Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany/in Ordinary Time (A)—Deuteronomy 30:15–20; Matthew 5:21–37

 

Frederic Edwin Church:
Moses Viewing the Promised Land (1846)
Private collection

Deuteronomy 30:15–20

The River We Crossed

Perhaps by now we're too removed 

From when our ancestors improved

Their lives by coming to this land,

Since far too many now command

A blanket prohibition to

The people who don't look like you

Against their coming 'cross the sea—

Forgetting that the guarantee 

Of blessings is to keep in mind

God's people e'er have been defined

By their rememb'ring whence they came,

And still by love, God's love proclaim. 

Scott L. Barton

See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity.If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the Lord your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you do not hear, but are led astray to bow down to other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you shall perish; you shall not live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the Lord swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

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Matthew 5:21–37

Like a Poem

Is this just an ideal time

He posits, where reason and rhyme

Will fin'lly rule the way we live?

Or do his words an image give

Of faith right now, where anger, lust,

And all the things that he discussed

—Which cause us woe—make us averse

To let our lives by them be cursed?

This "You have heard it said, but I . . ."

Reveals that he's the reason why

We, too, might live with trust and thanks,

And—surprise!—on unmetered love now bank.

Scott L. Barton

“You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.

“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

“Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one."

Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany/in Ordinary Time (A)—Isaiah 58:1–9a (9b–12); Matthew 5:13–20

 

Sojourner Truth Memorial Statue

Florence, Massachusetts

Isaiah 58:1-–9a (9b–12)

Here I Am! 

Have you ever noticed, "Here I am,"

That great response to the great "I am?"

So many say it throughout the text,

But then, Easy Street is never next!

Abraham says it first to the LORD,

And then, to Isaac, while holding a sword;

And then a third time back to his God,

Each time portends a challenge so odd

You worry for the one who spoke it,

Since what those words all seem to transmit

Is something so scary up ahead

It's like a cue, filling you with dread.

For Esau, Jacob, and Joseph, too;

And then again, when Israel, who

Heard words that he should be not afraid,

Feared, by sons, again he'd be betrayed!

Moses says it to that burning bush,

Then, Samuel, when, from sleeping, is pushed

To go to old Eli, speaks times five

These words; which means he could be deprived

Of life and limb, since answ'ring that call

Some day means he'll stand up to Saul!

The Psalmist, too, then risks offending

Those who would mock his faith unending;

And finally, Jeremiah risks it;

We hold our breaths, 'til he's acquitted.

But guess what? The LORD says such words, too!

In Isaiah, these same words construe

The risk God takes not to be swayed by

Our words, unless it's love we live by.

So when it comes

to love, I guess,

There's no such thing

as no duress.

Scott L. Barton

(The references above are to Gen. 22:1, 7 and 11;  27:1 and 18; 31:11; 37:13; 46:2; Exod. 3:4; 1 Sam. 3:4, 5, 6, 8 and 16; Ps. 40:7; Jer. 26:14; and Isa. 65:1, as well as our text, Isa. 58:9.)

Shout out, do not hold back!

Lift up your voice like a trumpet!

Announce to my people their rebellion,

to the house of Jacob their sins.

Yet day after day they seek me

and delight to know my ways,

as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness

and did not forsake the ordinance of their God;

they ask of me righteous judgments,

they delight to draw near to God.

"Why do we fast, but you do not see?

Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?"

Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day,

and oppress all your workers.

Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight

and to strike with a wicked fist.

Such fasting as you do today

will not make your voice heard on high.

Is such the fast that I choose,

a day to humble oneself?

Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush,

and to lie in sackcloth and ashes?

Will you call this a fast,

a day acceptable to the Lord?

Is not this the fast that I choose:

to loose the bonds of injustice,

to undo the thongs of the yoke,

to let the oppressed go free,

and to break every yoke?

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,

and bring the homeless poor into your house;

when you see the naked, to cover them,

and not to hide yourself from your own kin?

Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,

and your healing shall spring up quickly;

your vindicator shall go before you,

the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.

Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;

you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.

If you remove the yoke from among you, 

the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, 

if you offer your food to the hungry 

and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, 

then your light shall rise in the darkness 

and your gloom be like the noonday. 

The Lord will guide you continually, 

and satisfy your needs in parched places, 

and make your bones strong; 

and you shall be like a watered garden, 

like a spring of water, 

whose waters never fail. 

Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; 

you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; 

you shall be called the repairer of the breach, 

the restorer of streets to live in.

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Matthew 5:13–20

Alternate Fact

Jesus used an alternate fact

Because they knew: Salt cannot lack

For taste, no matter what they say;

Nor can a city on a hill

Be hid, no matter what you will;

Boxed up, a new lamp doesn't stay,

But everyone will plug it in

For light—there is no other spin;

Such facts stood then, and stand today. 

And you are like that lamp and salt,

Existing so you might exalt

The one whose love has made you so;

This fact no one can take away,

And thus, the rules of love will stay!

God's people from them shall not go,

And need each day to demonstrate

That neighbor-caring cannot wait,

In towns and cities, high or low. 

Scott L. Barton

“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

 

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany/in Ordinary time (A)—Micah 6:1–8; Matthew 5:1–12 and 1 Corinthians 1:18–21

 

Symeon Shimin: Contemporary Justice and Child
Dept. of Justice, Washington, D.C. (1940)

Micah 6:1–8

The Controversy of the LORD

"The controversy of the LORD"
Is written by the prophet to restore
The right relationship between
A people who believe, and God not seen.

He argues, he contends; his "rib"*
(In Hebrew) means much more than he's just peeved,
Or that his nose is out of joint;
He brings a lawsuit now to make a point.

That point is this: There is no God
That you can claim unless you think it's odd
That you have gotten where you are
Apart from being such a shining star.

The word, my friends, says Micah, still,
Is gratitude that is unproved until
The kindness, love and justice shown
To you, from you to others will be known.

Scott L. Barton

* רִיב  complaint, suit, contention

Hear what the Lord says:
Rise, plead your case before the mountains,
and let the hills hear your voice.
Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the Lord,
and you enduring foundations of the earth;
for the Lord has a controversy with his people,
and he will contend with Israel.

"O my people, what have I done to you?
In what have I wearied you? Answer me!
For I brought you up from the land of Egypt,
and redeemed you from the house of slavery;
and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
O my people, remember now what King Balak of Moab devised,
what Balaam son of Beor answered him,
and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal,
that you may know the saving acts of the Lord.”

“With what shall I come before the Lord,
and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?

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First Congregational Church
Hadley, Massachusetts

Matthew 5:1–12, with a reference to 1 Corinthians 1:18–21

Blessed Are the Upside Down

"Blessed are the upside down,"
So he seems to say; But—

Who on earth is glad to mourn?
What blessing is conveyed?
Likewise, poor in spirit—Who
Is happy to be there?
Meek folks aren't on Forbes's list,
Such combination's rare;
No good deed goes unpunished,
The cynic wryly notes;
But kingdom view is different!
—And henceforth, faith denotes
Not wisdom for a sampler,
To hang upon the wall,
But vision upside down is—
God's vision, above all!
The good news is God sees things
To which we're mostly blind,
Unless we look with Jesus,
His heart, and soul and mind;
Things that are not, will yet be,
And God counts no one out;
Each one belongs to God, and,
Thus, blessed are you!—No doubt!

Scott L. Barton
(The opening line is from a sermon by Barbara Brown Taylor, in Gospel Medicine, Rowman & Littlefield, 1995.)

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 

Third Sunday after the Epiphany/in Ordinary Time (A)—Isaiah 9:1–4; Matthew 4:12–23

 

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Third Sunday after the Epiphany/in Ordinary Time

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time/Second after the Epiphany (A)—Isaiah 49:1–7; John 1:29–42

 

John the Baptist Identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God

Cathédrale d'Amiens, France

Isaiah 49:1-17

Proof Text

This text is proof you cannot separate 

First person singular from plural—

At least not when it comes to faith,

Where one's salvation is no cure-all;

Isaiah segues back and forth,

The "me" once named and called, the nation,

But noting that he's called, as well,

Proclaims both born God's good creation.

The nation and the prophet, both,

Were called by God to be a blessing,

Through thick and thin, though down and out,

Our job's God's love for all professing.

Scott L. Barton

Listen to me, O coastlands, 

pay attention, you peoples from far away! 

The Lord called me before I was born, 

while I was in my mother’s womb he named me. 

He made my mouth like a sharp sword, y

in the shadow of his hand he hid me; 

he made me a polished arrow, 

in his quiver he hid me away. 

And he said to me, “You are my servant, 

Israel, in whom I will be glorified.” 

But I said, “I have labored in vain, 

I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; 

yet surely my cause is with the Lord, 

and my reward with my God.” 

And now the Lord says, 

who formed me in the womb to be his servant, 

to bring Jacob back to him, 

and that Israel might be gathered to him, 

for I am honored in the sight of the Lord, 

and my God has become my strength— 

he says, 

"It is too light a thing that you should be my servant 

to raise up the tribes of Jacob 

and to restore the survivors of Israel; 

I will give you as a light to the nations, 

that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

Thus says the Lord, 

the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, 

to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nations, 

the slave of rulers, 

"Kings shall see and stand up, 

princes, and they shall prostrate themselves, 

because of the Lord, who is faithful, 

the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”

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John 1:29-42

What's In a Name (Again)?

This is another text brimming with names,

"Here is the Lamb of God," the Baptist claims;

Then it's not long until "Lamb" is "the Son!"

Thinking of these, I then wonder, "Which one?"

Lamb of God? Son of God? Which will it be?

Maybe there is a progression to see?

But, two disciples of John start with this—

"Rabbi!" they say (although not with a kiss!)

Then it's not long 'til "Messiah" he's called!

Don't get attached to one name above all,

John (the Evangelist) here seems to say;

Jesus is more than just one sobriquet—

Son of God, Rabbi, Messiah or Lamb,

Jesus is surely, "I am who I am!"

You and I, too, aren't just stuck in one place,

"Simon" can quickly be "Cephas," by grace;

Maybe it just all depends where you are—

What you are called—when, what matters, by far:

You are inscribed on the walls of God's heart,

Brimming with love, which for you, won't depart.

Scott L. Barton

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.” The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!”

The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

Baptism of the Lord (A)—Isaiah 42:1–9; Matthew 3:13–17

 

Bazile, Castera: Baptism of Jesus,

Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral, Port au Prince, Haiti

One of the three original murals salvaged from the cathedral after

the 2010 earthquake.

Why does it matter that Jesus was baptized?

Why does it matter that Jesus was baptized?

Only that you really join him right there—

Into the water you go, as John holds you,

Then there's the voice as you gasp in fresh air;

Yes, of the Maker of all, you're beloved!

Chosen, and in whom our God is well-pleased;

How do I know this?  Isaiah says, clearly,

"Servant" means people whom God dearly sees

As those who are called to bring justice to all;

God is delighted with such a great scheme!

Taking God's people in hand as we step out,

We are God's servants, whose work’s to redeem

People from darkness, injustice and prison;

We will not whine, nor our spirits be quenched—

Jesus was baptized, so we, as God's people,

With water and spirit our lives might be drenched!

Scott L. Barton

Here is my servant, whom I uphold,

my chosen, in whom my soul delights;

I have put my spirit upon him;

he will bring forth justice to the nations.

He will not cry or lift up his voice,

or make it heard in the street;

a bruised reed he will not break,

and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;

he will faithfully bring forth justice.

He will not grow faint or be crushed

until he has established justice in the earth;

and the coastlands wait for his teaching.

Thus says God, the LORD,

who created the heavens and stretched them out,

who spread out the earth and what comes from it,

who gives breath to the people upon it

and spirit to those who walk in it:

I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness,

I have taken you by the hand and kept you;

I have given you as a covenant to the people,

a light to the nations,

to open the eyes that are blind,

to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,

from the prison those who sit in darkness.

I am the LORD, that is my name;

my glory I give to no other,

nor my praise to idols.

See, the former things have come to pass,

and new things I now declare;

before they spring forth,

I tell you of them.

***

 

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

Epiphany Sunday—Isaiah 60:1–6; Matthew 2:1–12; also Micah 5:2–5a

 

John of Hildesheim: The Story of the The Three Kings

retold by Margaret B. Freeman

Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1955, 1978

Off By Nine Miles

You have to be careful in choosing a text

When trying to figure what God will do next;

The wise men, it seems, had Isaiah in mind,

For in chapter 60, the prophet assigned

Jerusalem as the location for light

To shine, with the glory of Yahweh so bright

The wealth of the nations around it would come!

With frankincense, camels, and gold they'd become

Disciples! From darkness, God's glory'd redound

To those who'd kept faith, and would now be renowned!

But wise can be wrong—they were off by nine miles!

The text that they needed was just not God’s style,

For Micah had said that a town, oh so small,

Would bring forth the one to be shepherd of all!

Poor Herod (the rich) also knew not this text,

And sent for the scribes of the people, perplexed

Because of the ruler his visitors sought;

Not wise, nor the powerful, ever had thought

A prophet from out in the country could know

A place such as Bethlehem ever could show

The world a new ruler who'd ever increase

The good of the world with his treasure of peace.

 

Scott L. Barton

(Based on Walter Brueggemann’s imagining, in The Christian Century [December 19, 2001] and in Inscribing the Text [Fortress, 2004], that the wise men were off by nine miles after picking the wrong text.)

Isaiah 60:1-6

Arise, shine; for your light has come, 

and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. 

For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; 

but the Lord will arise upon you, 

and his glory will appear over you. 

Nations shall come to your light, 

and kings to the brightness of your dawn. 

Lift up your eyes and look around; 

they all gather together, they come to you; 

your sons shall come from far away,

and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms. 

Then you shall see and be radiant; 

your heart shall thrill and rejoice, 

because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, 

the wealth of the nations shall come to you. 

A multitude of camels shall cover you, 

the young camels of Midian and Ephah; 

all those from Sheba shall come.

They shall bring gold and frankincense, 

and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.

Micah 5:2-5a

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, 

who are one of the little clans of Judah, 

from you shall come forth for me 

one who is to rule in Israel,

whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. 

Therefore he shall give them up until the time 

when she who is in labor has brought forth; 

then the rest of his kindred shall return 

to the people of Israel. 

And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, 

in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. 

And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great 

to the ends of the earth; 

and he shall be the one of peace.

Matthew 2:1-12

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.”

When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.