Our readings for the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 21) follow. For a combined link to read them all, go here.
- Matthew 21:23-32
- Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32
- Psalm 25:1-9
- Philippians 2:1-13
Matthew 21:23-32. By what authority are you doing these things, ask the elders and chief priests? Well, was John a prophet from God or from men, asks Jesus? He tells them the parable of the two sons. One said he would go into the fields but did not. One said he wouldn’t, but later did. So too with John the Baptist. He came in the way of righteousness, but they did not believe him. Tax collectors and prostitutes did, but not the priests and the elders. Seeing all this, they still did not believe him.
Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32. No longer say that the fathers eat sour grapes and their children’s teeth are set on edge. All lives are the Lord’s and only the one who sins will die. The people accuse the Lord of being unjust. He tells them when the unrighteous repent, they will live. When the righteous begin practicing wrongdoing, they will die. So how is God unjust? He takes no delight in the death of anyone. Repent and live!
Psalm 25:1-9. Protect me from my enemies, Lord. Do not let me be humiliated. Teach me and guide me in your ways. Forgive me my past sins and show us all the right way to live.
Philippians 2:1-13. My favorite verses are in this passage. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, awe and reverence! Because God is in you to help you to will it and work it! Also here is the self-emptying of Christ, not relying on his position with the Father, but humbly and unconditionally obeying him, to the point of death, as should we.
These passages illustrate the need to choose our leaders and authority well. Not just relying on the established religion but upon whom God has sent, even if that puts us at odds with the status quo. Jesus and John both oppose the unrighteous Temple system, and Herod. We must rely on Jesus as savior and Lord, and not become confused by world empires and their ways.
A good app for reading not only the Sunday Lectionary, but the daily readings as well, is DailyLectio.net, found at that address. It offers choices for the Semicontinuous and the Complementary readings that you can easily switch back and forth between. They also have a good app for iOS and Android. It is only available in the New Revised Standard Version, though. BibleGateway.com also has a good app, and offers many different reading plans and Bible versions. You have to set it up with a free plan, and choose between the Revised Common Lectionary Complementary and the Revised Common Lectionary Semicontinuous plans. Both sources offer you the option of daily reminders by email. If you need help in setting either of these up, please contact me.