PROPER 27
Worship
Scripture Notes
For use with Common, Lutheran and Roman Catholic Lectionaries
Since the Lutheran Lectionary texts for Pentecost 24, with the single substitution of Amos 5:18-24 for the Wisdom 6:12-16 reading, are the same as the Roman Catholic texts for Ordinary Time 32, we shall avoid repetition here by referring back to the preceding section for comments on the texts Matthew 25:1-13, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, and Psalm 63:2-8 that are united by the theme of watchfulness. The Common Lectionary for Proper 27 uses the Roman Catholic New Testament selections Matthew 25:1-13 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 from Ordinary Time 32 and the Lutheran Lectionary First Lesson selection Amos 5:18-24 from Pentecost 24. Therefore, comments here will be limited to the Common Lectionary Psalm 50:7-15. This will be followed by comments on the Lutheran Lectionary texts for Pentecost 25, some of which are taken from the Roman Catholic selections for Ordinary Time 33. Perhaps if there is a Church Year in the future life that we hope to enjoy with God, we shall be able to agree on a single set of texts for each Sunday of the Church Year there!
Roman Catholic: Wisdom 6:12-16
Wisdom is personified as a most attractive female figure here much as in Proverbs 8:1--9:6. The man who seeks her and is receptive to her will surely find her, even he who watches for her at the hour of dawn. Those who are wise will find her and will not be put to shame.
The wisdom hypostasis for God is an important means by which the goodness of God is revealed. Much of this is incorporated into the New Testament accounts, especially in the "Q" sections of Matthew and of Luke and in the Fourth Gospel, in which it becomes a part of the wisdom that is from Jesus.
Common:
Psalm 50:7-15
In this portion of Psalm 50, God makes an awesome appearance to declare that the sacrifice that is pleasing to God is the sacrifice of thanksgiving and of close communication from the people rather than the sacrifice of the flesh and blood of bulls and goats. This text is an important text to mark the transition from animal sacrifice for many in Israel to more emphasis on ethics and justice. There is a close connection between this text, therefore, and verses 21-24 of the Amos 5:18-24 text associated with it in the Common Lectionary.
It is difficult to find a dominant theme that runs like a red thread through all four of the texts of the Lutheran Lectionary for Pentecost 25. Perhaps the best that we can do is to notice the emphasis on living our lives in the full light of the Lord while we wait for the redemption that the Lord has planned for us.
Lutheran: Matthew 25:14-30
The servant in this parable of the talents who had hidden his one talent in the darkness of the earth was cast into the deepest darkness farthest from the joy of the master. The servants, on the other hand, who had used their talents in the full light of commerce and trade while their master was away on a journey were welcomed into the joy of their master. The message of the parable, therefore, is that while we wait for the return of our Lord we should use our lives and our abilities fully and openly in honest service for others in the name of the Lord. This message is to be given special emphasis as we near the conclusion of another Church Year.
Lutheran: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
According to the Apostle Paul in this text, we are not children of the night nor of darkness. We are children of the light and of the day. If Paul could advise the followers of Jesus in Thessalonica whose lives were endangered by the zealous advocates of Roman Civil Religion to live their lives openly and honestly, alert and sober, how much more ought we to be advised in a similar way!
Lutheran: Psalm 90:12-17
In this concluding portion of this great psalm of lament, the worshipers ask the Lord for wisdom and for guidance to bring them out of the darkness into the light of the new morning on which the Lord will deliver them. They desire to work with the bright light of the favor of the Lord upon them all of their days, with rejoicing and gladness.
Lutheran: Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9
This text can be considered to be the response of the Lord to the fervent prayers of the People of God in the Psalm 90 group lament. The compassion of the Lord is so warm and tender that, in spite of the unfaithfulness of the little children of the Lord who grew up to rebel against the Lord, the Lord God is big enough to be able to handle their unfaithfulness. The Lord will not give them up to destruction, but will still nourish them and care for them. This is pure grace.
Roman Catholic: Wisdom 6:12-16
Wisdom is personified as a most attractive female figure here much as in Proverbs 8:1--9:6. The man who seeks her and is receptive to her will surely find her, even he who watches for her at the hour of dawn. Those who are wise will find her and will not be put to shame.
The wisdom hypostasis for God is an important means by which the goodness of God is revealed. Much of this is incorporated into the New Testament accounts, especially in the "Q" sections of Matthew and of Luke and in the Fourth Gospel, in which it becomes a part of the wisdom that is from Jesus.
Common:
Psalm 50:7-15
In this portion of Psalm 50, God makes an awesome appearance to declare that the sacrifice that is pleasing to God is the sacrifice of thanksgiving and of close communication from the people rather than the sacrifice of the flesh and blood of bulls and goats. This text is an important text to mark the transition from animal sacrifice for many in Israel to more emphasis on ethics and justice. There is a close connection between this text, therefore, and verses 21-24 of the Amos 5:18-24 text associated with it in the Common Lectionary.
It is difficult to find a dominant theme that runs like a red thread through all four of the texts of the Lutheran Lectionary for Pentecost 25. Perhaps the best that we can do is to notice the emphasis on living our lives in the full light of the Lord while we wait for the redemption that the Lord has planned for us.
Lutheran: Matthew 25:14-30
The servant in this parable of the talents who had hidden his one talent in the darkness of the earth was cast into the deepest darkness farthest from the joy of the master. The servants, on the other hand, who had used their talents in the full light of commerce and trade while their master was away on a journey were welcomed into the joy of their master. The message of the parable, therefore, is that while we wait for the return of our Lord we should use our lives and our abilities fully and openly in honest service for others in the name of the Lord. This message is to be given special emphasis as we near the conclusion of another Church Year.
Lutheran: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
According to the Apostle Paul in this text, we are not children of the night nor of darkness. We are children of the light and of the day. If Paul could advise the followers of Jesus in Thessalonica whose lives were endangered by the zealous advocates of Roman Civil Religion to live their lives openly and honestly, alert and sober, how much more ought we to be advised in a similar way!
Lutheran: Psalm 90:12-17
In this concluding portion of this great psalm of lament, the worshipers ask the Lord for wisdom and for guidance to bring them out of the darkness into the light of the new morning on which the Lord will deliver them. They desire to work with the bright light of the favor of the Lord upon them all of their days, with rejoicing and gladness.
Lutheran: Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9
This text can be considered to be the response of the Lord to the fervent prayers of the People of God in the Psalm 90 group lament. The compassion of the Lord is so warm and tender that, in spite of the unfaithfulness of the little children of the Lord who grew up to rebel against the Lord, the Lord God is big enough to be able to handle their unfaithfulness. The Lord will not give them up to destruction, but will still nourish them and care for them. This is pure grace.
