Break Open the Word

The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 25 - 23 October 2011 Deuteronomy 34:1-12 Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17 or Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18 Psalm 1 I Thessalonians 2:1-8 St. Matthew 22:34-46 The anointing of King David                                                                                                                Background: The Messiah Often, when we use certain biblical words, we assume that they always have the same meaning, regardless of context or time.   That ma...

The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 24 - 16 October 2011 Exodus 33:12-23 Psalm 99 or Isaiah 45:1-7 Psalm 96:1-13 I Thessalonians 1:1-10 St. Matthew 22:15-22 Cyrus the Great                                                                                     Background: Cyrus the Great Swept into the Median Empire, and after subduing it conquered Lydia, and eventually the Neo-Babylonian Empire, effectively consolidating all of the previous jurisdictions of the Ancient Near East.   The only state that did not feel the touch of his sword was that of Egypt. ...