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Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 5 (10)
 

The lections of this Sunday (Proper 5) only come around once in a decade; yet they have so much to offer. The underlying theme of the gospel and epistle lessons are that of a new revelation--a dramatic revelation of Jesus, the Christ.  Both, the young man who was raised from his deathbed as well as Saul of Tarsus experienced the power of Christ which changed their lives forever and, at least in Paul's case, resulted in a new perspective and radical change of purpose.  The first (OT) lesson likewise features a miraculous experience, albeit on the lines of a different subject, viz. that of God's faithful provisions in times of hardship. The widow shared the little she had with the man of God and was, in turn, taken care of by God who rewards the faithful. The first lesson and gospel lesson both recount the faithfulness of a God who does not forget the poor and those on the margin of society.

 

LUKE 7:11-17-RAISED TO NEW LIFE

As in our first lesson, a prophet of God responds to the desperate needs of a widow; both accounts feature a miraculous element.  The story of the resurrection of the widow's son is significant as it belongs to a series of events in chapter 7 which identify Jesus as more than a prophet: he forgives sin, he heals and he raises the dead.  The news of these events precede him as he continues his ministry in Galilee.

 

PSALM 146-THE BEATITUDES IN PSALMS

This psalm opens with heraldic pronouncement: Praise the Lord (praise, sing, and trust). The psalmist begins by telling us where not to put our trust—"not . . . in princes" (v.v. 3-4), for in the long run, they’re flimsy and unreliable. By a descriptive contrast, however, we are wholly justified in offering praise to God, for the God of Jacob . . . creates, executes justice, feeds the hungry, sets prisoners free, opens blind eyes, lifts the bowed down, watches over strangers, and supports the orphan and widow (vv. 5-9). As it opens, so the psalm closes with the joyous announcement: Praise the Lord!

 

GALATIANS 1:11-24-REVELATION OF THE LIVING CHRIST

This lesson is part of a longer argument that recalls Paul’s earlier experience with the Jerusalem Christian leaders to ensure that Paul’s gospel is consistent with the apostolic tradition. In this section of chapter 1, Paul establishes his own apostolic authority which he connects to the dramatic revelation of Jesus Christ on the way to Damascus. He claims that his personal encounter with the risen Christ was of such clarity that it constituted an apostolic calling.  Paul sees the evidence for this is his radical conversion from persecutor to champion of the church of Christ.

 

1 KINGS 17:8-16-GOD'S PROVISIONS FOR SELFLESS HOSTS

The first (OT) lesson likewise features a miraculous experience, albeit on the lines of a different subject, viz. that of God's faithful provisions in times of hardship.  The story of the widow is reminiscent of the miracle of  Chanukah. The widow's flour and oil flasks never ran dry. The widow's sacrificial sharing with the prophet of God resulted in a miraculous show of God's faithfulness and ample provisions.