Asking Questions Honestly
- davidwperk
- Dec 11, 2023
- 6 min read
Devotional Reflection, Monday, December 11, 2023
The week of the second Sunday of Advent
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s Gospel reading:
23 The same day some Sadducees came to him, saying there is no resurrection; and they asked him a question, saying, Other ancient authorities read who say that there is no resurrection 24`Teacher, Moses said, "If a man dies childless, his brother shall marry the widow, and raise up children for his brother." 25Now there were seven brothers among us; the first married, and died childless, leaving the widow to his brother. 26The second did the same, so also the third, down to the seventh. 27Last of all, the woman herself died. 28In the resurrection, then, whose wife of the seven will she be? For all of them had married her.' 29Jesus answered them, `You are wrong, because you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God.
You will find the full text of today’s Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 937)
AM Psalm 25; PM Psalm 9, 15
Amos 7:1-9; Rev. 1:1-8; Matt. 22:23-33
Today we celebrate the Feast of Frederick Howden, Jr. (See below.)
David's Reflections
Sometimes reading the Bible can lead to feeling like you are a tourist in a foreign culture about which you know little or nothing. Today's Gospel might create just such a reaction. Who are Sadducees? From where does the idea arise about brothers marrying a widow of one of their siblings? What does the saying about the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob have to do with anything in the conversation?
The Hebrew Bible contained a provision that a childless widow would be taken as wife by a brother of the deceased husband and that the children would be thought of as the sons and daughters of the deceased. (Deut. 25:5-20) Other Near Eastern cultures followed similar practices. (The story of Tamar in Genesis 38 is based on that ancient provision and the failure of Judah, her father-in-law, to implement it.)
The Sadducees were a religious sect within Judaism with their roots in the priestly community, so they were more directly tied to the Jerusalem Temple than were the Pharisees, a sect based more in the laity and synagogue and devoted to the reading and study of Scripture.
Their question contained a basic hypocrisy because Sadducees did not accept the concept of resurrection. They placed less value on the later sections of Hebrew Scripture than they did on Genesis - Deuteronomy, and they did not find resurrection in those documents. Jesus' allusion to the "God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" drew from Exodus 3, a section of the Bible that they would have regarded with greater reverence. Hence, he found an allusion to resurrection in their constricted biblical canon.
Jesus did respond to their question by saying that life after resurrection would not necessarily preserve all social and cultural structures, including marriage. But, he attacked the underlying hypocrisy about resurrection by the appeal to Exodus 3.
Numerous devotional comments suggest themselves, but for the sake of brevity, may I offer just one? In conversation or dialogue or debate, if we ask a question of another, does the question itself arise from a place of integrity within us? These Sadducees violated one of their core beliefs by asking Jesus a question about the nature of the resurrection when they did not believe a resurrection would take place. If we are asking another because of a genuine desire to know and to understand them and their view, well enough. But, if we ask to entrap or exclude, knowing ahead of time the answer we want, then our question arises from a lack of integrity and does not deserve an answer.
As Jesus put it, “Let your yes be yes, and your no be no.” As the writer of Ephesians put it, “speaking the truth in love.” Basic honesty and openness of speech in a faith community creates a safe space to celebrate our oneness in Christ and to treasure differences honestly shared. That safe space will deepen our trust in one another and attract those weary of the double speak and misinformation prevalent in our culture.
Collect of the Day, Second Sunday of Advent
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 211)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Frederick Howden, Jr., priest and chaplain of the armed forces (died 11 Dec 1942 CE).
Collect of the Feast of Frederick Howden, Jr.
Almighty God, our sure defense: We give you thanks for your servant Frederick Howden, and all military chaplains who provided comfort and inspiration in time of battle; and, following the example of Jesus the Good Shepherd, laid down their lives in the service of others. Inspire and strengthen us, also, for the duties of life still before us, that we may be faithful to the end; through the same Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
A Collect for the Renewal of Life
O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness while it was day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 99)
Of the Incarnation
O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 252)
A Prayer for Light
O Lord God Almighty, as you have taught us to call the evening, the morning, and the noonday one day; and have made the sun to know its going down: Dispel the darkness of our hearts, that by your brightness we may know you to be the true God and eternal light, living and reigning for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 110)
A Collect for Mission
O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 100, 257)
Daily Office Gospel, Matthew 22:23-33
23 The same day some Sadducees came to him, saying there is no resurrection; and they asked him a question, saying, Other ancient authorities read who say that there is no resurrection 24`Teacher, Moses said, "If a man dies childless, his brother shall marry the widow, and raise up children for his brother." 25Now there were seven brothers among us; the first married, and died childless, leaving the widow to his brother. 26The second did the same, so also the third, down to the seventh. 27Last of all, the woman herself died. 28In the resurrection, then, whose wife of the seven will she be? For all of them had married her.' 29Jesus answered them, `You are wrong, because you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God. 30For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. (Other ancient authorities add of God) 31And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God, 32"I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob"? He is God not of the dead, but of the living.' 33And when the crowd heard it, they were astounded at his teaching.
Daily Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, The Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, page 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
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