TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST - AUGUST 11, 2013
ISAIAH 1:1, 10-20: Isaiah is without doubt the greatest of Israel's prophets. He survived through one of the stormiest periods of Judean history (circa 745-700 BC). He was so highly regarded nearly two centuries later that the work of another group of anonymous prophesies were added to his and now appear in chapters 40-66.
Although believed to belong to the royal court, he vehemently condemned the injustices of his time. In this passage he thundered against the ruling classes, likening them to the rulers of Sodom and Gomorrah. His message presented God's claim for social justice rather than elaborate rituals and
sacrifices.
PSALM 50:1-8, 22-23: This psalm stands in the tradition of the great prophets like Isaiah. It even repeats some of the same phrases as Isaiah's condemnation of unworthy rituals, but offers an antidote in sincere prayers of thanksgiving.
HEBREWS 11:1-3, 8-16 (this is the sermon text): This passage celebrates faith and those who have shown themselves to be some of Israel's greatest faith-heroes. After giving what is for many a somewhat confusing definition of faith, it turns to show how faith had resulted in action by Israel's great patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
LUKE 12:32-40: The early church believed in the return of Christ at some unknown but imminent time. This passage seems to fit into that tradition. We can find similar elements of it in different contexts both Matthew and Mark (vss. 33-34 = Matthew 6:19-21; vss. 35-40 = Mark 13:33-37). This reveals that a common tradition existed about the meaning of Jesus' life, death and resurrection. He came to inaugurate God's reign of love in human affairs and would soon return to accomplish this for all eternity.
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