7 September 2008 • Ordinary 23 • Proper 18
Abstract
REVISED COMMON LECTIONARY (RCL) LECTIONARY FOR MASS (LM) VARIATIONS (BCP) Exodus 12:1-14 or Ezekiel Ezekiel 33:7-9 Ezekiel 33:(1-6) 7-11 33:7-11 Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9 Psalm 119:33-48 Psalm 149 or Psalm 119: Romans 13:8-10 Romans 12:9-21 33-40 Matthew 18:15-20 Romans 13:8-14 Matthew 18:15-20 Studying the Lectionary Exodus 12:1-14 Israel is instructed to celebrate the Passover, with specific provisions for preparing and eating the meal. The events commemorated by this feast have foundational significance for Israel, with the month in which Passover occurs being identified as the first month of the calendar year. The reading concludes with the command to celebrate this festival yearly, so that every generation will recall what God has done for Israel. Each household is instructed to prepare a lamb (or kid), though compassionate provision is made for the poor (v 4). The manner in which the lamb is cooked, roasted over a fire rather than cooked in a pot or oven, suggests ancient and primitive origins for the meal. When the people share the meal, they must be dressed and ready for God to deliver them. The people are also instructed to smear the animals' blood on the doorposts of their houses, so that no harm