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Wow. Here we are at the end of another liturgical year! And one of my favourite passages too.
Chapters 24 and 25 of Matthew are considered by scholars to be the last of 5 "discourses" (i.e., long sections of teachings by Jesus). It is hypothesized that these 5 sections are intended by Matthew to be a new Torah - a new set of 5 "books" paralleling the 5 books of the Torah attributed to Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
The implication of this for present day understanding is that this final section has been significantly edited by Matthew to fit his intentions.
Continue reading "Matthew 25:31-46" »
Read the passage: The Message or The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).
Click here for an easy to print or email Adobe PDF version of this note.
Chapters 24 and 25 of Matthew are considered by scholars to be the last of 5 "discourses" (i.e., long sections of teachings by Jesus). It is hypothesized that these 5 sections are intended by Matthew to be a new Torah - a new set of 5 "books" paralleling the 5 books of the Torah attributed to Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
The implication of this for present day understanding is that this final section has been significantly edited by Matthew to fit his intentions. Today's text is a case in point.
Continue reading "Matthew 25:14-30" »
Read the passage: The Message or The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).
Click here for an easy to print or email Adobe PDF version of this note.
Chapters 24 and 25 of Matthew are considered by scholars to be the last of 5 "discourses" (i.e., long sections of teachings by Jesus). It is hypothesized that these 5 sections are intended by Matthew to be a new Torah - a new set of 5 "books" paralleling the 5 books of the Torah attributed to Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
The implication of this for present day understanding is that this final section has been significantly edited by Matthew to fit his intentions. Today's text is a case in point.
Continue reading "Matthew 25:1-13" »
Read the passage: The Message or The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).
Click here for an easy to print or email Adobe PDF version of this note.
Matthew 5:1-12 is the opening of Sermon on the Mount. This passage is often refered to as "The Beatitudes," based on the original Latin word for "Blessed."
Presumably, this text is assigned for All Saints Day because "saints" are those who have been beatified.
But even if one is not part of a tradition that recognizes Saints, it is still worth pondering what are the attitudes and behaviours in this life that are pleasing to God, that are a cause for blessing.
Continue reading "Matthew 5:1-12 (All Saints Day)" »
Read the passage: The Message or The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).
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Just in case you thought Jesus got himself killed for being meek and mild mannered, this week we have a text full of Jesus swearing, cursing and insulting.
Continue reading "Matthew 23:1-12" »
Read the passage: The Message or The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).
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This lesson, chosen for Christ the King / The Reign of Christ Sunday, seems to be chosen as a deliberate counter-point to the temptation to rush to a quick and easy, "Christ the all-powerful King will rescue you from all physical hardships, and prevent any bad things from happening to you," type of sermons.
Indeed, the question that cries out from the page is, "If Jesus can't save himself, how can he save us?"
Continue reading "Luke 23:33-43" »
Read the passage: The Message or The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).
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The readings at this time of year are out of sync with what is happening in malls and stores everywhere: they are gearing up for that shopping madness called Christmas; the lessons are gearing up for cosmic conflict and death. Folks come expecting some advance preparation for Christmas; they get lessons about global warfare, plagues, confrontation, betrayal, persecution, and ... endurance and salvation.
I sometimes think we should make the Reign of Christ a whole new Season in the Christian calendar just to give everyone a heads up.
Continue reading "Luke 21:5-19" »
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It is important to remember the context of this passage: Jesus has entered Jerusalem (Luke 19:28-40) and a series of confrontations with the authorities begins. After telling the parable of the wicked tenants (Luke 20:9-19), Luke comments:
So they watched (Jesus) and sent spies who pretended to be honest, in order to trap him by what he said, so as to hand him over to the jurisdiction and authority of the governor.
Luke 20:20 (NRSV)
Continue reading "Luke 20:27-38" »
Read the passage: The Message or The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
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By the end of this Chapter, Jesus will have entered Jerusalem and the last week of his life before he is arrested, tortured and executed.
In this passage he enters Jericho near Jerusalem.
Zacchaeus is a CHIEF tax collector. This probably means he has been given a contract (for an agreed set price) to collect taxes from a large region. He would employ others to actually do the collecting - one of whom we met in last week's parable.
Continue reading "Luke 19:1-10" »
