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Luke 6:17-26

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• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
  • The Bible Gateway: NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary & sermons.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • The Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto.
  • Comparative primary texts about Spirit Possession and Exorcism and Purity and Social Relations, from Philo, Josephus, Lucian, Pseudepigrapha, Babylonian Talmud, Midrash, Philostratus. At Mahlon H. Smith's (Rutgers University) Into His Own: Perspective on the World of Jesus.
  • Chapter II, The Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians, Polycarp of Smyrna (c 115).
  • III.XIV.3, IV.II.4, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
  • II.18, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • Chapter VIII, On Patience, Tertullian (c. 202)
  • IV.14, IV.15, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 210)
  • Chapter XII, On Idolatry, Tertullian (c. 211)
  • Chapter IX, Scorpiace,  Tertullian (c. 213)
  • On the Lapsed -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 251)
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "Christ teaches against all philosophers, and especially the Epicureans, that the greatest happiness of man is laid up in no place here on earth, but in heaven, and that persecution for righteousness' sake is the right way to achieve it."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary (c. 1700).
    • "Woes are denounced against prosperous sinners as miserable people, though the world envies them. Those are blessed indeed whom Christ blesses, but those must be dreadfully miserable who fall under his woe and curse!"
  • From Wesley's Notes. John Wesley (1703-1791).
    • "In the following verses our Lord, in the audience of his newly - chosen disciples, and of the multitude, repeats, standing on the plain, many remarkable passages of the sermon he had before delivered, sitting on the mount. He here again pronounces the poor and the hungry, the mourners, and the persecuted, happy; and represents as miserable those who are rich, and full, and joyous, and applauded: because generally prosperity is a sweet poison, and affliction a healing, though bitter medicine. Let the thought reconcile us to adversity, and awaken our caution when the world smiles upon us; when a plentiful table is spread before us, and our cup is running over; when our spirits are gay; and we hear (what nature loves) our own praise from men."
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
    • "This one contains little more than a fourth of the other; it has woes of its own, as well as the beatitudes common to both; but above all, that of Matthew was plainly delivered a good while before, while this was spoken after the choice of the twelve; and as we know that our Lord delivered some of His weightiest sayings more than once, there is no difficulty in supposing this to be one of His more extended repetitions; nor could anything be more worthy of it."
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
    • "Those who seek to be universally popular. Whoever does his duty will meet those who oppose him. Christ was reviled and slandered. These four woes are addressed to four classes: (1) Those who worship wealth; (2) those satisfied with their present life; (3) those who live for present enjoyment; (4) those whose aim is human praise and adulation."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • "First Thoughts on Year C Gospel Passages in the Lectionary: Epiphany 6," William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "Blessedness in solidarity with poor and the blessedness of the poor lie ultimately in the blessedness of sharing the life of the God of compassion and change and living out that hope, whatever it means in our situation."
  • "Riches in the Rule of God," Mary Hinkle, Pilgrim Preaching: Keeping Company with Biblical Texts and the People Who Hear and Preach Them.
    • "It does no good and can do harm for North American ministers to tell their congregations, 'Just by virtue of being here today, you are among the very richest people in the world.'"
  • "The Poor in Our Midst," Resources for Prophetic Worship, Speaking to North Carolina Justice Issues, North Carolina Council of Churches, 2007.
  • Laterally Luke, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia.
  • "Exegetical Considerations: 6th Sunday after Epiphany," Richard Carlson, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Using Greek for Sunday Text Preparations.
    • "What is the text claiming about the advent of God?s reign, eschatological reversal, and society?s values and standards of status, honor, and shame?"
  • Exegetical Notes by Brian Stoffregen at CrossMarks Christian Resources.
    • "What Luke has in mind is nothing less than an urgent call for a new evaluation of possessions and their place in the Christian life and Christian community."
  • "Sermon on the Plain Part 1: Blessed Are the Telegenic??" Sea Raven, Liberal Christian Commentary, 2010.
  • Jesus Now, Luke 6:17-26. Lectionary, study and worship resources from Faith Futures Jesus Then & Now.
  • Wellspring of the Gospel, 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Catherine McElhinney and Kathryn Turner, Weekly Wellsprings.
    • "When have you experienced happiness after sorrow - or vice versa?"
  • "The Values of the Kingdom," Expository Essay, Luke 6:17-26, Dr. William R. Long. Part 2.
    • "When Jesus speaks of the values of his new world in 6:20-26, we are, or should be, shocked at its directness and 'countercultural' message."
  • "O Brother (or Sister), Who Art Thou?" Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Catholic Resource for This Sunday's Gospel. Adult Study, Children's Story, Family Activity, Support Materials.
    • "When was your last act of charity? When was the last time you did some good for someone else?"
  • "The Blessing of Persecution," Ordinary 6, Fr. Gerry Pierse, C.Ss.R., from Sundays Into Silence: Reflections on the Sunday Gospels in the Light of Christian Meditation. Claretian Publications.
    • "Being faced with our own sinfulness, and the sinfulness of our esteemed leaders, bring home the point that sin and holiness overlap in everybody."
  • "Damn Preacher," William Willimon, The Christian Century, 2004.
    • "For those of you who are full, stuffed with all that can be consumed in this culture, having found so many ways to satisfy your gnawing hunger, what more can God do for you?"
  • "The Joy of Christ's Disciples," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources.
    • "The beatitudes proclaim grace not law."
  • "'Blessed are they upon God's holy mountain': reflections on Luke 6:17-26," David Berg, Currents in Theology and Mission, 2002.
    • "We are no longer strangers with anyone. We are all children of the same Creator God."
  • Lectionary Commentary and Preaching Paths (Epiphany C6), by Dennis Bratcher, at The Christian Resource Institute.
    • "In the end, the blessings cannot be sought as ends in themselves and do not come by effort. They are simply the way things are in the kingdom that has now come in Jesus. If we accept that as truth, what remains is only to live in that truth (v. 46) and let it transform us."
  • "Turning Our Values Upside Down," chapter 3 in The Sermon On the Mount by Roger Shinn. Full text online at Religion Online.
    • "It is a long time since the human race first heard these words of the Beatitudes. But they still sound almost as strange as they ever did. Jesus stands in perpetual conflict with the ways of the world. Persuasive philosophies keep trying to undermine these 'Blessings.'"
• Articles & Background:
  • "Sermon on the Plain," wikipedia.
  • "Honoring the Dishonored: The Cultural Edge of Jesus' Beatitudes," Jerome H. Neyrey.
    • "This study of "poor" and "poverty" brings to the discussion a cultural and social element. Stated most baldly, "poor" implies not simply scant economic resources, that is, little land or money, but has a decidedly cultural component as well."
  • "Global Poverty: Beyond Utopian Visions," Thomas E. Phillips, (other resources at) "Global Wealth," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2007.
    • "The crisis of poverty in the world?s largest cities, which is growing exponentially worse in the new era of globalization, should overwhelm us. However, it should not paralyze us. Scripture may not offer an easy answer, but it does provide a consistent moral imperative."
  • "The Needle's Eye: Christians and Their Money," Doris Donnelly, The Christian Century, 1983. At Religion Online.
    • "Because there can be only one way, it is necessary for the follower of the gospel to sense a real and blessed harmony (Luke 6:20) between external poverty and interior poverty, because that harmony validates Christian discipleship and keeps us honest about what our commitments really are."
• Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices.
  • Bartlett, David, "Woe to Us (Jeremiah 17:5-10; Luke 6:17-26)," Journal for Preachers, 2008. Sermon.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Berg, David, "'Blessed Are They upon God's Holy Mountain': Reflections on Luke 6:17-26," Currents in Theology and Mission, 2002.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Burghardt, William, S.J., "Gospel Joy, Christian Joy," The Living Pulpit, 1996. (see Joy issue focus of The Living Pulpit 5.4, 1996.)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Domeris, W.R., "Biblical Perspectives on the Poor," Journal of Theology for Southern Africa, 1986.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Donnelly, Doris, "The Needle's Eye: Christians and Their Money," The Christian Century, 1983.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Ellenwood, Lee K., "Face to Face with the Living God: Reflections on the Lectionary Readings for February," The Living Pulpit, 2007.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Hoyt, Thomas, Jr., "The Poor/Rich Theme in the Beatitudes," Journal of Religious Thought, 1980.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Kersten, Phyllis, "Shrubs and Scrubs," The Christian Century, 2001.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Mánek, Jindřich, "On the Mount - on the Plain (Mt. 5.1 - Luke 6.17)," Novum Testamentum, 1967.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • May, Eric, O.F.M.Cap., "'...For Power Went Forth From Him...' Luke 6.19," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1952.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Rogness, Michael, "'You Are My Son, the Beloved': The Epiphany Gospels," Word & World, 2004. (Section on this text begins on page 89.)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Russell, Letty M., "Worrying with God," The Christian Century, 1992.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Tiede, David L., "Expository Article, Luke 6:17-26," Interpretation, 1986.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Tuckett, C.M., with a replay by M.D. Goulder, "The Beatitudes: A Source-Critical Study," Novum Testamentum, 1983.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Willimon, William H., "Damn Preacher," The Christian Century, 2004.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
• Reviews:
• Sermons:
  • "Blessing or Curse?" the Rev. Sarah Shelton, Day 1, 2007.
  • "Luke's Beatitudes," "True Joy vs. Temporary Happiness," Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.
  • "Sermon for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time," the Right Rev. Robert G. Tharp, Day 1, 2001.
  • Father Andrew M. Greeley, "Priest, Author, Sociologist," Commentary and Homily:
    • Ordinary 6, 2010
    • Ordinary 6, 2007
    • Ordinary 6, 2004
• With Children:
  • "Healthy Touch & Care," Fr. Max Bowers, Kid's Church.
  • "The Difference Between Mark and Daniel," children's story by Larry Broding, word-sunday.com.
  • "God Redistributes Blessings and Heartaches," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
  • "In Search of Happiness," children's sermon, coloring page. Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons 4 Kids.
  • "Blessed Are..." Jim Kerlin, childrensermons.com.
• Drama:
  • "The Bee Attitudes," Nina Wallestad, Dramatic License. Conditions of Use.
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Clip Art, Luke 6:17, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
  • Clip Art Images: Luke 6:17-26, Luke 6:17-26 #2, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • Luke 6:17-26 at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Liberation emphasis.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
  • Healing
• Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
  • Clean/Unclean
  • Healing
  • Persecution/Martyrdom
  • Suffering Servant
• Find Worship Resources & Suggested Other Readings for use with this text:
  • Epiphany 6C
  • All Saints A (Episcopal)
  • All Saints B (Episcopal)
  • All Saints C (Episcopal)
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of Luke

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