Readings in July/August 2010
For almost the whole of the next two months, our first readings are from the great classical prophets. While a lot of the passages we read do speak of future events and promises, the role of the prophet as demonstrated in so many of these passages is to speak out God’s word to God’s people – a word that is frequently a word that challenges and confronts. One of the tasks of the preacher – or the reader of such words – is to challenge complacency and self-righteousness (starting with oneself!) It will never be comfortable, but perhaps sometimes the acerbic words of a prophet like Amos may need to ring out
in our churches and communities.
Thursday 1 July
Amos 7.10-17; Psalm 18; Matthew 9.1-8
The first reading encapsulates the struggle of the prophet. Called to proclaim a message that is not popular, the prophet himself becomes the object of attack. Amos is not even a native of the northern kingdom where he is uttering God’s word, so his words are very unwelcome. Amos prophesises at a time of great prosperity in the kingdom of Israel, but his word of disaster is God’s response to the injustice and infidelity of the king and the ruling elite. For those in power Amos’ words are ‘bad news’ – something they do not want to hear. Nonetheless Amos can only utter what God tells him – the life of the prophet is not one he – or any prophet – chooses, it is one for which he is chosen. Christians today may rejoice in Jesus’ words: ‘You did not choose me. No, I chose you’ (Jn. 15.16) but that choice also carries a charge to challenge injustice and infidelity, even at personal cost.
Jesus is of course, the chosen one of God, and the word he speaks brings not only healing but also forgiveness. But even so, for those challenged by him, he will face even greater opposition than Amos.
Friday 2 July
Amos 8.4-6: Psalm 118: Matthew 9.9-13
Amos lambastes the rich and powerful who use their might to reduce the poor and needy to an abject state. Amos is the great prophet denouncing social injustice, and he promises retribution. The retribution promised however, will be the loss of God’s word. Without God’s word to guide them, the people will be left at a loss, staggering without any direction or purpose. The lack of God’s word will leave them utterly bereft. The implication for the contemporary world is that meaning and purpose in life cannot be found in any promise or philosophy that is not rooted ultimately in God’s word.
In the Gospel, Jesus – who is God’s word – is found among tax collectors and sinners, the needy ones who recognise their need of the word which gives meaning and life.
Saturday 3 July
St Thomas
Ephesians 2.19-22; Psalm 116; John 20.24-29
Only three verses from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, but how rich they are! The need to belong is one of the greatest human cravings, and Paul tells his readers that they belong to God’s household as part of the community with the prophets and apostles and with Jesus Christ too. And Christ is the focus of that community, and inasmuch as the believer belongs to him, so the believer is being built into the community of God. This is an ongoing belonging – where every act and word can reflect the God living in us and deepen our belonging.
In the gospel Thomas reveals another human craving – the need for evidence! Note the strength of Thomas’ demand: ‘I refuse to believe.’ If his profession of faith is held up as a model of belief – ‘My Lord and my God!’ – the condescension of Jesus to him is also exceptional. Many believers may want the evidence that Thomas receives, but all believers can take great encouragement from the words of Paul.
Fourteenth week in Ordinary time
Monday 5 July
Hosea 2.16-18, 21-22; Psalm 144; Matthew 9.18-26
Hosea is the prophet whose life reflects the marital state of Israel and its God. Many of the classical prophets were told to carry out symbolic acts to express God’s word to God’s people. For Hosea this meant marriage to an unfaithful wife whom he continued to love and eventually took back. This imagery of adultery and betrothal was to become a standard way of describing God’s relationship with Israel, and was further developed in the New Testament (notably Revelation) and in the Christian mystical tradition. Today’s reading describes a God who, in his deep love, seeks to woo his beloved despite her infidelity. The spiritual life is often described in terms of seeking God – here, most encouragingly, it is God who seeks and calls to the beloved.
The gospel is a familiar miracle story – but importantly points to a God whose love for humanity reaches beyond life itself.
Tuesday 6 July
Hosea 8.4-7,11-13; Psalm 113B; Matthew 9.32-38
Hosea gives something of a typical tirade against the rulers and people of Israel – they have ignored God’s words, they have indulged in infidelity, setting up idols and altars. Hosea promises retribution, but the final words of today’s reading are quite chilling: ‘They will have to go back to Egypt.’ It is as if the whole of salvation history from the time of Exodus is to be wiped out, the Law, the prophets, the Promised Land, the sacrifices, the kings – all these are to be lost. Indeed it is also chilling to recognise that the history of the northern kingdom shows precisely that.
If Hosea speaks of the rejection of an unfaithful people, in the gospel Jesus offers sympathy and care for a people who are above all, lost and confused.
Wednesday 7 July
Hosea 10.1-3, 7-8, 12; Psalm 104 ; Matthew 10.1-7
The vivid imagery of the vine and vineyard and its abundant produce is prevalent in both Old and New Testaments and speaks of a settled and flourishing situation and society. But alas for Israel, this has led not to acknowledgment and gratitude, but infidelity and arrogance. Like the tenants in the New Testament parable (Mk 12.1-12 and parallels), those who have received God’s abundance have failed to acknowledge the source of their well-being. The one who can produce a rich harvest can also produce thorns and thistles – the land will become barren, unless the people take in hand the task of ‘seeking the Lord.’ Luke (23.30) quotes the phrases about disaster in his words to the women of Jerusalem – those who have rejected the Lord have also rejected God’s gifts and must acknowledge their folly.
In his account of the calling to the apostles, Matthew specifies their commissioning only for the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Note that the Samaritans were very much the successors of the Northern kingdom – the very people that Hosea had confronted with disaster.
Thursday 8 July
Hosea 11.1-4,8-9; Psalm 79; Matthew 10.7-15
Surely one of the most moving passages from the Old Testament, describing God’s love for God’s people in terms of a parent with a toddler. The tenderness and attention lavished on the child will be something that seems natural to readers. It is the helplessness and frailty of the infant that demands the response of unreserved love – and indeed that is precisely the response of God to God’s wayward people – they may be unfaithful and wandering, but even so God cannot visit on them the punishment their folly deserves. This passage is a necessary balance to the many passages that threaten Israel with disaster – and a necessary balance to any image that Christians may have of a vengeful God.
Jesus sends the twelve out to proclaim the Good News and carry out the same work that he carried out. They are to trust in providence and to be people who announce God’s peace. But that peace is a gift that has to be received – where it is received it brings blessings, but where it is not accepted as a gift, disaster will ensue.
Friday 9 July
Hosea 14.2-10; Psalm 50; Matthew 10.16-23
At the heart of Hosea’s words is a question to any who listen – where is your security? In political alliance (Assyria), in naked power (riding horses), in material things (idols)? Can any of these guarantee happiness? For the prophet the question is rhetorical – it is only the God of Israel who can enable God’s people to flourish. The rich poetic language of luxuriant vegetation is overwhelming; it is only the Lord God who can provide the security that will produce the fruitfulness that God’s people crave. And Hosea insists to his readers – and us – that such security is accessible to any who will listen to God’s word and live by it.
In the gospel Jesus offers no rosy image of the calling to be a disciple. These words probably reflect the reality in Matthew’s community – betrayal, persecution and hatred. And yet he assures them that they will not face such perils alone – ‘the Spirit of your Father’ will be with you.
Saturday 10 July
Isaiah 6.1-8; Psalm 92 ; Matthew 10.24-33
The great call of the prophet Isaiah takes place in the Temple, where the prophet is granted a stunning vision. It is the divine initiative that enables Isaiah to be able to take on the role of the one who carries God’s message – it is the burning coal touching his lips which makes him worthy to speak God’s word. He becomes holy through the action of the all-holy God.
In the gospel something of the same theme can be seen in Jesus’ words: by associating with the master – and allowing the master to form him/her – the disciple can become like the master. That is all that we need to know as disciples, and that is why there is no need to be afraid – by being with the Lord disciples can indeed become like him.
Fifteenth week in Ordinary time
Monday 12 July
Isaiah 1.10-17; Psalm 49; Matthew 10.34-11.1
Two very challenging readings offered to us today. Isaiah addresses his words to the rulers of Sodom and Gomorrah, but he is speaking to the people of Israel! So unfaithful and corrupt have the leaders of the people become that they are likened to the epitome of evil from the Old Testament – the cities of the plain destroyed by God on account of their depravity. The sacrifices and religious observances offered to God are rejected by the one who looks for justice and compassion. The constant refrain in the scriptures is for religious observance that reflects faithful integrity.
Jesus speaks strong words to the Twelve – he does not offer a quiet life, but the challenge that comes from following the Christ. Like God’s words spoken through Isaiah, there can be no compromise when it comes to discipleship. Jesus challenges those who would follow him to do so in an uncompromising way. For people of faith, going through the motions and finding the easy way out are not options – the call is to take up the cross.