Links to this week’s readings can be found here.
Our texts this week have me wondering about authority. In the Exodus passage, the Israelites are complaining about the conditions. Again. As if the manna story has yet to sink in. Asking Moses just who he is and why did he bring them out there to die in the wilderness–exposing their real question of ‘how do we know we have given the right person the authority to program our GPS and lead us in the wilderness?’
In Matthew’s gospel, after Jesus has made a minor little “triumphal entry” into Jerusalem and then turned over some tables, people are asking him on whose authority he is doing these things. Fair question, really. The question is, are we willing to believe his answer and change our minds about what we’ve always known to be true?
Even the ‘Christ Hymn’ in Philippians is about authority–what does it mean to call Jesus the son of God? What do we know about this Jesus and how are we to relate to him and to each other, in light of what we know of Jesus? I don’t always want to preach Paul, but I do love this passage.
Where is the Spirit leading you this week, revgals and pals? Please join the conversation and share your ideas and any links that may be helpful to our sermonizing this week.
I’ve been a revgal for a while, but this is my first week to host the Tuesday Lectionary Leanings. I pastor a Presbyterian Church (USA) congregation in Boise, Idaho and look forward to getting to know you!
RevGalBlogPals 
I’m preaching the Gospel text. Right now looking at why people lie. Does our inability to be honest, vulnerable, whole to the world put us behind tax collectors and prostitutes in the kingdom?
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Interesting! Last time I preached this text, I focused on our ability to change our minds. How do we know if we’re following the Spirit of God or how do we know if we’re just following a fad? Both brothers changed their mind–one in a good way, one not so much. Look forward to seeing where it goes for you!
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I’m just sitting down with the Track 2 text for this Sunday: Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32. When the righteous turn and sin, they will die for it. When the wicked turn and do right, they will live… Get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God. Turn, then, and live.
I see definite parallels between this and the Gospel passage. There’s a lot of mention of changing one’s mind/direction.
I’m preaching at my field education parish for the first time, so it’ll be a new experience to craft a sermon for those I don’t yet know.
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I see the gospel parallels as well. Blessings on this first sermon with your field ed parish! It is always such a challenge to preach for people you are still getting to know.
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“get yourself a new heart and a new spirit” and “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” seem connected. I’ like to work those into a story, but I have no clue.
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Blessings on your sermonizing as you seek those connections. I think you’re right. Hope it comes together!
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We will be consecrating our new bishop this Saturday; so the aspect of “authority” is heavy on my mind. Will try to weave all of it together! Prayers appreciated!
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Prayers ascending! What evocative texts for such an occasion!
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Personally, I like the lines from the Psalm: I will speak in parables and declare the mysteries of ancient times. Something about “mystery” and “ancient” is yanking at me. Maybe it’s something like going down deep into the ocean– where the chop and the chaos is gone and there is a deeper rhythm, where one is surrounded by God (like the sea) and not battered by the surface stuff…
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