The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 17, 3 September 2017
Pentecost XIII, Proper 17, 3 September 2017 Track One: Exodus 3:1-15 Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c Track Two: Jeremiah 15:15-21 Psalm 26:1-8 Romans 12:9-21 St. Matthew 16:21-28 Background: The Burning Bush as a Symbol We tend to focus on the story of Moses and the Burning Bush as a call narrative for Moses, but there are many who plumb the story line for even more meaning. The story’s location has gathered many to its supposed site, especially monks and hermits. Of note is Saint Catherine’s Monastery built at the site, which preserves a bush it believes is the bush that Moses observed. As a symbol, the bush has been used by Reformed Churches, most notably the French Huguenot, which adopted the motto Flagror non consumer (I am burned but not consumed). The Church of Scotland, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, and the Presbyterian Church in Canada use similar mottos. The bush was also the subject of an organ piece, “The Burning Bush” by Herman Berlinksi