CP Daily Office Lectionary for Oct. 7, 2004

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

Morning Psalm(s): AM Psalm 131, 132, [133]

Evening Psalm(s) PM Psalm 134, 135

Old Testament: Micah 3:1-8

Epistle: Acts 24:1-23

Gospel Luke 7:36-50

Micah denounces unjust officials of Jerusalem. Their legal decisions are described with "the gruesome metaphor of cannibalism" (Philip J. King, Harper-Collins Study Bible): "you who . . . tear the skin off my people,/and the flesh off their bones;/who eat the flesh of my people,/flay their skin off them,/break their bones in pieces,/and chop them up like meat in a kettle,/like flesh in a caldron" (Micah 3:2-3). False prophets are also denounced. They "cry, 'Peace"/when they have something to eat,/but declare war against those/who put nothing in their mouths" (v. 5). They will become prophets "without vision . . . without revelation" (v. 6). But Micah is "filled with power,/with the spirit of the Lord,/and with justice and might,/ to declare to Jacob his transgression/and to Israel his sin" (v. 8).

Paul is accused before Felix, first by the High Priest's attorney, Tertullus (Acts 24:3-8), and the Jews "joined in the charge" (v. 9). Paul begins his own defense by claiming to be innocent (vv. 11-13), but "shifts the topic dramatically" with a play on the word "confess" (homologeo), translated "admit" in verse 14: "But this I admit to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our ancestors." "The Greek word . . . can refer to a judicial confession or to a confession of faith" (Beverly Roberts Gaventa, Harper-Collins Study Bible). Paul concludes with reference to the resurrection. "It is about the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today" (v. 21). Felix understands, somewhat (v. 22), but postpones a decision.

Luke's story is of the sinful woman who comes to Jesus, who was eating in the house of a Pharisee named Simon. She uses an alabaster jar of anointment to wash Jesus' feet, and, in turn, in spite of Simon's objections, receives forgiveness (Lk. 7:48). Jesus explains with the story of a creditor who had two debtors. "One owed five hundred denarii [500 times the usual day's wage], and the other owed fifty" (v. 41). When the debts were cancelled, Jesus asks, "Which of them will love him more?" (v. 52). "I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love" (v. 48). None of us should follow Simon's example. We cannot condemn the ones whom God has forgiven.

Ronald D. Worden, Ph.D.