Scriptures and Reflection Questions for October 19

23 Pentecost, Proper 24
Year A

October 19, 2008
Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary

How to use this page:

Print this and read a different passage each day and think about it. Some questions are offered to help stimulate your reflection. You'll find your experience of worship on Sunday will be intensified.

For a method to read and pray with the scriptures you might try to use the ancient practice of Lectio Divina (Divine Reading). I've written some instructions on how to use Lectio with the Sunday Scriptures at the following link: Using Lectio Divina to pray with the Scriptures

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Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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The Scriptures

Isaiah 45:1-7
Psalm 96:1-9
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Matthew 22:15-22

Isaiah 45:1-7

Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus,
whose right hand I have grasped
to subdue nations before him
and strip kings of their robes,
to open doors before him--
and the gates shall not be closed:
I will go before you
and level the mountains,
I will break in pieces the doors of bronze
and cut through the bars of iron,
I will give you the treasures of darkness
and riches hidden in secret places,
so that you may know that it is I, the LORD,
the God of Israel, who call you by your name.
For the sake of my servant Jacob,
and Israel my chosen,
I call you by your name,
I surname you, though you do not know me.
I am the LORD, and there is no other;
besides me there is no god.
I arm you, though you do not know me,
so that they may know, from the rising of the sun
and from the west, that there is no one besides me;
I am the LORD, and there is no other.
I form light and create darkness,
I make weal and create woe;
I the LORD do all these things.

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Isaiah calls Cyrus God's "anointed" (that's the same word as "Messiah"). Yet Cyrus is not Jewish; he is a foreign king following a foreign god. What does this remarkable passage mean to you? How might it influence your view of foreign things today?

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Psalm 96:1-9 Cantate Domino

Sing to God a new song; *
sing to God all the whole earth.

Sing and bless God's holy Name; *
proclaim the good news of salvation from day to day.

Declare God's glory among the nations, *
God's wonders among all peoples.

For God is great and greatly to be praised, *
more to be feared than all gods.

As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols, *
but it is God who made the heavens.

Oh, the majesty and magnificence of God's presence! *
Oh, the power and the splendor of God's sanctuary!

Ascribe to God, you families of the peoples, *
ascribe to God honor and power.

Ascribe due honor to God's holy Name; *
bring offerings and come into the courts of praise.

Worship the Most High in the beauty of holiness; *
may the whole earth stand in awe.

(St. Helena Psalter)

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What are some of your favorite hymns? What is it about them that helps you "sing and bless God's holy Name"?
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1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace.

We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead-- Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.

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Paul speaks fondly of the church in Thessaloniki, a congregation that was smaller and poorer than many. What are some of the marks of faithfulness that you look for when you wish to complement a church congregation?

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Matthew 22:15-22

The Pharisees went and plotted to entrap Jesus in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?" But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, "Whose head is this, and whose title?" They answered, "The emperor's." Then he said to them, "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.

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Where are the conflicts in your life between the demands of God and the claims of secular authorities? Where are the conflicts in your life between you commitment to God and financial or money things?