Ordinary Time Week 6

Psalm: Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 or Psalm 16

Old Testament: 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14

 or 1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21

Gospel: Luke 9:51-62

Epistle: Galatians 5:1, 13-25

In reading these passages today I was struck by one strange detail from the Gospel of Luke: in verse 51 it says that Jesus knew the time of his Ascension was near. It is strange that the Ascension takes center stage at this point, even over the crucifixion, death, or resurrection. But before we ponder over that detail, let's first take a look at the verse as a whole and what is happening in this passage. Verse 51 is classic Luke and is found in no other Gospel. Jesus 'sets his face toward Jerusalem' the text reads. The author of Luke is focused on Jerusalem more than the other Gospels and Luke also presents Jesus on a journey towards a goal--the Passion Week. In Acts as well Luke presents the church, through the various evangelists, as on a journey.

Ordinary Time Week 5

Psalm: Psalm 42 and 43 or Psalm 22:19-28

Old Testament: 1 Kings 19:1-4, 5-7, 8-15a

 or Isaiah 65:1-9

Gospel: Luke 8:26-39

Epistle: Galatians 3:23-29

Today we continue the story of Elijah and Ahab. These two could star in a superhero comic book I think. Elijah would be the superhuman larger-than-life hero who can do no wrong. Ahab would be his archnemesis supervillain who even has the quintessential sidekick, Jezebel. Jezebel also plays the stereotypical beautiful seductress who does the supervillain's dirty work. It's hard for this imagery not to come across, for example, when Jezebel killed Naboth to get his vineyard for Ahab. (Ch. 21) But in today's episode, Jezebel threatened to kill Elijah because of the humiliation Elijah had just brought to the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel. (We read that last week, but just in case you forgot, that was when Elijah built an altar and poured water all over the sacrifice and the Lord burned it up, while the sacrifice to Baal remained fire-free.) Supervillains always make the mistake of giving people warning before their evil plans in the comics and so did Jezebel. This warning allowed Elijah time to escape to Mt. Horeb. It is there that one of the most famous theophanies occurred: Elijah is met by God in the gentle "gentle blowing," rather than in the windstorm, earthquake, or fire. (1 Kings 19:11-12)

Ordinary Time Week 4

Psalm: Psalm 5:1-8 or Psalm 32

Old Testament: 1 Kings 21:1-10, 11-14, 15-21a

 or 2 Samuel 11:26-12:10, 13-15

Gospel: Luke 7:36-8:3

Epistle: Galatians 2:15-21

This week we have four really good passages. Each one really deserves their own series of posts. I hope you have time to read all of the passages this week. I am actually going to say a few words about each passage which is something I haven't done in quite awhile.

Ordinary Time Week 3

Psalm: Psalm 146 or Psalm 30
Old Testament: 1 Kings 17:8-16, (17-24) or 1 Kings 17:17-24 
Gospel: Luke 7:11-17
Epistle: Galatians 1:11-24

Today we have two contrasting stories of two widows and their respective children being raised from the dead. The first incident involves Elijah and a widow from Sidon. You may remember the story: she was on her way to cook her last meal for her and her son when Elijah stopped her and asked for water and bread. The customs surrounding hospitality demanded that the women help the visitor, yet the reason Elijah was even in Sidon was because of a major drought in the region. Despite the women only having enough for one last meal, on the promise from Elijah that she will have enough to get her through the drought, she brought Elijah the water and bread. You'll probably remember that Elijah ended up staying with the women for the remainder of the drought and her flour and oil never ran out.