Second Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 6B), June 18, 2006
BCP: Ezek. 31:1-6,10-14; Psalm 92 or 92:1-4,11-14; 2 Cor. 5:1-10; Mark 4:26-34.
RCL: 1 Sam. 15:34-16:13 or Ezek. 17:22-24; Psalm 20 or 92:1-4,11-14; 2 Cor. 5:6-10, (11-13), 14-17; Mark 4:26-34.
This year, the arrival of the first Sunday of the “ordinary time,” the long season after Pentecost, falls in close proximity to the first day of summer, the time of year we associate with natural growth and development. How appropriate, then, that many of the readings for this Second Sunday after Pentecost contain images from nature, plants and trees, birds and beasts.
The two lessons from Ezekiel both employ the image of a great cedar tree, the branches of which provide nesting places for birds and protection for “the beasts of the field.” The passage in Chapter 17 is messianic in character, speaking of God planting “a sprig” that will flourish “upon a high and lofty mountain.”
In the other passage from the same prophet, this authority of God involves rejection and destruction. The verses from the 31st chapter are a prophecy against Egypt, portrayed as a cedar that “towered above all the trees of the forest.” But “its heart was proud of its height,” and because of its pride, “thus says the Lord God ... I will cast it out.”
The verses from Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians acknowledge our Lord’s sovereignty, “the love of Christ controls us” (verse 14), and his authority to judge, “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (verse 10). But for the faithful, this is no cause for trepidation. Twice the apostle asserts, “we are of good courage.”
Our faith gives us confidence before the Lord who implants his will in our hearts and causes his reign to grow and thrive. This confidence is beautifully expressed in the poetry of Psalm 92: “The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, and shall spread abroad like a cedar of Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.”
The gospel reading contains two of Jesus’ brief parables of “the kingdom of God,” both of which make use of nature imagery. The first tells of scattered seed that sprouts and begins to grow in incomprehensible secrecy and ripens till the joy of harvest. Just so, faith comes to life as a gift of grace that matures and develops mysteriously until we come to the fulfillment of the kingdom. The second parable is the famous comparison of God’s kingdom with “a grain of mustard seed.” From our tiniest efforts to align ourselves with God’s gracious will, to hear and receive the word he plants within our hearts, the Lord brings forth abundant growth.
The teaching of scripture proclaims the flourishing reign of God. Under his gracious rule, our spirits come alive, grow in faith, and will finally find fulfillment in the harvest time of the coming of the kingdom of God.
Look It Up
Read John 15:1-11, considering what the image of the vine with its branches teaches about the lordship of Christ.
Think About It
What illustration from nature used in the teaching of Jesus most encourages your life of faith?
Next Sunday
Third Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 7B), June 25, 2006
BCP: Job 38:1-11, 16-18; Psalm 107:1-32 or 107:1-3,23-32; 2 Cor. 5:14-21; Mark 4:35-41 (5:1-20).
RCL: 1 Sam. 17: (1a,4-11,19-23), 32-49 or Job 38:1-11; Psalm 9:9-20 (optionally with 1 Sam. 17:57–18:5,10-16) or 107:1-3, 23-32; 2 Cor. 6:1-13; Mark 4:35-41.
