Proper 14 (19) - Lection Notes

Fr Paul C Thoms

Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 – Psalm 105, 1-6, 16-22, 45b – Romans 10:5-15 – Matthew 14:22-33

Lections may be viewed at Vanderbilt Divinity College.

For additional comments by Chris Haslam, of the Diocese of Montreal.

Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28

The focus of the readings has been on Jacob up to this point. Now it is Joseph who stands at centre stage. There is much for any family member to grapple with in this passage:

1 Jacob moves into a place where his father lived as an alien. It is unsettling to live in a place where you feel you don't belong - even if you really do belong there.

2 Joseph brought a bad report to Jacob about his wives Bilhah and Zilpah. Who likes a tattle-tale.

3 Joseph is loved by his father more than anyone else - he is the favoured son.

4 The love of a father turns to hate in his sons. Jacob's other sons are jealous of Joseph.

13-14 Jacob unaware of the jealousy of his sons sends Joseph into a trap that was brooding in the hearts of his brothers. In hearts that should have been bearing love, hatred, malice and murder lurked.

18 The hatred boils over into a conspiracy to kill their brother and lie to their father.

19 "Here comes this dreamer". To them Joseph had become an idle distraction - he was no longer their brother as far as they were concerned.

21 Reuben vainly, and weakly - not willing to take his stand against his bothers, attempts to fool the others.

27 The plan for harm by Joseph's brothers is thwarted by a higher plan, one that is yet to be revealed.

28 For twenty pieces of silver they betray and sell off their brother.

Psalm 105, 1-6, 16-22, 45b

Classified by Bernhard Anderson: a salvation history psalm (hymn).

5 May be regarded as a key verse of this Psalm.

Remember the wonderful works he has done, his miracles, and the judgements he uttered.

In the midst of our sin the Lord's purposes are being fulfilled.

This Psalm summarizes all that happened with God's people from Moses to Joseph.
Psalm 105 is employed by the Revised Common Lectionary as follows:

Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45c	Proper 19	A
Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45	Proper 25	A
Psalm105:1-6, 23-26, 45c	Proper 22	A
Psalm 105:1-11, 45c (Alt)	Proper 17	A

It should be very familiar over these Sundays.

Romans 10:5-15

Like most of Romans there is allot to hear in this passage.
Here "saved" is used in the following tenses:

9 you will be saved (future tense)
10 is saved (present tense)
13 shall be saved (future tense)

Verse 15 is worthy of note as well and the quotation from the Hebrew Scripture. It has been pointed out by others that their are those who go, but they are not "sent."

Matthew 14:22-33

Three times in this passage we hear the verb "immediately." If one has spent any time studying Mark's gospel this term will be familiar, and here Matthew also uses the verb three times.

Peter is often noted as being so quick, so immediate, with his responses. It is noteworthy that of the disciples it is Peter who responds. With Peter in the boat no one else gets a chance to be first, to respond.