The Daily Lectionary
with Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Wednesday, February 14, 2024 — Ash Wednesday
The Call to Renewal
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Psalm 51:1-17;
with Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Wednesday, February 14, 2024 — Ash Wednesday
The Call to Renewal
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Psalm 51:1-17;
2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Lent 1)
Introduction
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Lent 1)
Introduction
Ash Wednesday marks the commencement of the Lenten season, a period of penitence, reflection, and spiritual renewal in the Christian calendar. The scripture readings for this day, encompassing Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Psalm 51:1-17; 2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10; and Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21, invite us into a profound journey of self-examination and repentance. Joel's urgent call for a communal return to God, coupled with Psalm 51's poignant plea for mercy and a clean heart, sets a tone of solemn introspection. In 2 Corinthians, we are reminded of our role as ambassadors for Christ, reconciled to God and entrusted with the message of reconciliation. The Gospel of Matthew cautions us against performative piety, urging sincerity in our fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. Collectively, these readings offer a tapestry of themes central to the Lenten experience: repentance, forgiveness, humility, and the transformative power of God's grace in preparing our hearts for the Easter mystery.
Today’s Lectionary Readings:
From the Prophetic Books of Minor Prophets
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Return to God
From the Prophetic Books of Minor Prophets
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Return to God
The Book of Joel, an evocative text from the Hebrew Bible, stands out for its rich imagery and profound themes. In Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, the prophet Joel issues a compelling call for repentance and a return to God amidst a backdrop of impending judgment and calamity. This passage is not only a cornerstone in the prophetic literature but also resonates deeply with contemporary themes of spiritual renewal and collective responsibility.2 1 Blow the trumpet in Zion;
sound the alarm on my holy mountain!
Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble,
for the day of the Lord is coming, it is near—
2 a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and thick darkness!
Like blackness spread upon the mountains
a great and powerful army comes;
their like has never been from of old,
nor will be again after them
in ages to come.
12 Yet even now, says the Lord,
return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
13 rend your hearts and not your clothing.
Return to the Lord, your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,
and relents from punishing.
14 Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,
and leave a blessing behind him,
a grain offering and a drink offering
for the Lord, your God?
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion;
sanctify a fast;
call a solemn assembly;
16 gather the people.
Sanctify the congregation;
assemble the aged;
gather the children,
even infants at the breast.
Let the bridegroom leave his room,
and the bride her canopy.
17 Between the vestibule and the altar
let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep.
Let them say, “Spare your people, O Lord,
and do not make your heritage a mockery,
a byword among the nations.
Why should it be said among the peoples,
‘Where is their God?’”
Expository Commentary
Verses 1-2: This section vividly describes an impending day of darkness and gloom, symbolizing divine judgment. The imagery of a massive army, likened to dawn spreading across the mountains, serves as a metaphor for an overwhelming and inescapable divine force. This portrayal underscores the urgency and severity of the coming day of the Lord.
Verses 12-14: Here, the tone shifts from warning to an invitation for repentance. God calls for a return with all one's heart, emphasizing fasting, weeping, and mourning. The focus is on sincere inner transformation rather than mere external rituals. The passage highlights God's gracious and compassionate nature, offering hope for forgiveness and reprieve from judgment.
Verses 15-17: These verses call for communal repentance and sanctification. The summoning of a sacred assembly, including all members of society, signifies the collective responsibility in seeking God's mercy. The appeal for the priests, who serve as mediators between God and the people, to weep and intercede, underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for earnest supplication for divine intervention.
Conclusion: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 encapsulates a powerful message of hope amidst judgment. It serves as a timeless call to introspection, genuine repentance, and a wholehearted return to God. This passage not only reflects the heart of Hebrew prophetic literature but also offers relevant insights for contemporary spiritual life, emphasizing the importance of communal responsibility and the transformative power of sincere return to the Divine.
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 51:1-17
Plea for Mercy
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 51:1-17
Plea for Mercy
Psalm 51:1-17 is a heartfelt cry for God's mercy and forgiveness. It opens with a direct appeal to God's unfailing love and abundant compassion, pleading for the blotting out of the petitioner's transgressions. This psalm, attributed to King David following his transgression with Bathsheba, is a profound expression of repentance and a quest for spiritual cleansing. The author acknowledges their sins and the weight of their guilt, seeking redemption and renewal from a just and merciful God. The psalm progresses from personal lament to a recognition of God's desire for truth and wisdom, culminating in a prayer for a clean heart and a steadfast spirit. This deeply personal plea is both a confession and a testament to God's capacity to transform and redeem even in the darkest of times. The psalmist's words resonate across centuries, offering a template for anyone seeking divine forgiveness and the restoration of joy in God's salvation.1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love; *
According to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, *
And cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions, *
And my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you alone, have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight, *
So that you are justified in your sentence
and blameless when you pass judgment.
5 Indeed, I was born guilty, *
A sinner when my mother conceived me.
6 You desire truth in the inward being; *
Therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; *
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness; *
Let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins, *
And blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, *
And put a new and right spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from your presence, *
And do not take your holy spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, *
And sustain in me a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, *
And sinners will return to you.
14 Deliver me from bloodshed, O God,
O God of my salvation, *
And my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance.
15 O Lord, open my lips, *
And my mouth will declare your praise.
16 For you have no delight in sacrifice; *
If I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.
17 The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; *
Aa broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
O Lord, our Redeemer, we come before You on this Ash Wednesday, hearts heavy with the weight of our transgressions, seeking Your boundless mercy. As our Psalm reading reminds us, we acknowledge our sins before You, for they are ever before us. Against You, You only, have we sinned and done what is evil in Your sight. In Your unfailing love and great compassion, blot out our transgressions.
Create in us, O God, a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within us. Do not cast us away from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from us. Restore to us the joy of Your salvation and grant us a willing spirit, to sustain us. In our brokenness and humility, we recall the words of the Psalmist, "The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
As we wear the ashes today, let them be a sign of our mortality and penitence, reminding us that only through Your gracious gift of love are we given eternal life. Teach us wisdom in our secret heart, and let the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable to You, O Lord, our rock and our redeemer.
Be with us today and every day in Jesus Christ, Who taught us to pray:
“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”
The passage from 2 Corinthians 5:20b to 6:10 is a profound exposition by the Apostle Paul on the ministry of reconciliation and the nature of Christian service. This section of Scripture is a compelling appeal for understanding and embracing the role of believers as ambassadors for Christ, highlighting the urgency of salvation and the trials that accompany a life dedicated to God's service.5 20b We entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
6 1 As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says,
“At an acceptable time I have listened to you,
and on a day of salvation I have helped you.”
See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! 3 We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, 7 truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see—we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
Expository Commentary
2 Corinthians 5:20b-21 — Reconciliation through Christ:
- Verse 20b: Paul implores the Corinthians "in Christ's stead" to be reconciled to God, emphasizing the urgency and importance of this reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 6:1-2 — The Time of God's Favor: Paul cautions against receiving God's grace in vain. He references Isaiah 49:8, reminding the Corinthians that the present time is the opportune moment for salvation. The "now" underscores the immediacy and accessibility of God's grace.
- Verse 21: He presents the foundational Christian doctrine that Christ, who was sinless, took on the sins of humanity, so that through Him, we might become righteous in the eyes of God. This verse encapsulates the essence of the Gospel message.
2 Corinthians 6:3-10 — The Marks of an Apostle:
- Verses 3-4a: Paul asserts his commitment to avoid any offense that may discredit the ministry. He emphasizes the importance of integrity and blamelessness in service.
- Verses 4b-5: The apostle lists various trials (afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger) that he and his companions endured, showcasing their dedication and resilience.
- Verses 6-7: Here, Paul lists positive attributes and the means by which they conduct their ministry (purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, the power of God). This juxtaposition of hardships and virtues highlights the contrast between worldly struggles and spiritual strength.
Conclusion: In 2 Corinthians 5:20b-21, Paul provides a compelling narrative on the Christian ministry's challenges and triumphs. He emphasizes the urgency of reconciliation with God through Christ, the importance of receiving God’s grace actively, and the paradoxical nature of apostolic life, marked by suffering yet overflowing with divine joy and strength. This passage is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of the Gospel and the calling of every believer to be an ambassador of Christ's reconciliation.
- Verses 8-10: This section presents a series of paradoxes illustrating the apostolic experience (regarded as impostors yet true, unknown yet well known, dying yet alive, punished yet not killed, sorrowful yet always rejoicing, poor yet making many rich, having nothing yet possessing everything). These paradoxes reflect the Christian experience of finding profound spiritual truth and richness in the midst of worldly challenges and contradictions.
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 forms a part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, where He instructs His followers on the essence of true righteousness. This passage specifically warns against the hypocrisy of performing religious acts for public admiration. The central message here is about the sincerity of faith and the importance of a personal, authentic relationship with God.6 1 “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2 “So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
5 “And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 6 But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
16 “And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Expository Commentary
Verses 1-4 — Almsgiving: In verses 1-4, Jesus addresses the practice of almsgiving. He cautions against doing good deeds publicly to be seen and admired by others. Instead, Jesus encourages discreet generosity, suggesting that true acts of charity should be done in secret. This way, the focus remains on helping others rather than seeking personal glory.
Verses 5-6 — Prayer: These verses shift focus to prayer. Jesus contrasts the hypocritical prayers of those who seek attention in public spaces with the humble prayer of a person who communicates with God in private. The emphasis here is on the intimacy and honesty of prayer, done in a quiet place where the only audience is God Himself.
Verses 16-18 — Fasting: In verses 16-18, fasting is discussed. Similar to the previous teachings on almsgiving and prayer, Jesus condemns the ostentatious display of piety through disfiguring the face to show others they are fasting. True fasting should be a personal sacrifice to God, not a public display for praise.
Verses 19-21 — Treasures in Heaven: Finally, verses 19-21 shift the focus from religious practices to the disposition of the heart. Jesus advises against hoarding earthly treasures, which are temporary and vulnerable to decay and theft. Instead, He encourages storing up treasures in heaven through acts of love and righteousness. The location of one's treasure, He teaches, is where the heart will be focused.
Conclusion: In summary, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 calls believers to a faith that is sincere and private, prioritizing a genuine connection with God over public acclaim. This passage is a powerful reminder that the essence of religious practice lies not in outward show but in the inward condition of the heart and the unseen acts of devotion and charity.
Here ends the Lessons
Closing Prayer
Lord, thank you that we are a family in Christ. Help us to share his love and legacy with everyone that we encounter this week. May we lavish Christ’s abounding goodness upon our families, friends and colleagues. Holy Spirit, come and equip us in our workplace, guide us in our school life, and inspire us in our neighborhood. May we be your hands and feet to the needy, your words of affirmation to the oppressed and your arms of comfort to the lonely.
Thank you for choosing to use us to bring your kingdom here on earth. Amen.
The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Commentaries are by Kenny Sallee, ThM, aided by ChatGPT.
The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year B. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2024, we will be in Year C. The year which ended at Advent 2023 was Year A. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
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