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<DIV><FONT size=4>...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.<BR><BR><A
href="http://www.gotell.org/pdf/commentary/Luke/Lk12_32-40_commentary.pdf">http://www.gotell.org/pdf/commentary/Luke/Lk12_32-40_commentary.pdf</A><BR><BR>Thomas
E. Boomershine<BR>- - - - -<BR><BR>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).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><BR><FONT size=4>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.<BR>
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>From Wikipedia</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><A
href="http://bloomingcactus.typepad.com/bloomingcactus/2010/08/luke-123240-where-is-your-treasure.html"><FONT
size=4>http://bloomingcactus.typepad.com/bloomingcactus/2010/08/luke-123240-where-is-your-treasure.html</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Todd Weir, 2010</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>- - - - -</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>The problem is one of delay. As Joel Green notes, Luke
is emphasizing, "first, ...the <SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline">certainty</SPAN> of (the
Lord's) coming, and, second, the <SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline">uncertainty</SPAN> 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.)</DIV>
<DIV>
<P dir=ltr>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.</P></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><A
href="http://www.progressiveinvolvement.com/progressive_involvement/2010/08/lectionary-blogging-luke-12-3240.html">http://www.progressiveinvolvement.com/progressive_involvement/2010/08/lectionary-blogging-luke-12-3240.html</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>John Petty, 2010</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>- - - - -</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>
<P>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.</P>
<P>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.</P></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><A
href="http://churchrewired.org/possessions-and-kingdom---luke-12-32-40.html">http://churchrewired.org/possessions-and-kingdom---luke-12-32-40.html</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Andrew Prior,<I> </I>2010</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>- - - - -</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Jesus says, “Do not fear,” and then proceeds to teach his
disciples the discipline of waiting.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>It is not passive waiting, however, but rather a proactive reaction to
what is earthly.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Remember, Luke
always has a subtext of awareness of the poor.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><A
href="http://breakopenword.blogspot.com/2010/08/eleventh-sunday-after-pentecost-proper.html">http://breakopenword.blogspot.com/2010/08/eleventh-sunday-after-pentecost-proper.html</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Michael T. Hiller, 2010</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>- - - - -</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>the sense of immanence and urgency is palpable. The kingdom,
the <STRONG>basilea</STRONG> in Greek is already here!
<P>The second half of the passage has a different feel. The energy shifts and it
seems that the immanence and expectancy dissipates. </P></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><A
href="http://thelisteninghermit.wordpress.com/2010/08/02/why-are-we-delaying-the-party/">http://thelisteninghermit.wordpress.com/2010/08/02/why-are-we-delaying-the-party/</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Peter Woods, 2010</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4>- - - - -</FONT></FONT></DIV>
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