Monday November 14 Pentecost 23
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Psalm 89 Part 1
God’s faithfulness in creation is the basis for our trust in God’s justice and care for us. Just as God created order from chaos in creation, so we can rely upon God to create order out of chaos in human society. God’s original goodness intended for humanity and the world, is that everyone have a place and dignity and worth. Accomplishing that is the work of justice, often translated into traditional English as “righteousness.”
Habakkuk 2.1-4, 9-20 What’s Habakkuk about?
God responds that those who have amassed wealth only to look after themselves will be accused by the very decorations in their homes. Those who have encouraged everyone to get drunk will themselves stagger drunkenly but from the weight of contempt. These are savage criticisms of people who have abused their power. The passage ends with the assurance that the God of justice is in charge. This is a statement of hope, which applies to our time of chaos as equally as to theirs.
Luke 16.19-31 What’s Luke about?
Jesus tells the story of the rich man who cared nothing for the homeless man outside his house. There are consequences for not enacting the generosity of God’s kingdom—we become inward turned like the rich man in the story and end up living separated, alone, and in despair.
This week’s collect:
Almighty God,
you sent your Son Jesus Christ
to be the light of the world.
Free us from all that darkens and ensnares us,
and bring us to eternal light and joy;
through the power of him
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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Thanks, Harold, for explaining Habakkuk – it reminds me of Joseph’s story, with his years of captivity and estrangement, then ultimately becoming the means of rescue for his family.
Yes, an interesting parallel!