Sunday Homily 6-1-08, 9th Sunday of Regular Time
Readings: Deuteronomy 11, 18-32; Psalm 31; Romans 3, 21-25; Matthew 7, 21-27
Deuteronomy: Just a couple of reminders–
- Deuteronomy is the 5th & last book of the Pentateuch or Torah;
- Moses is reminding the people of how Yahweh has guided and protected them in the desert after escaping Egypt;
- The discourse takes place in the desert outside the promised land, the land where the Canaanites are living.
- Moses is dying and will not enter. Instead Joshua will lead the people.
Matthew & the Foundation of Your House
Because the Gospel of Matthew will be our Sunday gospel now through summer & fall until we begin Advent, which is the first Sunday after Thanksgiving, let me offer some data about Matthew. I have five observations about Matthew's gospel and a thought about his selection today on foundations for your house.
- Who? Matthew was not written by Matthew the Apostle. Instead, the writer seems to be an anonymous, non-eye witness Jewish Christian.
- When? Around 80-85, i.e., about 50 years after Jesus
- Where? He wrote in Antioch probably. Rome, Alexandria in Egypt, and Antioch in Syria (today Turkey) were 3 big cities of the the Roman Empire. Antioch was defeated in the 13th Century and never revived, partly because ships could no longer come up river to the city. Sand had collected in the river bed. Like Seville in Spain.
- What was he trying to do? He was trying to convince Jew & Gentile that Jesus fulfilled the O.T. prophesies about a savior. Consequently, he makes multiple references to the O.T.
- Synoptic Gospels? 3 of the N.T. gospels are called the Synoptic gospels, because they are all similar. Matthew is one of them, along with Mark & Luke. In fact, Matthew seems to have used Mark & maybe Luke, along with an oral source called Q, as his sources. Matthew has over 1000 lines, almost 400 of which are identical to Mark.
In today's selection from Matthew we are at the beginning of his chapters teaching about good living. His metaphor of the house built upon sand makes me think, "Welcome to Dallas!" Is there a house in Dallas that does not have foundation problems? If I lay a pen on my desk at home I have to position it correctly or it will roll away.
In fact, a few years ago we invited some foundation companies to give us an estimate on leveling our pier & beam house. One major company said, "Sorry, folks. We won't touch this house." Consequently, we live in a tear down hoping it won't fall down before we are ready to sell and move.
The house obviously is a metaphor for you and me. We are being instructed to build our lives on spiritual health, especially obedience, which the Deuteronomy reading adds. Again in these readings, we are presented with a choice. Deuteronomy calls it a choice between blessing & curse. I would suggest it is a choice between a path of fear and a path of trust.
Just like in Dallas, we all attempt to build our lives on a solid foundation. We would not be gathering here if that were not moving us. The up side of the metaphor of the house is that we are encouraged again to continue to improve our lives. The down side is the reality that, like in Dallas, despite our best efforts, we have shaky foundations. Therefore, are we cursed forever?
I think an answer lies in the readings. Again we have both positions represented. We can choose. The Psalm writer says, "In you, Oh Lord, I take refuge; You are my rock; Take courage and be stout hearted, all you who hope in the Lord."
Consequently, instead of the path of fear, I have chosen the path of trust. How about you?
AUDIO: http://mysite.verizon.net/reso7rjy/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/2008-06-01.mp3