February 5, 2007
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Today's Scriptures highlight the justice of God, which challenges us to bring greater justice to our world.
THEME FOR THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY:
Today's Scriptures speak to what has been called "God's preferential option for the poor." The prophet Jeremiah, in the first reading, disdains "those who trust in mere mortals and make mere flesh their strength, whose hearts turn away from the LORD." Jeremiah praises "those who trust in the LORD. . . . They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream." Jeremiah asserts that God will give justice that is beyond human reckoning and will "give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings."
Psalm 1 echoes Jeremiah in describing those who walk in the path of God: "They are like trees planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither; everything they do shall prosper." These are in contrast to "the wicked" who "are like chaff which the wind blows away." God's justice is beyond human justice and earthly time: "For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked is doomed."
In the epistle to the Corinthians, Paul asserts that the resurrection of Christ is the reason that Christians put their trust in God: "If Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain ... If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died."
The Gospel passage from Luke is called "The Sermon on the Plain" (in contrast to Matthew's "Sermon on the Mount"). Whereas, Matthew says the "poor in spirit" are blessed, Luke emphasizes that actual poor people are blessed: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh." Luke goes on to add "woes" which are absent in Matthew's account: "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry."
Jesus asserts that the justice of God is greater than human justice and reaches beyond earthly time. On this earth, the rich and powerful enjoy an abundance of the world's resources, education, housing, and health care while the poor, whether in our country or in the third world, lack basic necessities. Jesus challenges us to exercise a "preferential option for the poor" to use our resources to lift the poor from poverty to dignity.
Sincerely,
David A. Killian
Rector
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The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany, February 10-11, 2007
Sermon:
Saturday, February 10, at 5:00 pm: The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, February 10, at 10:30 am: The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, February 10, at 6:00 pm: The Rev. David A. Killian
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Please note ...
Ash Wednesday is February 21. Please begin your observance of the holy season of Lent by attending the Holy Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes at 10:30 am and 6:15 pm. As part of your spiritual practice during Lent, please join us for the Holy Eucharist every Wednesday at 10:30 am and 6:15 pm.
For the Collect of the Day, Scripture Readings, and Psalm, click here.
For a note on the Music at the Sunday 10:30 am service, from All Saints Music Director Donald Teeters, click here.
For a Story from this Sunday's Gospel by Becky Taylor, Director of Children's Youth, and Family Ministry, click here.
For a note on the Sunday 6:00 pm 'Episcopal Evening' service from Assistant Rector, the Rev. Leslie K. Sterling, click here.
To browse past issues of the All Saints Weekly, click here.
For "All Saints Smiles" and news about events, activities, programs, ministries and the staff of our parish, please click on the All Saints website: www.allsaintsbrookline.org.
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