BCP Daily Office Lectionary for Oct. 24, 2004

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

Morning Psalm(s): AM Psalm 63:1-8(9-11), 98

Evening Psalm(s) PM Psalm 103

Old Testament: Ecclus. 18:19-33

Epistle: 1 Cor. 10:15-24

Gospel Matt. 18:15-20

Ben Sira emphasizes the need for self-criticism and foresight in daily affairs. "Before you speak, learn;/and before you fall ill, take care of your health" (Ecclus. 18:19). "Before falling ill, humble yourself;/and when you have sinned, repent" (v. 21). "Before making a vow, prepare yourself;/do not be like one who puts the Lord to the test" (v. 23). "In the time of plenty think of the time of hunger;/in days of wealth think of poverty and need" (v. 25). The reading closes with emphasis on self-control. "Do not follow your base desires,/but restrain your appetites" (v. 30). "Do not revel in great luxury,/or you may become impoverished by its expense" (v. 32). "Do not become a beggar by feasting with borrowed money,/when you have nothing in your purse" (v. 33).

Paul's explanation of the Eucharist (Lord's Supper) as "a sharing in the blood of Christ" and "a sharing in the body of Christ" (1 Cor. 10:16) is set in contrast to participation in pagan worship in the temples. "You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons" (v. 21). "To eat at a friend's table, or even at a banquet in a temple, food consecrated to an idol is one thing; taking part in a pagan religious rite . . . is quite another" (John Knox [recent professor at Union Theol. Sem., NYC], NOAB). In chapter 8, Paul's attitude toward eating meat sacrificed to idols is rather lenient. Some, who understand that "no idol in the world really exists" (8:4), can eat meat sacrificed to idols with a clear conscience, but they must "take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak" (8:9). But this advice is balanced by the warning in chapter 10 against participation in actual pagan worship, worship, that is, of the demons behind the idols, which are nothing in themselves.

Matthew reports Jesus' teaching on how to deal with a church member who has offended ("sinned," Mt. 18:15-20). Luke's version advises rebuke for the sin and forgiveness if the offender repents (Lk. 17:3). Matthew's version starts with a private rebuke (Mt. 18:15), followed if necessary by returning with one or two witnesses (v. 16), and then, if necessary, a hearing before "the church" (v. 17). The power of binding and loosing (v. 18) is given here to the church, not just to Peter (as in 16:19). The pronoun "you" here (18:18) is plural in form (desete, lusete, with plural verb endings) as compared with the singular forms in 16:19: soi, and singular verb forms. This emphasis upon dealing with offenders and forgiveness if possible, follows the parable of the Lost Sheep (vv. 10-14). Further teaching on forgiveness follows. "Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times" (v. 22) and the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (vv. 23-35. Repentance is more than a cheap, "I'm sorry." It includes a change of heart and direction. And forgiveness is more than an offhand, "Oh, it's nothing." The offending action is taken seriously, but Jesus' atonement and the work of the Holy Spirit can work a miracle here.

Ronald D. Worden, Ph.D.