Scripture and Lectionary # 448 and # 440 Sept 9th.
Psalm 56: 10-12.13-14. Luke 8:4-15:
Both readings speak about the sowing of seeds. One, from Paul, use the
analogy of a planted seed to develop his thoughts about the Resurrection.
His writing is certainly challenging and confrotative for the Corinthians
who may have believed in immortality through the soul, but did not believe
in the transformation of the body into the resurrected life like that of
Jesus. Had not Jesus been resurrected then, as Paul, says we are stupid
fools who have no future life. Life is just what we experience here and
now. Paul insists on our embracing his thought on resurrection both as a
Jew and as a Christian. Perhaps, these are the only religions that have
this comforting and hopeful theology or religious teaching about bodily
resurrection. Of course, Paul shows it is not the same thing as a
resuscitated body but one that has been transformed as a seed does once it
dies in the earth and results in germinating new life. He tells us, "What
is sown in the earth is subject to decay, what rises is incorruptible. The
theologian among the Evangelists, John, has the same thought expressed in
Jesus saying,"Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into
the earth and dies, ir remains a single grain; but if it dies, it bears
much fruit." (John 12:24).
Paul's thought is more complete on describing the various stages of the
seed and how he applies it to the resurrection. Bishop Pike was stumped by
this chapter 15 of Paul and said it was the only writing in the New
Testament that kept the dying embers of his faith in resurrection alive.
There must be something to this message in Paul that should help all of us
to probe more deeply into the mystery of Christ's resurrection. There is an
analogy that shows us through the sowing of seeds that is compared with the
natural body that once in the earth and dead can be transformed into a
spiritual body that experiences what Christ's resurrection has done for us.
Luke gives us the greatest and possibly the first parable Jesus preached,
that of the Sower and the Seeds falling on diverse grounds. Though this is
not directly connected with resurrection theology, it is preparing the good
seed which flourishes and thus shows us that when attentive to what nature
nourishes, one can enjoy a rich harvest. Luke gives us the same parable
twice. The first is almost a pure parable having one essential point that
is being emphasized; the repeated parable then is given in an allegorical
way which probably emanated from Luke's community and its needs to
literally try to match the words of the parable with each new development
seen in the simple parable. Is the end result the same in interpretation?
Probably not. Jesus' direct words struck something clear in his pristine
listeners. Luke had to rework the parable to make it make sense to his
listeners who did not experience the historical Jesus of Nazareth.
These thoughts from Paul, John, and Luke all are centered on the meaning of
Christ in their lives and the life of the community they ministered. They
are now "seeds for contemplation" in our time that may help us to develop
resurrection faith in Jesus who is the Resurrection and the Life. Amen.
Scripture: Lectionary # 440 for Sept.9. I Cor. 8:1b-7,11-13. Psalm
139:1b-3, 13-14ab, 23-24. Luke 6:27-38:
One of the gifted scripture scholars who knows St. Paul thoroughly related
that the greatest theme that goes through all of his epistles is that of
God's love seen in Jesus. Paul tells us that love is brought to perfection
in our heeding and doing the words of Jesus as given by Paul through the
Gospel he preaches. Luke, who may have been a companion of Paul, shows us
in today's Gospel reading that there are many dimensions to discipleship
which he covers in today's narrative. Jesus addresses those who listen to
him and that includes us. We follow him (discipleship) in his commands
about love. We need like Paul to make that the theme of our lives. Do we
really make efforts to love even our enemies? Do I bless those who malign
me or curse me? Do I willingly give of my time, my talents, and my surplus
to others in need? Do I do this in a loving, joyous, and generous way?
It does not stop here. Jesus continues with his counsel to us. Do I judge
others? Condemn them? Do I forgive? We are told to trust that Jesus will
give us so much more if we are able to do what he tells us. He is never
outdone in generosity and can match all of our generous efforts. He never
holds back in hospitality, goodness, generosity, and loving kindness.
Discipleship has to develop all of these characteristics of Jesus into our
lives. Jesus always forgives us. He does not ask of us what he himself has
not done for others and for God his Father.
The passage we are listening to or reading is similar to the Lord's Prayer
(the Our Father) which we probably say several times a day if we have the
habit of prayer. By saying this prayer today we should be able to recall
the readings and apply them to whatever comes our way. As the Psalm says,
"What can I render to the Lord for all he has given me? I will take up the
chalice of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord." Psalm 116:12-13.
Amen.
posted by Fr. Bert SM at 11:34 AM
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