Break Open the Word

The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 20 - 18 September 2011 Exodus 16:2-15 Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45 or Jonah 3:10-4:11 Psalm 145:1-8 Philippians 1:21-30 St. Matthew 20:1-16                                                                                     Background:  Old Testament Parables The form of a parable is not only found in the Gospels of the New Testament, but is also in evidence in the Hebrew Scriptures as well.  Five are especially noted: 1) the neighbor’s lamb expropriated by a neighbor (II Samuel 12:1-4), used to confront David after his sexual exploi...

The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost - Proper 19, 11 September 2011 Exodus 14:19-31 Psalm 114 Genesis 50:15-21 Psalm 103:1-13 Romans 14:1-12 Saint Matthew 18:21-35 Background: Forgiveness One cannot leave today’s readings without having a profound understanding of the importance of forgiveness.  It is a quality that embraces all of the aspects of faith, our expectations of God and the other, and of us as well.  I am reminded of how overpowering the notion of forgiveness can be.  In Seminary, which was in the midst of a trying and difficult struggle between conservative and liberal elements in the church, I witnessed a strong sense of the motivators that surround the acts of forgiveness.  We were doing a version of The Liturgy of Saint Mark’s in the Bowery, which at the Peace quotes Jesus’ demand , “If, when you are bringing your gift to the altar, you suddenly remember a grievance with your brother, leave your gift at the altar, and first go make peace with you...