Proper 16 Sunday August 26
Readings: Isaiah 28:14-22 ; Hebrews 12:18-19,22-29 ; Luke 13:22-30 ; Psalm 46

" ... for indeed our God is a consuming fire. " Hebrews 12:29

Yikes ... more strong words ...especially if you or I are one of the "scoffers" mentioned in Isaiah who "have made lies our refuge" who will be "beaten down" by "the overwhelming scourge". Doesn't sound fun ... nope ... not at all. But wait ... we're not the "scoffers" ... no ... not us ... at least not the exact "scoffers" Isaiah speaks of ... or at least most of us taking the time to actually read these passages aren't ... yep ... that's right ... and, oh by the way, there's some more "good" news for us and well ... there's some "bad" news too.

First the "good" news ... well really ... do I actually have to tell you this? You know the "good" news, yes? Jesus ... the new covenant ... faith ... sound familiar? Sound comforting. Well it's all pretty much spelled out in today's passage from Hebrews. Out with the "blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom" ... and in with the "innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven".

And the "bad" news? Well along all this there is "God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant" ... then there's that whole bit about the "narrow door".

An are you really ready to be "shaken"? Right now? You go "first". No wait ... I mean "last" ... argh. 177 out.

Proper 15 Sunday August 19
Readings: Jeremiah 23:23-29 ; Hebrews 12:1-7(8-10)11-14 ; Luke 12:49-56 ; Psalm 82

"Jesus said, 'I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!'" Luke 12:49

Ok now ... there's certainly somewhat of a different tone in the readings this week ... not so very comforting at first, or even second, glance ... not at all. "Judgements", "divisions", and "hypocrites" ... as well as the "cloud of witnesses" enjoying a noisy cookout next door. I will have to look at these passages again tomorrow with hopes of maybe then finding the "peaceful fruit".

Proper 14 Sunday August 12
Readings: Genesis 15:1-6 ; Hebrews 11:1-3(4-7)8-16 ; Luke 12:32-40 ; Psalm 33 or 33:12-15, 18-22

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Luke 12:32

I will be able to sleep much better tonight after having read and reread this Sunday's bible passages ... these words from Luke as well as the other readings are most reassuring ... I can feel the worry slipping from me even now. I'm not going to think to much about this ... I'm just going to go quiet and try to "be ready" to meet the "flockers".

Proper 13 Sunday August 5
Readings: Ecclesiastes 1:12-14;2:(1-7,11)18-23; Colossians 3:(5-11)12-17; Luke 12:13-21; Psalm 49 or 49:1-11

"And he said to them, 'Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.' " Luke 12:15

You've heard this, right? Do you believe it? Are you ever on guard against greed? Sure, sometimes ... and good for you when you are ... that leaves more for the rest of us ... just kidding. I can actually tie this reading from Luke with the words from Ecclesiastes that "all is vanity and a chasing after wind" and from the Psalm that "Those who are honored, but have no understanding, are like the beasts that perish". I'm pretty sure with "greed" and I'm thinking "honored" in the context of the Psalm applies to "rich relations" and "them that have" ... you know ... yes, us .

I kind of get it ... but can I live it? Hmmmm. And if I read ahead in Luke ... yes, it's OK if you do that ... and "consider the lilies" can I "not worry" and really survive simple clothed in what Macarius calls, in his Homily 20, the "garment of his grace"? This is starting to get hard, isn't it?