Bible on the Back Porch
Reading, pondering and studying God’s Word is sometimes best done “on the back porch.” Each week we will try to offer something for you and your “back porch time.”
27th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A
What We Celebrate
This well-known parable is located within a section of Matthew's gospel when Jesus is being questioned about the source of his authority. It is during the events of Holy Week and the confrontation with the religious leaders is reaching its climax. In the parable of the "The Evil Tenants" there is a progression of people sent by the Landowner to collect the produce. The servants are sent, beaten by the tenants, and turned away. The Landowner sends his Son thinking surely they will respect him. The evil tenants kill the son thinking they will be able to take possession of the land.
Like all parables, it is to speak to the heart of the hearer. The Pharisees and Priests heard a tale of economic revolt. What did you hear? Just a story from long ago told to people of one time? Even today, the Kingdom of God calls for laborers for the harvest. What is your role in all this?
There is a lot more to this gospel. Sit with it for a moment on the back porch.
Full Text of the Sunday Readings
Detailed Commentary on the Gospel
The Parable of the Wicked Tenants, Maarten Van Valckenborch, c. 1585, Kunsthistorisches Museum | Public Domain PD-US
Covenants
The vineyard appears in Scripture many times. What does it represent? In the Prophet Isaiah it represents Israel and the promised land. But even that is but a representation of a deeper thing: the Covenant with God. What is a covenant? It is not the same as a “contract.” Where a contract exchanges goods and services for some consideration, a covenant is an exchange of persons. Each gives themselves to the other, whole and complete, without reservation. Such is the nature and goal of marriage. Such is the more fundamental covenant of God with people. In the Bible, humans continually fail as God’s covenant partners, until Jesus came to fulfill what we could not, restoring us to relationship with God.
28th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A
What We Celebrate
This well-known parable is the third of three parables within a single section of Matthew’s gospel. All the parables raise the question of rightful authority to interpret and proclaim God’s word. All three call for obedience, a change of heart, and bearing fruit in one’s life. But the parable of the Great Wedding Feast extends the teaching to indicate a time for obedience and choosing is approaching. The inheritance of Israel may be squandered, the Gentiles invited in - but they too must answer the call to obedience and faithfulness - and dress themselves in the robes of righteousness.
Like all parables, it is to speak to the heart of the hearer. Are you dressed and ready for the invitation?
There is a lot more to this gospel. Sit with it for a moment on the back porch.
Full Text of the Sunday Readings
Detailed Commentary on the Gospel
Parable of the Great Banquet by Brunswick Monogrammist (circa 1525) National Museum, Warsaw | Public Domain
29th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A
What We Celebrate
Over the three previous Sunday gospels we have heard parables of sons, servants and invited guests doing (or not doing) what the father, master, or king asks of them. They were all parables of the Kingdom of God. In today’s gospel we have a controversy story between Jesus and religious leaders about paying taxes to the secular kingdom of Rome. It is a story about image, trust, loyalties, and about being a faithful religious person in a secular world. In other words, a story for our times.
There is a lot more to this gospel. Sit with it for a moment on the back porch.
Full Text of the Sunday Readings
Detailed Commentary on the Gospel
The Tribute Money, Peter Paul Rubens (1610–1615), Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco, Public Domain PD-US
The Kingdom of God
In the first reading for this Sunday we have an interesting intersection between the secular and the sacred - God calling the Persian King, Cyrus, as his “anointed.” In the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, God is using Cyrus to return the people of Israel from captivity in Babylon back to Jerusalem. It is God’s message to the people that the true King still reigns, is in control, and fulfills his promises that they would be returned. This is another act in the play of God’s kingdom coming to fruition as the world awaits the true King. And this is Good News.