The Fourth Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 6A), June 12, 2005
BCP: Exodus 19:2-8a; Psalm 100; Rom. 5:6-11; Matt. 9:35-10:8(9-15)
RCL: Gen. 18:1-15, (21:1-7) or Exodus 19:2-8a; Psalm 116:1, 10-17 or Psalm 100; Rom. 5:1-8; Matt. 9:35—10:8, (9-23)
Each of the four readings for today, including the psalm, is rich with descriptions of the blessings God pours out for his people. In different generations, in different ways, the abundance of his limitless and invincible love is provided.
In the time of Moses, as the lesson from Exodus relates, the Lord said, "I carried you away on eagle’s wings and brought you to me [i.e. the deliverance from Egypt] … You, out of all peoples, shall be my personal possession … You shall be a kingdom of priests, a holy nation" (Exodus 19:4-6).
The psalm is the words of a joyful and carefree people who know that they are loved, protected, and have access to their God. Paul, in the lesson from Romans, writes of "proof of God’s love for us, that Christ died for us while we were still sinners," and "we are filled with exultant trust in God" (Rom. 5:8, 11).
Finally, the gospel begins with the account of Jesus who tours "all the towns and villages" teaching, "proclaiming the good news," and "curing all kinds of disease" (Matt. 9:35). Nevertheless, there are still obligations imposed on those who are on the receiving end of divine love. It is not sufficient, nor completely true, to announce that God loves us if the proclamation does not also include the call to respond in a life-changing way.
In Exodus, when the Lord promises to continue his love after the deliverance from Egypt, he says it will happen "if you are really prepared to obey me and keep my covenant" (Exodus 19:5). In the psalm, those who enter the Lord’s gates do so with "thanksgiving" and "praise," and are also mindful of his "mercy" (Psalm 100:3-4). These words imply that the people acknowledge God as the source of their blessings, and that they are sinful (i.e., in need of "mercy") in his sight. In the epistle, even the word "trust" implies a dependent relationship, and words such as "helpless," "godless," and "enemies," used by Paul as describing a state that once existed but does no more, are evidence that the recipients of the letter are profoundly changed people.
The bulk of the gospel lesson shows how those who are closest to Jesus are obligated to extend his own ministry. They simply and absolutely cannot be only recipients of grace. They must be channels of grace to others. To the disciples Jesus gives authority to do what he does, with the charge to exercise it on their own.
Look It Up
Under what conditions are the disciples to carry out their mission? (Matt. 10:8b-14) Why does Jesus impose these conditions?
Think About It
Why are the disciples forbidden to visit the gentiles or Samaritans? (Matt. 10:5b)
Next Sunday
The Fifth Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 7A), June 19, 2005
BCP: Jer. 20:7-13; Psalm 69:1-18 or 69:7-10,16-18; Rom. 5:15b-19; Matt. 10:(16-23)24-33
RCL: Gen. 21:8-21 or Jer. 20:7-13; Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17 or Psalm 69:8-11, (12-17), 18-20; Rom. 6:1b-11; Matt. 10:24-39.
