LISTSERV 16.0 - HUNGERSERMONSTARTERS Archives

The lessons for each Sunday in the church year proclaim God’s grace in Jesus Christ. Also derived from a Sunday’s texts are lessons for the Christ-inspired and Christ-like life of God’s people. The comments here will help you find hunger-related threads – sermon starters – among the themes of this day’s texts. (We're presuming you have already done your exegetical work on the texts.) God bless your proclamation (and teaching) of what is most certainly true!

This passage from Nehemiah is an important turn in the narrative of Ezra-Nehemiah. To this point the return of exiles and the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Second Temple have dominated. Now with the construction complete and the people gathered, they recommit to the way of God. Ezra reads the Law to the people (with interpretation—v. 8!) and the response is to feast and to share food (vv. 10, 12). On the “day holy to the Lord,” when the people of God recommit themselves to God’s way, they commemorate by eating the fat (which is a good thing in cultures that do not suffer from overabundance of fatty foods as we do in the Global North) and drinking “sweet wine.” We have much to learn about enjoying God’s gracious abundance and feasting with intention is a good place to start. But the people did not just gorge themselves. They also made sure to share portions with those who had nothing. Could God’s word be calling us to do the same today?

This week’s text from Paul continues where last week’s left off—on the unity of the body. Again, it is worthwhile to reflect on what we will be unified towards. What will be the key identity markers we cling to as a people?

There is a key passage in vv. 22-26. In spite of (or perhaps on account of) the tendency to ignore or disrespect those who are weaker, Paul tells the Corinthians of God’s economy in which the “inferior member” receives greater honor. We would do well to remember God’s “preferential option for the poor” when we consider hunger and poverty in the world. We would also do well to remember Paul’s assertion in verse 26 that “if one member suffers, all suffer together with it.” What does this mean for the church in a world with over one billion hungry people? How can we live into God’s economy and honor those who are hungry?

Jesus’ sermon in Nazareth begins his public ministry. In many ways, the sermon spells out what his ministry will be about—bringing good news to those who are poor and setting free the oppressed. We may want to offer a spiritual interpretation of this (as Matthew does in his Gospel) but Luke has concrete realities in mind (see, e.g., Luke 6:20, 7:21-23, 14:12-14). It is also noteworthy that Jesus’ first word is “today,” which, for Luke does not refer to some day in the distant past, but to today, this day. God is still acting on behalf of those who are poor and vulnerable today. Today, how will we participate in God’s work with our hands?

This passage also ties into the text from Nehemiah—the reading and interpretation of scripture leads to care for those who are poor and vulnerable. This presents a good opportunity to reflect on the message of the Bible and the over 2,000 verses that speak to poverty and justice issues.

Today’s reading from Jeremiah recounts his commission to speak God’s word to Israel. In spite of Jeremiah’s sense of inadequacy, God nonetheless commissions him to go forth in proclamation and graciously empowers him to accomplish the task set before him. We may feel similarly ill equipped to do the work God. In light of recent events—a global financial crisis, a massive humanitarian crisis in Haiti, and countless acts of violence, both small and large—it can feel like the job of living out the gospel faithfully is too overwhelming, that we are ill-equipped to do the work we are called to do. But God is still calling us, and promises to give us the strength to live into our identity as the people of God.

I am especially struck by verses 9 and 10: "Now I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant." First, these verses remind us of the power of our words. Using our voice (both as individuals and as the collective church) we can begin to challenge the systems and structures that stand against God and God’s kingdom. Second, and related, empowered by God to speak God’s word, Jeremiah will go forth to upset the status quo. For many of us in North America, if we speak as Jeremiah spoke, doing so will implicitly create a threat to our comforts and securities. Do we have the courage to speak and act in that way?

Psalm 71:1-6 (6)
The whole of Psalm 71 is a lament looking to God’s help in the midst of struggle. In spite of the difficulties in life, the psalmist continually reiterates his hope in God. I may be a powerful exercise to read the whole psalm through the eyes of a Haitian (or any person living in dire circumstances).

As noted in the sermon starter for January 24 above, Jesus’ sermon in Nazareth begins his public ministry. In many ways, the sermon spells out what his ministry will be about—bringing good news to those who are poor and setting free the oppressed. We may want to offer a spiritual interpretation of this (as Matthew does in his Gospel) but Luke has concrete realities in mind (see, e.g., Luke 6:20, 7:21-23, 14:12-14). It is also noteworthy that Jesus’ first word is “today,” which, for Luke does not refer to some day in the distant past, but to today, this day. God is still acting on behalf of those who are poor and vulnerable today. Today, how will we participate in God’s work with our hands?

This week’s passage narrates the people’s response to Jesus’ reading and interpretation. Jesus’ antagonism in the passage is somewhat surprising. A point perhaps worth exploring is Jesus’ reminder that God works both inside and outside the community. Sometimes people will complain about doing the work of the church overseas when there is so much need here in the United States. This text reminds us of God’s care and concern for all people who are vulnerable, regardless of where they live.