Erasmus+ – project
| Anglican lectionary: Catholic lectionary: | 1st Reading 2 Sam 6:1-5,12b-19 Am 7:12-15 | Psalm 24 – | 2nd Reading Eph 1:3-14 both | Gospel Mark 6:14-29 Mark 6:7-13 |
by The Rev Clive Eric Thomas, Rector of St Ambrose Anglican Church, Diocese of Barbados, Province of the West Indies
NOTES ON THE READINGS
2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19
Before the reign of David, the Ark of the Covenant, the very sign of God’s presence in the land, suffered a very checkered history, to the point of being captured in battle by the Philistines. After suffering a series of calamities, attributed to the Ark, the Philistines returned the ark to Israel (1 Samuel 6). 1 Samuel 7:1-2 tells us that the ark was housed at Kiriath-jearim, and it remained there for twenty years. The Ark seemed to have gone slient.
After the death of Saul and his sons, David became king over both Israel and Judah. He also captured Jerusalem from the Jebusites and transformed it into his capital city. David desired to give the Ark the honor it deserved as the Ark of the Covenant and place it in what he now considered to be the center of the nation, Jerusalem.
He builds a new cart for the Ark and together with of a great company of Isrealites transported the Ark to its new home, with prayers, sacrifices, music, singing, and dancing. Placing the Ark once again in the center of the lives of the people. This great ceremony of transporting the Ark ends with David distributing food to the people in thanksgiving to God.
Psalm 24
It is believed that a vast majoriety of Psalms were written for temple services, and from the words and construct of Psalm 24, it appears to have been one of those psalms written for such procession and temple service.
Vs 1-2: The psalmist begins by acknowledging that creation and all that there in belongs to God. It belongs to God not by force of capture but by His very act of creating it. We have no claim to what belongs to God.
Vs 3-6: The Psalmist then moves from an acknowledgement of God’s ownership of and over creation, to His worthness of praise from that which He has created. “Who can ascend the hill of the Lord?” and who can stand in his holy place?” Psalm 24:3. He highlights the importance of understanding the superior nature of God, and as such our adoration and worship of Him must reflect such.
Vs 6-10: The psalmist turnes attention to the strength and power of God that is mighty to save, mighty protect and mighty to deliver in any battle.
Creation belongs to God, we must worship and honor His holy name and trust in His power to save.
Ephesians 1:3-14
The theme here is that of being the sons and daughters of God by adoption and grace. Through the sacrifice of Jesus, we are now able to call God Abba Father. However, this was not an isolated event or happened by chance, it was predestined. Paul tells the church that even before the universe was formed God destined us to be; to be His own and to be part of His creation.
DRAFT SERMON/SERMON OUTLINE
2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19
David built a new cart for the Ark and placed the Ark in the center of the nation’s life.
How can we see creation as the morden day Ark that contains and reminds people of the presence of God?
As David built a new cart for the Ark, what can we do to protect, preserve, renew and restore creation.
If creation is seen as the morden Ark of God, what can we do to highlight the importance of Creation in the lives of all peoples?
How can we help others to see God in Creation?
Psalm 24
In our daily lives how do we:
Acknowledge that the world was created by God and as such belongs to Him. We owe our existance to Him.
How do we respect, honor, adore, and worship the God who has created us; and how does our use of His creation reflect our respect and adoration for Him.
How do we acknowledge His strength and power in our daily struggles and rely on Him in our fight to preserve and protect creation.
Ephesians 1:3-14
We were destined to be part of God’s creation before the foundations of the earth were formed
Why did God destined us to be part of His creation?
What does it mean to be part of God’s creative plan?
How do we see ourselves as being one with creation, being part of creation?
If we preserve or destroy creation, are we preserving or destroying ourselves because we are part of creation?
Can we call ourselves sons and daughters of God if we denounce by our actions that which we were created part of by Him?
Mark 6:14-29
The theme here is fear and injustice
Why did King Herod fear John the Baptist?
What crime did John Commit that led to him being beheaded?
What fears do we have in our lives about persons?
Are those fears justified?
What can those fears lead us to say about or do to an innocent person?
What can we do to eliminate fear in our lives?
What can we do to fight for and support others who are experiencing injustices because of no fault of theirs?
How can we highlight God as a lover of Justice and as such His creation and creatures should reflect His justice.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL
https://sermonwriter.com/biblical-commentary-old/2-samuel-61-5-12b-19/
Seeing God In Creation – https://thebiblestudy.co.uk/articles/god-in-creation/
A Litany of Thanksgiving
Let us give thanks to God our Father for all his gifts so freely bestowed upon us.
For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea.
We thank you, Lord.
For all that is gracious in the lives of men and women, revealing the image of Christ,
We thank you, Lord.
For our daily food and drink, our homes and families, and our friends,
We thank you, Lord.
For minds to think, and hearts to love, and hands to serve,
We thank you, Lord.
For health and strength to work, and leisure to rest and play,
We thank you, Lord.
For the brave and courageous, who are patient in suffering and faithful in adversity,
We thank you, Lord.
For all valiant seekers after truth, liberty, and justice,
We thank you, Lord.
For the communion of saints, in all times and places,
We thank you, Lord.
Above all, we give you thanks for the great mercies and promises given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord;
To him be praise and glory, with you, O Father, and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
https://www.bcponline.org/
by The Rev Clive Eric Thomas, Barbados