Description
While this week’s texts can stand on their own, with their own message, place and purpose together, there appears to be a message of continuity and inspiration. It feels to me that we are being reminded not just that God chose the Israelites but that they had to make a choice, and this subtle reminder is also to us to make a choice, a choice that affects future generations not just the ones making the choice now as this week’s Psalm so strongly conveys.
Each generation is to be inspired to maintain that choice; the Psalm reminds us that they must be taught, taught so to be reminded. It is a why question, not a how to question. The Psalmist is not telling us how to teach, but why it must be taught. A gentle reminder that how we teach now is different to past generations but regardless of the method we still need to teach.
The Gospel text reminds us that Jesus’ preferred teaching method was the parable, and we have an example of that today. This has prompted an exercise using many methods of exploration, as well as visual cues to expand our understanding. Hopefully this varied form of exploration or teaching may help us to be prepared for God’s Kingdom (vs 1).
Not to be forgotten, the 1 Thessalonians text entreats us to know why our choice is urgent.
