[Propertalk] Sermon tidbits for Luke 12:32-40 - Part 4

[Joe Parrish]

...the last three episodes of these sayings, address the issue of watchfulness and being alert, not being sleepy, lazy, not paying attention to what's happening in relation to the kingdom of God. The metaphors present in this section are in effect little parables.

http://www.gotell.org/pdf/commentary/Luke/Lk12_32-40_commentary.pdf

Thomas E. Boomershine
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The sixth-century Council of Epaon witnesses to the rise of the practice of replacing severe canonical penances with something new and milder. It became customary to commute penances to less demanding works, such as prayers, alms, fasts and even the payment of fixed sums of money depending on the various kinds of offences (tariff penances).

Theologians looked to God's mercy, the value of the Church's prayers, and the merits of the saints as the basis on which indulgences could be granted. Around 1230 the Dominican Hugh of St-Cher proposed the idea of a Treasure House of Merit at the Church's disposal, consisting of the infinite merits of Christ and the immeasurable abundance of the saints' merits, a thesis that was demonstrated by scholastics such as Albertus Magnus and Thomas Aquinas and remains the basis for the theological explanation of indulgences.
            
>From Wikipedia

http://bloomingcactus.typepad.com/bloomingcactus/2010/08/luke-123240-where-is-your-treasure.html

Todd Weir, 2010
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The problem is one of delay.  As Joel Green notes, Luke is emphasizing, "first, ...the certainty of (the Lord's) coming, and, second, the uncertainty of his timing." (p. 499)  (Incidentally, Luke seems to be assuming the Jewish practice of three watches in the night, as opposed to the Romans' four.)
Curiously, Luke gives us an image of the Lord as "thief."  He is not alone in doing so.  Paul used the same image in 1 Thessalonians 5:2, as did the author of Revelation (3:3).  The thief is surreptitious, like Jesus.  The thief quietly breaks in, like Jesus.  Most of all, you don't know when the thief is coming, like Jesus.

http://www.progressiveinvolvement.com/progressive_involvement/2010/08/lectionary-blogging-luke-12-3240.html

John Petty, 2010
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Giving is not without consequence. A colleague reflected on our high ideals as young men, and the calls to discipleship and faithful living. He reflected with some bitterness on how, because we had lived that out, he and I did not have boats, and holiday homes, and houses in the best part of town, and high incomes and large superannuation funds. unlike some of our youth group contemporaries.

He is correct. I have done very little giving really, but the cost in material possessions has been high. But the return has been even higher, I suspect. I have some peace. I am glad of the choices I have made.

http://churchrewired.org/possessions-and-kingdom---luke-12-32-40.html

Andrew Prior, 2010
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Jesus says, "Do not fear," and then proceeds to teach his disciples the discipline of waiting.  It is not passive waiting, however, but rather a proactive reaction to what is earthly.  Remember, Luke always has a subtext of awareness of the poor. 

http://breakopenword.blogspot.com/2010/08/eleventh-sunday-after-pentecost-proper.html

Michael T. Hiller, 2010
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the sense of immanence and urgency is palpable. The kingdom, the basilea in Greek  is already here!
The second half of the passage has a different feel. The energy shifts and it seems that the immanence and expectancy dissipates. 

http://thelisteninghermit.wordpress.com/2010/08/02/why-are-we-delaying-the-party/

Peter Woods, 2010
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