Sunday April 21 Easter 4
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Psalm 103
God has been so generous to us! God has given us life when death was close, has been generous when we abandoned God’s justice, has cared for us as a doting parent does, and all in spite of our lives being so short. Even angels and creation bless God and we join with them!
Exodus 28.1-4, 30-38 What’s Exodus about?
Moses receives detailed instructions from God about the clothing the temple priests are to wear during the elaborate rituals used in the temple. (The priests using these rituals in the temple understood that the rituals originated in God’s direct command to Moses.) The clothing and the rituals express the depth of awe and the commitment the Israelites have made in responding to God’s call to live in justice as described in the ten commandments. Some of the details of these robes in later chapters are still used by priests in Anglican, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox services.
Mark 6.30-44 What’s Mark about?
Jesus feeds an enormous number of people in a desert using the disciples’ minuscule amount of food and yet12 baskets are left over. This is another sign of the kingdom breaking in—all have more than enough food. The 12 baskets left over after everyone has eaten their fill suggest that all Israelites will be filled full with food from God, in contrast to the manna in the desert which was enough, but only just enough, for each person for one day, and in contrast to their everyday experience of being impoverished by the Roman empire. In Jesus people experience a new and previously unimaginable generosity from God when it passes through the hands of Jesus’ justice.
This week’s collect:
O God of peace,
who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ,
that great shepherd of the sheep,
by the blood of the eternal covenant,
make us perfect in every good work to do your will,
and work in us that which is well-pleasing in your sight;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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