The word of God is a refining fire. Jesus is the great divide in human history. He invites our undivided attention and devotion. Today in worship we are surrounded by a great “cloud of witnesses.” In the word and in holy communion we are invited yet again to look to Jesus, “the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”
Accompanying Scripture:
Jeremiah 23:23-29, Psalm 82, Hebrews 11:29–12
The Lord tells us to be ready. Are you ready for whatever comes your way? Hip hop artist, Suga Free, sings the line, “if you stay ready, you ain’t got to get ready.” As the body of Christ, we are charged with the task of being ready to serve. A month ago, Jesus reminded us that we are to serve our neighbors. We are to serve each other. We need to break away from the walls of the church and be servants of Christ in the world.
Accompanying Scripture:
Genesis 15:1-6, Psalm 33:12-22, Luke 12:32-40
Persistence works out! At least that what the readings suggest- keep asking, don’t give up, even one person is worth saving. As God persistently loves us, in prayer we too can be persistent, asking and wondering and dreaming and pleading for all we need.
Accompanying Scripture:
Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23 , Psalm 48, Luke 12:13-21
Persistence works out! At least that what the readings suggest- keep asking, don’t give up, even one person is worth saving. As God persistently loves us, in prayer we too can be persistent, asking and wondering and dreaming and pleading for all we need.
Accompanying Scripture:
Genesis 18: 20-32, Psalm 138, Luke 11:1-13
Perhaps the church, at its best, is “all ears.” God urges the faithful, again and again, to “listen up!”—to heed the word that gives life. So it was with Abraham and Sarah as well as Mary and Martha. So it is for Sunday as we join the assembly to hear the word of God, the word of life.
Accompanying Scripture:
Genesis 18:1-10a , Psalm 84, Luke 10:38-42
What makes someone a neighbor? Explore the parable of the Good Samaritan in our context today. How are we neighborly? How are we not neighborly? Does it matter who our neighbors are? Some tough questions to ponder but in the end Jesus teaches us to love our neighbors. Period. There are no exceptions. It is hard to give unconditional love but as Christians, we are commanded by Jesus to love our neighbors.
Accompanying Scripture:
Deuteronomy 30:9-14, Psalm 25:1-10, Luke 10:25-37
In this week’s gospel Jesus has seventy followers close enough that he trusts them to be sent out in pairs to heal the sick and announce that God has come near. Seventy trusted preachers. Thirty-five pairs of preachers telling the good news of God in word and deed. Consider the assignment Jesus gives to the ones he sends. First, they are sent to cure the sick. Second, they proclaim that “the kingdom of God has come near.” It has been said that “you don’t throw a drowning person a sandwich.” Jesus sends the seventy out with not only words of comfort but with acts of grace as well. We too are sent out into the world to serve in the name of Jesus not just with words, but also by welcoming others, sharing bread with the hungry, and offering compassion to the afflicted.
Accompanying Scripture:
Isaiah 66:10-14, Psalm 66:1-9, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
This week’s passages are difficult. They show how much God is demanding of those who wish to follow. Those called are asked to give everything. No wonder there is resistance. Yet, they also remind us that the Spirit will support our work and, in turn, give us everything to enable us to answer the call.
Accompanying Scripture:
Galatians 5:13-15, 22-25, Psalm 8, Luke 9:51-62
On Pentecost, we celebrate that we have been given an Advocate to accompany us. Poured out in wind and fire, water, wine, and bread, the Holy Spirit abides in and among us. We give thanks that God speaks to each of us, no matter our origins, language, or life path. Filled with the Spirit of truth, we go out from worship to proclaim the saving power of Christ’s love and the freedom of God’s grace with all the world.
Accompanying Scripture:
Genesis 11:1-9, Acts 2:1-21, John 14:8-17
In this week’s readings the risen Christ ascends into heaven and his followers are assured that the Spirit will empower them to be witnesses throughout the earth. The disciples are told to not gaze up into heaven to look for Jesus (Acts 1:11); we find Jesus’ presence among us as we proclaim the word and share the feast. We too long for the Spirit to enliven our faith and invigorate our mission.
Accompanying Scripture:
Acts 1:1-11, Psalm 107, John 24:44-53
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