Saturday June 29 Pentecost 5
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Psalm 33
A psalm of praise for God creating the earth, for being in charge of the nations and for rescuing us. We rejoice in this God!
Numbers 20.14-29 What’s Numbers about?
The people are refused safe passage through the territory of the Edomites, even though they have promised to take nothing from the land. This may be a story to explain the later enmity with the Edomites. Aaron dies and his priestly role is passed to his son—the start of the inherited priesthood. Later, Moses will also die on a mountain-top, within sight of the land God promised. By having both leaders defy God at Meribah, the later storytellers could explain why neither of their original leaders completed the journey. Both are buried on mountain tops, very close to God.
Matthew 21.1-11 What’s Matthew about?
Jesus enters Jerusalem, knowing that he is likely to be executed. He is modelling a society of equality in contrast to the military might of Rome by entering the city on a donkey deliberately at the same time as a Roman legion was entering the city through another gate. In order to suppress revolt at Passover, which celebrated their miraculous escape from Egypt and provided a model for overthrowing Rome, the empire sent a legion every year to occupy the city during the Passover celebrations. Rome believed that violence was an essential tool to keep the peace, and Jesus is challenging that by enacting a demonstration based on inclusion of all. Because his demonstration was effective, he will be executed five days later.
| Modern world powers still believe that violence is most effective path to peace, but followers of Jesus still hear his call to God’s path to peace. |
This week’s collect:
O God our defender,
storms rage about us and cause us to be afraid.
Rescue your people from despair,
deliver your sons and daughters from fear,
and preserve us all from unbelief;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and ever. Amen.