Two Ways and Two Trees
- davidwperk
- Oct 4, 2023
- 5 min read
Devotional Reflection, Wednesday, September 29, 2021
Proper 21, the week of the eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from the Gospel reading:
13‘Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. . . . .18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit
You will find the full text of today’s Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 986)
AM Psalm 101, 109:1-4(5-19)20-30; PM Psalm 119:121-144
2 Kings 18:9-25; 1 Cor. 8:1-13; Matt. 7:13-21
Today we celebrate the Feast of Francis of Assisi (See below.)
David's Reflections
The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) draws to a close with a series of contrasts. In today's reading, Jesus contrasts the two ways, two kinds of prophets, and two kinds of trees. Becoming a Christian does not happen by accident, but rather by an intentional decision to trust in and commit to Jesus. That decision resembles a narrow gate, one through which you must squeeze. The faith required to follow Jesus involves radical trust and radical devotion--the willingness to turn loose of a way of life, like getting rid of whatever keeps you from squeezing through a narrow opening and the willingness to walk a narrow, twisting path of commitment and service, to live life with intentionality.
The baptismal promises in The Book of Common Prayer ask for just such a commitment by the baptized one. “Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Savior? Do you put your whole trust in his grace and love? Do you promise to follow and obey him as your Lord?” (BDP, 302-303) And, in confirmation, those baptized as infants are asked to affirm that same commitment, promised by their parents and sponsors at their baptism. (BCP, 303). Those commitments and that trust must be reaffirmed and renewed repeatedly in our faith journey. The way continues to be narrow as we traverse it.
False prophets have plagued the church since the first century (see Paul's polemic in 2 Corinthians 10-11 and the little letter of 2 John). How can we be watchful for their existence without becoming paranoid, cynical, and skeptical of everyone? Here, Jesus gives one basic criterion--the false prophet exploits the flock. A shepherd cares for his or her sheep while a wolf preys on the flock, even deceiving the sheep by approaching dressed as one of them. The false prophet violates the love command, "Whatever you would that others do to you, do the same to them." (Matt. 7:12).
The bad tree can be distinguished from the good, unhealthy from healthy, by the quality of its fruit. The diseased tree will not produce healthy fruit. The false prophet's exploitation of the church constitutes the bad or diseased fruit. The thinking here reminds me of Paul's saying in Galatians 5 that the Holy Spirit's presence and activity sprouts the fruit of love.
Ultimately however, we lack the discernment and wisdom to detect the false prophets, the exploiters. They specialize in deception. Usually he or she becomes obvious only when they flame out or self-destruct and their exploitation becomes public knowledge. Hence, we have verse 21 in this reading, which introduces a judgment scene. (Tomorrow's devotional.) God will sift and sort out the false from the true; that remains God's prerogative. Though we cannot discern the true from the false, God’s sifting judgment finds them, often in this life.
Our responsibility continues to be primarily with reference to ourselves individually. Are we genuinely committed? Are we giving and not exploiting? Are we consistently seeking to walk in "the way" of Christian discipleship? Is our trust in Jesus resolute? Better to ask those questions first of ourselves than of another. Better to be more restrained in our assessments of others and more rigorous in our self-assessment.
COLLECT OF THE DAY, Proper 21, the eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 234)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Francis of Assisi, friar (died 4 Oct 1226 CE).
Collect of the Feast of Francis of Assisi
Most high, omnipotent, good Lord, grant your people grace to renounce gladly the vanities of this world; that, following the way of blessed Francis, we may, for love of you, delight in your whole creation with perfectness of joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
A Collect for the Presence of Christ
Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in Scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen. (BCP, 124)
In Times of Personal Distress
Lord Christ, you came into the world as one of us, and suffered as we do. As we go through the trials of life, help us to realize that you are with us at all times and in all things; that we have no secrets from you; and that your loving grace enfolds us for eternity. In the security of your embrace we pray. Amen. (Enriching Our Worship: 2, p. 69)
A Prayer for Light
Lighten our darkness, we beseech you, O Lord; and by your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, Jesus Christ, Amen. (BCP, 111)
A Collect for Mission
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen. (BCP, 101)
Daily Office Gospel, Matthew 7:13-21
13‘Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. 14For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
15 ‘Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? 17In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus you will know them by their fruits.
21 ‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
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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