BCP Daily Office Lectionary for Oct. 28, 2004
Source: http://www.satucket.com/lectionary/index.htm
Morning Psalm(s): AM Psalm 50 [Presbyterian 116:1-19]
Evening Psalm(s) PM Psalm [59, 60] or 33 [Presbyterian 26:1-12]
Old Testament: Ecclus. 31:12-18,25-32:2 [Presbyterian Nahum 1:15-2:12]
Epistle: Rev. 12:7-17
Gospel Luke 11:53-12:12
Presbyterian Readings for the current day:
http://www.pcusa.org/cgi-bin/lectiond.cgi
Today's lesson is the "Ben Sira Diet," a generous serving of advice about self-control in food and drink, seasoned with a dash of table manners. "Do not reach out your hand for everything you see,/and do not crowd your neighbor at the dish" (Ecclus. 31:14). "Eat what is set before you like a well brought-up person,/and do not chew greedily, or you will give offense" (v. 16) "Be the first to stop, as befits good manners,/and do not be insatiable, or you will give offense" (v. 17). "Healthy sleep depends on moderate eating;/he rises early and feels fit./The distress of sleeplessness and of nausea/and colic are with the glutton" (v. 20). Ben Sira warns about excessive drinking. "Wine drunk to excess leads to bitterness of spirit,/to quarrels and stumbling" (v. 29). "Drunkenness increases the anger of a fool to his own hurt,/reducing his strength and adding wounds" (v. 30).
The Battle continues between Christ and Satan. "War broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon" (Rev. 12:7). But the dragon and his angels were defeated and thrown down to the earth (vv. 8-9), where they pose a deadly threat. The martyrs in heaven "have conquered him [Satan]" (v. 11) paradoxically, like Jesus (3:21; 5:5), by dying" (David E. Aune, HarperCollins Study Bible). (Cf. Phil. 1:21-23; 3:20-21). Although the dragon [Satan] goes after the woman [God's people], she is given eagles' wings "so that she could fly from the serpent into the wilderness," where "she is nourished" (v. 14). The serpent pursues, pouring "water like a river after the woman, to sweep her away with the flood" (v. 15), but the earth helps her; "it opened its mouth and swallowed the river" (v. 16). (Cf. Isa. 43:2)
At the close of Jesus' series of "Woes" against Pharisees and Lawyers, as he departs, they cross-examine him (Lk. 11:33). Jesus warns his disciples against "the yeast of the Pharisees, that is, their hypocrisy" (12:1), but this becomes a warning to the disciples not to say things "in the dark" (vv. 2-3). They are to acknowledge Jesus before others (v. 8), not deny him (v. 9), but in the emergency situation "when they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities," they to defend themselves without worry (v. 11), relying on the Holy Spirit, who "will teach you at that very hour what you ought to say" (v. 12). This, of course, is not an excuse for preaching and teaching without preparation.
Ronald D. Worden, Ph.D.