ISSL Reflections April 17 2022 Matthew 28:1–10 Post 3

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VII.
Let’s return to this passage describing the start of the day “After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was drawing …” after the crucifixion of Jesus.

Please pay close attention to the women.

VIII.
Matthew 28:1-10 (New Revised Standard Version)

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

IX.
Emotions were on something of a roller-coaster that morning.

There is expectation, fear, and surprise. And probably doubt or outright disbelief also? Might we also add “awe” and “worship”?

Twice the women are told “Do not be afraid …”

And on top of all of that, the women are given an assignment.

They are to take a message to the disciples/brothers.

X.
Take a few minutes and reread the passage.

Now, search your memory and see who you notice that brought to you any news of resurrection.

You were probably brought such news several times?

At least I am guessing you were brought such news.

How did it strike you?

How does it strike you now?

Believable? Something to stake your future on or not?

Something that changes your present? Does it make a difference in how you consider each day?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections April 17 2022 Matthew 28:1–10 Post 2

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IV.
“Then go quickly and tell his disciples …”

Why are the two women asked to “tell his disciples”?

V.
Matthew 28:1-10 (New Revised Standard Version)

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

VI.
The two women have to go someplace to “tell his disciples”?

Where are the “disciples”?

Where do you expect them to be? Where do you think they should be?

These two women are given the task of taking what message to the “disciples”?

Does that make them the “first evangelists” as some have claimed?

I wonder sometimes, if I had been a follower of Jesus in those days, where would I have been?

How close could I have followed him? Would I have come to the tomb, or be in a locked room, or have left Jerusalem, or have never followed him to Jerusalem?

Charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections April 17 2022 Matthew 28:1–10 Post 1

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I.
This week we prepare for Easter Sunday by spending time with part of Matthew’s account of the morning the resurrection was discovered.

It is dawn on the first day of the week. As you spend time with these words, who do you notice, and how do they respond to what they encounter?

II.
Matthew 28:1-10 (New Revised Standard Version)

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

III.
Who do you notice?

What are they there to do? (You might want to refer to Luke 24:1.))

What disrupts their plans?

Who is not here? Who is missing? Any ideas why?

How do you understand this?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est)

ISSL Reflections April 10 2022 Matthew 26:17–30 Post 3

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VII.
Today, let’s return to this passage from Matthew and after reading it once again, turn attention to the second paragraph and take notice of the remarks about betrayal.

VIII.
Matthew 26:17-30 (New Revised Standard Version)

On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.

When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; and while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?” He answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.” Judas, who betrayed him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” He replied, “You have said so.”

While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

IX.
Every time I return to these words about the “betrayal” of Jesus I am struck once again by this,

“ … while they were eating, [Jesus] said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ And [the twelve] became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, ‘Surely not I, Lord?’”

Quite a thing to drop into the middle of the Passover meal. Was that the “right” place for this discussion?

I get why they “are greatly distressed.” At least, I think I do.

But why “one after another” do they ask, “Surely not I…”?

Are they distressed they are not sure of how the betrayal will happen and if they may have an unintentional part in it?

Or, maybe they are so unsure of their own standing with Jesus and their relation to his coming Kingdom, they, anyone of them, might be capable of intentionally or unintentionally betraying Jesus?

Or, maybe they are so unsure of their own souls, they want reassurance they will not be responsible?

Maybe they should be commended for their honesty in asking Jesus to look at them and tell them what he finds in their souls?

How honestly do we ask Jesus to look at us and tell us who we are?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections April 10 2022 Matthew 26:17–30 Post 2

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IV.
I’d like to pick up today something in my closing remark in the last post – “ … Jesus’ remark’s about ‘body’ and ‘blood’ and ‘forgiveness’ and sharing with them in the ‘kingdom.””

Think about what Jesus “shares” with those at the table.

V.
Matthew 26:17-30 (New Revised Standard Version)

On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.

When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; and while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?” He answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.” Judas, who betrayed him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” He replied, “You have said so.”

While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

VI.
What do you see Jesus sharing with the disciples?

The borrowed room? The passover meal? His blessing and thanks over the bread and the cup? His asking them to “eat … body … [and] drink … blood”? His mention of covenant and forgiveness and the promise to “drink” again in the kingdom?

We so often take this passage as the model for our practice of eucharist/communion/the Lord’s supper.

Can we look beyond that liturgical practice, and while not diminishing its significance and importance, notice Jesus sharing the table with the disciples and the promise of life in the Father’s kingdom?

Can we put ourselves in that room and at that table?

What does Jesus share with you?

What does Jesus covenant with you?

What does life look like as you approach living in the Father’s kingdom?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections April 10 2022 Matthew 26:17–30 Post 1

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I.
Last week we watched Jesus enter Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey, this week we watch him share the Passover meal with his disciples in a borrowed room. Reminds me of Jesus telling those who wished to follow him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” (Matthew 8:20)

As you read this week’s focus passage, what do you notice about Jesus and about his followers?

II.
Matthew 26:17-30 (New Revised Standard Version)

On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.

When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; and while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?” He answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.” Judas, who betrayed him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” He replied, “You have said so.”

While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

III.
What draws your attention?

Preparation for the passover meal? Or is there a lack of “seriousness” to their preparation?

That in the midst of their sharing such a “holy” meal, Jesus speaks of betrayal in such a way that draws all into questioning one another and even themselves?

Or Jesus’ remarks about “body” and “blood” and “forgiveness” and sharing with them in the “kingdom”?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections April 3 2022 Matthew 21:1–11 Post 3

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VIII.
Let’s return to our reading from Matthew. Read it again while also holding in your mind the images of Pilate’s entry into Jerusalem we read in the previous post.

IX.
Matthew 21:1-11 (New Revised Standard Version)

When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives,
Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,

“Tell the daughter of Zion,
Look, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”

X.
Jesus is identified as a Rabbi (one who has disciples), a Prophet, and a King.

In regard to the Kingdom of God which Jesus heralds, what contrasts the most to you with the Kingdom of Caesar and Empire which Pilate and his procession herald?

Can you recall any “counter-cultural” aspects of the Kingdom Jesus speaks of? One such aspect might be, “The greatest among you will be your servant.” (Matthew 23:11)

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections April 3 2022 Matthew 21:1–11 Post 2

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IV.
Let’s continue to think about how Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem as described by Matthew and how others enter the city. Take time to read our focus passage again and hold onto any details that draw your attention.

V.
Matthew 21:1-11 (New Revised Standard Version)

When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives,
Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,

“Tell the daughter of Zion,
Look, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”

VI.
In my previous post I mentioned having read how Pilate entered Jerusalem during Passover festivities. Allow me to be more specific and include in today’s post how Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan in their book The Last Week (pp 2-3) contrast Pilate’s entry with Jesus’ entry.

“Two processions entered Jerusalem … It was the beginning of Passover … One was a peasant procession, the other an imperial procession…. From the east, Jesus rode a donkey down the Mount of Olives … On the opposite side of the city, from the West, Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Idumea, Judea, and Samaria entered Jerusalem at the head of a column of imperial cavalry and soldiers…. Pilate’s [procession] proclaimed the power of empire. Pilate’s military procession was a demonstration of both Roman imperial power and Roman imperial theology…. Imagine the imperial procession’s arrival … A visual panoply of imperial power: cavalry on horses, foot soldiers, leather armor, helmets, weapons, banners, golden eagles mounted on poles … Pilate’s procession displayed on only imperial power, but also imperial theology. According to this theology, the emperor was not simply the ruler of Rome, but the Son of God.”

VII.
With those images of Pilate’s entry, contrast Jesus’ entry.

What stands out to you in the contrast?

If Pilate’s entry is about imperial power and “theology” what is Jesus’ entry about?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections April 3 2022 Matthew 21:1–11 Post 1

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I.
I’ve noticed in a number of bibles this passage is labeled, “Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.”

Is that a fitting description?

What seems to you to be “triumphal” and what seems to you to be not so “triumphal”?

II.
Matthew 21:1-11 (New Revised Standard Version)

When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives,
Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,

“Tell the daughter of Zion,
Look, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”

III.
Jesus is arriving in Jerusalem at Passover time. The city is overflowing with folks there for the festival. In his usual fashion Matthew brings to bear the words from one of the Hebrew prophets. In this case, Zechariah. “… a king is coming to you … mounted on a donkey …” And a borrowed donkey no less.

Is that how royalty enters the capital city of the kingdom?

I have read that it is not how Pilate, his entourage, and his soldiers enter the city. They arrive with much more pomp and circumstance and “fire power”. Pilate may not be a king entering his capital city, but he is representative of Caesar, the ruler of that world, entering the capital city of a vassal state.

What do you think is fitting or not fitting in how Jesus enters the city?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections March 27 2022 Deuteronomy 8:1–11 Post 3

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VII.
There can be little doubt this passage is about “commandments.” After all, we read,

“This entire commandment that I command you today … whether or not you would keep his commandments…. Therefore keep the commandments of the Lord your God … do not forget the Lord your God, by failing to keep his commandments, his ordinances, and his statutes …
(vv 1, 2, 6, 11)

So, that is settled. But what else is this passage about? As you read it and spend time with it, what else impresses you?

VIII.
Deuteronomy 8:1-11 (New Revised Standard Version)

This entire commandment that I command you today you must diligently observe, so that you may live and increase, and go in and occupy the land that the Lord promised on oath to your ancestors. Remember the long way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, in order to humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commandments. He humbled you by letting you hunger, then by feeding you with manna, with which neither you nor your ancestors were acquainted, in order to make you understand that one does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. The clothes on your back did not wear out and your feet did not swell these forty years. Know then in your heart that as a parent disciplines a child so the Lord your God disciplines you. Therefore keep the commandments of the Lord your God, by walking in his ways and by fearing him. For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with flowing streams, with springs and underground waters welling up in valleys and hills, a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, a land where you may eat bread without scarcity, where you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron and from whose hills you may mine copper. You shall eat your fill and bless the Lord your God for the good land that he has given you.

Take care that you do not forget the Lord your God, by failing to keep his commandments, his ordinances, and his statutes, which I am commanding you today.

IX.
What else do you notice?

I see the good land that has been promised is connected to “diligently” observing the commandment.
I also notice mention of “the long way” God has led them, their need to be humble, the necessity to know “what was in your heart,” and the need to “understand that one does not live by bread alone.”

And then, “do not forget the Lord your God.”

As you read this once more, consider what ways this might help you take deeper notice of things in your journey with God.

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}