Wednesday, October 18, 2006 -- Week of Proper 23 (St. Luke the Evangelist)

"Morning Reflections" is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117
An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this location -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html



Today's Readings for the Daily Office
Either these readings for Wednesday of Proper 24 (p. 989)
Psalm 119:1-24 (morning) // 12, 13, 14 (evening)
Jonah 1:17 - 2:10
Acts 27:9-26
Luke 9:1-17

or these readings for the Feast of St. Luke
Morning: Psalm 103, Ezekiel 47:1-12, Luke 1:1-4
Evening: Psalms 67, 96; Isaiah 52:7-10; Acts 1:1-8

(I read the readings for Wed of Pr 24)

Psalm 12 is among the most compelling of the Psalms when you live in a period of injustice, corruption and abuse of power. It has spoken for me from the time segregationists dominated Mississippi even to today. It is nicely followed by the passionate prayer of Psalm 13 and the strong affirmations of Psalm 14.

In a way, the reading from Jonah is a parallel with the psalm readings. From the depths Jonah prays and God delivers. Yet he is faced with the command to do what he had fled -- to preach and prophecy to the despised enemy in Nineveh. Ironically, these awful people in Nineveh do what Israel never seems to be able to do, they listen to the prophet and they repent. (It is a bitter irony to Jonah who wants only their punishment.) God changes God's mind and doesn't bring punishment to the wicked. They have changed.

When we get to Luke we see another way of living in the midst of injustice, corruption and abuse of power. Jesus sends his small band of twelve out to do something radical. They are to proclaim that the awaited reign of God has come. Jews had been waiting for centuries for God to come decisively to right wrongs, redress injustice, punish evil, and establish shalom/peace. One day, they said, God will come and turn everything around.

Jesus tells these twelve to announce the kingdom has already arrived! They would have authority to heal and to bring integration to broken lives. They traveled lightly, accepted hospitality, and let go of failure and its corresponding responsibilities of worry or guilt. The new reign of God that Psalms 12-14 pray for has arrived, they announce.

But the shadow of Herod looms. He has heard of this movement. He had snuffed out an earlier prophetic attempt by beheading John. What is this one up to? This proclamation of the kingdom is like light being pursued by darkness.

This section closes with the feeding of 5,000. In a deserted place it appears there is scarcity. Jesus tells his disciples, "You give them something to eat." Five loaves and two fish are enough. This is the kingdom present. There is abundance and more. It happens in the eucharistic act -- Jesus takes, blesses, breaks and gives. All eat and are filled. Indeed, this is what we long for.

Lowell
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The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR