Luke 17:5-10, Psalm 137
If you had faith the size of a mustard seed…It begins so nicely, we smile and begin to imagine a great sermon that just rolls off our fingers to the screen in front of us. If we could just stop right there.
So what reassuring word do we find in our Psalm? Happy shall they be who take your little ones and dash them against the rock!
Here is a new word to describe this week in lectionary. The word is paraprosdokian
- War does not determine who is right — only who is left.
- Dolphins are so smart that within a few weeks of captivity, they can train people to stand on the very edge of the pool and throw them fish.
- You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.
- I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather. Not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car.
Life is often paradrosdokian. I got some really good, really late, advice recently. If you have some things that you really need to get done, do them when you have time: before your retire!
And something longer, if you need it:
Moshe was nearing death. He was extremely old, and he had seen much suffering during his days. Golda, his wife, sat on the edge of his bed and wiped his forehead. They had been married for more than 70 years. Moshe looked at his wife and said, “Golda, do you remember the horrible pogrom/the devastation in our village in 1905?” She replied, “Of course I do. I was right there with you.” “Do you remember when the Communists beat me up in 1918? Were you with me then?” Golda answered, “Certainly I was with you.” “Were you with me in the Lemberg ghetto?” “Yes, dear, I have always been with you.” Moshe lay silently for a few moments and then looked at his wife and said, “Boy, Golda, you’ve been bad luck for me.”
Have a great week, sincerely, no punch line! – Laurin
Lectionary Musings and Amusings 