Lectionary for Pentecost 18

Lectionary for Pentecost 18

Our help is in the name of the Lord, maker of heaven and earth.      Psalm 124:8

Prayer. Almighty and most gracious God, in your mercy we wait on you; we wait for health and strength and for that living breath, that gives us life. We wait for your forgiveness, for well we know that often our thoughts and deeds are not honouring to you, we trust only in our Lord Jesus as we wait. We wait on you to fill us afresh with the blessing of your Spirit, that the light and peace of your love will assist us to worship you with love and reverence. We wait on you to give us the guidance and grace to live out a full and faithful witness to all that you have accomplished through the ministry of Jesus Christ. Now as we read and meditate on your word we wait on you to give us wisdom and understanding that our hearts and lives might be changed with the knowledge and wonder of your love for all. We pray in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. Amen (Isaiah 33:2) 

Collect. Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: graft in our hearts the love of your name, increase in us true religion, nourish us in all goodness, and keep us in your great mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Reading. James 5:13-20.  We know that many of the books in the New Testament were letters written to the various churches or church leaders in the decades following the resurrection of Jesus. As such they were written to both teach and encourage Christians. As James brings his letter to a close he offers a word of encouragement to the scattered churches to whom he is writing. His strong emphasis is that in all circumstances we should pray; pray to both thank and praise God, as well as to request what we need from God. Following on from his exhortation to pray James uses the phrase, the prayer of faith. Much has been written about what the prayer of faith might mean. Let us first think about what “faith” means. There are many definitions but my favourite one is, “Faith is acting on the facts”. The facts are that all the books in the New Testament are written because Jesus lives and his living has changed everything. Through the resurrection a believers’ whole outlook has been changed, life takes on a different meaning. However that means very little if the way we live is not changed; as a well known song states: “Because He lives I can face tomorrow”.  Accordingly, the prayer of faith is the prayer which trusts God in every circumstance because Jesus has been raised and lives. Jesus is our righteousness, (1 Corinth 1:30),  and so we can trust God to always do what is right on our behalf. The prayer of faith is not only linked to a prayer for healing for James says this prayer will save the sick. So in James’s mind it is more than a call to cure a complaint but is a prayer to bring restoration and wholeness to the person for whom the community is praying. James projects a real confidence in community prayer reminding us that prayer changes things as was observed in Elijah’s prayer. The final exhortation from James is to care for one another so that no one will be lost. His vision is for a close-knit community caring for one another and all surrounded by prayer

Prayer. Almighty God from whom every family in heaven and earth is named. be for us a guardian and a guide, now and always. May our homes be places of shelter and welcome, giving comfort and protection to those in need. Guard us from forgetting your call upon our lives, let us be true disciples as we journey together. In all we do may our lives reflect your goodness and grace. Bless and encourage us all to live and work together in a godly harmony which honours the healing and wholeness you have through grace given us. We do not present our requests before you on the ground of our righteousness, but on the ground of your great mercies. O Lord, hear we pray; O Lord, forgive us all; O Lord, may our earnest cry receive your gracious answer; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Reading. Mark 9:38-50. These last few verses from chapter 9 have seen many additions and alterations during the formation of the New Testament and so it is helpful to consider prayerfully the side notes that your bible will highlight. The passage falls into three sections; verses 38-41; verses 42-48 and then verses 49-50.

V. 38-41. John of all the disciples is recorded as having the closest personal relationship with Jesus. (John 13:23) Perhaps it was this relationship which caused him to be so defensive about someone who was casting out demons? In response Jesus reminds all the disciples that no one can use Jesus’ power to heal unless he has the Spirit of Jesus in him. The exorcist, by casting out demons is working for the Kingdom of God by the power of the Spirit. Furthermore Jesus is making it clear that those who are not against him are for him. Sadly this simple truth in the history of the Christian Church has often been ignored and even today is still ignored. One only has to watch Christians on Youtube, fighting in the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem to see a good example of how partisan Christians can be. Other believers in Jesus are not our enemies, even if they don’t believe exactly as we do.

V. 42-48. The “little ones” may refer to the child that Jesus has embraced or it may simply refer to precious new believers. Whatever the case, Jesus is reminding his followers that the nurture of believers is of paramount importance and nothing in our attitude or behaviour should hinder another’s growth in grace.  However we might read it, the consequences of careless action are dire. Gehenna is a place of burning and equates to a rubbish heap which is both rotting and burning: a good place to keep away from!

V. 49-50. Salted with fire has a number of meanings. One is that every believer will be tested as with fire, some to be purified some even to be lost to the faith. Or it may be that believers will have to suffer in order to avoid sin.  Salt often was part of a covenant agreement and was a symbol of fidelity and reliability. Salt also was symbolic of the eternity of God’s covenant relationship with his people. (Exodus 30:35-36). Once salt had lost its saltiness it was no longer salt and so was worthless. The Hebrews had access to huge salt deposits from the shores of the Dead Sea. The top layers of salt were often changed through chemical action and so were of no value. To suggest that a believer could lose their saltiness is a warning to be alert in matters of faith. It is the saltiness of our faith which gives us peace and allows us to live in harmony with one another. (Col. 4:6)

Prayer. Almighty God, to you alone do we lift our hands and hearts in praise and worship; for you alone are worthy to receive all thanks and praise. Only through your mercy can we find true and lasting forgiveness. It is only in you that healing and wholeness are available to us. By your grace we are welcomed into the fellowship of all believers and so know true joy and peace now and always. To you the God of glory and Grace we bow in reverence through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

Collect. God our joy, save us from tunnel vision and scarred hearts; grant us the singleness of purpose and the generosity of spirit which belong to your kingdom; this we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Prayer. Lord make us bold to run the way of your commandments, and help us to stand still before your presence, that, leading lives of quiet confidence, we may bear witness to your grace and carry your power into the world. Let your light shine through us, that all may see good works in us and give glory to our Father in heaven. So direct our lives, that in the end none to whom we have failed to show mercy and love may accuse us, and we will be received into the eternal habitations; through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen (The Minister’s Prayer Book)