The Revised Common Lectionary orders the biblical narrative for reading in the church. Used all around the world, it determines what passage will be heard in church and assures the Church hears the breadth of the biblical narrative throughout the year and not just the bits and pieces ideological preachers select to reinforce their prejudices.
Today’s reading slaps the Church in the face and sucker punches all those who prioritize power over people
The Old Testament comes from the Prophet Micah.
"Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the Lord, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for the Lord has a controversy with his people, and he will contend with Israel.”
After a review of the Lord's faithfulness to Israel comes an accusation:
"He has told you, O Man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Then comes the second reading, this one from the New Testament, Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians:
"Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are”
It is hard to image someone weaker, lower, or more despised in the world than a refugee and an immigrant. It is hard to imagine someone stronger than the Trump Administration of billionaires: "to reduce to nothing things that are."
But this is just the jab before the knockout punch. It comes with the reading from the Gospel, Mathew 5:1-12, the Beatitudes.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
There is so much to be said here. So, so much. I hope America's preachers have the courage today to speak with clarity and conviction the prophetic word.
Let justice roll down like water and righteousness like a never ending stream.
The flood is coming.