Looking Into the Lectionary — Worship resources for 2/20

 

February 20, 2022 7th Sunday after Epiphany Luke 6:27-38 COMMENTARY An initial read of Luke 6:27-38 can leave us more than a bit baffled. Jesus has just chosen the 12 “disciples,” immediately changes their title to “apostles,” gathers everyone together on a level playing field and then begins to wax poetically. After a few blessings and woes, Jesus starts talking about how we are to love our enemies (v. 27) and turn our other cheek (v. 29) and give to everyone who begs from us (v. 30). Jesus throws out a few examples of folks showing some basic love or simple acts of goodness but then implies that those mean very little because “even sinners” do those (vv. 32-34). Aren’t we still considered sinners?! Finally, Jesus ends this section with a double negative and double affirmation which seem to be about as close to karma as Christianity gets (vv. 37-38). Give, get. Forgive, forgiven. Don’t judge or condemn so that you don’t get judged or condemned. One could be tempted to reduce this entire section down to one of those mathematical word equations in which what you do to others = done to you. What are we to do with Jesus’ perplexing sermon on the plain? You can find the rest of the commentary on our website. An order of worship for February 20, 2022. This liturgy is free to use. The Uniform Lesson for February 20, 2022, by Richard Boyce. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... Winning at love A poem by Barbara Wood Gray. Committee affirms that Stated Clerk may speak for the PC(USA) The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly (COGA) releases a statement responding to questions raised about controversial comments that J. Herbert Nelson made criticizing Israel’s treatment of the Palestinian people. — Leslie Scanlon Leveling and rebuilding: What’s ahead for the Presbyterian Mission Agency Corey Schlosser-Hall, the new director of rebuilding and vision implementation at the Presbyterian Mission Agency (PMA), will play a key architectural role in designing what’s ahead as PMA begins to live into a comprehensive restructuring plan. — Leslie Scanlon Jesus was political – should the church be too? Local congregations see PC(USA) national priorities that work to dismantle racism, to end systemic poverty, and to address issues such as militarism, gender discrimination and climate change as being “too political.” — Leslie Scanlon Stated clerk issues new video statement on Israel/Palestine J. Herbert Nelson responds to comments and critques.  Committee recommends appointing commission to unify PC(USA) agencies, plus team to develop funding experiments The Special Committee on Per-Capita Based Funding and National Church Financial Sustainability voted to send two recommendations to the 2022 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Learning from the Black American religious experience Angela Cowser dives into the Pew Research Center’s report on Black American religious identity, opinion and belief and the lessons these findings hold.

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