Lectionary Readings for Sunday 9.29.24 (Proper 21, Year B)
The interwoven story of Christ in the Scriptures
Enter the Story
Ordinary Time
The church year is divided into liturgical time and ordinary time. Liturgical time proceeds from Advent, through Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, and Easter to Pentecost and is structured loosely around the progression of the story of the Christ Event. Ordinary Time encompasses the other half of the year and has no specific thematic foci that shape Sunday worship.
And so we move into Kingdomtide or Ordinary Time, and the Lectionary begins the journey of challenging us again to live out the message and mission of Jesus that we have been remembering through the events of the Church Calendar so far.
Weekly Collect Prayer
O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Monday, September 23: Mark 9:38-50
Introduction: In Mark 9:38-50, Jesus addresses issues of inclusion, discipleship, and the seriousness of causing others to stumble in their faith. This passage emphasizes the importance of welcoming those who serve in His name and the radical call to discipleship that involves self-denial and the pursuit of righteousness. Jesus uses strong imagery to convey the severity of sin and the transformative nature of true discipleship.
Passage (NRSVue):Mark 9:38-50:
“John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him because he was not following us.’ But Jesus said, ‘Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward. If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched. For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.’”
Summary: In this passage, Jesus challenges His disciples’ exclusivity by affirming that anyone who acts in His name is doing good, regardless of their affiliation. He underscores the seriousness of causing others to stumble in their faith, using hyperbolic imagery to stress the importance of radical measures in pursuing holiness. Jesus calls for a community marked by peace and mutual support, encouraging His followers to embody the transformative power of faith.
Tuesday, September 24: James 5:13-20
Introduction: James 5:13-20 emphasizes the importance of prayer, community support, and the power of faith in the life of believers. This passage encourages those who are suffering to seek prayer and healing, highlighting the communal aspect of faith where believers support one another through prayer and encouragement. It also stresses the role of repentance and restoration, portraying a vibrant and active faith.
Passage (NRSVue):James 5:13-20:
“Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain; and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the earth yielded its harvest. My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and is brought back by another, you should know that whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner’s soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”
Summary: James 5:13-20 highlights the significance of prayer in the life of the community, urging believers to turn to God in all circumstances—suffering, joy, or illness. The passage emphasizes the power of collective prayer and the importance of confession and mutual support in restoring individuals. It portrays faith as a dynamic force for healing and reconciliation within the community.
Wednesday, September 25: Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22
Introduction: Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 captures the dramatic turning point in the story of Esther, where she reveals her Jewish identity and exposes Haman’s plot against her people. This passage highlights themes of courage, identity, and divine providence. It emphasizes the importance of standing up for justice and the impact of individual actions on the larger community.
Passage (NRSVue):Esther 7:1-6:
“So the king and Haman went in to feast with Queen Esther. On the second day, as they were drinking wine, the king said to Esther, ‘What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.’ Then Queen Esther answered, ‘If I have won your favor, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me—that is my petition—and the lives of my people—that is my request. For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. If we had been sold merely as slaves, men and women, I would have held my peace; but no enemy can compensate for this damage to the king.’ Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther, ‘Who is he, and where is he, who has presumed to do this?’ Esther said, ‘A foe and enemy, this wicked Haman!’ Then Haman was terrified before the king and the queen.”
Esther 9:20-22:
“Mordecai recorded these things and sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, obliging them to keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar and also the fifteenth day of the same month, year by year, as the days on which the Jews gained relief from their enemies, and as the month that had been turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, days for sending gifts of food to one another and presents to the poor.”
Summary: Esther 7:1-6 reveals Esther's courageous act of revealing her identity and Haman's plot to annihilate her people. This turning point leads to Haman's downfall and the eventual celebration of Jewish survival in Esther 9:20-22. The passages underscore themes of bravery, justice, and community solidarity, demonstrating how individual courage can lead to significant change and deliverance for the wider community.
Thursday, September 26: Psalm 124
Introduction: Psalm 124 expresses a profound sense of gratitude and recognition of God’s protective power. It reflects on the deliverance experienced by the community and the assurance that, without God's intervention, they would have faced destruction. This psalm serves as a communal hymn of thanksgiving, affirming faith in God’s constant support and care.
Passage (NRSVue):Psalm 124:
“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side—let Israel now say—if it had not been the Lord who was on our side when our enemies attacked us, then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; then over us would have gone the raging waters. Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth. We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
Summary: Psalm 124 is a communal expression of gratitude for God’s protective presence. It recounts the dangers faced by the people and the assurance that their deliverance is attributed to God alone. The psalm emphasizes the importance of acknowledging divine help in times of trouble and celebrates the freedom and safety that come from reliance on God's power.
Friday, September 27 - Find the Intersection(s)
1. Community, Inclusion, and Protecting Others
Mark 9:38-50: Jesus calls for inclusion in the faith community and warns against causing harm, emphasizing that those who act in His name are part of the mission, regardless of their background.
James 5:13-20: The emphasis on prayer and mutual support within the community aligns with the theme of inclusion, as believers are called to care for one another through prayer, healing, and restoration.
2. The Power of Prayer and Faithful Action
James 5:13-20: James highlights the effectiveness of prayer, especially when it comes from a righteous heart, and its ability to bring healing and restoration.
Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22: Esther’s faithful action, combined with the prayers of her people, leads to deliverance from a great threat. This story emphasizes the power of both prayer and courageous action in the face of injustice.
3. Deliverance from Oppression
Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22: The story of Esther is one of deliverance from a plot of genocide. God’s justice prevails as the Jewish people are saved from destruction, and the day is commemorated with joy and celebration.
Psalm 124: The psalmist praises God for delivering the people from a situation that would have overwhelmed them. The psalm resonates with Esther’s story, as both passages highlight God’s protective hand in times of danger.
4. Trust in God’s Protection
Psalm 124: This psalm reminds us of God’s constant protection and care, celebrating the ways in which God delivers us from overwhelming situations.
Mark 9:38-50: Jesus calls His followers to radical trust in God, even when they face challenges or when the faith community looks different than they expect. The call to avoid causing harm reflects the trust that God will guide and protect those who follow Him.
Summary
These readings remind us of the power of community, prayer, and trust in God’s protection. In Mark 9, Jesus calls us to embrace inclusivity and protect those who are vulnerable. James 5 emphasizes the importance of prayer in every situation, from suffering to celebration, and highlights the responsibility we have to care for one another. The story of Esther speaks to the justice and deliverance that come from God, often through courageous individuals. Finally, Psalm 124 reminds us that our help comes from God, who protects and delivers us from overwhelming challenges. Together, these passages encourage us to live out our faith through prayer, justice, inclusion, and trust in God’s protection.