Gospel Lesson for the Week

November 18, 2007

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Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Please read:

Luke 21:5-19

Read also:

Isaiah 65:17-25

Psalm 118

2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, "As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down."

They asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?"

And he said, "Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, 'I am he!' and, 'The time is near!' Do not go after them.  "When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately."

Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom;   there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.  But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.

You will be hated by all because of my name.

But not a hair of your head will perish.

By your endurance you will gain your souls.

 --- Luke 21:5-19

As the days of the Christian Year wear toward their close, the Scriptures sound words of warning, but it is always a warning with a promise and a challenge.  The days are dark, but the King will come with redeeming, empowering grace. It is a kind of Pre-Advent, a glimpse of what is soon to come.

.   I Never Promised You a Rose Garden   .

Amid glib promises of prosperity and reward

from plush prophets and cozy counselors

striding around the wide stage

of the ornate mega-auditoriums

they call “churches,”

there appears  the Man from Nazareth,

standing once more in our midst, declaring,

in opposition to the rest,

“I never promised you a rose garden,”

or words to that effect.

Not easy words to hear: 

“War and insurrection.”

“Earthquake…famine…plague.” 

“Persecution and arrest.”

“Betrayal by those you love and trust.” 

Hardly bright words for weary disciples!

But listen!  There is more!

Beyond the gloom are radiant gleams of hope.

“I will give words of wisdom,” Jesus says.

that none can withstand or contradict.”

“Not a hair of your head will perish.”

“By your endurance you will gain your soul.”

The body may be under assault,

but the soul will triumph.

So take these warnings seriously

-- but not too seriously.

Beyond the disaster scenarios

there shines a brighter dawn.

Lift up your heads!

Lift up your hearts!

Lift up your eyes!

And lift your voice in joyous testimony.

Jesus is Lord!

--- rvc

*** D I S C L A I M E R ***

The Weekly Lessons are based on the lectionary texts for the week – usually the Gospel lesson. They are not designed as a formal commentary.  Rather, they are the personal reflections and original compositions of The Relay Online editor, Rev. Robin Van Cleef, and offer a jumping off point, using the scriptures as triggers to thought, imagination, and (we hope) empowerment.  As you read them, let your own imagination play, and let the Spirit speak to you, leading you where it will.  The Gospel Lessons reflected on this site may not be copied, reproduced or otherwise manipulated elsewhere on the internet without the expressed consent of the author.  Please also note that while we're unable to quote Bible scripture on these pages, it is permissible to redirect our viewers to Bible passages using hyperlinks to web sites having that authority.

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