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. . . As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord . . . Joshua 25:15b
Proper 28 Yr B
Excavated stones from the wall of the 2nd Temple in Jerusalem; Source: Wikimedia Commons
Published date 11/14/2024
Introduction
Introduction
There is much to chew on in this gospel. First, the signs: what sign will tell us when Jesus is coming again? Every time I hear a modern day prophet saying "Jesus is coming tomorrow" or "in two weeks" or "on May 5th", I want to say, "Haven't you read your Bible?" Jesus says we're going to see signs but will still have more time before he comes. Jesus further says, "Don't be led astray." In other words, don't believe a "false" prophet. So whenever you hear someone predict the date of Jesus' coming, remember we are just in the "birthpangs". If you need more "proof", go to this page of predictions of the end of the world. Comments welcome.
Mark 13:1-8
Mark 13:1-8
. . . When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?” Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. . . . This is but the beginning of the birthpangs.”
From sermon4kids.com: “When you see and hear people claiming to know about things that only God knows, remember the warning of Jesus. When someone claims to be the Messiah, don't be deceived. Put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ and don't panic. Stand firm on God's Holy Word. ”
Scripture: November 14, 2021—1 Samuel 1:4-20 (image); 1 Samuel 2:1-10 (image); Daniel 12:1-3 (image); Psalm 16 (image); Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25 (image); and Mark 13:1-8 (image).
Collect: Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reflection: How do you profess your faith in God’s coming reign of justice and peace, even in the face of our troubled world?
(excerpted from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year B, Volume 2 © 2014 Westminster John Knox Press)
A video/audio journey through the scripture.
Symbols of the Church
Symbols of the Church
The image of God as an eagle is found throughout the Bible but primarily in the Old Testament. It is a sign of strength and able to bear much weight, as Moses wrote, “You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself” (Ex 19:4). This is further symbolized when Moses said of God “Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that flutters over its young, spreading out its wings, catching them, bearing them on its pinions” (Duet 32:11). The eagle can bear up the young eaglets on its pinions, which are the outer wings. This is basically what God did when He brought Israel out of captivity from Egypt and continued to bear her up in her wanderings in the wilderness.
excerpted from Wikipedia
Click here for a page of symbols described in this publication.
Images enhancing
the scripture
A full page of woodcut images of “four beasts”
“Archangel Michael and the devil” by Sir Jacob Epstein
“Starry Sky” by skyseeker, 2017
depiction of Daniel 12:2-3 from BibleArt
Music founded
in the scripture
“Evening prayer“ from Hansel and Gretel
“All my hope on God is founded“ from Westminster Abbey
“In the presence of the Lord“ sung by Eric Clapton
Other voices
about the scripture
EVENING PRAYER (WHEN AT NIGHT I GO TO SLEEP)
When at night I go to sleep
Fourteen angels watch do keep
Two my head are guarding
Two my feet are guiding
Two are on my right hand
Two are on my left hand
Two who warmly cover
Two who o’er me hover
Two to whom ’tis given
To guide my steps to heaven
Sleeping softly, then it seems Heaven enters in my dreams;
Angels hover round me,
Whisp’ring they have found me;
Two are sweetly singing,
Two are garlands bringing,
Strewing me with roses
As my soul reposes.
God will not forsake me
When dawn at last will wake me.
From “Hänsel & Gretel” (Engelbert Humperdinck) Recorded by : Charlotte Church; Richard Kapp; Mary Van Arsdel
“Giving Birth“, a reflection by Pastor Tom
“The pony under the pile” by Alyce McKenzie
Movies representing some part of the scripture
“End of Days” (1999, R), satan trying to take over the world, “made-to-order action drama about the Anti-Christ”, Review
“Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace” (1999, PG), does Qui Gon Jinn recognize Anakin, “The struggles between good and evil run a zigzag course, and we never know where or when they will erupt”, Obi Wan leaves in body but remains in spirit, is Anakin the Moses figure?, “Shmi Skywalker is the strong supportive mother”, Review 1, Review 2, Review 3
“The Postman“ (1997, R), where there is no vision, the people perish, “hope as a powerful spiritual force”, Review
"Snowpiercer", a 2020-23 TV-MA series based loosely on a 2013 movie of the same name—a caustic assessment of how humans may face the "end of times" [Ed.'s note: a hard show for young eyes.], Review
"Summer of soul (. . . or when the revolution could not be televised)" (2021, PG-13), documentary about the 1969 Harlem cultural festival, Review
For families: Study guide; group activities (another guide); sing “O be careful little eyes“; kid video about Hannah.
For all ages: craft—eyeglasses download page;
For children: See family guide/activities (another activity); bulletin
For middlers: See family guide/activities (another activity); bulletin
For youth: This week, one topic is apocalyptic signs—what sign will there be that the end of the world is near? Jesus says none. Further, he says we shouldn't fall for "false" prophets predictions. Ever wonder how many predictions there have been for the end of the world? Look at this page for a clue. Oh, what are we to do? We are a thinking people. We are to use our brains to realize that what "false" prophets are saying is just that - FALSE. So think and trust in God's grace. Comments welcome.
Coloring page (all ages): Hebrews, reading, 1 Samuel, trust in Jesus
As we draw to the close of the church year, the liturgy directs us toward the close of history. This “eschatological” emphasis (from the Greek eschaton, meaning “last things”) is a central—though not always a popular—part of the Christian proclamation. Today’s Gospel is a portion of Jesus’ discourse on the final consummation in Mark’s Gospel.
Using I Samuel: The reading from the First Book of Samuel brings us back where we began in our reading through the David history. Here we have the miraculous birth of Samuel who would become the great prophet who anointed David as king. In place of a psalm we use the song Samuel’s mother, Hannah, sang in thanksgiving for the boy’s birth. It is very similar to the Song of Mary in thanksgiving for the conception of Jesus.
Using Daniel: The Old Testament reading from Daniel reveals this same theme in late Old Testament Judaism, a theme that pervaded Jewish thinking in Jesus’ day.
The reading from Hebrews announces that the death and resurrection of Jesus has redeemed all of God’s people. Therefore, as our way of being prepared for the End, the author urges us to remain faithful to the work God has done in our baptism by continuing to share in the life, worship, and ministry of the people of God.
The liturgy is not only a remembering, so that the acts of God in the past become a present reality; it is also a looking forward to the consummation so that we have a foretaste of its grace now. Thus, the Eucharist is always a participation in the dying and rising of Jesus, and a participation in the kingdom that is to come.
From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2007 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.
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