Archive for the ‘Season after Pentecost’ Tag
Above: Za’atri Refugee Camp for Syrian Refugees, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, July 18, 2013
Image in the Public Domain
Image Source = United States Department of State
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Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning:
Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them,
that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of life,
which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
—The Book of Common Prayer (1979), page 236
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Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Psalm 126
Philippians 4:4-9
John 6:25-35
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All we have comes from God. The Biblical ethic of mutuality begins here. It continues by teaching that we are all responsible to and for each other. We, therefore, have no right to exploit or victimize anyone.
These texts take us–you, O reader, and me–into the realm of collective responsibility. That gets us into laws, policies, and politics. Deuteronomy 26 points to immigrants and refugees, in particular. Nativism and xenophobia are not proper Biblical values, but they are staples of many laws and policies (especially immigration laws and policies) and much political activity. This constitutes a violation of the Golden Rule.
Philippians 4 offers wonderful communal advice. Christian toleration (not of evil, of course) should be a defining characteristic of faith community and society. People ought to fill their minds with that which is noble, good, and pure.
Repaying God for all the blessings God has bestowed is impossible. God does not command repayment, fortunately. A faithful response is in order, though. Gratitude is part of that faithful response. One may properly express that gratitude in more than one way. Words and thoughts of “thank you” are appropriate. Participation in corporate worship, when possible and when responsible, according to public health concerns, is crucial, also. Keeping divine commandments is a mandated expression of love for God in both Testaments. And both Testaments teach that love for God and love for our fellow human beings are intertwined.
So, how grateful are we, collectively and individually? And how many types of people are we willing to love in the name of God? Furthermore, how politically controversial will living according to the Golden Rule be?
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
FEBRUARY 3, 2021 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF SAINTS ANSKAR AND RIMBERT, ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOPS OF HAMBURG-BREMEN
THE FEAST OF ADELAIDE ANNE PROCTER, ENGLISH POET AND FEMINIST
THE FEAST OF SAINT ALFRED DELP, GERMAN ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST AND MARTYR, 1945
THE FEAST OF JEMIMA THOMPSON LUKE, ENGLISH CONGREGATIONALIST HYMN WRITER; AND JAMES EDMESTON, ANGLICAN HYMN WRITER
THE FEAST OF SAMUEL DAVIES, U.S. PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER AND HYMN WRITER
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Adapted from this post:
https://ordinarytimedevotions.wordpress.com/2021/02/03/devotion-for-thanksgiving-day-u-s-a-year-d-humes/
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Above: Thessaloniki (Formerly Thessalonica), Greece
Image Source = Google Earth
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For the Sunday Next Before Advent, Year 2
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Lectionary from A Book of Worship for Free Churches (The General Council of the Congregational Christian Churches in the United States, 1948)
Collect from The Book of Worship (Evangelical and Reformed Church, 1947)
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Absolve, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy people from their offenses;
that from the bonds of our sins which, by reason of our frailty,
we have brought upon us, we may be delivered by thy bountiful goodness;
through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with
thee and the Holy Spirit, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
—The Book of Worship (1947), 236
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Isaiah 35:3-10
Psalm 148
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Luke 12:35-43
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The two primary themes of the Hebrew Bible are exile and exodus. Both themes are present in Isaiah 35:3-10. The exile is the Babylonian Exile. The exodus is the return from the Babylonian Exile. Placing this reading at the end of the church year makes sense, for the language transitions neatly into texts for Advent.
Psalm 148 is a beautiful hymn. It reads like reality after God has finally vanquished evil.
Speaking of eschatology, the background of St. Paul the Apostle’s First Letter to the Thessalonians includes the realization that Jesus may not be returning as soon as many people expected. The question in Chapter 5, then, is how to live while waiting. The answer is to continue to live according to the Golden Rule, both collectively and individually. Build each other up. Repay evil with good. Support one another. Do not become discouraged in behaving properly. The reading from Luke 12:35-43 agrees.
Even when dashed eschatological expectations are not a factor, many people may become discouraged. For example, compassion fatigue is a real and labeled phenomenon in the context of serial appeals for assistance in the wake of disasters. Having compassion and behaving compassionately can be emotionally exhausting.
The readings tell us not to give up, however. However eschatology shakes out, may God find us living righteously, both collectively and individually, at any given moment. We–as communities and individuals–have vocations from God. We have work to do. May we complete it well and faithfully, by grace.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
FEBRUARY 3, 2021 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF SAINTS ANSKAR AND RIMBERT, ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOPS OF HAMBURG-BREMEN
THE FEAST OF ADELAIDE ANNE PROCTER, ENGLISH POET AND FEMINIST
THE FEAST OF SAINT ALFRED DELP, GERMAN ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST AND MARTYR, 1945
THE FEAST OF JEMIMA THOMPSON LUKE, ENGLISH CONGREGATIONALIST HYMN WRITER; AND JAMES EDMESTON, ANGLICAN HYMN WRITER
THE FEAST OF SAMUEL DAVIES, U.S. PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER AND HYMN WRITER
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Above: Icon of Christ Pantocrator
Scan by Kenneth Randolph Taylor
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Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning:
Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them,
that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of life,
which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
—The Book of Common Prayer (1979), page 236
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Jeremiah 33:14-16
Psalm 100
Hebrews 13:1-16, 20-21
John 17:1-26
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How can people live in faith community? Certain details vary according to when and where a given faith community lives, as well as who comprises it. However, Hebrews 13 provides essential guidance for how to live the John 17,
that they will all be one,
just as Jesus and YHWH are one. I choose not to copy or paraphrase all of Hebrews 13:1-16, 20-21. I encourage you, O reader, to study that text instead.
I do have some comments, though. The instructions are representative, not comprehensive. They boil down to this summary: Honor the image of God in one another. This is the essence of compassion, which begins by getting outside of oneself.
The Church has a bad name in many quarters. A certain bumper sticker reads,
JESUS, SAVE ME FROM YOUR FOLLOWERS.
Many non-Christians think of Christians as being non-judgmental. To be honest, many Christians associate Christianity with right-wing politics, Nativism, xenophobia, fascism, nationalism, and discredited conspiracy theories. To be honest, many self-identifying Christians embrace at least one of the following: right-wing politics, Nativism, xenophobia, fascism, nationalism, and discredited conspiracy theories. One may even think of Falangism, which is Christian fascism, as in Francisco Franco’s Spain. The contemporary fascist movement in the United States of America does come wrapped in the American flag and the Christian cross. Many of the Church’s wounds are self-inflicted injuries. The proper Christian response to these criticisms is to avoid defensiveness and to live the faith as Jesus taught it.
We of the Church can learn much from our critics. Some of them may know the ethics and morals of Jesus better than many of us do. The Holy Spirit may be speaking to the Church through some of the Church’s critics.
Christ is the King of the Universe. Many of his subjects on Earth are not in the Church. Likewise, many of the members of the Church are not Christ’s subjects. The Gospel of Mark teaches that many who think they are insiders are really outsiders, and vice versa. That lesson functions simultaneously as warning and comfort.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
FEBRUARY 3, 2021 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF SAINTS ANSKAR AND RIMBERT, ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOPS OF HAMBURG-BREMEN
THE FEAST OF ADELAIDE ANNE PROCTER, ENGLISH POET AND FEMINIST
THE FEAST OF SAINT ALFRED DELP, GERMAN ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST AND MARTYR, 1945
THE FEAST OF JEMIMA THOMPSON LUKE, ENGLISH CONGREGATIONALIST HYMN WRITER; AND JAMES EDMESTON, ANGLICAN HYMN WRITER
THE FEAST OF SAMUEL DAVIES, U.S. PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER AND HYMN WRITER
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Adapted from this post:
https://ordinarytimedevotions.wordpress.com/2021/02/03/devotion-for-christ-the-king-sunday-year-d-humes/
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Above: Malachi
Image in the Public Domain
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For the Twenty-Sixth Sunday after Trinity, Year 2
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Lectionary from A Book of Worship for Free Churches (The General Council of the Congregational Christian Churches in the United States, 1948)
Collect from The Book of Worship (Evangelical and Reformed Church, 1947)
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O God, so rule and govern our hearts and minds by thy Holy Spirit,
that being made ever mindful of the end of all things,
and the day of just judgment,
we may be stirred up to holiness of living here,
and dwell with thee forever hereafter;
through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. Amen.
—The Book of Worship (1947), 233
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Malachi 3:13-18
Psalm 138
Romans 12:1-21
Matthew 25:31-46
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Do not be mastered by evil, but master evil with good.
–Romans 12:21, The New Jerusalem Bible (1985)
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Malachi 3:13-18 asks a timeless question and provides an answer. The other assigned readings continue that answer. The question is, Is serving God useless, given that many arrogant people prosper and many righteous people do not? The short answer is that reward and punishment exist in the afterlife. God’s schedule may not be ours. And, in the meantime, we ought to persist in holiness.
Many passages of scripture require explanation. There may be historical or cultural contexts to consider. I am happy to offer such explanations in these blog posts. Application of scripture is easier when one understands, after all.
Romans 12:1-21 requires minimal explanation, though. The text is mainly self-explanatory. Heaping metaphorical hot coals on the heads of persecutors is an effect, not an goal, in verse 20. That is all the explanation I offer for Romans 12:1-21.
I offer an example of coal-heaping as an effect, not a goal. I know how to handle myself when someone is in my face, shouting at me. I remain calm. This requires much effort and self-control, of course. Remaining calm in such a circumstance is the mature (in the highest meaning of that word) strategy. Besides, what good is it for two people to shout mindlessly at each other?
The person shouting at me wants me to shout back. When I contain my anger and remain calm, I do what I should do. I also make the other person angrier. This is never my intention, but it is always an effect. And, by denying metaphorical oxygen to the equally metaphorical fires, I contain the situation.
That is how good conquers evil. Good does not resort to evil’s standards. Evil may rant and rave, but good exposes it by being good.
May as many of us as possible lead good lives, by grace, regardless of circumstances other people create or maintain. In so doing, may we glorify God.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
FEBRUARY 2, 2021 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF JESUS IN THE TEMPLE
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Above: The New Jerusalem
Image in the Public Domain
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Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning:
Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them,
that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of life,
which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
—The Book of Common Prayer (1979), page 236
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Genesis 24:34-67 or Zechariah 9:9-12, 16-17
Psalm 145:10-21
Revelation 22:1-7, 12-17
John 16:16-33
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This life is a mix of pleasure, joy, love, and hardship. Nevertheless, we read, keep the faith; God will win in the end. God will destroy the unrepentant wicked, wipe out the oppressive and corrupt world order, and inaugurate the fully realized Kingdom of God. That is a fine note to go out on one week prior to Christ the King Sunday.
Stereotypes of God in the Old Testament and the New Testament exist. The God of the Hebrew Bible is supposedly harsh, judgmental, and temperamental. He is allegedly not gracious. And the God of the New Testament is supposedly all love, sunshine, puppies, and kittens. Anyone who has read the Old and New Testaments closely knows or should know that divine judgment and mercy exist in balance throughout the Bible. The God of Revelation is not all love, sunshine, puppies, and kittens, for example.
So be it.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
FEBRUARY 2, 2021 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF JESUS IN THE TEMPLE
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Adapted from this post:
https://ordinarytimedevotions.wordpress.com/2021/02/02/devotion-for-proper-28-year-d-humes/
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Above: Kudzu, Atlanta, Georgia
Image in the Public Domain
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For the Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Trinity, Year 2
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Lectionary from A Book of Worship for Free Churches (The General Council of the Congregational Christian Churches in the United States, 1948)
Collect from The Book of Worship (Evangelical and Reformed Church, 1947)
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Almighty God, we beseech thee, show thy mercy unto thy humble servants,
that we who put no trust in our own merits may not be dealt with
after the severity of thy judgment, but according to thy mercy;
through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth
with thee and the Holy Spirit, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
—The Book of Worship (1947), 231
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Job 14:1-5
Psalms 112 and 113
Romans 10:1-21
Luke 17:20-33
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The readings from the Hebrew Bible cohere well, speaking in Job 14:1-5, reflects on the brevity of a human lifespan, even a relatively long one. Psalms 112 and 113, taken together, encourage people to imitate God in behaving justly toward other people, such as the poor. Our lives are brief, but they can be meaningful and positive. We can use our time to leave the world better than we found it. We can live according to the Golden Rule, by grace. To do so is to respond faithfully to God. Obey divine laws, Covenantal Nomism teaches. By doing so, one retains one’s place in the covenant.
St. Paul the Apostle’s critique of Second Temple Judaism, contrary to popular misconception, was not that it was a legalistic, works-based righteousness religion. No, his critique was that Second Temple Judaism lacked Jesus. For St. Paul, Jesus was the game changer of all game changers.
The partially realized Kingdom of God has long been present on the Earth. Certain events have made it more obvious than it was, though. The life of Jesus on the Earth was a series of such events. The partially realized Kingdom of God has set the stage for the fully realized Kingdom of God, still in the future.
God remains faithful. Many people remain faithless. The Golden Rule continues to be a teaching more people prefer to quote than to practice. “None” continues to be the fastest-growing religious affiliation in much of the world. Jesus keeps facing rejection.
Yet the Kingdom of God remains like kudzu, a plant commonplace where I live. Kudzu grows where it will. And God will win in the end.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
FEBRUARY 1, 2021 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF SAINT HENRY MORSE, ENGLISH ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST AND MARTYR, 1645
THE FEAST OF SAINT BENEDICT DASWA, SOUTH AFRICAN ROMAN CATHOLIC CATECHIST AND MARTYR, 1990
THE FEAST OF CHARLES SEYMOUR ROBINSON, U.S. PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER, HYMN WRITER, AND HYMNOLOGIST
THE FEAST OF GIOVANNI PIERLUIGI DA PALESTRINA, ITALIAN ROMAN CATHOLIC COMPOSER AND MUSICIAN
THE FEAST OF SAINT SIGEBERT III, KING OF AUSTRASIA
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Above: The New Jerusalem
Image in the Public Domain
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Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning:
Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them,
that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of life,
which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
—The Book of Common Prayer (1979), page 236
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Genesis 22:1-19 or Zechariah 8:7-17
Psalm 145:1-9
Revelation 21:9-27
John 15:26-16:15
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Genesis 22:1-19 is the outlier in this group of assigned portions of scripture. I refer you, O reader, to other posts in which I have covered that terrible tale of child abuse and attempted murder.
A dark tone exists also in John 16:1-4. Consider the circumstances of the Johannine, Jewish Christian community. Expulsion from synagogues was their reality. Religious persecution, although not constant from the imperium, was possible. Furthermore, a time when
anyone who kills you will think he is doing a holy service to God
functions, in this liturgical context, as a commentary on Abraham in Genesis 22:1-19.
Otherwise, the assigned readings depict a happy reality of dwelling in God. This reality is not free of troubles, but one lives in harmony with God, at least. And faith communities provide contexts in which members support one another. They have instructions from God:
These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to one another, under true and perfect justice in your gates. And do not contrive evil against one another, and do not love perjury, because all those things that I hate–declares the LORD.
–Zechariah 8:16-17, TANAKH: The Holy Scriptures (1985)
The original context of Zechariah 8:16-17 is Jerusalem after the return of exiles. The passage also applies to Christian faith communities, however. People are to love God and each other.
May we do so, by grace, and glorify God.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
FEBRUARY 1, 2021 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF SAINT HENRY MORSE, ENGLISH ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST AND MARTYR, 1645
THE FEAST OF SAINT BENEDICT DASWA, SOUTH AFRICAN ROMAN CATHOLIC CATECHIST AND MARTYR, 1990
THE FEAST OF CHARLES SEYMOUR ROBINSON, U.S. PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER, HYMN WRITER, AND HYMNOLOGIST
THE FEAST OF GIOVANNI PIERLUIGI DA PALESTRINA, ITALIAN ROMAN CATHOLIC COMPOSER AND MUSICIAN
THE FEAST OF SAINT SIGEBERT III, KING OF AUSTRASIA
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Adapted from this post:
https://ordinarytimedevotions.wordpress.com/2021/02/01/devotion-for-proper-27-year-d-humes/
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Above: Tear Ducts
Image in the Public Domain
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Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning:
Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them,
that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of life,
which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
—The Book of Common Prayer (1979), page 236
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Isaiah 25:6-9
Psalm 24
Revelation 21:1-6a
John 11:32-44
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[The Lord GOD] will destroy death for ever….
–Isaiah 25:8a, The Revised English Bible (1989)
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Writing another devotional blog post for All Saints’ Day can prove challenging, given how many I have composed. My perspective on this hobby of writing lectionary-based devotions is unique, O reader. I am the only mortal who knows how often I have repeated myself.
Anyway, the connection between Isaiah 25:5-9 and Revelation 21:1-6a is obvious. Isaiah 25:6-9, set during the great eschatological banquet, is a fine choice to pair with Revelation 21:1-6a.
I have joined the company of those who visit someone’s grave and talk. In my case, those are the graves of my father (who had Alzheimer’s Disease and died a combination of ailments on October 30, 2014) and my girlfriend (who struggled with mental illness until she died violently on October 14, 2019). Therefore, Isaiah 25:6-9 has special meaning for me. Perhaps you, O reader, also find special meaning in this text. We mere mortals grieve because we are human and have emotions. We need not grieve alone. Hopefully, we can rely on other people to help us through the grieving process. And God is with us, of course.
Jesus wept.
–John 11:35, The New Jerusalem Bible (1985)
Jesus weeps with us. We are not alone.
Sister Ruth Fox, O.S.B., wrote “A Franciscan Blessing” (1985), which reads, in part:
May God bless you with the gift of tears to shed with those who suffer
from pain, rejection, starvation, or the loss of all that they cherish,
so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and transform their pain into joy.
One day, I will be a position to help someone experiencing grief. I will be able to assist that person because of my grief. So be it. Life in God requires people to look out for each other.
The Feast of All Saints is an occasion to ponder all who have preceded us in the Christian faith. They constitute a “great cloud of witnesses.” Some are famous. Most are obscure. We may know a few of them by name. To miss them is legitimate.
At the right time (the time of God’s choosing), may we join them on the other side of the veil. In the meantime, we have work to do and God to glorify.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
JANUARY 30, 2021 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF LESSLIE NEWBIGIN, ENGLISH REFORMED MISSIONARY AND THEOLOGIAN
THE FEAST OF SAINT BATHILDAS, QUEEN OF FRANCE
THE FEAST OF FREDERICK OAKELEY, ANGLICAN THEN ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST
THE FEAST OF SAINTS GENESIUS I OF CLERMONT AND PRAEJECTUS OF CLERMONT, ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS; AND SAINT AMARIN, ROMAN CATHOLIC ABBOT
THE FEAST OF SAINT JACQUES BUNOL, FRENCH ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST AND MARTYR, 1945
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Adapted from this post:
https://ordinarytimedevotions.wordpress.com/2021/01/30/devotion-for-all-saints-day-year-d-humes/
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Above: Christ Exorcising a Mute, by Gustave Doré
Image in the Public Domain
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For the Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Trinity, Year 2
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Lectionary from A Book of Worship for Free Churches (The General Council of the Congregational Christian Churches in the United States, 1948)
Collect from The Book of Worship (Evangelical and Reformed Church, 1947)
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Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people;
that they, plenteous by bringing forth the fruit of good works,
may of thee be plenteously rewarded;
through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth
with thee and the Holy Spirit, ever One God, world without end Amen.
—The Book of Worship (1947), 229-230
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Isaiah 63:1-9
Psalm 33
Romans 8:24-39
Matthew 9:27-38
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Isaiah 63:1-9 is related to Isaiah 34. Read Isaiah 34 before 63:1-9, O reader, for better understanding.
The readings from the Old Testament speak of God delivering Israelites from their enemies. Isaiah 63:1-9 highlights the Moabites.
Jesus healed common and marginalized people in Matthew 9:27-38. He restored them to their families and communities. Those healings also signified the presence of the partially realized Kingdom of God.
The God of Romans 8:24-39 is not the God of Hellfire-and-damnation preaching. No, the God of Romans 8:24-39 is not seeking to drop people into the pit of Hell. Actually, the God of Romans 8:24-39 is faithful to the faithful. Moral perfectionism is an impossible standard anyway. In Christ, we read, Christians have an older brother. And the Holy Spirit prays for Christians, making
God’s holy people…always in accordance with the mind of God.
–Romans 8:27b, The New Jerusalem Bible (1985)
Furthermore, nothing can separate us from the love of Christ, who also prays for us.
The epistle reading ends with a glorious and familiar passage:
For I am certain of this: neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nothing already in existence and nothing still to come, nor any power, nor the heights nor the depths, nor any created thing whatever, will be able to come between us and the love of God, known to us in Christ Jesus our Lord.
–Romans 8:38-39, The New Jerusalem Bible (1985)
Grace is staggering, is it not?
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
JANUARY 30, 2021 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF LESSLIE NEWBIGIN, ENGLISH REFORMED MISSIONARY AND THEOLOGIAN
THE FEAST OF SAINT BATHILDAS, QUEEN OF FRANCE
THE FEAST OF FREDERICK OAKELEY, ANGLICAN THEN ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST
THE FEAST OF SAINTS GENESIUS I OF CLERMONT AND PRAEJECTUS OF CLERMONT, ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS; AND SAINT AMARIN, ROMAN CATHOLIC ABBOT
THE FEAST OF SAINT JACQUES BUNOL, FRENCH ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST AND MARTYR, 1945
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Above: Conscientious Objectors at Camp Lewis, Washington, United States of America, November 18, 1918
Image in the Public Domain
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For the Twenty-Third Sunday after Trinity, Year 2
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Lectionary from A Book of Worship for Free Churches (The General Council of the Congregational Christian Churches in the United States, 1948)
Collect from The Book of Worship (Evangelical and Reformed Church, 1947)
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Absolve, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy people from their offenses;
that from the bonds of our sins which, by reason of our frailty,
we have brought upon us, we may be delivered by thy bountiful goodness;
through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth
with thee and the Holy Spirit, ever One God, world without end Amen.
—The Book of Worship (1947), 228
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Isaiah 32:1-8
Psalm 146
Romans 13:1-7
Luke 13:23-30
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Don’t get me started about submission to government authority (Romans 13:1-7). Okay, now that I have started, I am off to the proverbial races.
The Bible is inconsistent regarding submission to and resistance to civil authority. Romans 13:1-7 represents one strain. One may think of Shiphrah and Puah (Exodus 1:15-22), who let newborn Hebrew boys live, in violation of a royal order. One may also recall the Book of Daniel, with more than one instance of remaining faithful to God by violating a royal decree. Perhaps one recalls 1, 2, and 4 Maccabees, in which fidelity to the Law of Moses required disobedience to Seleucid kings, such as Antiochus IV Epiphanes and other (1 Maccabees 1:15-9:73; 2 Maccabees 6:1-15:37; 4 Maccabees 4:15-18:24) . I would be remiss to forget about Tobit, who violated a royal order yet obeyed the Law of Moses by burying corpses (Tobit 1:16-20). Finally, the Revelation of John portrays the government of the Roman Empire as being in service to Satan. In this strain, Christians should resist agents of Satan.
When one turns to Christian history, one finds a long tradition of civil disobedience within Christianity. Accounts of Quakers, Anabaptists, and other pacifists suffering at the hands of governments for refusing to fight in wars properly arouse moral outrage against those governments. The Third Reich presents a stark example that evokes apocalyptic depictions of Satanic government. Anti-Nazi heroes included Karl Barth, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and a plethora of Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant martyrs, among others.
Furthermore, the Third Reich has continued to inform a strain of German Christian theology since the 1930s. When to obey and when to resist authority has remained especially prominent in German circles, for obvious reasons.
Governments come and go. God remains forever. Wrong is wrong, regardless of whether one commits it independently or as part of one’s official duties.
Isaiah 32:1-8 depicts an ideal government at the end of days. In Christian terms, this text describes the fully realized Kingdom of God. That is not our reality.
Psalm 146 reminds us:
Put no trust in princes
or in any mortal, for they have no power to save.
When they breathe their last breath,
they return to the dust;
and on that day their plans come to nothing.
–Verses 3-4, The Revised English Bible (1989)
The bottom line, O reader, is this: Love God fully. Keep divine commandments. Live according to the Golden Rule. If doing so is legal, you are fortunate. If doing so is illegal, love God fully, keep divine commandments, and live according to the Golden Rule anyway. God remains forever.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
JANUARY 29, 2021 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF SAINTS LYDIA, DORCAS, AND PHOEBE, COWORKERS OF SAINT PAUL THE APOSTLE
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