Betsey Moe Sermon 9.25.22 [proper 21] The Chasms Between Us Luke 16:19-31 19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was being tormented, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. 24 He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in these flames.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things and Lazarus in like manner evil things, but ...
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Proper 20. September 18, 2022 Luke 16:1-13 Rev. Neli Miranda Today we read a very intriguing parable. . . through this parable Jesus speaks to us about wealth. Jesus never condemned wealth, but he did speak about the structures that allowed the accumulation of wealth in a few hands, and always taught about sharing wealth with the poor, who were most of the population in Jesus’ time. Today’s parable, with all the questions it raises, must be read in the context of the economic system in the Roman-occupied Palestine of the first century. By this time, most of the land had been expropriated from its original owners, the people, and given to local elites and Roman rulers living in Palestine. So, land was concentrated in a few hands, while most of the people had to lease land or work for landowners. In addition, although God’s law forbade it, the system allowed the landowners to charge exorbitant interest rates to amass more land and to throw peasants off their family la...
Proper 19, September 11, 2022 Luke 15:1-10 Rev. Neli Miranda Today´s Gospel begins saying that, A ll the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them…” This is the context where Jesus tells us three of his most beautiful parables: the found sheep, the found coin, and the parable of the loving father who welcomes his son who returns home after being lost. Today, we reflect only on the first two. In the preceding chapters Luke tells us that Jesus shared with the Pharisees who invited him for meals. They considered Jesus a Rabbi, a teacher, and it seems they held him in high esteem and considered his teachings important. They were comfortable with Jesus until they saw the venerable Rabbi sharing with the despised tax collectors and all those considered sinners . The term sinner included a broad category of people—those who behave...
Proper 18. September 4, 2022 Lucas 14:25-33 Rev. Neli ML Large crowds were traveling with Jesus … Luke does not mention in this passage where they are traveling to, but let us remember that Jesus is traveling to Jerusalem to the Feast of the Passover. There, he will be arrested by the Jewish authorities and handed over to the Romans for execution due to his proclamation. Many pilgrims also traveling to Jerusalem have joined Jesus on the way, attracted by his powerful message and great deeds. Unfortunately, it seems the large, enthusiastic crowds have great expectations about Jesus but still do not understand the radicality of Jesus’ message. Thus, along the way, Jesus took some time to warn them about the seriousness of taking the journey to Jerusalem: they must be willing to “hate” their family, to carry the cross, and to relinquish possessions. Mmmmm… Jesus, I don't think this is a good strategy to attract more disciples. “ Whoever comes to me and does not ha...
Proper 17 Lucas 14:1, 7-14 Rev. Neli Miranda Honor and shame … two pivotal values that ruled Jewish society in the first century. An honorable person was distinguished for belonging to a recognized family, for holding a high position for being wise, for having good health, abundant offspring and material possessions, all of which were continually exhibited in many ways. Honor meant esteem, respect, and reputation among the community. Shame , on the other way, meant humiliation and loss of standing, and in Jesus’ time most of the population lived on the side of shame: the poor, the sick, the despised like the prostitutes and tax collectors, and those considered criminals; in general, all those who did not belong to the elite. To gain honor and avoid falling into shame ruled people’s behavior. It was a strong incentive that marked people’s daily actions to step over others to maintain their own status. An important way to maintain or increase self-honor was ...
Proper 19, August 21, 2022 Lucas 13:10-17 Rev. Neli Miranda “She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight …” (13,11). What tremendous weight this woman was carrying! Luke tells us that this woman had a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. How should we read this spirit that had crippled her so terribly? A bone disease that had gone untreated? Physical and emotional weight due to heavy, tireless housework? Social and religious obligations? Despite her condition, she attended the synagogue on the Sabbath day, surely with great difficulty. What had moved this woman to come to the synagogue despite her limited and strained mobility? Perhaps she was a woman of great faith, a woman devoted to worshiping with her community. Maybe she hoped to find relief and liberation by participating in the Sabbath celebration. Deuteronomy tells us that a t the heart of the S...