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5th  SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

On this 3rd Sunday after Pentecost, we find a seemingly eclectic mix of Scripture lessons which cannot not easily be connected in theme.  2 Samuel 1 features a poem that recalls fallen heroes and the tragedies of war. In the epistle lesson, the Spirit moves a congregation toward generosity based on the principle of proportional giving. And the gospel lesson portrays the power of Christ to reach into hopeless situations to heal and restore.

2 Samuel 1:1; 17-27-How the Mighty Have Fallen

In grand and poetic language David addresses Israel to mourn its "glory," the deaths of Israel’s first king, Saul and his best friend, Jonathan on the field of battle. The recurring phrase, "How the mighty have fallen," emphasizes the deep grief David felt toward Saul and Jonathan. The lament wonders how the enemies of Saul and Jonathan will receive such news (vs. 19-21); it praises the bravery of the father and son (vs. 22-23), of their providence for the women of Israel (v. 24), and closes with a special ode to Jonathan that reveals the depth of affection that David has had for Jonathan (vs. 25-27).

2 Corinthians 8:7-15-Awakening to Generosity

Paul recalls how local churches in Macedonia responded to need-"during a severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity" (v. 2). Paul describes generous, proportional, heart-felt giving as a partnership between the haves and the have-nots. As sharing occurs-based on the example of Jesus Christ-balance happens between abundance and need. In the final verse, Paul cites Exodus 16:18 as his principle: those who gathered too much manna as well as those who gathered too little manna ended up with just the right amount. God is generous, and we’re simply stewards of such generosity.

Mark 5:21-43-Beyond All Hope

In this lesson we hear about the powerful works of Jesus as God’s Messiah. In typical Marcan style, the writer conflates two miracle stories to produce a single truth about the Kingdom of God-that wherever Jesus goes, he throws back the forces of evil. Such conflation creates tension and adds dramatic effect to the story of the twelve year old girl who is dying. The two suffers are beyond help-one a suppliant woman who "had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse" (v. 26), and a young girl who slips even further beyond hope and dies before Jesus can get to her (v. 35). The lesson ends with healing and resurrection-the woman is restored to health and the girl raised up. And we are left with a question: To what extent can we allow God to be our wonder- worker?