Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 | Pentecost 11 (Cycle C)
Sunday between August 7 and August 13 inclusive
Most of the texts selected for this occasion emphasize God’s desire to do good things for God’s people and for all people who will respond in a positive way to God. This emphasis is also present in the prayer for next Sunday in the words, “Almighty and Everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we are to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve.” Let us, therefore, examine these texts and see how this emphasis is expressed in them. Is this not what we also shall be proclaiming this coming weekend?
Psalm 33:12-22
Not only did the Lord do good things for the people of God by calling into being the heavens and the earth for them even before the Lord brought the people into existence, but also the Lord is said in this psalm to look with grace on all who fear the Lord. The Lord is said to look with kindness at those who put their hope in the steadfast love that the Lord has for them, in order that the Lord may deliver them from death and keep them alive during famine. Therefore, the people of the worshiping community gladly wait for the Lord to act and they trust in the name of the Lord.
Genesis 15:1-6
The Abraham traditions in Genesis indicate that there was nothing Abraham and Sarah wanted more than to have a son, but they were both greatly advanced in years and remained childless. Although the reader is kept in suspense for many chapters in Genesis before the birth of Isaac is announced, there is actually never any doubt that the Lord would bless them with a son because, as this Genesis 15:1-6 text reveals, it was the desire of the Lord to do this good thing for them. The son would be born and in spite of any threats to his existence he would survive. Through him Abraham and Sarah would have many descendants, as many as the stars that can be seen on a clear night in a rural or desolate area.
Even in our human relationships, we have learned from our experiences that if someone who is exceptionally powerful desires to do something good for us, it is almost certain to be done. How much more, therefore, will it be likely to occur when God, who is infinitely good and powerful, wants to do something that will be good for us! According to this text, Abram believed that the Lord would do this great thing that the Lord wanted to do for Abram and Sarah, and Abram’s acceptance of this promise of the Lord was considered evidence of Abram’s righteousness.
Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23
Although God may want to do good things for God’s chosen people, there are times in which it is said that God commands changes to occur among the people before God will share God’s gifts of grace. In the situation depicted in this psalm, the people had been offering their animal sacrifices to God regularly, but they had not offered to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving. Instead, they had broken the commandments given by God. Nevertheless, if they will repent, God will save them.
Isaiah 1:1, 10-20
As in Psalm 50, the problem here was not the lack of animal sacrifices and burnt offerings. The problem was that the people were being unjust to the poor and oppressed. They were not caring for the orphans, or defending widows. If the people will change, even though their sins are scarlet, they will become as white and clean as snow. God is on their side. God wants to help them.
Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16
Along with the definition in Hebrews 11:1 of the concept of faith expressed in the terminology of Greek philosophy and the many examples of the faith of Abraham, Sarah, and the innumerable Israelites descended from them given in this text, there are statements that God has always wanted to be called their God and to provide for them all of the good things that are implied by God’s goodness. It is said that God has prepared for them a heavenly city, the city of God. There can be no doubt in this text of God’s desire to provide good things for the people.
Luke 12:32-40
It is in this text that the statement of God’s desire to do good things for God’s people is most explicit. We see this especially in the words of Luke 12:32, “Do not be afraid any longer, my little flock of people, for God your Father has expressed a strong desire to give to you the kingdom.” If God had no desire to provide for the people of God a place within the celestial realm where God’s will is gladly done, there would have been no point in urging the readers of the Lukan document to sell their material goods and to provide for the poor, to build up their treasures in the heavens, and to be alert at all times, watching for the coming of the Son of Man. God’s desire to do good things for us is the reason that we are urged by faith to accept these good things from God and to be ready when these good things are dispensed so that we will miss no opportunity to receive them. Without a doubt, God’s desire to do good things for us is “gospel,” good news for all!
