The Scripture passages for this week only appear once every 12 or
15 years depending on the the constellation of the Roman calendar in
relation to the church calendar. They are passages that do not
have a strong thematic thread. All of these texts have very strong
messages and need to be consider in their own right.
The passage from Isaiah is about God's
promise of redemption from oppression and captivity. The prophet
proclaims that God will not turn away from God's people. Suffering and
oppression may be the present experience, but joy shall be restored to
God's people.
In I Corinthians 4:1-5 the apostle Paul warns us not to
judge others on their faithfulness, but instead to leave the judgment
business up to God.
The Gospel Lesson
offers words of encouragement from our LORD
himself. Jesus says: don't worry. If you put God first, the rest will fall into place!
No need to worry, really, because of the bounteous provisions of a
loving and caring God. Jesus evokes images from nature to drive home his
message about God's love and care for us.
