Lectionary Notes - Pentecost 5C

Lectionary Notes -

5th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 8, 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Readings for 5th Sunday After Pentecost, 7/1/07:

2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62

2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14:

Aside from the tongue-twisting of an Elisha/Elijah-packed reading, I like this selection - it is a transitioning of leadership - one who is leaving literally passing on the mantle to one who is stepping up afterward. In part, this was the theme of Rev. Safiya Fosua of the General Board of Discipleship as she preached at our ordination service at Annual Conference this year. She talked about how we need to step up in support when we have those in our midst who are called, even though they need to own their own calls as well. Who can you support who is being called? Especially look out for young people who are hearing God's voice, who may not have many avenues of affirmation coming their way.
"Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit." When asked what he wants from Elijah, this is how Elisha responds. Sometimes we're afraid to ask for what we really want and need and could put to use. Elisha just goes straight for what will make him a leader as Elijah was. "You have asked a hard thing," Elijah says. Hard, but wise, and possible indeed! What would you ask for if you didn't put restrictions on your asking? If so equipped, what could you do for God?

Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20:

This psalm basically answers the psalmist's own question: "What god is so great as our God?" Answer: No god is as great as our God for all the reasons that follow.
"You are the God who works wonders. The God of might. The God who redeems. God of creation. God of our ancestors, God who led Moses and Aaron.
It's too bad the middle verses aren't included in the reading for this Sunday - essentially, we find a psalmist who is despairing, feeling alone and perhaps abandoned by God, wondering where God is. It is almost as if the last part, verses 11-20, are the psalmist's own self-pep talk, a reminder of the ways the psalmist has experienced God, a God who has not abandoned and forsaken. How do you find faith when you are feeling alone and like God is far from you?

Galatians 5:1, 13-25:

This is a fun passage, the passage describing fruits of the spirit. I have less, I'm afraid , to say about the works of the flesh: Paul and I might disagree on what fits in that category and what doesn't. But we'll come back to that. In my church, I've been trying to draw a connection/explanation between the gifts of the spirit and the fruits of the spirit - the gifts are what God has given us to work with, and the fruits are what God would like to see at work in our lives as a result.
I clearly remember that during General Conference 2000 when we participated in a service of repentence for racism in the UMC. The Bishops from the historically African-American Methodist denominations had a chance to respond. "Bishop Clarence Carr of the AMEZ church gave a most poignant remark as he reminded the delegates that a tree is known by its fruit. “I’m not going to be a judge, he said, “but I want you to know we will be fruit inspectors.” (see source)
A sermon on fruits of the spirit could go fruit-by-fruit. What's the hardest for you? I always thought self-control was the most difficult, because if you can have self-control, you can exhibit the other fruits more easily!
Basically, Paul is here emphasizing his usual duality: law/grace, body(flesh)/spirit, preferring the latter over the former as evidence of faithful Christ-filled living. I see his point, I just wish he wasn't so black and white, urging such separation and rejection of that which is body and flesh. I think that has only resulted in too many problems for Christians who can't balance this world and other world, earth-bound self and heaven-hoping self.

Luke 9:51-62:

Samaritans - we should always perk up when we hear Samaritans mentioned in the gospels. Usually issues of who are neighbors, what is hospitality, are somewhere in the mix of the story.
"His face was set toward Jerusalem." A unique phrase scattered here and there, hard to translate any other way than this. Basically, Jesus' mind is set, already, on where he is ultimately headed. He knows, even as he is teaching and traveling, his physical and spiritual destination. On what is your face set, and how does it influence how you live your life each day?
James and John, acting as wacky as Peter usually does, offer to command fire down to consume the hesitating-to-welcome Samaritans. A little comic relief - Jesus rebukes them and moves on.
Three examples of those who ask to follow Jesus, and three times Jesus puts them off, checking to see that they know what they are getting into by their desire to follow. He has no 'home', he has no desire to wait and put unimportant tasks in order, he has no desire to wait and tie up loose ends. He is about the work of proclaiming NOW the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is about life, and is here right now, at hand. To follow Jesus in sharing that news requires our immediate and complete attention!

Pastor’s Note: (I use the Greek-English Lexicon from Liddell and Scott, the “little Liddell” and the Metzger et. al Greek New Testament in my translation work.)

Lectionary Notes are from the Lectionary Chat Group Bible Study of St. Paul's UMC, Oneida, NY, Rev. Beth Quick.

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