Friday August 27 Pentecost 13
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Psalm 16
I have been loyal to the God of justice, save me from the grave and I will have joy.
Psalm 17
I am innocent, but the evil people surround me—save me and I will be fulfilled.
Both these psalms are appropriate for Fridays, the weekly mini-anniversary of the crucifixion and both conclude with hope for new life.
1 Kings 5: 1—6:7 What’s Kings about?
Solomon begins to sacrifice only at Jerusalem and will build the temple which lasts until the country is conquered four hundred years later. The temple was built to house the ark with the original ten commandments and the most holy altar where the most important sacrifices were to happen.
With the help of a foreign king, Solomon begins to build the temple. It is of enormous proportions and of enormous cost. As so often, foreigners are involved in supporting Israel—the writers are saying that the God of Israel, the God of justice, commands loyalty everywhere. Note, however, that Solomon must use conscripted forced labour—royal oppression is always in the background.
Chapters 6 and 7 are a detailed account of the building of the temple and are worth reading to appreciate the intricate plans used by the writers five hundred years later for rebuilding Solomon’s temple.
Mark 14: 27-42 What’s Mark about?
Jesus takes the disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane and knows that they will all desert him. They all insist they well be loyal. Jesus prays desperately that he not be executed. In order for the kingdom to come, Jesus must give up everything, his friends’ loyalty, and his life. We are disciples learning to do the same thing.
This week’s collect:
Almighty God,
we are taught by your word
that all our doings without love are worth nothing.
Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts
that most excellent gift of love,
the true bond of peace and of all virtue;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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