Break Open the Word

The Readings for the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost Contemporary Reading: Bonhöffer, The Cost of Discipleship Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Psalm 1 Philemon 1-21 Saint Luke 14:25-33        BACKGROUND We call them the Five Books of Moses, although they are hardly that.  Each of them (Genesis, Exodus, Levitcus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) evolve individually, and are often the skillful weaving together of several traditions.  Deuteronomy and Exodus are closely related, almost following the same outline.  Exodus is composed of a divine discourse in which God offers the Law, while Deuteronomy offers the same material, but in a more homiletic (sermon-like) manner from the mouth of Moses.  In the Hebrew Scriptures, two periods of reform are referred to.  One, under King Hezekiah (715-686 BCE) and the other under King Josiah (641-609) were programs designed to reacquaint Israel with its ancient traditions.  They may have emer...

The Readings for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Contemporary Reading: Bullfinch, Daedalus and Icarus Sirach 10:12-18 Psalm 112 Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 Saint Luke 14:1, 7-14 The flight of Daedalus and Icarus        BACKGROUND Although listed in the original recensions of the lectionaries of the Episcopal and Lutheran Churches when they adapted the Roman Missal for use in Episcopal and Lutheran Churches (1970s), readings from the Apocrypha are much more pronounced in the Revised Common Lectionary (which represents a further revision of the lectionary, in concert with other churches).  Although these two traditions did not include these books in the canon (collection) of the Bible, they were noted as “The other Books (i.e., the Apocrypha) the Church doth read for example of life and instruction of manners; but yet doth it not apply them to establish any doctrine.” (Articles of Religion V, BCP).  A similar stance was taken b...