Lectionary Readings for October 23, 2022

Dear God, I was attending the Catholic church this morning and some of the verses really struck me. As a Protestant, I have not been exposed to the Apocrypha much, but I’m really coming to appreciate it’s role in the Christian faith.

Old Testament Reading

I mention that because the Old Testament reading this morning was from Sirach 35. Verses 14-16 caught my ear this morning:

¹⁴ Do not offer him a bribe, for he will not accept it;
¹⁵     and do not rely on a dishonest sacrifice;
for the Lord is the judge,
    and with him there is no partiality.
¹⁶ He will not show partiality to the poor;
    but he will listen to the prayer of one who is wronged.

I’m not sure which translation the church uses in its missal, but the way the missal translated the part about the poor was, “The LORD is God of justice, who knows no favorites. Though not unduly partial toward the weak, yet he hears the cry of the oppressed.” I like that you love the poor and you will listen to the prayer of the weak, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you will show partiality. There is fairness. There is justice. Just because I happen to be poor does not give me license to steal or abuse others. At the same time, you are there to love and comfort them. You are there to help provide through your own means and through your church. Help us to know what that means and looks like.

Psalm

Ironically, the Psalm was parts of Psalm 34. The repeated refrain was “The LORD hears the cry of the poor.” The last verses used in the psalm say, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves. The LORD redeems the lives of his servants; no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.” I know some people whose spirits have been crushed. You know who is on my heart right now. Hear their cry. Hear my cry for them. Holy Spirit, give them comfort. Show those of us who know them how to love them. Let your light shine on them through us. And help us to be their defenders on your behalf.

New Testament Reading

The reading is from Paul’s second letter to Timothy. I don’t know why they selectively chose just verse 6-8 and 16-18, but the words in 16-18 struck me:

¹⁶ At my first defense no one came to my support, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them! ¹⁷ But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. ¹⁸ The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

There are some people I know right now who are worthy of defending. I’ve prayed a lot about them over the last few days. Raise up defenders in your church for them. Love them. Encourage them. Use their persecution to draw them closer to yourself. Use it to draw all of us closer to you.

Gospel Reading

Finally, there is the one I was wanting to get to. In Luke 18:9-14, Luke prefaced Jesus’s parable about the two men who went to the temple to pray by saying, “Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else.” Man, do those words ring true right now in our current society. People are claiming the high ground and righteousness in your name and using that as justification to abuse others, discount others, and, frankly, bully others.

Holy Spirit, show me the areas in my life where I am that arrogant person who needs to repent and not despise. Help me to be part of offering your comfort to the oppressed. Help me to be part of your solution in working with the disenfranchised and suffering. I have prayed a lot this morning for particular people. Hear my prayer, Oh, God!

I pray this through Jesus my Lord,

Amen

 

2 Timothy 4:6-8,17-18

As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing…But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death. Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
2 Timothy 4:6-8,17-18

Dear God, as I sat down for church this evening I found a funeral service bulletin left behind from earlier in the week. It was for a 93-year-old woman. This was the New Testament reading. I’m not sure I remember hearing it at a funeral before, but it’s great. I really like it. What a beautiful thing to be able to say at the end of your life. I hope they are words I can say at the end of my own life.

So what makes it so hard to live this kind of a life? I suppose it comes down to selfishness and my desire to just fulfill my own desires at any given moment. It’s one thing to stay away from sin. It’s another thing to be constantly communing with the Holy Spirit with me and not missing the myriad opportunities I have to sacrifice my own will for yours.

Holy Spirit, as I continue on the rest of this evening and tomorrow, help me to think about you a little more. Help me to consider what you would have me do at any given moment. Thank you that this was a good day in that it was productive and I was able to spend some quality time with you. I worshipped. I contemplated scripture. I did productive work at home. I joined others in corporate worship. Show me what you have for me to do tomorrow.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 

2 Timothy 3:14-17

But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
2 Timothy 3:14-17

Dear God, on a scale of 1-10, I wonder how surprised Paul would be to know this letter to Timothy is now scripture to me. That there is a New Testament that stands next to the Old Testament.

There’s an important aspect to this passage that I think can get easily overlooked. Verse 14 starts out by saying the people who taught Timothy are an important part of what he has learned. There are a lot of different types of teachers, and even those who are wrong or bad can be well-meaning. I’m sure a lot of the Pharisees were well-meaning, but they were influenced by their teachers. As for me, I am influenced by my teachers. Those who I submit myself when it comes to church, teaching, and even commentary through podcasts and articles are an influence on my life. I have to be careful to whom I expose myself.

I think that is one reason that these personal times with you are important. It’s me, scripture, and the Holy Spirit. Not that I am trustworthy on my own. I can be as flawed as any teacher. But I think these are the moments when the Holy Spirit can speak to me in a still small voice and guide me into your truth at any given time.

Father, thank you for the scripture and the way you laid it out. Thank you for the stories of flawed and failed individuals. Thank you for the rules, but also for the grace. Thank you for preserving these letters from Paul; the stories Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John compiled; the psalms and proverbs captured in the Old Testament; the stories of Israel’s failures and subsequent repentance; etc. Thank you for loving me through all of this. Now, help me to take it into the world. Help me to be a good teacher simply in my role as your ambassador. Keep me from heresy and from hurting your kingdom with my own foolishness. Do it all for your glory, Father.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 

2 Timothy 1:11-18

And God chose me to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of this Good News. That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.

Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.

As you know, everyone from the province of Asia has deserted me—even Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord show special kindness to Onesiphorus and all his family because he often visited and encouraged me. He was never ashamed of me because I was in chains. When he came to Rome, he searched everywhere until he found me. May the Lord show him special kindness on the day of Christ’s return. And you know very well how helpful he was in Ephesus.
2 Timothy 1:11-18

Dear God, it’s special when we can look back and see how you put people in our lives through whom you changed us forever. You out Paul in Timothy s life. You even used John Mark in Paul’s life towards the end, even though Paul and Barnabas split over Mark years before. Now you were using Onesiphorus and his family to bless Paul. No one does it on their own.

I had lunch with a wealthy, successful man this week who came from humble beginnings. He rattled off at least five people in our time together as he told me about his life. All of them showed him mercy and kindness. I know my father has had similar people in his life. I have had them too.

So first, thank you for what you have done for me through others. Second, please help me be that person for other people. Start with my wife and children. Then my family. My coworkers. My friends. Even those in our community who will benefit from volunteers or charitable giving that I do who will never know me. I was reading in a book earlier today by Skye Jethani called What if Jesus was Serious about the idea that the kingdom of heaven to which Jesus refers is actually all around us now. So as I participate in your kingdom coming on earth, right now, use me to be what you need for others, and please help me to not miss the blessing or assistance you are giving me through others.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 

2 Timothy 1:8-9

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was granted to us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,

2 Timothy 1:8-9

Dear God, I wonder what Paul would have to say to modern American Christians. What kind of suffering would he call us to? What kinds of sacrifices? How would he admonish us? What criticisms would he have? What exhortations? And then the best question of all, how would we respond?

Sometimes, I almost feel like the kid who is left alone at home without supervision. Sure, I’m doing most things right. The house is still standing. I’m not throwing any wild parties. But how much is there that I’m not doing? I’m not cleaning my room like my parents want me to. I’m not making my bed. I’m not eating healthily. I’m letting the seeds of lethargy grow.

Taking that analogy, I think the church (and I, as part of the church) is doing that right now. We are doing the worship services. We have some programs that serve people. But are we really willing to get into the weeds with people? Are we willing to expose ourselves to the suffering of others and perhaps even suffer ourselves as we serve them? I have to say that I doubt Paul would only have positive things to say to me.

Father, this is all a process, but help me to make progress in this process. Show me in this moment what I am supposed to do to serve you by serving others. Help me to know how to bring your light, hope, grace, joy, and peace to others so that they, in turn, might find the wonder that is found in submitting to you and your grace.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 

Mothers of the Bible — Lois and Eunice

[Paul to Timothy] I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.
2 Timothy 1:5

Dear God, when I sat down to start praying to you about these two faithful women this morning (Timothy’s grandmother and mother, respectively), I thought of the song “Legacy” by Nichole Nordeman.

“Legacy” by Nichole Nordeman

I don’t mind if you’ve got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
And you could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all the who’s-who’s and so-and-so’s
That used to be the best at such and such,
It wouldn’t matter much.
I won’t lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights,
We all need an ‘Atta boy’ or ‘Atta girl’
But in the end I’d like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world.

I want to leave a legacy,
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to you enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace
Who blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy.

I don’t have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthy list of all that I enjoy
It’s an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such
Will soon enough destroy.

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to you enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace
Who blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy.

Not well-traveled, not well-read
Not well-to-do, or well-bred.
Just want to hear instead,
Well done, good and faithful one

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to you enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace
Who blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy.

I don’t mind if you’ve got something nice to say about me.

Source: LyricFind

Songwriter: James Newton Howard

I like how this song begins and ends with the same line: “I don’t mind if you’ve got something nice to say about me.” I look at faithful women like Lois and Eunice, and I’m sure they liked a good compliment as much as the next person. I certainly like compliments. But what is it that we remember about them 2,000 years later? And even if we didn’t rememer them by name, what is the legacy they left? In fact, Eunice married a gentile. How did Lois feel about that at the time? Was this a rebellious phase for Eunice? But then her faith apparently became very important to her at some point because we can see it in how she raised Timothy.

Being a person of faith is about just showing up and being faithful over and over again. Loving you over and over again. Loving our spouses. Loving our children. Loving our neighbors. Then that legacy might not get attached to my name or my photograph, but it will ripple through time. Father, help me to be that person today.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 

 

2 Timothy 1:13-14

Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.
2 Timothy 1:13-14

Dear God, I wonder what it was like to be a disciple of Paul. I mean, the guy was in prison and seemed to completely accept the idea that that is where you had him. Society considered Paul a radical to the extent that it put him in jail and ultimately killed him. I never thought of it before, but that fact had to be sitting in the back of Timothy’s mind all of the time. Would that be his fate as well? Would listening to Paul’s teaching and loving you land him in prison? What kind of a life can one build with that?

I have to admit that I just can’t relate to this, and I’m grateful for it. My faith in and worship of you doesn’t cost me very much in terms of material things. In my community, I am able to live out my faith without disruptions to my marriage or my work. I’m not looking over my shoulder to see if someone is ready to throw me in jail, so listening to Paul’s teaching through scripture has only upside for me.

Father, maybe my faith in you costs me more than I realize, but right now, sitting here, it feels like an amazing gift. I’m sorry for when I let you down, get petty, or try to promote myself over others. I’m sorry when my ego takes control. I want to be all yours so that I only think of your glory and not my own.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 

2 Timothy 4:2-4

Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

2 Timothy 4:2-4

Dear God, verse 3 hardly seems prophetic. I cannot imagine a time when most people would not follow their own desires and look for teachers who will tell them what they want to hear. That’s just how we roll.

During the last presidential election, I saw everyone, including me, seeking out an echo chamber that would affirm our point of view on the candidate. Whether it was only getting news from specific news sources we knew probably saw things the way we saw them, visiting with friends who were going to vote like us, or only following people on social media who believed like we did, it was a surprise for one side that one candidate won the popular vote because “everyone they knew” was voting for the other person, and it was a surprise to the other group when the other person won the electoral college.

I use this as an example because I think social media and its ability to customize what we consume from the Internet is helping to only entrench all of us into only hearing what we want to hear and causing us to lose the skill of listening to an opposing argument without being offended. Then, when it comes to putting ourselves into a position where someone comes along to speak your truth, it becomes even harder for us to hear them because our hearts are even harder and our ability to process an opposing view is diminished.

Father, I like to think I am more evolved and open minded than that, but I fell into the same trap during the last election that a lot of other people did. I love to think that I am smart and wise, but the truth is that I need to hear from the Holy Spirit, I need to be challenged, I sometimes need to receive rebuke, sometimes I need to repent, and sometimes I need to change my perspective, paradigm, or opinion. So I submit this prayer, that you will give me what you need me to have, teach me what you need me to know, and motivate me to do what you need me to do.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.2 Timothy 3:16-17 

Dear God, it’s interesting to note that at this point Paul was referring to Old Testament scripture only and didn’t realize that his own letters would one day be considered Scripture. I wonder if that would have scared him a little or made him doubt his statement here. I know he was confident about himself and his place in your church, but I doubt he would have been confident enough to say that his writings should be taken to be Scripture. It’s a reminder that these books were written by real people, and while I believe they are divinely inspired and useful to teach me, the writers probably have more in common with me than I realize. 
But to get to the point of Paul’s message here, Scripture can only be useful if we actually use it and use it effectively. There are many ways to do this. Some just sit down and read it. Some take copious notes. Some participate in Bible study classes that guide them through it. Some read commentaries. And some, like me, use it as a jumping off point to journal prayers to you. 
Father, teach us to use your Scripture to know you and to find the relationship with you that we need. Be glorified in me and speak to me in these times with the words you want me to hear so that I might be the man you need me to be in any given situation. 
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen