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Minnesota Episcopal
Environmental Stewardship
Commission (MEESC)

Episcopal Church in Minnesota
Shield of Episcopal Church

Upcoming Activities:

Next Meeting:

We meet quarterly close to the solstice and equinox.

Annual Special Projects

Resolutions:

Resolution on the Spirituality of Food Production

Resolution on Church Buildings and Grounds

Resolution on Creation Season
Resolution on Green Congregations

 

 

Lectionary Reflection

Year B, Proper 9
Episcopal (Standard) Lectionary – Revised Common Lectionary
Old Testament (Hebrew Scripture) Reading

Ezekiel 2: 1-5 [Revised Common Lectionary]
and Ezekiel 2: 1-7 [Episcopal (Standard) Lectionary]

[Start Both] He said to me: O mortal, stand up on your feet, and I will speak with you. And when he spoke to me, a spirit entered into me and set me on my feet; and I heard him speaking to me. He said to me, Mortal, I am sending you to the people of Israel, to a nation of rebels who have rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have transgressed against me to this very day. The descendants are impudent and stubborn. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ Whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house), they shall know that there has been a prophet among them. [End RCL reading] And you, O mortal, do not be afraid of them, and do not be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns surround you and you live among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words, and do not be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house. You shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear; for they are a rebellious house. [End Standard reading]

 

Reflection on Ezekiel 2: 1-5
by the Rev Tom Harries

The lessons from Ezekiel and Mark establish Jesus as being in the line of the prophets.

I don't see any direct environmental connection here.  But one could talk about the courage it takes to be a prophet, as a basis for encouraging people to voice their environmental concerns.  One could also talk about the general role of prophets in Israel, which was to confront the king or the power structure when injustice was being done. Destruction of the environment is hugely unjust, both to our poorer neighbors and to the generations that will follow us. Therefore as Christians, followers of a prophet, we are called to speak out. 

Printable version

 

To Reflections on other Readings for Year B, Proper 9

Reflections available at the active links
Standard (Episcopal)
Lectionary
Revised Common
Lectionary
   
Semi-Continuous Track
Gospel Theme Track
Old Testament
(Hebrew Scripture) Reading:
Ezekiel 2: 1-7
(this page)
 2 Samuel 5: 1-5, 9-10
Ezekiel 2: 1-5
(this page)
Psalm
Psalm 123
 Psalm 48 Psalm 123
New Testament Reading:
2 Corinthians 12: 2-10
2 Corinthians 12: 2-10
Gospel

Tom Harries, MEESC Chair 2004-present, was Rector of St. Nicholas' Episcopal Church, Richfield, MN, when he originally wrote this reflection in 2000. Tom and we welcome your comments. Please address your comments or additional reflections to Tom Harries or any MEESC member, or mail them to:


 MEESC
c/o C. Morello
4451 Lakeside Drive
Eveleth, MN 55743-4400 USA

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