Part 1 of 2
Daily Office Readings for Sunday of Proper 23: Year 1
Morning, Psalms 146, and 147; Evening, Psalms 111, 112, and 113;
Jeremiah 36:1 to 10; Acts 14:8 to 18; Luke 7:36 to 50:
“And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Luke 7:50)
Luke 7:36 to 50 is a powerful lesson. I ask all of you to read it. It is too long to put in this blog page, especially on Sunday when I normally try to reflect on the Daily Office and the Eucharistic readings. The Luke lesson is about forgiveness and the love of our Lord Jesus. It is about faith in our Lord Jesus. And the message that Jesus says to all is that, “our faith will save us.” Thank You God in Jesus our Savior. Amen.
Part 2 of 2
New Testament Eucharistic Readings for Sunday of Proper 23: Year B
Hebrews 4:12 to 16 and Mark 10:17 to 31:
“And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” (Mark 10:21)
I like Mark’s translation of this passage. It says, “give to the poor.” Not, give it or the money to the poor as in Matthew 19:21, and Luke 18:22. Mark is closest to the New Testament Greek as it does not use the article “the.” It makes a big difference. To give the money to the poor implies all the money. To give to the poor leaves room to keep some for the journey of the mission of Jesus. Jesus depended on the contributions of donors to assist him and his followers as they carried out the Good News. However there is one thing of note.
In all the Gospel accounts, Jesus invites the young rich man to “follow me.” We could have had his name had he followed. Then we would not be hung up on twelve. In any case, we discover that it was not that he had many possessions; but rather, many possessions had him.
I pray that what we own, does not own us.
As we listen to what the Spirit is saying to us, let us live to love, to serve, and to teach, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 