Lectionary for Pentecost 9

Lectionary for Pentecost 9

The mighty one, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. The heavens proclaim God’s justice, for God himself is judge. Psalm 50:1, 6

Collect. Kindle in our hearts, O Father, the same faith that impelled Abraham to go forth from his homeland and live as a pilgrim upon earth. Never allow our lamps to be extinguished, but keep us watchful for your coming, that we may be welcomed by you into the joy of our eternal home. We ask this through your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Reading. Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16. Sometimes it is easy to forget that the vast majority of the Christian scriptures are in the form of personal letters written to either congregations or people in leadership. Thus our scriptures speak to us on a very personal level. They were never meant to be dissected and fragmented as we often do. In this section of scripture the author is encouraging the people of the congregation to consider their own faith by reminding them that it is faith in God which pleases God and links each believer in relationship with him.

Here we see that Abraham and many of his descendants set out on a journey before they knew where it would lead them. This is the nature of faith. Faith is about trusting God to lead on a daily basis, but it is also about maintaining a close relationship with Him. To set out blindly on a path without any knowledge is not necessarily faith; it could be laziness, or even stupidity. But setting out on a path in company with a God that you know can be trusted and who you sense is leading you is a different proposition altogether. While Abraham and his family descendants did not know where God might lead them they did know that what had been promised in the final outcome was a place of their own. The fulfilment of that promise is still even today what makes the people of Israel so protective and focussed on their land. The phrase, “a place of their own”, is so relevant to many people in our society today. It is easy to forget that we live in a world filled like never before with so many people looking for a place to call home. In our other reading for today the focus is on the promise of God’s Kingdom, a place where everyone will find their proper fulfillment. It is faith in God which continues to uphold the hope that we are on the journey to that promised goal.

Our faith leads us along paths and into situations that are sometimes unexpected but we maintain the great hope that one day we will be united with all God’s people in a face-to-face situation with God, in a place of mercy, peace and justice. When that happens everything else which at present we might consider loss, or disappointing, will be swept away in the joy of being reunited with all whom we love; and best of all in the very presence of God himself.

Prayer. Lord, although your word often only comes to us faintly yet we recognise that you have not hidden your word from us but have continued to call to us, each day of our lives. Help us to live more and more by the call of your voice so that our way will be strong and true. Help us to be effective in our love and care of others so that your name will be honoured. Though we may feel that our calling to serve is not filled with importance like some that we know, never the less, Lord strengthen us to do the very best that we can and aid us with your powerful Holy Spirit so that even our small contribution will be an effective presentation of your great love and forgiveness offered to all people. Use even me today Lord God I pray. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Reading. Luke 12:32-40. The coming of God’s kingdom is central to the message of Jesus in the New Testament. In Mark’s Gospel we read, “the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15). This is, on the one hand, a reminder that God is king over all the earth and, on the other that there is an everlasting kingdom coming which will bring salvation to God’s people. This promised kingdom will include all the nations of the world. (Micah 4:1-2). The coming kingdom would present an eternal era when injustice would end, death would be no more and peace and harmony would be enjoyed by all.

The understanding of a coming kingdom when all God’s enemies would be vanquished was embedded in the faith of Israel. Thus when Jesus announced to his disciples that they would be given the kingdom it would have had great significance for them. Furthermore, Jesus immediately tells them to set their hope on this gifting and not be drawn away by other worldly goals. The passage ends by reminding the disciples that the culmination of the kingdom will be when the Son of Man returns. This passage of scripture would have given the disciples and the early church a great deal of encouragement and hope. It was a constant reminder that God’s unfolding of his kingdom was to continue until all was accomplished.

The command, “do not be afraid’ has resonated down through the centuries and will continue until Christ’s return. As we read this passage today our challenge is “How do we respond?” That we have an invitation to be part of the kingdom is clear. Luke’s description reminds us that we need to be on our guard not to be drawn away by trusting in our own gifts and opportunities. This was highlighted by the parable of the Rich man who was deluded into making his own provision for comfort and success. It is God’s kingdom not our kingdom. We accept the invitation by trusting in what God has done and is doing. The greatest signs of acceptance of the invitation are baptism and participation in the Lord’s Supper. These are signs that join us into a worshipping congregation and support us as we live out our Christian faith. The promise is we live, watch and pray until the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ.

Thus even today we live in hope filled celebration that the kingdom is on its way and we keep in mind the understanding that the Son of Man will return at a time that we will least expect it. Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah. NRSV. Revelation 11:15.

Prayer. Lord God, you are my God; I belong to you; I long for you; The every source of my life is in you; From you comes the meaning of my existence; With irresistible force you draw me to yourself; you set the direction of my life. To you I offer myself again today, along with all my powers and all the work of today. I put myself completely into your hands to be used for your purposes. I have no other desire than to accomplish your will. Grant to me the help of your Holy Spirit that I may live today for your name’s sake. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Adapted from a prayer by Walter S. Davidson)

Collect. Eternal God, heart’s true treasure, your new commonwealth is surely coming; help us to be alert as we wait, and look for your justice, for the sake of Jesus, the Living One, whose coming is sure. Amen.