Sunday Readings for November 17, 2013



Malachi 4:1-2a (some bibles have it listed as Malachi 3:19-21)
Psalm 98
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Luke 21:5-19

Malachi:

"(Malachi) was composed by an anonymous writer before Nehemiah's arrival in Jerusalem (455 B.C.). Because of the sharp reproaches he was leveling against the priests and rulers of the people, the author probably wished to conceal his identity. To do this he made a proper name out of the Hebrew expression for 'My Messenger' (Malachi), which occurs in 1:1 and 3:1. The historical value of the prophecy is considerable in that it gives us a picture of life in the Jewish community returned from Babylon, between the period of Haggai and the reform measures of Ezra and Nehemiah. It is likely that the author's trenchant criticism of abuses and religious indifference in the community prepared the way for these necessary reforms."

 

- introduction to Malachi from The New American Bible

 

 

2 Thessalonians:

 

 

"Traditional opinion holds that this letter was written shortly after 1 Thessalonians. Occasionally it has been argued that 2 Thessalonians was written first or that the two letters are addressed to different segments within the church at Thessalonica (2 Thessalonians being directed to the Jewish Christians there) or even that 2 Thessalonians was originally written to some other nearby place where Paul carried out mission work, such as Phillipi or Beroea. Increasingly in recent times, however, the opinion has been advanced that 2 Thessalonians is a pseudepigraph, that is, a letter written authoritatively in Paul's name, to maintain apostolic traditions in a later period, perhaps during the last two decades of the first century. In any case, the presumed audience of 2 Thessalonians and certain features of its style and content require that it be read and studied in a Pauline context, particularly that provided by 1 Thessalonians. At the same time, and especially if the letter is regarded as not by Paul himself, its apocalyptic presentation of preconditions for the parousia (2:1-12) may profit from and require recourse to a wider biblical basis for interpretation, namely Old Testament books such as Daniel and Isaiah and especially, in the New Testament, the synoptic apocalyptic discourse (Mk 13; Mt 24-25; Lk 21:5-36*) and the Book of Revelation."

 

 

-introduction to 2 Thessalonians from The New American Bible

 

*Note how the introduction to 2 Thessalonians makes a connection between the letter itself and our Gospel passage connected with it this weekend: Lk 21:5-19+.

The Altar of Consumerism

For years we have been warned that it was coming. Each year "Black Friday," the day after Thanksgiving and the unofficial start of the Christmas Shopping Season, has inched earlier and earlier. The usual opening time was not enough to beat the competition, so stores began to open at 7:00 a.m., then 6:00 a.m., then 4:00 a.m., midnight,  and then 11:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving night, and earlier.

Now, it seems, stores have decided to disregard the holiday altogether and make the day one for shopping and commerce by opening at 6:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning.

Is nothing sacred any longer? Has the family in the Norman Rockwell painting died only to be replaced by mobs of people crushing one another to get the best deal possible under the guise of "generosity" at Christmas? Are we to believe that the people who are pushing each other down for a 52" TV are buying that item for someone else? And even if they are buying it for someone else and not themselves, does that effort at "generosity" preclude stopping to give God thanks for what He has provided us as a nation and people? Isn't it ironic that people who are "buying for their loved ones" choose to skip giving thanks with those very loved ones on Thanksgiving? And what of the forced sacrifice of those who must work? Are they not allowed a day with their families?

The scenes we see each year of people lining up at the doors, pushing and shoving, crushing (and sometimes killing) one another are sickening. When is the last time we saw that kind of rush to get at Jesus in the Eucharist? What would our world look like if, instead of mobs going out in the middle of the night for the best bargains, those mobs turned their hunger, desire, efforts, enthusiasm, determination, and convictions towards meeting God in the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist?

We must pray for our world and never lose faith or hope. We are called to be a light set atop a lampstand in an otherwise dark world. We do so without judgment or condemnation, but through example and joy. Our invitation to the world must be filled with the Love of Jesus Christ, always inviting and encouraging.

There are two things we can do. First, is we can gather and pray on Thanksgiving Day. Our Eucharist will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day and will include the Baptism of a new Christian. We can be a family of faith who witnesses through prayer and attendance.

The second thing we can do is to pray for those we see on TV when the news reports come out. Identify faces in the crowd, pause the TV if you can, and focus on one or two faces for whom we might pray. It's a simple act, but if we can begin to imagine their needs we can enter into their shopping frenzy in a different sort of way.

Let us give God thanks for his abundant gifts by slowing down and praying for one another...with one another.

Who are the Godparents?

"Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ's Body the Church. The bond which God establishes in Baptism is indissoluble...Each candidate for Holy Baptism is to be sponsored by one or more baptized persons. Sponsors of adults and older children present their candidates and their intention to support them by prayer and example in their Christian life. Sponsors of infants, commonly called godparents, present their candidates, make promises in their own names, and also take vows on behalf of their candidates. It is fitting that parents be included among the godparents of their own children. Parents and godparents are to be instructed in the meaning of Baptism, in their duties to help the new Christians grow in the knowledge and love of God, and in their responsibilities as members of His Church."

-Book of Common Prayer, p. 298

 

Too often there is confusion about the role of godparents. Some believe that godparents take responsibility for raising the child if something tragic happens to the parents. Others believe that being a godparent is simply an honorary title that affords them a front-row seat on the day of the baptism.

 

In actuality, the role of godparent is a sacred trust between those being baptized, the parents of the baptized if the baptized is an infant and the godparent(s) themselves. Godparents should be chosen for their moral character and upright living. Godparents are to be an example through their faithful way of life to God and His Church. Godparents and parents work in collaboration with one another and the Holy Spirit to ensure that the child is provided with the necessary instruction, counsel, guidance and example so that they may grow into Christ's love without delay.

 

 

When choosing a godparent, choose them after much prayerful consideration and never out of familial obligation. The newly baptized Christian deserves role models who will be an example, not of perfection, but of fidelity to Christ and His Church, the People of God.