BCP Daily Office Lectionary for Oct. 13, 2004

  Source: http://www.satucket.com/lectionary/index.htm

Morning Psalm(s): AM Psalm 119:1-24

Evening Psalm(s) PM Psalm 12, 13, 14

Old Testament: Jonah 1:17-2:10

Epistle: Acts 27:9-26

Gospel Luke 9:1-17

You might think that a book called Out of the Depths would be about Jonah. In his analysis of Psalms, Bernard Anderson includes Jonah, chapter 2, and calls it an "Individual Psalm of Thanksgiving." (Exodus 15:1-8 is a "Hymn.") As such it seems out of place here. Jonah was "in the belly of the fish" from Jonah 1:17 to 2:10. You would think that the appropriate prayer would be a cry for help, something like the early part of Psalm 3 or Psalm 12 (called "Laments" by Anderson). But Jonah speaks in the past tense: "I called to the LORD out of my distress,/and he answered me;/out of the belly of Sheol I cried,/and you heard my voice" (Jonah 2:2). Later he says, "yet you brought up my life from the Pit,/O LORD my God (v. 6). He adds a promise to pay his vow and "present a thank offering" (Anderson, 1st ed., p. 85, citing vv. 8-9). We are reminded that even in the Lament Psalms, typical features include "confession of trust" and "words of Assurance" (Anderson, p. 57). Are people of faith expected to thank God in advance for what they request? Perhaps not. We have the example of Jesus, who prayed, "not what I want, but what you want" (Mk. 14:36), and of Paul, who announced travel plans "if the Lord permits" (1 Cor. 16:7). But we are encouraged to pray with faith and boldness (James 5:15; Heb. 4:16).

The ship carrying Paul as a prisoner enters "open waters without the protection of the island" (i.e. Crete) (Beverly Roberts Gaventa, Harper-Collins Study Bible). Paul's first advice (Acts 27:10) reflects concern about lost time and the approaching autumn and winter months and the increased likelihood of bad weather. The "Fast" would be Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement (in September-October). Paul's advice was ignored (v. 11), and when the storm came they were at the mercy of the wind (v. 14), had difficulty controlling the ship (v. 16), were pounded by the storm (v. 18), and lost hope of being saved (v. 20). Paul as much as said, I told you so (v. 21) but shares the encouragement given by an angel during the night (v. 23). "Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before the emperor; and indeed God has granted safety to all those who are sailing with you" (v. 24). That emperor would be Nero.

Luke's selection and order of events in chapter 9 is focused on Jesus and the disciples. Some things included here by Matthew and Mark are reported elsewhere by Luke. Jesus' Rejection at Nazareth (Mk. 6:1-6a; Mt. 13:53-58) is not included here by Luke, but a different version, including the sermon on Isaiah 61, emphasizing the Holy Spirit, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me . . ." (Lk. 4:16-30), sets the tone and inaugurates Jesus' public ministry. Today's reading presents three events: the Mission of the Twelve, when Jesus "sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal" (Lk. 9:2; cf Lk 9:1-6; Mk. 6:6b-13; Mt. 9:35; 10:1, 9-11, 14), the report that Herod thinks Jesus is John the Baptist, risen from the dead (Lk. 9:;7-9; cf. Mk. 6:14-16; Mt. 14:1-2), and the Return of the Twelve and the Feeding of the Five Thousand (Lk. 9:10-17; cf. Mk. 6:30-42; Mt. 14:13-21). He omits reference to the account of the Death of John (Mk. 6:17-29; Mt. 14:3-12), which he had mentioned earlier (Lk. 3:19-20). Thursday's reading moves on to Peter's Confession at Caesarea Philippi. The Lord's banquet (feeding 5000) addresses a need, no food "in a deserted place" (Lk. 9:12), but also serves to celebrate the return of the Apostles (v. 10). They haven't yet faced difficulties like those of Jonah or opposition such as Paul faced, but Jesus shows his concern for them. "He took them with him and withdrew privately to a city called Bethsaida" (Lk. 9:10).

Ronald D. Worden, Ph.D.