BCP Daily Office Lectionary for Oct. 9, 2004

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

Morning Psalm(s): AM Psalm 137:1-6(7-9), 144

Evening Psalm(s) PM Psalm 104

Old Testament: Micah 5:1-4,10-15

Epistle: Acts 25:13-27 

Gospel Luke 8:16-25

Micah draws a sharp contrast between present humiliation, "Now you are walled around with a wall/siege is laid against us;/with a rod they strike the ruler of Israel/upon the cheek" (Micah 5:1; cf. the "now' situations of 4:9, 11), and the glorious future, when another king, like David, will come from Bethlehem to rule (v. 2), return his people (v. 3), and "feed his flock" in peace (vv. 4-5). But the war machines (horses and chariots), sorceries, soothsayers, images, pillars, and sacred poles will have to go ("be cut off/uprooted," vv. 10-15).

When King Herod Agrippa II and Bernice visit Caesarea "to welcome [the new governor,] Festus" (Acts 25:13), they are informed about Paul and the charges against him. Apparently, Festus, having agreed to send Paul to Rome, wants help in drafting the indictment (v. 27) from someone more knowledgeable about Jewish matters. A scene is being set for Paul's defense before Agrippa, Bernice and Festus (chap. 26, in readings for Monday and Tuesday of next week) which will fulfill Jesus' prediction, "You will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify" (Lk. 21:12-13). "So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then Festus gave the order and Paul was brought in" (Acts. 25:23). Most of us bear witness to Christ in less grandiose circumstances!

Matthew, Mark and Luke have parallel accounts of the Parable of the Sower and its interpretation (Friday's reading), but whereas Matthew and Mark continue with further agricultural parallels (Matthew with several), Luke, like Paul a man of the cities, moves on quickly to other matters. The saying about the lamp (Lk. 8:16-17; cf. Mk. 4:21-22; Mt. 5:15) leads to the admonition, "Take heed then how you hear" (Lk. 8:18), but Luke moves on to the scene in which Jesus defines his family: "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it" (Lk. 8:21), and then to Jesus' Stilling the Storm. The disciples are afraid, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" (Lk. 8:24), but when Jesus rebukes the wind and waves, they marveled and said, "Who then is this, that he commands even wind and water, and they obey him?" (v. 25). If I were in Paul's shoes, before Festus and Agrippa, I would feel that as one of the storms of life. With faith--and grace for that hour--perhaps I, too, would see Jesus still the storm.

Ronald D. Worden, Ph.D.