Reflecting on the 13th sunday in ordinary time (part 3)

Where we have come from (readings for Sunday 30th June)

1 Kings 19.15-16, 19-21

Psalm 16

Galatians 5.1, 13-25

Luke 9.51-62

Readings for today

Psalm 140

Jeremiah 23.16-22

Matthew 10.16-25

thought for today

Jeremiah's warnings against false or hasty prophecy are always salutary. Although it is right and proper to seek to discern what God is saying, we should be very cautious about declaring that we know exactly and precisely what God's view is for any given situation. There is always the possibility that we have not heard correctly.

The variations in Matthew's gospel added to the description of the twelve being sent out, about the possibility of being put on the spot in synagogues or even arrested, though they might well be true, almost certainly reflect Matthew's context. We  might even say that he has reflected on the ministry of Jesus in his own time and sought to prophesy in the Lord's name.

Revised Common Lectionary copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts. Used by permission