BCP Daily Office Lectionary for Oct. 30, 2004
Source: http://www.satucket.com/lectionary/index.htm
Morning Psalm(s): AM Psalm 55 [Presbyterian: 63:1-11
Evening Psalm(s) PM Psalm 138, 139:1-17(18-23) [Presbyterian: 125:1-5]
Old Testament: Ecclus. 35:1-17 [Presbyterian: Nahum 3:8-19]
Epistle: Rev. 13:11-18
Gospel Luke 12:32-48
Presbyterian Readings for the current day:
http://www.pcusa.org/cgi-bin/lectiond.cgi
Although the prophets have warned against relying on sacrifices when "your hands are full of blood" (Isa. 1:15), Ben Sira urges his people to heed the commandments and also offer sacrifices (Ecclus. 35:1). He says, "To keep from wickedness is pleasing to the Lord,/and to forsake unrighteousness is an atonement" (v. 5), stressing righteousness, but adds, "Do not appear before the Lord empty-handed,/for all that you offer is in fulfillment of the commandment" (v. 6). The one who worships God should "be generous" (v. 10) and "cheerful," dedicating "your tithe with gladness" (v. 11; cf. 2 Cor. 9:7). The reading concludes with a warning against partiality. "He [the Lord] will not show partiality to the poor;/but he will listen to the prayer of one who is wronged" (v. 16; cf. James 2:1-4). "He [God] will not ignore the supplication of the orphan,/or the widow when she pours out her complaint" (v. 17).
John now turns to the other beast: "The beast from the earth, called the false prophet (19:20), enforces Emperor worship (v. 12), and produces great signs (v. 13) to deceive the people (v. 14; compare Deut. 13:1-5; Mt. 24:24; 2 Thess. 2:9)" (Bruce M. Metzger & Roland E. Murphy, NOAB). In the situation described, the governing authorities are controlled by Satan, and "the beast that had been wounded . . . was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast so that the image of the beast could even speak and cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be killed" (Rev. 13:14-15). It is interesting to note the difference between Romans 13 and Revelation 13 in reference to the governing authorities. Paul, writing late in the decade of the 50s, when Nero was emperor, but before Nero's worst days and his persecution of the Christians, advises, "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God" (Rom. 13:1). Nero, of course, was no saint! He came to power in A.D. 54, apparently because his mother had Emperor Claudius poisoned, and Nero would not only soon have Britannicus murdered, but eventually murder his own mother! But, to my knowledge, Nero was not demanding to be worshiped as a god, as Domitian later did, "the first of the emperors to deify himself during his lifetime by assuming the title of ‘Lord and God'" (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05114b.htm). John implies that when the governing authorities are clearly Satanic, for example, the Nazis, Christians should not worship them, even at the risk of death (Rev. 13:15).
In the reading from Luke's Gospel, Jesus concludes his reassurance for anxious disciples. "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Lk. 12:32). He advises being watchful and prepared. "Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks" (vv. 35-36). This advice turns to warning not to be like the slave whom the master puts in charge of his slaves, who turns out to be unworthy: He "begins to beat the other slaves, men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk" (v. 45). From many of us "to whom much has been given, much will be required" (v. 48).
Ronald D. Worden, Ph.D.