s word does not return empty, but accomplishes what he desires. Verse 11 reminds the hearer of the voice which spoke creation into being. God’s voice literally has the power to speak something into existence. Verses 12 and 13 are the explanation of what God desires to do for his people should they return. He will bring joy and peace, all creation will exult and shout for joy, and the thistle and nettle will become cypress and myrtle. In other words, God will transform creation and restore the Promised Land for his people.

Ordinary Time Week 4

Psalm: Psalm 45:10-17 

Old Testament: Genesis 24:34-38, 42-29, 58-67 

Gospel: Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 

Epistle: Romans 7:15-25a

This week we celebrated Independence Day. When the USA gained independence from the British and was able to begin to govern itself. In its purest form, stripping away the alcohol for some and the fireworks and the great deals on cars and refrigerators, it is still a celebration of the freedom we still have. Through nothing most of us did to deserve it or earn it, we reside in a country that lets us practice our faith openly and without oppression, that is not the case for many in the world still today. We must remember however that the Kingdom of God is larger than America. It was here way before us, and will outlive any earthly Kingdom. The USA is not the God-bearing, God-fearing nation many think it is or think it needs to be. The Church (and those who make up the Church), in all countries and across time is the primary way God brings himself to the world. The Church is the place where God’s story is proclaimed, where his people worship the Triune God, and they are challenged to follow Jesus Christ.