Another secret in plain sight! There are two stories in the Gospel reading that you probably remember well. But did you notice the story within the story that actually has the biggest impact? Look for this, if you want to learn what faith is about!

Yes, it's a biggie. And no, most folks don't even realize that it's here!

More fun and heavy stuff! The epistle reminds us of where we really belong, and of "walkers" who are only out for themselves because they don't know anything more.

But the gospel reading has some heavy stuff for us. It's the familiar story of Jesus teaching in the temple when the Pharisees tried to trick him. But, he tricked them! Not only did he stay out of trouble, he got them into what could have been trouble. And his answer to their trick question is something for us to ponder, too!

CONTROVERSY ALERT! Hidden in plain sight is something that your Sunday school teacher might not want you to find. We hear of the one hundred and forty-four thousand, being twelve thousand of each of Israel's twelve tribes. But there is more. There is also the great multitude "which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and peoples, and tongues...." which indicate a whole lot more being saved.

Could it be that mercy is actually merciful? Does it mean that even I stand a chance?

Today's readings deal with a basic fact: anyone who follows a spiritual path is subject to attack. It can be from without or from within. There are those on other paths who disagree with your path. There are those on your path who don't think you are complying enough. Of course, there are also those of no path who resent your having any path! And then there are your own doubts. Paul describes preparing for this in terms of what might be his own experience serving his duty as a Roman conscript when he was younger.

The Gospel reading gives an example of how it works well, in the story of the nobleman whose son was healed.

Today we celebrate the feast of St Luke the Evangelist, who was rather unique. According to tradition he was a martyr, a Greek, a physician, and an apostle. And, according to the Epistle, he was one of the people St Paul could count on even when so many had left him.

Speaking of that, note the gospel, in which Jesus sends out 70 men in pairs to go to places where Jesus was going to go. He sent them out, letting them depend on their faith and the generosity of the people to whom they were to minister!

In the Epistle for today, Paul reminds his gentile followers of how different they are now compared to who they once were. This is a point often made to recent graduates of some courses of study, and it applies here as well.

I note, however, an appreciation shown for the realities of life and an appeal to common-sense moderation. "Be angry and sin not" shows that people are going to upset you. The difference is what you do as a result.

In college, I learned quickly that if a professor repeats a point again and again, I'd be seeing it again, on an examination and perhaps in real life! And once again, the writer of the epistle places emphasis on what it is we are going to gain by completing all of this.

He also mentions the love of Christ, which "passeth knowledge". This is a concept for us to understand, because it shows something waiting for us beyond our current comprehension.

CONTROVERSY ALERT! I feel tempted to add that because the lesson in today's Epistle is almost identical to one we face today. In Paul's day, some people were trying to pressure the Galatians to accept circumcision, even though Peter's encounter with the centurion Cornelius proved it unnecessary.

Paul's point here is telling people to stop being hung up on what is no longer necessary, and focus on the current reality of salvation through spirit.

The Epistle and the Gospel readings offer much today, but there was something in the Epistle which I found glaring. I also believe that many people would not notice it, but I did.

Please pay attention to the fact that English was unknown in st Paul's time, and certain bits of terminology had not been brought into existence yet. Nevertheless, they were in use by the time of King James I of England.

That being said, a real prohibition by an apostle is being hidden behind a term better associated with Elizabethan paranoia! Like when the American press quoted a Soviet leader as supposedly saying "We will bury you", we need more appreciation of the power of translation.

Following this Gospel reading can cause controversy, according to some. Everyone thinks they know the story of the "Good Samaritan", but how often have we looked at it in any depth?

Again, we have an issue we see today, shown in Jesus' time. In those days, Samaritans were the ones referred to as "those people" in much the same way as people today refer to immigrants, gay people, people of color, or anyone else who does not seem entitled to be "one of us".

Jesus got a lawyer to admit that a Samaritan would be a neighbor! Doesn't that have some implication for us?