Tuesday October 29 Pentecost 23
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Psalm 45
A poem about King David, using the imagery of an ancient oriental king, describing his personal and public magnificence and the glory of his relationship with the queen. Note that his prime duty is to serve truth and justice.
We can read this poem as a description of our own fulfilled self and relationships which have been made possible for us in union with Christ’s resurrection.
Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 24.1-12 What’s Ecclesiasticus about?
Wisdom speaks of her role in creating the world and that God has assigned Jerusalem as her home. This was of great support to Jews living in the culture where Greek thought and religion were universally affirmed and where Jewish faith was despised.
Luke 11.27-36 What’s Luke about?
Jesus challenges assumptions about the absolute priority of deep family loyalty-those who follow God’s justice are closer to him than his own mother. Jesus challenges the demand for proof of his right to speak for God-the only proof that will be given is that of demanding repentance from siding with oppression -as Jonah demanded repentance from Ninevah. Jesus is demanding the same from his own people, but great sinners from the past will criticize his own people for not having welcomed the kingdom. He insists that if we have seen the kingdom we must show it-like a lamp raised up to give light, the kingdom isn’t for our private comfort but for the life of the whole world.
This week’s collect:
Lord God our redeemer,
who heard the cry of your people
and sent your servant Moses
to lead them out of slavery,
free us from the tyranny of sin and death,
and by the leading of your Spirit
bring us to our promised land;
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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