Posts

Showing posts from July, 2012

The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 13 - 5 August 2012

Image
The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 13 - 5 August 2012 Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15 Psalm 78:23-29 Ephesians 4:1-16 St. John 6:24:35                                                                                     Background:   The Fleshpots of Egypt In the first reading for this Sunday, the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land wistfully recall their diet in the land of Egypt.   Since they were largely located in the delta of the Nile, their diet may have been more varied than that of those living further to the south.   Originally the diet depended largely on game, fruits and vegetables; and of course the Nile supplied fish.   For the average person the meats were probably rare and were limited to sheep, goats, some cattle, and perhaps a hyena or two.   The delta region would have produced wonderful produce: scallions, garlic, melons, celery and lettuces, and various legumes.   Papyrus was even eaten along with turnips, and tubers, which

The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 12 - 29 July 2012

Image
The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 12 - 29 July 2012 II Kings 4:42-44 Psalm 145:10-19 Ephesians 3:14-21 St. John 6:1-21                                                                                     Background: Bread Since we are in the midst of the series of Gospel readings all pointing to “the Bread of Life”, it might be a good time to talk about the bread of Israel and the bread of Jesus.   The appearance of the Hebrews in the area of Palestine dates from the 12 th Century – 10 th Century BCE.   These tribes brought with them the bread of the Mesopotamian cities, and the bread born of nomadic life in the wilderness.   The landscape of the Levant was altered so that bread might be made from the grains grown on the newly terraced hillsides of Judea.   The basic foods of Israel consisted of locally grown and produced bread, wine, and oil.   In fact these three products are mention as the divine provisions offered by God to God’s people (