Year C, Ordinary 14 (Proper 9), 2019 – Going Out, Coming In

July 4, 2019 / Molly Douthett / Ordinary Time

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Hey all! Welcome back! Summer is here, and everyone is gone – at least around our part of the world, anyway. Many people in our congregations are making their annual trek to the beach or the mountains. In two of the Scripture passages for this week, we have people going out and coming in. The gospel text has 70 disciples sent out two by two into all the villages and towns to which Jesus intends to travel on his way to Jerusalem (Luke 10). These pairs are a type of advance team and are given the capacity to heal and teach in Jesus’ name. They have some success and are excited to report this when they return to Jesus. The passage from Isaiah 66 is a hymn to the exiles as they return to Jerusalem. David was struck by the flowing, comforting, beautiful imagery Isaiah uses to talk about the city when we know the exiles will find a husk filled with rubble when they get there. Is Isaiah setting them up for disappointment or is he looking down the road toward a possible future of God’s promise fulfilled? I think it’s the latter, myself.

Three years ago, we used the Old Testament semi-continuous passage from 2 Kings – “Good Infection.” We have different illustrations and special effects for Galatians and Luke in this show.

Smarts of the Week [01:58]

In the introduction to the smarts, I mentioned a couple resources I found for MUSIC smart. The first resource is a YouTube channel for a musician named Michael Levy, who puts ancient texts to music. And, here is a video of possibly the oldest written music! We have some other insights about the smarts at the top of the worksheets which you can download below!

MUSIC smart – [2:43]Download
SELF smart – [4:26]Download

The Week’s Texts

Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 – [5:59]

There isn’t any MUSIC in this passage per se, but when I stepped back and looked at the disciples being sent out in pairs, I thought of how small bands travel around regions playing their music in any venue they can land a gig. Small bands rely on the kindness and camaraderie of other musicians and while some people may not like their “sound”, others may and the evening can be groovy. To give people a feel for being those traveling musicians, try the special effect of setting the passage to music.

For SELF smart, think of this story in terms of an underdog given an outsized task, a la David and Goliath. This theme is played out in many sports and war movies, so there is a wealth of illustrations listed on the worksheet. For a special effect, ask your congregation to think of a time when they felt like an underdog faced with a difficult situation. Also, ask them to think about a time when they felt like a lamb sent out among wolves – or a time they may have sent a lamb out to the wolves.

Galatians 6:(1-6), 7-16 – [12:34]

In SELF smart, David thinks Paul is accusing the “circumcision party” of simply gathering people for the sake of numbers. This got him to thinking about the motivation for such behaviors. Below, we have links to a study, a blog, and a discussion forum covering this topic. Pushing this thought a little further, he thought re-visiting Martin Buber’s I and Thou would be a good idea. For a special effect, think of a time when you might grow tired but not weary. What’s the difference?

Paul’s mention of reaping and sowing got me to thinking of the days when I was in band playing the clarinet. We were taught to swab out our instruments after playing them, but many of us chose not to for the sake of saving time getting to the next class or off to catch a bus. Over time, an uncleaned clarinet began to collect some pretty gross stuff in the pads which effected the ease of playing. For a special effect, bring in an instrumentalist who can talk about good habits of musicianship and what difference it makes.

Psalm 66:1-9 – [20:16]

The Psalms were an ancient music and worship book, so check out Michael Levy’s YouTube page (linked above) for some interesting information. For a special effect in MUSIC, play this psalm with instruments! I also have just a fraction of hymns and songs that Hymnary.org suggests for this passage. Go check it out if you have not ever been there!

For SELF smart, take the time to think about why you would praise God. Be aware of the emotional responses you have to your reasons, and if they are negative, trace their origins. As David says, if they are particularly negative, ask the Spirit to guide and protect you as you go into this experience.

Isaiah 66:10-14 – [25:42]

In SELF smart, think about the ways in which a mother and a child have a deep connection. Fathers do, too, but Isaiah is using a mother for his illustration here. The fact that the imagery is so full of love and protection and abundance is jarring with what the exiles will find on the ground once they return to Jerusalem. Is Isaiah being a jerk or is there a more complex reason for this contrast? Is it to allow the people to acknowledge the great tender care of God even in the most dire circumstances? The reality is that great joy is often only lived through great turmoil. Let folks sit with that reality.

For MUSIC smart, I’m stealing from both BODY and EYE smart by suggesting setting this passage to interpretive movement. The passage is lyrical and musical in itself; if you can fine a way to put this to music, great! My suggestion is to simply read the passage and include visual and kinesthetic elements. I also have some hymns and songs you might use, too.

Photo by Oleksandr Pidvalnyi from Pexels, free to use.

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