BCP Daily Office Lectionary for Nov. 8, 2004
Source: http://www.satucket.com/lectionary/index.htm
Morning Psalm(s): AM Psalm 80 [Presbyterian: 135:1-21]
Evening Psalm(s) PM Psalm 77, [79] [Presbyterian: 97:1-12]
Old Testament: Joel 1:1-13 [Presbyterian: Joel 1:1-13 or Joel 1:15:2:2]
Epistle: Rev. 18:15-24
Gospel Luke 14:12-24
Presbyterian Readings for the current day:
http://www.pcusa.org/cgi-bin/lectiond.cgi
Joel describes a plague of locusts (Joel 1:1-13) that is echoed in the Book of Revelation (Rev. 9:1-12) and reminds us of the eighth plague on the Egyptians (Ex. 10:1-20). In Joel the picture of an invading army with "lions' teeth" and "the fangs of a lioness" (Joel 1:6) graphically portrays a real locust plague. "Palestine is in the path of locust movements that have occurred throughout history up to the present day. If they move by migration, they originate in the Sudan, move up through northeast Africa, through the Arabah, and into the Levant" (Richard A. Henshaw, HarperCollins Study Bible). But the metaphor of an invading army anticipates Joel's interpretation of the locusts as God's judgment on "the day of the LORD" (1:15; 2:1) and his call for repentance (1:13). In Revelation, it's still a reference to locusts (Rev. 9:1-12), but it has been called a "plague of demonic locusts, which combine the terrors of evil spirits and of invading horsemen (probably Parthians)" (Bruce M. Metzger, NOAB). It becomes a symbolic picture of God's judgment.
The reading from Revelation (18:15-24) continues the description of the downfall of Babylon (i.e. Rome). The merchants mourn the downfall of the city. "Alas, alas, the great city,/clothed in fin linen, in purple and scarlet,/adorned with gold,/with jewels, and with pearls!/For in one hour all this wealth has been laid waste!" (Rev. 18:16-17, cf. v. 15). The "shipmasters and seafarers, sailors and all whose trade is on the sea" also mourn the loss of the city (vv. 17-20). In the Roman empire, the city was fed by the grain of Egypt and the produce of other provinces. John's final indictment comes in verse 24: "And in you [note: Gk her] was found the blood of the prophets and of saints,/and of all who have been slaughtered on earth." "The martyrs' prayer is answered (see 6:10)" (David E. Aune, HarperCollins Study Bible).
Jesus' remarks about humility and hospitality (Lk. 14:7-11) lead to advice about inviting "the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind" "when you give a banquet" (v. 13). The following Parable of the Great Supper puts this invitation to the outcasts after the rejections and excuses of the first invited guests (vv. 18-20). In Matthew, the excuses are abbreviated (Mt. 22:3, 5), but a sinister note appears: "while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them." In both there is an emphasis on responding to God's invitation, but the incident of the guest who lacked the wedding robe (Mt. 22:11-14) focuses on the need to be worthy of entering the kingdom, whereas Luke's parable illustrates the instruction about hospitality. Both themes call for our serious consideration.
Ronald D. Worden