Archive for the ‘St. James Bar-Zebedee’ Tag
Above: Hosea
Image in the Public Domain
Sincere, Selfless Faith
MARCH 19, 2023
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According to the Inter-Lutheran Commission on Worship (ILCW) Lectionary (1973), as contained in the Lutheran Book of Worship (1978) and Lutheran Worship (1982)
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Hosea 5:15-6:2
Psalm 43 (LBW) or Psalm 138 (LW)
Romans 8:1-10
Matthew 20:17-28
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God of all mercy, by your power to hear and to forgive,
graciously cleanse us from all sin and make us strong;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.
—Lutheran Book of Worship (1978), 18
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Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
your mercies are new every morning,
and though we have in no way deserved your goodness,
you still abundantly provide for all our wants of body and soul.
Give us, we pray, your Holy Spirit
that we may heartily acknowledge your merciful goodness toward us,
give thanks for all your benefits,
and serve you in willing obedience;
through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.
—Lutheran Worship (1982), 37
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The selection of verses for the First Reading is odd. These three verses, out of context, sound pious. In textual context, however, one reads that the people in Hosea 6:1-2 were insincere, and that God knew it. One realizes that the people in Hosea 6:1-2 were self-serving.
Sts. James and John, via their mother, St. Mary Salome, a maternal aunt of Jesus, were self-serving, too. They sought positions of honor, not service and sacrifice. Jesus modeled the opposite of being self-serving. St. James and John eventually followed his example, though.
The authors of Psalms 43 and 138 offered honest faith, fortunately. So did St. Paul the Apostle, who had a better life (by conventional standards) as Saul of Tarsus, persecutor of early Christianity. As St. Paul, he suffered beatings, incarceration, and finally, martyrdom.
I do not pretend to have a completely selfless faith. I know I am not a spiritual giant. Yet I try to grow spiritually in Christ daily. I aspire to be the best possible version of myself in Christ daily, with mixed results. The effort is essential; God can work with it.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
MARCH 2, 2022 COMMON ERA
ASH WEDNESDAY
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Link to the corresponding post at BLOGA THEOLOGICA
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Above: The Four Men in the Fiery Furnace
Image in the Public Domain
Glorifying God
FEBRUARY 18, 2024
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The Collect:
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning:
Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them,
that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of life,
which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
—The Book of Common Prayer (1979), page 236
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The Assigned Readings:
Daniel 3:1, 4-28
2 Timothy 1:1-14
Mark 10:32-45
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These three readings testify that suffering is frequently part of a faithful life, and that the suffering faithful enjoy the presence of God.
The readings from Daniel 3 and 2 Timothy 1 speak for themselves, but the lesson from Mark 10 needs some unpacking.
James and John, sons of Zebedee, were also sons of Mary Salome, sister of St. Mary of Nazareth. They were, therefore, first cousins of Jesus. In an alternate version (Matthew 20:20-38) this story, Mary Salome made the request on their behalf. At that point James and John had yet to grasp certain key points, such as the impending crucifixion of Jesus, which our Lord and Savior predicted more than once. They sought glory; Jesus called for carrying one’s cross and following him.
The call to Christian discipleship is the call to follow Jesus, even through times of persecution and suffering. God will glorify as God sees fit; we ought not to seek glory for ourselves. No, we should glorify God.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
JUNE 20, 2019 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF JOSEPH AUGUSTUS SEISS, U.S. LUTHERAN MINISTER, LITURGIST, HYMN WRITER, AND HYMN TRANSLATOR
THE FEAST OF CHARLES COFFIN, ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST AND HYMN WRITER
THE FEAST OF HANS ADOLF BRORSON, DANISH LUTHERAN BISHOP, HYMN WRITER, AND HYMN TRANSLATOR
THE FEAST OF JOHANN FRIEDRICH HERTZOG, GERMAN LUTHERAN HYMN WRITER
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https://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2019/06/20/glorifying-god-vi/
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Above: Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
Genesis and Mark, Part XIX: Leadership and Service
MARCH 8 and 9, 2024
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Blessed Lord, who caused all holy scriptures to be written for our learning:
Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them,
that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life,
which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
–The Book of Common Prayer (1979), page 236
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The Assigned Readings:
Genesis 40:1-23 (21st Day of Lent)
Genesis 41:1-27 (22nd Day of Lent)
Psalm 22 (Morning–21st Day of Lent)
Psalm 43 (Morning–22nd Day of Lent)
Psalms 107 and 130 (Evening–21st Day of Lent)
Psalms 31 and 143 (Evening–22nd Day of Lent)
Mark 10:32-50 (21st Day of Lent)
Mark 11:1-19 (22nd Day of Lent)
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Some Related Posts:
Prayers:
http://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2011/02/03/prayer-for-friday-in-the-third-week-of-lent/
http://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2011/02/03/prayer-for-saturday-in-the-third-week-of-lent/
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Back in Mark 10:13-16 Jesus taught his Apostles regarding the Kingdom of God: Powerless children were the exemplars to emulate. Yet, in Mark 10:35-40, James and John, our Lord’s cousins, requested preferential treatment. They did not yet grasp that leadership in God’s order is about service, not status. Then Jesus provided some examples. We read in the Markan narrative of our Lord healing a blind man (whom others were trying to keep quiet) and entering Jerusalem not as a conquering hero for the final Passover Week of his earthly life.
Meanwhile, back in Genesis, Joseph was in prison for an offense he did not commit. At least he was the de facto assistant warden, with all the privileges attached to that position. But he was still an innocent man in prison. And the chief cup bearer had forgotten his promise to speak to the Pharaoh on his behalf for a while–until he remembered. The chief cup bearer was of no service to Joseph for a long time.
We humans are responsible for one another. We do not act like it as often as we should, but we are. And living this responsibility might entail great risk–even death. It did for Jesus and James. John survived his risks, enduring hardships yet not suffering martyrdom. Joseph, of course, prospered and shared the wealth with his relatives, some of whom had plotted to kill him then decided merely to sell him into slavery. I cannot say for certain where my path of service will lead me, much less where your path of service will lead you, O reader. Yet I can say that the path of service is part of the Kingdom of God and a matter of Christian discipleship.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
MAY 22, 2012 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF RICHARD BIGGS, ACTOR
THE FEAST OF ROTA WAITOA, ANGLICAN PRIEST
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http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2013/01/21/genesis-and-mark-part-xix-leadership-and-service/
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Above: Jacob’s Ladder, by William Blake
Genesis and Mark, Part XV: Epiphanies and Reactions or Responses Thereto
MARCH 3, 2024
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Blessed Lord, who caused all holy scriptures to be written for our learning:
Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them,
that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life,
which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
–The Book of Common Prayer (1979), page 236
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The Assigned Readings:
Genesis 27:30-45; 28:10-22
Psalm 84 (Morning)
Psalms 42 and 32 (Evening)
Mark 9:1-13
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Some Related Posts:
The Feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus (August 6):
http://neatnik2009.wordpress.com/2010/06/13/feast-of-the-transfiguration-of-jesus-august-6/
Kings (2009):
http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2012/05/17/kings-2009/
Prayer:
http://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2011/02/03/prayer-for-the-third-sunday-in-lent/
Prayer of Praise and Adoration:
http://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2011/02/02/prayer-of-praise-and-adoration-for-the-third-sunday-in-lent/
Prayer of Confession:
http://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2011/02/02/prayer-of-confession-for-the-third-sunday-in-lent/
Prayer of Dedication:
http://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2011/02/02/prayer-of-dedication-for-the-third-sunday-in-lent/
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Sometimes poetry can convey truth better than a straight-forward account . That, I am convinced, is why the Gospel accounts of the Transfiguration work so well; they are prose poetry.
Back in Mark 8:27-38, Peter had confessed Jesus as Messiah. then our Lord had predicted his death and resurrection, which Peter did not take well. So Jesus rebuked him. One must take up one’s cross and follow me, Jesus said. Then, in 9;1, came a prediction many have misunderstood:
In truth I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power. (The New Jerusalem Bible)
The Markan account of the Transfiguration follows immediately. Textual context matters very much.
In the Transfiguration we have the true identity of James revealed to Peter, James, and John. The trouble with the proposed three booths (or shelters) was at least two-fold. First, any attempt to institutionalize the moment would have prevented them from moving forward to Jerusalem and the ultimate Holy Week. Second, the three booths would have been the same size, I presume. What would have differentiated Jesus from Moses and Elijah?
All of that builds up to my main point. The three Apostles were terrified. They did not know what to say, but Peter spoke anyway. In contrast, in Genesis 28, Jacob the schemer was
shaken (verse 17, TANAKH: The Holy Scriptures),
was confident, and did know what to say. When God becomes present in a spectacular manner, we might be terrified or shaken. Yet, if we are spiritually where we ought to be, confidence is the proper result, for God is with us. But if we are on the wrong side of God….
Recently I found Kings, a 2009 NBC television series, on DVD. It is a retelling of sorts of the Saul-David story from 1 Samuel. The setting is a parallel reality, in contemporary times. Silas Benjamin is the absolute monarch of the Kingdom of Gilboa, the newly-rebuilt capital city of which is Shiloh. Gilboa is at war with Gath, its northern neighbor. The series ran only twelve episodes (including the two-part pilot), for it audience did not find it, unfortunately. In the last episode King Silas, once the chosen of God, hears from God for the first time in a while. God appears in a thunderstorm and tells Silas that David Shepherd is the new chosen king. Silas does not take this well, and David must go into exile in Gath.
That scene culminated a series which began one Reverend Samuels confronting Silas and delivering a message of God’s rejection. Silas said in reaction,
To hell with God.
With an attitude like that, what else was God to say at the end?
May our attitude be much better.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
MAY 18, 2012 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF MALTBIE DAVENPORT BABCOCK, U.S. PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER AND HYMN WRITER
THE FEAST OF ERIK IX OF SWEDEN, KING AND MARTYR
THE FEAST OF JOHN I, BISHOP OF ROME
THE FEAST OF TAMIHANA TE RAUPPARAHA, ANGLICAN MISSIONARY
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http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2013/01/20/genesis-and-mark-part-xv-epiphanies-and-reactions-or-responses-thereto/
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Above: Fishing on the Sea of Galilee
Image Source = Library of Congress
Genesis and Mark, Part II: The Image of God
FEBRUARY 15, 2024
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Blessed Lord, who caused all holy scriptures to be written for our learning:
Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them,
that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life,
which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
–The Book of Common Prayer (1979), page 236
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The Assigned Readings:
Genesis 1:20-2:3
Psalm 38 (Morning)
Psalms 126 and 102 (Evening)
Mark 1:14-28
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A Related Post:
Prayer:
http://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2011/01/21/prayer-for-thursday-after-ash-wednesday/
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Certainly Jesus knew James and John, the sons of Zebedee, for Zebedee was our Lord’s uncle. James and John were therefore first cousins of Jesus. There was nothing inherently wrong with fishing; it was honest and socially useful work. Yet our Lord had a higher purpose in mind for his cousins.
The concept of the image of God unites the readings from Genesis and Mark. But what is the image of God? It is not physical, for God is spirit. Perhaps the best way to identify the image of God in human beings is to notice some contrasts with the rest of the Animal Kingdom. We are almost genetically identical to chimpanzees, but they do not compose sonnets. Elephants are quite intelligent and mourn their dead. Who knows (other than God and whales) what whale songs mean? I, along with some great Christian saints, assume that our fellow creatures of certain intelligence possess souls, but they members of these species have not forged civilizations as we know them. Likewise, I adore cats. Their bodies are perfectly evolved for their purposes in nature. And I have no doubt that cats I have known well have had souls. But I, as a human, have a spark which cats lack.
We humans have potential which other mammals lack. And we ought to live up to higher standards. We are animals biologically; evolutionary forces have shaped us physically. But we are more than skin, meat, blood, and bones; we are souls who bear the image of God.
Thus we ought to act accordingly. We should pursue our highest and greatest potential. We ought to help others pursue and achieve theirs. We ought to love each other and ourselves as bearers of the divine image. If we do this, we will cease to hate and kill one another. We will cease to exploit each other and condone or turn a blind eye to exploitation. We will cease to discriminate against each other. We will do all this because we recognize the divine spark in each other and know that we are not so different from each other as we thought once.
I propose a Lenten discipline to continue afterward: Looking for and finding the image of God in others then treating them with the great respect due a bearer of the divine image. That is an excellent habit, one which will banish a host of bad ones.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
APRIL 28, 2012 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF THE FIRST U.S. METHODIST BOOK OF WORSHIP, 1945
THE FEAST OF SAINT GUALFARDUS, ROMAN CATHOLIC HERMIT
THE FEAST OF SAINT PETER CHANEL, ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST
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http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2013/01/20/genesis-and-mark-part-ii-the-image-of-god/
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LENTEN AND EASTER DEVOTIONS 
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