Category Archive

  SECOND READING First Corinthians 6: 12-20   Paul’s major doctrine was that one is saved by faith, not by good works or good behavior, yet he sternly scolds the Corinthians for their sexual misbehavior.  Corinth was notoriously licentious, and Paul was confronted with Christian converts whose behavior was wicked according to his Jewish standards.  Yes, they might be saved by faith, but in the meantime their behavior was unacceptable.  I would have to undertake a long study to be certain, but I think Paul never threatens his people with damnation.  He says, rather, that their behavior is inappropriate and …

SECOND READING Ephesians 3: 1-12 At first glance, it appears that the meaning of the mystery that Paul says was revealed to him is hardly a mystery at all—that Gentiles and Jews both share in God’s grace.  (The word Gentile, of course, means any non-Jewish person.)  But Paul means more,  he means that the Church as an institution will consist of Jews and Gentiles.  Christianity may have begun as a movement within Judaism, but the opened mystery reveals that Christianity has become something new, the Church, and the Church is unlimited, universal.  Elsewhere Paul calls it, “the body of Christ.” …

FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS DAY   FIRST READING Isaiah 61:10 – 62:3   Here we have a poem from “Third Isaiah” prophesying the rise of Jerusalem after the Exile.  In a bold metaphor, the City itself speaks, comparing itself first to a bride of God, and then to God’s garden.  Then the voice of the prophet takes over to sing his vision of rebuilt Jerusalem as a splendid testimony of God’s glory.  The name Zion was originally that of the spike of mountain jutting out above the Kidron Valley where David built his fort; It is often called the City …

CHRISTMAS I am not going to comment upon the Christmas readings.  This joyful day would not be well served by historical, rational commentaries such as I write.  God bless us, every one!     ©Arthur H. Cash

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT FIRST READING Second Samuel 7: 1-11, 16 David has supplanted Saul as king of both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern, Judah. He has captured Jerusalem, an independent city between the two Jewish states, worked out a peace with its inhabitants, and made it his capital. He has built a fortress and a palace for himself, and brought the Ark into the city. He has yet to begin building a temple. The Lord speaks to David through the prophet Nathan, allaying David’s doubts and promising that his kingdom and his “house” (his family, his …

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT FIRST READING Isaiah 61: 1-4, 8-11 Most of “Third Isaiah” is about the Jews who have returned from the Babylonian exile.  So much has changed.  Thousands of foreign gentiles whom the Babylonians had forced into the area are now settled there.  The numerous rural Jews that the Babylonians had been left behind are now practicing a splinter Judaism—the Samaritans.  The walls of Jerusalem are down, the Temple reduced to rubble.  In this passage, the poet imagines God’s response to the troubled prayer of the returnees. SECOND READING 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24 Our lesson is taken from …

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT FIRST READING Isaiah 64: 1 – 9 The three parts of the book of Isaiah were written by at least two authors, and probably more. “First Isaiah” (Chapters 1-39) was the advisor to kings before the loss of Judah and subsequent exile to Babylon (see II Kings 18-20). “Second Isaiah” (Chapters 40-55) was a poet living among the Babylon exiles who sang joyfully about the coming return to Judea. “Third Isaiah” (Chapters 56-66) written in Jerusalem after the return, is probably by several authors, though some scholars think it is a continuation of “Second Isaiah.” Advent …

PROPER 29 Nov. 20 – 26   FIRST READING Jeremiah 23: 1 – 6 The prophet disclaims false or delinquent priests and prophets.  In time, he says, God will send a descendant of David who will rule wisely and bring justice.  A historian probably would say Jeremiah is predicting the rise of a worldly king.  But Christians treasure this passage, for to them, he prophecies the coming of Christ. NO ALTERNATIVE READING SECOND READING Colossians 1: 11 – 20 In this passage, Paul reaches high for an understanding of Christ.  The Christ he envisions uses his glory and power to …

PROPER 28 Nov. 13 – 19   FIRST READING Isaiah 65: 17 – 25 The Lord has just told the people that those who have been faithful to him shall be happy, those who have not shall suffer.  Here he speaks of the new world he is preparing for the faithful.  He is not creating a new physical world, but transforming the old.  The disasters of infant illness and the weakness of old age will be reversed.  Especially interesting to me is the line about God’s hearing and answering their prayers before they are spoken.  God is no longer an …