Sermon: November 13, 2011 - The 22ndSunday after Pentecost - The Rev. R. Allan McCaslin
Readings: Judges 4:1-7; Psalm 123; I Thessalonians 5:1-11; Matthew 25:14-30
From this morning’s Psalm, “So our eyes look to the Lord our God…” I speak to you in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Well, this is quite the assortment of scripture readings this morning, isn’t it? On the one hand our Old Testament lesson tells of how, as a direct result of bad choices, the people of Israel returned to dreadful bondage and cried out for God to help them. On the other hand, we have St. Paul telling the Church at Thessalonica to hold onto the hope of Christ’s return - a return like “a thief in the night.” Paul says, be ready for it but don’t worry because it will be a marvelous day. So, be encouraged and comfort one another even in the midst of oppression.
Our Gospel then gives us a glimpse of what that return of Christ will be like. Jesus uses a parable to describe our master’s return when all must give an account for what they have done. I don’t know about you, but the fate of the poor fellow who chose to hold on to what had been given him and not risk losing it, seems rather unfair to me as the poor guy is ridiculed and condemned to exile for trying to protect his master’s assets. And these lessons are read on this particular Sunday – the Sunday that precedes the Feast of Christ the King when we affirm our hope and joyful anticipation of our Lord’s return in glory and in judgment. Are we to look forward to that day as St. Paul suggests or wait for it with fear and trembling as foretold in our Gospel reading?
Historians and theologians alike tell us that the Old Testament books of Joshua and Judges need to be read together because they tell the same story from two different perspectives. It is the story of how the nation of Israel settled in the Promised Land and entered into a time of prosperity only to forget their Covenant promises with God. They turned to selfish ways and the Book of Joshua says that the nation suddenly fell into slavery once more. Joshua says that’s what happens when we don’t follow God’s direction. However; the Book of Judges describes this fall as a gradual decline of a once mighty nation that lost sight of God’s values. But, both of these books tell us that God always raises someone to lead the people back to the ways of God. The people follow and their freedom and prosperity is restored. But, as soon as that leader dies, the people return to their old ways and the cycle is repeated once more. Still, in spite of ourselves, God is faithful and when people cry out to God for help as in today’s reading from Judges Chapter 4, God always provides a way home not necessarily through miraculous signs and wonders, but more likely, through every day common people just like us. We are reminded that God never forgets his people. God is always ready to forgive and restore us, if we are willing to ask God for help and humble enough to admit that we must change how we live.
Readings: Judges 4:1-7; Psalm 123; I Thessalonians 5:1-11; Matthew 25:14-30
From this morning’s Psalm, “So our eyes look to the Lord our God…” I speak to you in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Well, this is quite the assortment of scripture readings this morning, isn’t it? On the one hand our Old Testament lesson tells of how, as a direct result of bad choices, the people of Israel returned to dreadful bondage and cried out for God to help them. On the other hand, we have St. Paul telling the Church at Thessalonica to hold onto the hope of Christ’s return - a return like “a thief in the night.” Paul says, be ready for it but don’t worry because it will be a marvelous day. So, be encouraged and comfort one another even in the midst of oppression.
Our Gospel then gives us a glimpse of what that return of Christ will be like. Jesus uses a parable to describe our master’s return when all must give an account for what they have done. I don’t know about you, but the fate of the poor fellow who chose to hold on to what had been given him and not risk losing it, seems rather unfair to me as the poor guy is ridiculed and condemned to exile for trying to protect his master’s assets. And these lessons are read on this particular Sunday – the Sunday that precedes the Feast of Christ the King when we affirm our hope and joyful anticipation of our Lord’s return in glory and in judgment. Are we to look forward to that day as St. Paul suggests or wait for it with fear and trembling as foretold in our Gospel reading?
Historians and theologians alike tell us that the Old Testament books of Joshua and Judges need to be read together because they tell the same story from two different perspectives. It is the story of how the nation of Israel settled in the Promised Land and entered into a time of prosperity only to forget their Covenant promises with God. They turned to selfish ways and the Book of Joshua says that the nation suddenly fell into slavery once more. Joshua says that’s what happens when we don’t follow God’s direction. However; the Book of Judges describes this fall as a gradual decline of a once mighty nation that lost sight of God’s values. But, both of these books tell us that God always raises someone to lead the people back to the ways of God. The people follow and their freedom and prosperity is restored. But, as soon as that leader dies, the people return to their old ways and the cycle is repeated once more. Still, in spite of ourselves, God is faithful and when people cry out to God for help as in today’s reading from Judges Chapter 4, God always provides a way home not necessarily through miraculous signs and wonders, but more likely, through every day common people just like us. We are reminded that God never forgets his people. God is always ready to forgive and restore us, if we are willing to ask God for help and humble enough to admit that we must change how we live.
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