THE BIBLE-DISCOVERY YEAR 07-WITH LUKE’S GOSPEL

COMMENT FOR PENTECOST 15 – 09.09.07

Jeremiah 18: 1-11

This sensitive prophet sees the creative God at work shaping and reshaping the raw materials of life through this nurturing love for his creation.  (“With Love for the World” Monday 3^rd Sept P16). He uses the example of the potter working the clay to explain his message. As the human family is made in the divine image it is distinguished from the rest of creation and is given the responsibility of a like caring love as co-creator with the Eternal Spirit.

Psalm 139: 1-6, 13-16

The writer looks back on his long life and realises that he has been sustained by a God-presence through his whole journey. He finds his identity in the creative Spirit as a special part of the whole creation. Because this care for him began before his conscious life developed he finds an inner peace and calm that the turmoil of life’s events cannot disturb.

Philemon 1-21

The logic in Paul’s letter to the Galatians in 3:28 was followed in the early Christian communities as they celebrated the Last supper of their risen Lord while the institution of slavery was still observed. In this charming letter Paul, now a prisoner in Rome is asking the master to take back and forgive his runaway slave.  As they both are Christians they would have to work out a new relationship in the family of God.

Luke 14: 25-33

The disciples would have been delighted as the large crowds gathered. But Jesus does not trust this show of popular support. He goes on to explain that the Kingdom of God relationship is deep and inward, and becomes part of a person’s identity. He uses the attention grabbing “hate” to describe all other relationships while the God-person relationship is of such depth it takes in its stride all the possible risks and the weight of bearing one’s cross.