Abraham, The bosom of Abraham – medieval illustration from the Hortus deliciarum of Herrad of Landsberg (12th century) Wikipedia, CCL
Meditation
Wednesday, Ordinary 27, Proper 22 presented a fascinating juxtaposition of the Psalm, Old Testament, and New Testament lessons. The Psalmist praised God for being true to the promises made to Abraham—that they would have a land filled with abundance—and he took comfort in obeying the Law, because he lived in the land of promise.
The Old Testament lesson in Deuteronomy proclaimed the consequences of disobeying the Law. They would take possession—be in charge—in the land of plenty, as long as they obeyed the Law. But they would lose, if they worshipped other gods and failed to obey the Law of Moses.
The New Testament lesson in John followed the raising of Lazarus from the dead. People could hardly wait to spread the news—some to Mary, Jesus’ mother and others to the chief priests and the Pharisees to form a council bent on killing Jesus. The first irony was that they declared Jesus a blasphemer and themselves the authorities on the Scriptures. However, if they had read today’s Old Testament lesson which declared they would have possession of the land if they obeyed, they should have determined that they were disobedient, since they no longer possessed the land. They were under Roman rule.
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