Pentecost 17
September 27. 2009

Scripture Introductions
by Stewart Clarke

My thought is that the introductions might be read as a lead-in to the readings, 
in the same way that there can be an introduction to some music in a concert, 
or a radio announcer "sets up" a song before it is played.  I don't want to push the comparison, 
but to suggest that we can understand something better if we know a bit about it.  
It's like the basic principle in communication: it is much easier to understand 
what someone says if we know what the person is talking about.

(There will be some bits in parentheses: you may want to skip them.)

The first reading is from the book of Esther, a surprising book in the Bible, 
because God is not even mentioned.  This may help remind us that the Bible 
is a collection of books, rather than one single book.   Esther has also been shifted 
from its place in the Hebrew Bible, where it is in the third section, the Writings 
(just following Lamentations!). In our Bible, it is among the supposedly historical books, 
a category that does not exist in the Hebrew arrangement of Teaching (or Law), 
Prophets, and Writings.

There is a clear teaching aspect to the book.  As the Book of Daniel was a call for resoluteness 
in the faith (perhaps 164 BCE,) and Judith, (perhaps 150 BCE) a call for deliverance 
from foreign rule,  the Book of Esther (perhaps 130 BCE) invites fighting back!

Esther, and her uncle, Mordecai, stand for the Jews who remained behind after the return 
to Jerusalem. Esther and Mordecai face the hatred of the prime minister, Haman, 
and the people face an early holocaust.  But they survive. Haman's scheme to conquer Mordecai 
and to eliminate the people is overturned. There is a celebration, which leads to that most joyous 
and fun festivals of Purim, still celebrated, today. (In 2009, it was celebrated on March 10-11!)

We come in part way through the story. Haman is still prime minister, and riding high and scheming. 
But if he could scheme, so could Esther, as she sets the scene in which to tell the king of Haman's infamy.

(In the background is the story of Vashti, granddaughter of Nebuchadnezzer, and queen before Esther.  
She was deposed because she refused to parade before her husband's drinking guests. 
She thus becomes a feminist heroine, though some have explained that she deserved 
to be deposed and even to have the leprosy she supposedly suffered, 
since she was Nebuchadnezzer's offspring, and he had misused the Temple furnishings!)

Let's listen, and note the risks and the relief of the Jews, a minority in the pagan land, as we read: [2]

Esther 7: 1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22

We may add words like: May the Spirit help us to see where people are at risk, 
and to respond appropriately for justice and peace. Amen



The Psalm fits neatly with the Esther reading.  It is a psalm of celebration, 
to be sung by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem and to the Temple.

Let's be open to their hope and joy as we...

Ps. 124



The letter of James is one of the most practical portions of the Scripture. 
There are several "James" in the New Testament and we have no indication of which James 
is behind the letter, ore whether someone is writing under James' name and in his style of thought!  
WE do know that it is written in beautiful Greek, and that James was felt to be so well known 
in the Church that he needed no introduction.

In this letter, the early Christians are invited to rely on and to help each other, 
with the conviction that prayer will make a difference.

Let us listen to his advice and encouragement, in:

James 5: 13-20

May we, like the early Christian community trust in prayer. Amen.



The Gospel reading sounds somewhat like a collection of Jesus' sayings. 
Every phrase, from Jesus' rebuke of John's exclusiveness to the instruction to be at peace, 
invites meditation.  (Jesus even seems to reverse a phrase that he will use later, 
and one that we hear quoted with relish.  In Chapter 11, he will say, 
"He that is not with me is against me."  Here, the message and focus are quite different!)

(The reference to "hell" in some translations is to Gehenna, the city dump of Jerusalem!  
So Jesus is painting a powerful word picture that the word "hell" may distort or even diminish!)

Let us rise to honour and be open to the Good News for us in:
(Or: Let us listen closely for the Good News for us in:)

Mark 9:   38 - 56.

May we hear what the Spirit is saying to us, the Church.

It is appropriate to follow the readings with thanks and praise.

Notes:

  With thanks to CAM.
  I find myself struggling here.  I am not sure why we have the reading from Esther, and, if we are going to read it, why we don't read it around the time of Purim, when Jews are celebrating exuberantly on the 10th -  11th of March, 2009. (I do not know why this insists on bold! RSC.


(Comments to Stew at stewclarke@eastlink.ca.)