Lectionary for Sunday 9 B
Opening sentence. It is the God who said: ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6
Collect. Let us pray (that we may commit ourselves in faith to God’s purposes for us): Almighty and ever living God, increase in us your gift of faith: that, forsaking what lies behind and reaching out to that which is before us, we may run the way of your commandments and win the crown of everlasting joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.
Reading. 2 Corinthians 4:5-12. This is a great passage on which to meditate for it holds so many things together as a unity. We hold our treasure in “clay jars”. Even in the ancient world clay jars were expendable. Easy to make and just as easily broken they were never the less a valuable part of daily living for rich and poor alike. Though they were valuable they were still made of clay and not of gold or silver. Thinking of ourselves as clay jars reminds us that we are important and at the same time it keeps us humble. Paul reminds us to have a sober estimation of ourselves. (Romans 12:3). There is no place for arrogance in the Christian faith.
Despite that we do hold a treasure within us for as Christians we are all called into faith by Jesus himself. (John 15:16) The treasure we hold is a treasure which was given to us, we did not earn it or deserve it, it was and is a gift. Indeed it is this treasure that has changed our darkness into light and enlightened us in the way of Jesus Christ.
It is with that gift, that treasure that we are able to stand firm as we face life, maintaining our faith and trust in Jesus Christ. The way of Jesus is not the way of the world. Love, care and compassion, acceptance and forgiveness, these things do not always come easily and yet these things are the way of Jesus. Even as we think of these ideas we hold the tension that it is not us we are promoting, it is Jesus Christ. We serve others for the sake of Jesus and also in his name. The idea of a passive, private faith has little credence in a biblical understanding of what it is to be a Christian. The way of the world is to assert one’s self, the way of the Christian is to assert Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
During his ministry Paul was often criticised for always being in trouble and unsuccessful. This was because he was uncompromising about placing Jesus and his salvation first above all else. Paul never compromised with the world and he suffered for that stand. It is this which is another tension in this passage for following Jesus can put us at odds with the world. But the joy of knowing the love of God through Jesus brings us true life not simply now but also in the life to come.
Prayer. Lord, as the morning begins we come to you with thanks and praise, grant us your mercy as we begin the day and may our way be guided by you. As we go may we see your world as the creation that you love. In all the people that we meet may we see your image and as fellow travellers on life’s journey. Teach us to be patient, understanding, gentle, wise; help us to be ready to grasp their point of view rather than trying to assert our own. You understand all, we know only fragments so in humility may we always look to you for guidance and grace in all our relationships. May all we do uphold the truth of your majesty and power, let your light in us shine, and may your name be honoured. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Reading. Mark 2:23-3:6. For a farmer it is common practise when harvest approaches and the grain began to ripen in the head to pick a head, rub it between your hands, blow off the chaff, examine the grain and then eat it. It has been that way since grain was cultivated. Reaping, threshing, winnowing and eating in one composite action, It was a common practise in Jesus’ time as well and even permitted under the law. (Deuteronomy 23:25) The complaint from the Pharisees was not about breaking the law by plucking the head of grain but that this action was taking place on the Sabbath. Keeping the Sabbath in Judaism was extremely important and the Pharisees had placed it before everything else. Jesus reminded them of the incident when David and his men, being in need of food were given consecrated bread from the altar which was breaking the law. Then Jesus made the statement that the Sabbath was made for humanity, not the other way round. So Jesus is making the point that even the laws about Sabbath keeping could be relaxed when a human need arose. Mark is clarifying this relaxing of Sabbath law by reminding his readers that it is Jesus and his will and way which determines if and when the laws can be relaxed. The Sabbath keeping is important but obeying Jesus is more important.
It was this sentiment that flows on into the second section of our passage for today. Jesus is in the synagogue and in the congregation is a man with a paralysed hand. Mark does not tell us anything about this man but William Barclay writes that in an acient text this man is named as a stone mason who appealed to Jesus to be healed so that he could continue to work and support his family. We do not know if this is a true fact but it does remind us that here was a man who had a life to live and in the ancient world to have only one good arm would have been a severe impediment. Having the use of only one arm would change his life not only economically but also socially.
Mark also reminds us that the Pharisees are watching Jesus very closely. It seems that they knew he had the power to heal, the question they were asking was would Jesus heal on the Sabbath. Undaunted Jesus calls the man up into full view and it is then that he challenges the Pharisees with the moral question, “Is it lawful to do good or harm on the Sabbath?” In the story their silence is profound for it reminds us that they had no answer to Jesus’ question. It is not often that the gospels attribute anger to Jesus but here his anger comes from their lack of human compassion. Jesus on the other hand did indeed have compassion on the man and restored him fully. In the face of his power and compassion Jesus’ accusers have no response to make and they leave the synagogue. Mark’s recollection is that at this point the Pharisees conspire with the Herodians, their natural enemies, to destroy him. Their lack of compassion for people has crystallised into hatred of Jesus and love that he showed.
The poet William Blake once wrote that, “Wherever mercy, love and pity dwell, there God is dwelling too!” as we reflect on this passage for today let us remember that Jesus is Lord and we are called to serve him, not to judge each other.
Prayer. Almighty God, you are the great Creator and all things come directly from your hand. In your love you sent Jesus to live among us to show in every way how deep is your love for humankind. In your mercy grant that we who call Jesus Lord, may love as you have loved and serve as you have served us. Grant us wisdom in this modern world to respond with Christian grace to the needs and opportunities that come upon us. In all we do may the name of Jesus be honoured. In a world filled with discord and estrangement we pray for the time to come when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord and the peace which passes all understanding will pervade every living thing. This we pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Collect. God of almighty love, your Son was angered by the hardness of human hearts; give us the compassion we need, that your power may be known in works of kindness and justice; in the name of Christ. Amen.
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