Saturday, Ordinary 36, Proper 27 Nov 8

Ruins of the City of Refuge, Tel Kedesh

Tel Kedesh, Israel a City of Refuge, Wikipedia, CCL

Meditation

Saturday, Ordinary 32, Proper 27 was a step into the world of danger. Every day, somewhere, a headline reads someone was killed. Back in the settlements of the Twelve Tribes, the Lord determined that a person, who accidentally killed someone, should have options. Most people thought if someone killed a family member, then that family should kill the one responsible, but because there were some horrible accidents, where there was no intension or plotting of murder, God said there should be Cities of Refuge or Safety.

The one who accidentally killed someone could flee to the safety of the cities and explain to the people of the city what had happened and once there, they could live their lives in peace until they were properly judged. They could live there until they were judged or until the priest died, at which time they could return home.