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. . . As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord . . . Joshua 25:15b
Epiphany 6 Yr C
Comments:
2/12/2022: Your discussion here about the similarities and differences between St. Luke's and St. Matthew's writings on the sermon on the plain brings to thought God's blessings and curses that are listed in Deuteronomy. (Deuteronomy 28)
2/9/2022: This is great, as usual. I’m going to send the coloring pages to my grandson. He’ll really enjoy them!
2/9/2022: Thank you, Judy. I love your commentary.
Introduction
Introduction
I am intrigued by this gospel reading, especially when compared to its sister gospel reading of Matthew 5:1-12. Those of you who are Bible scholars have seen this dichotomy for years but I have only recently discovered it. The Matthew version is the one most recognized, the eight ways in which we are blessed. But Luke takes a deliberate turn to include the "woes"; that is, he has flipped the coin so we can see the other side. There are a multitude of expositions on this dichotomy, but I encourage you to study the two different scriptures and decide for yourselves what the differences are and why. I don't think it boils down to the simple fact that there are two authors. Comments are always welcome.
Luke 6:17-26
Luke 6:17-26
Jesus . . . looked up at his disciples and said:
“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled.
“Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
“Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.”
“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
“Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry.
“Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep.
“Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.”
sermons4kids: “Notice that Jesus didn’t say, “Happy are they who have a lot of money” or “Happy are they who have plenty to eat and dine in fancy restaurants.” He didn’t even say, “Happiness is a warm blanket.” What he did say was, “When you follow me, happiness will come. Leap for joy! A great reward awaits you in heaven.””
Scripture: February 13, 2022—Jeremiah 17:5-10 (image); Psalm 1 (image); 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 (image); and Luke 6:17-26 (image).
Collect: O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reflection: One commentator on Luke 6:17–26 writes, “‘Blessed’ (makarios) does not simply describe a state of happiness or bliss. Rather, it refers in a theological sense to one’s standing before God (Deut. 33:29; Pss. 1:1; 40:4).”* As you reflect on the blessings and woes in Luke’s Gospel and on the use of the word “happy” in Psalm 1:1 and “blessed” in Jeremiah 17:7, how does this meaning of “blessed” or “happy” contrast with contemporary uses of this word, even by some preachers? What is one change you can make in your own life before God that would bring you into closer accord with Jesus’ understanding of blessedness?
** From Gay L. Byron, “Exegetical Perspective” on Luke 6:17–26, Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany, in Feasting on the Word: Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary, Year C, Volume 4, ed. David L. Bartlett and Barbara Brown Taylor (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2009), 361.
A video/audio journey through the scripture.
IMG_7183.jpgA reflection on the Luke scripture for Sunday (original post 2/17/19)
For 36 years, I have had this comic strip hanging in my kitchen. The artist, Jeff MacNelly, was a family friend with a wicked sense of humor. He had a messy house in which I babysat his kids. Over the years, I’ve put up this strip in nine kitchens, in three states along the East Coast. It saw our household grow from one to three kids with their seemingly endless parade of friends, homework, toys, books and then later boxes when they moved out. It has seen half a dozen dogs slinking around the kitchen looking for a handout or a friendly scratch. Countless meals, conversations, tears of joy, frustration, sadness, anger and a lot of laughter went on in that kitchen.
This cartoon has always made me smile because it made me feel better about my not so tidy house. We lived fully in those rooms and it showed. But then life is messy. The crowds following Jesus were noisy, dusty and demanding. He had to be getting tired and a little frustrated—not unlike a parent trying to keep a messy household organized. The Beatitudes, when read again through parental eyes, speak to me as words said to a child. If they were hungry, we fed them. If sad, we would dry their tears and try to make them feel better and maybe laugh. And as we read further in Luke 6, we see the admonishment that a child might receive for punishment.
These words come alive to me and I feel comforted. I also know that my messy house is blessed along with every other house whether it be neat, sloppy, or having no walls and a dirt floor. We are all blessed.
©2022 Judy Gallagher
Images enhancing
the scripture
“The Beatitudes of Jesus”, a series of posters by Hyatt Moore [this thumbnail is only one of many - go look]
“The Beatitudes” by Jen Norton
Beatitudes banner, Mennonite church
Music founded
in the scripture
“The Beatitudes” by Franxz Liszt
“The Beatitudes“, kid-friendly version
"Touba [Blessed]" in Arabic
“Beati quorum via“, ethereal, sung by Voces 8
Other voices
about the scripture
Commentary by Trevor Hudson
“The Beatitudes” by Nadia Boltz-Weber; a contemporary interpretation from an unusual priest (don’t click if you might be offended)
"The new Beatitudes" by Pope Francis
Movies representing some part of the scripture
“The Postman“ (1997, R), where there is no vision, the people perish, “hope as a powerful spiritual force”, Review
"I will make you fishers of men". The author and composer of this delightful children's song is Harry Dixon Clark (1888-1957). Here's what Hope Publishing says about him: He was born in Cardiff, Wales, was left an orphan at an early age, and had a very hard life as a youth. With the help of a brother, he got to London, then Canada, and finally the United States where he was converted. He studied at the Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, Illinois. In the early 1920s, he was active in composing and music publishing. For a number of years, he was songleader for evangelist Harry Vom Bruch, and also for Billy Sunday in the last years of that evangelist's ministry. He later founded the Billy Sunday Memorial Chapel, Sioux City, Iowa, and was pastor there until 1945. In later life, he was active in evangelistic work and conferences, with headquarters in Garard's Fort, Pennsylvania, and finally in South Milford, Indiana. In 1926, he sold his copyrights to Hope Publishing Company, the most popular of which is "Into My Heart".
He wrote many song, some familiar and some not. Read the list here.
If you'd like to read about one hymn in particular, let me know.
For families: Study guide and activity (previous guide); group activities; snacks.
For children: activity in guide/activity above (another); bulletin games; craft;
For middlers: activity in guide/activity above (another); bulletin games; craft.
Coloring pages: Luke; Jeremiah
For youth: Take the time to listen to Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber's Beatitudes. This is a powerful, yet unique interpretation of these marvelous statements from Jesus at his "Sermon on the Mount." As you listen, is there one that makes you say to yourself, "Yes, that's me"? Are there those who you think have been omitted? Who are they and why would you include them? Finally, take a look at the Luke scripture. This passage about The Beatitudes presents not only "the blessed" but also "the woes." Do you think "the woes" are as important as "the blesseds"? And before you stop thinking about this, how do you react to Pope Francis' "New Beatitudes"? Comments welcome.
Today we have another aspect of Jesus’ manifestation (epiphany) as Son of God: his teaching. As in Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount, Luke’s “sermon on the plain” begins with beatitudes. Some scholars believe that Luke’s simpler, more direct version is closer to the original. Luke’s version follows the beatitudes with woes for those who live differently. The issue is whether one’s trust is in God—which it must be for those who are poor, hungry, weeping, and persecuted—or in oneself as is too often the case of the rich, full, laughing, and spoken well of.
In the first reading, God curses those who trust in mere mortals and blesses those who trust in God.
As we near the end of I Corinthians Paul continues to sum up his message. The resurrection of Jesus is central to everything. Our faith, our good deeds, and our hope of eternal life—all is futile if God did not raise Jesus from the dead. If all we expect of God is for our present lives, then we are to be pitied. But—says Paul, who himself met the risen Christ on the road to Damascus—Christ has been raised from the dead and our resurrection follows from his.
We gather week by week because we know that without God and without the death and resurrection of Jesus, we are nothing. With God, we are blessed and whether our poverty is in material things or in spirit, our hunger is for food and for righteousness, God meets our needs in word and sacrament. As people baptized into Jesus’ resurrection, we draw life and strength to persevere from God.
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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