Episcopal Church of the
Incarnation
The Second Sunday after Pentecost [Proper 3] (A)
Isaiah
49.8-16a Psalm 131 1 Corinthians 4.1-5 Matthew
6.24-34
Isaiah 49.8-16a
1) This
lesson comes from a longer section in Second Isaiah in which the Lord pronounces that He will comfort
a) This
lesson itself amounts to the announcement of a new exodus; of the end of the
exile in
b) The text comprises a poem, with an independent hymn beginning at v. 13.
c) The exile is over, and the Israelites are streaming out of the farthest dark corners of exile to return to their promised land.
2) The poem itself is comprised of a patchwork of ideas and expressions found elsewhere in Isaiah, e.g., at 40.1, 11; 41.18; 43.5-6; 45.14; elsewhere in ch. 49; and 61.2.
3) In the hymn beginning at v. 13, we are reminded of the care in which God holds us as His creation.
a) This includes yet another example of a mothering metaphor being applied to God.
Psalm 131
1) A psalm of trust, made up of a contrast between a “negative” confession and a confession of faith (a positive confession).
2) The sin implied by a heart lifted up in pride (Prov. 18.12) and “haughty looks” is more than vanity. It is an arrogant self-reliance that defies God (cf. Ps. 73.6-9).
3) Yet another mothering metaphor is found in 3.
1 Corinthians 4.1-5
1) Paul here develops a theme first discussed at 3.5-9: the correct attitude toward pastors.
a) Paul emphasizes the instrumental character of a pastor, using the neutral “each one” in v. 5
2) Notwithstanding the instrumental character of a pastor, Paul does distinguish between being a servant of Christ and a “steward of God’s mysteries”.
a) Anyone instructed in the faith can be a servant of Christ, and is called to be one.
i) But to be a steward, one must plumb the depths of God’s revelation.
b) All are called to ministry; therefore, all are called to a greater depth in knowledge of the faith.
i) A steward’s duty is to administer that which has been entrusted to him or her by the master.
Matthew 6.24-34
1) This teaching comes from the fourth part of the Sermon on the Mount, in which Jesus teaches particularly regarding works of piety (almsgiving, prayer and fasting).
a) Further instructions are added regarding the service of God as opposed to the love of wealth (Mammon).
i) It is not possible to serve God with a divided heart.
ii) Jesus uses wealth as an example. It is not possible to just serve God on the basis of how God “fits” into our scheme of comfort and self-interest.
2) Jesus continues by commenting on basic human needs: eating, drinking, clothing.
a) Needs must not become idols or fetishes upon which we focus.
i) We are to trust in God’s providence.
b) Jesus’ use of the phrase “do not worry” (in this translation) is often translated as “do not be anxious”.
i) The Greek original is merimnaō, which carries the connotation of being absorbed or preoccupied by something.
(1) Jesus is not saying that hunger isn’t real, but that we must not allow hunger to supplant our trust in God.
3) Jesus’ reference to the lilies which neither “toil nor spin” is a Semitic reference to the distinctions between work done by men (who toil in the field) and women (who spin at home).
a) Within God’s providence a distinction is not made in gender role.
4) The
climactic verse of the whole chapter is v. 33:
“... strive first for the
a) Many will recall the musical settings of this verse, using the KJV translation:
“Seek ye first the
a) The ultimate goal of all our activities must be God’s kingdom.