Holy Textures

Matthew 7:21-29

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Verses 21-23, continue the teaching against false prophets that began in Matthew 7:12-20.

But here Jesus ups the ante. For the usual warnings about false appearances (crying "Lord, Lord") and false promises ("prophesying in your name") and judging by the results ("casting out demons in your name") are subjected to what is truly at the heart of Jesus message:

doing the will of my Father in heaven.

Matthew 7:12-20

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Verse 12: "The Golden Rule," was common folk lore and probably did not originate with Jesus, though he might have quoted it as here:

Do to others as you would have them do to you

This is not bad advise though its flaw is that makes each of our personal whims / desires / egos the arbiter of what is good. It is not difficult to find examples of someone who actually does not want what you want.

Matthew 6:24-34

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In terms of the Lectionary, we are now picking up where we left Matthew back in the Season of Epiphany in January and February!

It might be helpful to pause on the word, "Therefore," which begins verse 6:25 and review the "whereas's" that begin in Chapter 5:

• The Beatitudes
• Being salt of the earth and light of the world
• Obeying and fulfilling the law
• Anger and reconciliation
• Adultery in our hearts
• Divorce
• Let your Yes be Yes or your No be No
• Do not retaliate, instead publically expose the unjust authority
• Love your enemies
• Give alms, but don't make a show of it
• Pray, but don't make a show of it
• Fast, but don't make a show of it
• Store up treasures in heaven not on earth
• Make sure your inner light is healthy
• Don't think you can serve two masters: God and wealth

Matthew 28:16-20

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This passage which ends the Book of Matthew is commonly referred to as The Great Commission.

The commissioning can be highlighted by the verbs in verses 19 and 20:

• Go
• Make disciples
• Baptize
• Teach
• Obey
• Remember

These verbs represent the key activities that Jesus wants his followers to be doing.

John 7:37-39

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Verse 37. "The feast" refers to the last of the three Jewish pilgrimages festivals / feasts, Sukkoth, or festival of Booths / Tabernacles. This text is being read on our Christian Day of Pentecost - which is the second of the pilgrimage festivals, Shavuot, or feast of Weeks. This detail is important simply to avoid confusing the two different festivals, and the time sequence.

Bruce Malina comments that the Festival of Booths included prayers for winter rains and the renewal of sunlight. These two elements are addressed by Jesus:

• Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink.
  John 7:37
• I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness.
  John 8:12

Thus Jesus presents himself as the answer to the prayers being made.

Acts 2:1-21

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This text stands as a book end to the story of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9). In Babel, the story begins with one language and a common understanding and purpose, but ends with many languages, confusion and scattering. In Acts the story begins with many languages, and ends with many languages, but contains in the middle a common hearing about God's deeds of power (verse 11).

Unfortunately, unlike the story of Babel, this story does not contain within it any cautionary tale against human hubris. It is absolutely crucial in reading this text aright to truly pause and ponder the question asked in verse 12, "What does this mean?"

When The Spirit Comes

Pentecost Sunday

Acts 2:1-21
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I want to begin my reflection today by asking you to recall the first time you saw a movie with special effects. … I’m old enough to remember seeing Cecil B. DeMille’s, “Ten Commandments,” when it was first released. Sitting in the darkened theatre as a child, watching Charlton Heston lead the people between the walls of raging water as they crossed the Red Sea. It was pretty amazing back then. But it was pretty primitive and hokey by today’s standards. Back then we could see the seam where the two images were glued together. Today, special effects must be seamless; must be an integrated aspect of the story.

John 17:1-11

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Chapter 17 concludes the long, final speach of Jesus to his followers that began way back in Chapter 13.

Verses 1-8 constitute the beginning of a prayer in which Jesus reiterates his relationship with; authority from; and activities for God.

Verses 9-19 are prayers on behalf of Jesus' followers.

Verses 20-26 are prayers on behalf of those who will become followers.