BCP Daily Office Lectionary for Nov. 2, 2004
Source: http://www.satucket.com/lectionary/index.htm
Morning Psalm(s): AM Psalm 61, 62 [Presbyterian: 42:1-4]
Evening Psalm(s) PM Psalm 68:1-20(21-23)24-36 [Presbyterian: 102:1-28]
Old Testament: Ecclus. 43:1-22 [Presbyterian: Zephaniah 1:14-18]
Epistle: Rev. 14:14-15:8
Gospel Luke 13:1-9
Presbyterian Readings for the current day:
http://www.pcusa.org/cgi-bin/lectiond.cgi
Ben Sira describes the glories and magnificence of God's creation, beginning with the sun (Ecclus. 43:1-8), the stars (vv. 9-10), the rainbow (vv. 11-12), and various marvels of nature including snow and lightning (v. 13), clouds and hailstones (vv. 14-15), thunderstorms (vv. 17a, 16, 17b), snow (vv. 17-18), frost and icicles (v. 19), cold wind and ice (v. 20, consuming heat (v. 21), and refreshing mist (v. 22). In the reading from Zephaniah, "clouds and thick darkness" (Zeph. 1:15) represent judgment on the day of the LORD's wrath.
John sees "one like the Son of Man" seated on a cloud "with a sharp sickle in his hand" (Rev. 14:14; cf. Dan. 7:13; Mk. 14:61-62). The "sickle" (v. 17) represents judgment (cf. Joel 3:13), as does the "winepress" (v. 19; cf. Is. 63:1-3, but the first references to harvest with the "sickle" (vv. 14-16) represent "the ingathering of the saints" (Bruce M. Metzger, NOAB).. This anticipates the vision of the redeemed (15:2-4) who "sing the song of Moses . . . and the song of the Lamb" (15:3). Overall, the reading alternates between the redeemed (14:14-16; 15:2-4) and those who are judged (14:17-20; 15:5-8).
One might think we were set up today. If the reading from Revelation contrasts the redeemed and the lost, the Gospel reading warns us to repent or perish. "No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did" (Lk. 13:3), that is, as "the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices" (v. 1) had perished. The parable of the fig tree illustrates the call for repentance, and could apply to any hearer of Jesus' message. "If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down" (v. 9). Another fig tree parable suggests that the time for repentance is over (Mt. 21:18-22; Mk. 11:12-14, 20-26). It is encouraging to remember that these calls to repentance and warnings come from the God who "is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).
Ronald D. Worden, PhD.