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Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 6 (11)

We have this week a variety of lessons that will probably stand best by themselves. As we move through the green season of growth you may want to draw on the 1 & 2 Kings cycle of stories to shape growth in the congregation or spend a few Sundays in Galatians and rediscover the freedom of the gospel. Let these Scriptures permeate your soul and rekindle your vision of the Kingdom of God.

PSALM 5:1-8-HERE I AM GOD . . . AGAIN

This is a petitionary prayer in which the psalmist solicits God’s attention to the suffering being experienced. "Pay attention to my groaning . . . listen to my cry for help" cries the psalmist (NLT, vv. 1-2). We gain insight to the supplicant’s prayer ritual-"in the morning" . . . "I bring my requests to you" (v. 3), who then makes a theological statement that postures God against those who are arrogant and ""do evil" . . . "who tell lies" (vv. 5-6). The final two lines that close this Sunday’s psalm returns to the positive attributes of God-God’s unfailing love and guidance-both of which are critical needs during dangerous and uncertain times.

1 KINGS 21:1-10 (11-14)-GARDEN OF TREACHERY

What a powerful and poignant lesson about injustice and abuse of power! Naboth has for generations grown grapes on his property that abuts Ahab’s summer palace. When Kin Ahab tenders an offer for the land and is refused on grounds that it comes from a long family line, the king returns to the palace and throw a royal tantrum-he goes to his room and pouts. Finding the reason for his resentful behavior, Jezebel, his wife says, "No problem; just let me handle this and you soon grow all the vegetable to your heart’s content. Treachery claims the life of Naboth and King Ahab gets his land. But God will soon bring justice.

GALATIANS 2:15-21-UNDOING THE FINISHED WORK

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. At issue is the Law and it’s relationship to Christian faith and salvation. Specifically in our lesson, Paul insists that Jews and Gentiles come home to God in one and the same way: through faith in Jesus Christ. But once going down that path, to reverse and attempt to bring in additional baggage from previous religious conviction is to "demonstrate that I am a transgressor. For through the law I died to the law . . ." (vv. 18-19).

LUKE 7:36-8:3-HOSPITALITY AND FORGIVENESS

This is a hospitality story. Jesus accepts an invitation to lunch with a Pharisee at his home. Whilst dining, an unnamed outsider woman enters and remains near Jesus clearly demonstrating her profound honor through acts of hospitality and contrition. Though the Pharisee sees this episode as an expose on Jesus’ as a fraud, Jesus sees the woman as the gracious hospitality that the Pharisee has grossly overlooked. A parable and the punch line follow: "Which will love him more?" "Oh, I supposed the one forgiven the most." Bingo.