Monday September 30 Pentecost 19
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Psalm 89 Part 2
This poem was written following the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon. In the first half of this psalm the poet had said, ‘God, you chose David as king and promised to protect him forever with the same amazing power with which you created the universe.’
But in this second half of the psalm the poet accuses God of being faithless, ‘God, you said you would be David’s father and he would be your son. Even if his children do not maintain justice for the poor, you said you would punish them but wouldn’t abandon your commitment to David that his royal line will never cease.’ The poet is referring to the disaster of Babylon as God’s punishment for the evil committed by kings who were all descended from David. The poet goes on, ‘But now you have broken your promise and have allowed him to be humiliated and his enemies rejoice in his defeat. God, you are faithless.’
But in face of disaster there is only one thing to do, the poet says. ‘In the end we can only trust in you.’ There is nothing more to say.
Hosea 2.14-23 What’s Hosea about?
God describes how he will take Israel, who has been faithless, as his honoured wife and how all creation will be again fruitful.
Luke 5: 1-11 What’s Luke about?
Fisher people on the lake of Galilee were pushed into destitution by Roman taxation and over-fishing, so for Jesus to enable a huge catch of fish is experienced as God’s liberation actually arriving. No wonder the fishers follow him. When we have experienced liberation in Christ we respond with equal energy.
This week’s collect:
Grant, O merciful God,
that your Church,
being gathered by your Holy Spirit into one,
may show forth your power among all peoples,
to the glory of your name;
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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