The Gospel for October 1, 2004 (Remigius of Rheims)
Luke 6:12-26
Now it happened in those days that he went onto the mountain to pray; and he spent the whole night in prayer to God. When day came he summoned his disciples and picked out twelve of them; he called them ‘apostles’: Simon whom he called Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot who became a traitor. He then came down with them and stopped at a piece of level ground where there was a large gathering of his disciples, with a great crowd of people from all parts of Judaea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon who had come to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. People tormented by unclean spirits were also cured, and everyone in the crowd was trying to touch him because power came out of him that cured them all. Then fixing his eyes on his disciples he said: How blessed are you who are poor: the kingdom of God is yours. Blessed are you who are hungry now: you shall have your fill. Blessed are you who are weeping now: you shall laugh. ‘Blessed are you when people hate you, drive you out, abuse you, denounce your name as criminal, on account of the Son of man. Rejoice when that day comes and dance for joy, look!—your reward will be great in heaven. This was the way their ancestors treated the prophets. But alas for you who are rich: you are having your consolation now. Alas for you who have plenty to eat now: you shall go hungry. Alas for you who are laughing now: you shall mourn and weep. ‘Alas for you when everyone speaks well of you! This was the way their ancestors treated the false prophets. -- The New Jerusalem Bible. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1995, c1985
A Study
Aside from a few difference in who is named, the calling of the apostles is set forth, after a night of prayer, followed by a brief recitation of the beatitudes. Matthew's and Luke's authors all select out and praise those who are the victims of the religious elite because of Jesus, since they are victims along with Jesus. The "party-line" of the gospels is advanced, denouncing Israel for the way the prophets had been maligned and killed, as opposed to the false prophets, who had enjoyed earthly success.
A Reflection
It is always comforting to have what the Jesus Seminar calls a "two-source" verification of something in the gospels. So often, there is a single story told by a single source, that -- honestly -- is sometimes weirder than we might imagine left to our own imaginations. Many of the "hard sayings" fall into this category.
This evening marks the beginning of my second year in the Episcopal Church's Education for Ministry program, and I am looking very much forward to it. Last year's seminars were centered on the Hebrew Bible, which I had never taken much interest in. I found that the gospels came to life in the light of Israel's history, where they had been somewhat enigmatic previously.
EFM is more than bible study, by a longshot. The weekly 3.5 hour (in our case) seminars use a technique called "theological reflection" (read about it) to illuminate not only the scripture or other text read in preparation, but also to enlighten us in the seminar as to our own spiritual "take" on the reading.
The Collect
O God, who by the teaching of your faithful servant and bishop Remigius turned the nation of the Franks from vain idolatry to the worship of you, the true and living God, in the fullness of the catholic faith; Grant that we who glory in the name of Christian may show forth our faith in worthy deeds; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
4:31:20 PM 
|
|
