Lectionary for Pentecost 16
There is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; for just as we brought nothing into the world, we can take nothing out of it. 1 Timothy 6:6-7
Collect. Father, you graciously strengthen and replenish all who wait upon you. Grant us your Holy Spirit, that, by gladly serving others, we may always be true to Christ, our Lord and our Redeemer. He lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Reading. Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15. In the history of the People of God there was a tradition that prophecy was not only from spoken words, there were times when prophecies were acted out: Jeremiah, for example buried his loincloth, Ezekiel ate a scroll. The prophecy hidden in this passage seems to have been one of those symbolic times.
The passage opens in the tenth year of Zedekiah’s reign. Zedekiah had upset Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon once too often and the Babylonians had laid siege to Jerusalem. Jeremiah had on a number of occasions warned Zedekiah that disaster was about to come and Jerusalem would fall. Jeremiah’s continued predictions of defeat had resulted in him being imprisoned in the dungeon attached to the palace. He was not allowed to leave his prison, but friends would have been permitted to feed him. Supplying him with food would have been no small matter as the siege of Jerusalem had been in place for almost a year. All food was in short supply and the high cost of living was a great cause for concern to everyone.
In this desperate situation Jeremiah’s cousin came to ask him to buy a field which had been allotted to the family in the village of Anathoth. One imagines that Hanamel was desperate to feed his immediate family. Anathoth was already under the control of the Babylonians for it was only a few miles outside Jerusalem. As a cousin Jeremiah was a distant relative and so was probably not the first family member to be asked to purchase this worthless piece of property. However Jeremiah knew that this approach was the Lord’s doing and so he bought the field for a price that would have been fair had the country been at peace. How strange this legal transaction must have seemed being conducted in prison while the city was under siege.
The question the passage poses is who is in control; is the Lord in control or do the circumstances of life determine life’s outcome?
Jeremiah understood that the Babylonians would conquer the whole of Judah and exile would follow but he also had great confidence that this would not be the end but that in a future time the land would once again be inhabited; life would go on. Jeremiah’s confidence was fixed on God not on the harsh and painful circumstances that currently prevailed. He knew that by God’s grace, “Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land” Jeremiah 32:15.
Prayer. O Lord, as we reflect on this passage may our hearts be set on you. Grant that our deepest desire will to be faithful people. May we be attentive to your voice, and be obedient to your command. Even when circumstances seem to be against us, grant us the courage to step out in faith when you call us. Give us courage to act on your behalf and in your name. Forgive us when our actions do not coincide with your commands, lead and guide us along true paths. And most gracious Lord, if we have failed to speak or act as your people, do not leave us but call us again and O Lord, help us to listen and to act. This we pray in Jesus name. Amen.
Reading. Luke 16:19-31. Once more in this passage we are confronted with material that is unique to the Gospel of Luke. Jesus has been exposing the hypocrisy of the Pharisees who while claiming high esteem among the people are not obeying the law of Moses. In the parable Jesus names the poor man as Lazarus which is unique for Jesus’ story telling. The contrast between the two men could not have been more marked. The rich man lived in the most extravagant luxury while the poor man lived in the most abject poverty. Lazarus had no one to tend his discomfort save the dogs who at least tried to keep his sores clean. Just following Jesus’ description gives one the feeling of dismay. Furthermore it is clear that the rich man knew exactly what Lazarus’s plight was for he would have been seen each time the rich man ventured out of his palace. Then later in the story we discover that he calls the poor man by name.
The picture changes when at the same time both men die.
As was the custom of the day the rich man was buried while the poor man would have been thrown onto the rubbish heap. However in the story, the poor man is swept up into the family of Abraham while the rich man goes to the place of the dead. The description shows that the experience of the two has been reversed for now the poor man is in comfort while the rich man is described as being tormented. Hades was known as a place of waiting and so the rich man is waiting in his present condition until the final judgement at the end of the age.
From the description both are aware of the each other’s condition for the rich man calls out to father Abraham. The rich man has now become the beggar but no help is available to ease his situation. Even so the rich man has changed for he becomes concerned for the fate of his brothers that are still living. The answer to his concern is that no extra help is needed; indeed the word comes from Abraham himself, in other words from deep within the Jewish tradition. Moses and all the prophets have provided enough information, all that is needed is obedience.
In Jesus’ parable the rich man was not judged because he was rich but because he failed to obey the law of Moses which upheld the principle to care for those who were in need. The teaching from scripture was simple, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). He had the resources to help the poor man at his gate but chose to ignore him. Jesus had told this story to the Pharisees and so reminded them that by ignoring those in need they themselves were under the judgement of God. ”If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.” Luke 16:31.NRSV. It is not surprising that the Pharisees worked to silence Jesus. Sometimes it is hard to hear and accept the truth! It is the scriptures where we find how we ought properly to respond to God. This passage reminds us to pay close attention to what scripture teaches for they are influential in determining the outcome of our faith journey.
Prayer. Almighty God, forgive us that we too often close our eyes to the hurt and pain which is all around us. We prefer to take the easy way out and seldom ask the hard questions of our faith and ourselves. Teach us to trust in you and be ready to hear when you call us into service. Teach us to put aside childish behaviour and stand up as adults and recognise the true values and purposes of life. Forgive us that we often profess a faith which we do not keep, and keep a faith which you would not countenance. Stir our hearts to greater love and service, for the sake of Jesus our Saviour who by his service gave us the chance of forgiveness and new creation. Amen.
Collect. Holy Christ, you bring justice for the poor, and freedom for the friendless; help us to help the needy, as we look forward to the joys of eternal life, singing your praise with the saints now and for evermore. Amen.
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