26th Ordinary Sunday, 25 September: Amos 6:1a, 4-7; Psalm 146:7-10; 1 Timothy 6:11-16; Luke 16:19-31 ~ pursue righteousness

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

God defends the poor, the weak and the unprotected.

Opening Prayer:

O God of justice, hear our cry and save us. Make us heed your word to the prophets; rouse us to the demand of the gospel and impel us to carry it out.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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“Everlasting God” – Chris Tomlin

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Amos 6:1a, 4-7 (NLT)
[Amos warns the wealthy about their selfishness.]

What sorrow awaits you who lounge in luxury in Jerusalem, and you who feel secure in Samaria!
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the ruins of Detroit [Click above for more photos.] — Detroit: the ruins of a city
[Click above for more photos.]

How terrible for you who sprawl on ivory beds and lounge on your couches, eating the meat of tender lambs from the flock and of choice calves fattened in the stall.

You sing trivial songs to the sound of the harp and fancy yourselves to be great musicians like David. You drink wine by the bowlful and perfume yourselves with fragrant lotions. You care nothing about the ruin of your nation.

Therefore, you will be the first to be led away as captives. Suddenly, all your parties will end.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 146:7-10 (NLT)
[God is the protector of the weak and oppressed among us.]

He gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry. The Lord frees the prisoners. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down. The Lord loves the godly. The Lord protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows, but he frustrates the plans of the wicked.

The Lord will reign forever. He will be your God, O Jerusalem, throughout the generations. Praise the Lord!
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“What Joy (Psalm 146)” – Sarah Emerson

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A Reading from the Letters: 1 Timothy 6:11-16 (NLT)
[Paul advises Timothy on being a faultless follower of the Lord Jesus.]

But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses. And I charge you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, that you obey this command without wavering. Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. For,

At just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords. He alone can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will. All honor and power to him forever! Amen.

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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 16:19-31 (NLT)
[Jesus reminds us that wealth can insulate us from seeing the needs of others.]

Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.

The Dog of Compassion by Paolo Pagani (1655-1716) — The Dog of Compassion
by Paolo Pagani (1655-1716)

“Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.

“The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’

“But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’

“Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’

“But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’

“The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’

“But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”
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“Poor Man Lazarus” – Skruk (Norway)

Poor man Lazarus, sick and disabled, dip your finger in the water; come and cool my tongue, ’cause I’m tormented in the flame! He had to eat crumbs from the rich man’s table dip your finger in the water; come and cool my tongue, ’cause I’m tormented in the flame!

I’m tormented in the flame! I’m tormented in the flame! Dip your finger in the water; come and cool my tongue, ’cause I’m tormented in the flame!

Rich man Divies, he lived so well. Dip your finger in the water; come and cool my tongue, ’cause I’m tormented in the flame! And when he died, he went straight to hell. Dip your finger in the water; come and cool my tongue, ’cause I’m tormented in the flame!

I love to shout, I love to sing. Dip your finger in the water; come and cool my tongue, ’cause I’m tormented in the flame! I love to praise my heavenly King. Dip your finger in the water; come and cool my tongue, ’cause I’m tormented in the flame!
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Intercessory Prayer:

O God our God, provider for the poor and oppressed, hear our prayers:

+ That the wealthy people of our world may cheerfully share with the needy…. Lord, hear us.
+ That followers of Christ around the world may have compassion for the poor…. Lord, hear us.
+ That people who are exploited may win justice and find peace…. Lord, hear us.
+ That migrants and refugees may live peacefully and receive care and love…. Lord, hear us.
+ That people who are sick may know You are close to them…. Lord, hear us.
+ That we may be true friends to people who need us…. Lord, hear us.
+ That all who have died in Christ, especially through war and violence, may be raised up at the last day…. Lord, hear us.

God of righteousness, you are just to the poor and oppressed: hear our prayers, we ask you, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“This Kingdom” – Geoff Bullock

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Benediction:

To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. – 1 Timothy 1:17

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

25th Ordinary Sunday, 18 September: Amos 8:4-7; Psalm 113:1-2, 4-6, 7-8; 1 Timothy 2:1-8; Luke 16:1-13 ~ help others and make friends

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lord of glory: Help us to be your faithful servants before all else.

Opening Prayer:

God our Savior, you call us into your service. Make us wise and resourceful: children of the light who continue your work in this world with untiring concern for integrity and justice. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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“Praise, my soul the King of heaven” – The Northern Baptist Association (UK)

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Amos 8:4-7 (NLT)
[A warning to treat others justly.]

Saudi Arabia, thousands of Nepalese immigrant workers die from exploitation, torture and alcoholism. [Click on picture for full article]

Listen to this, you who rob the poor and trample down the needy! You can’t wait for the Sabbath day to be over and the religious festivals to end so you can get back to cheating the helpless. You measure out grain with dishonest measures and cheat the buyer with dishonest scales. And you mix the grain you sell with chaff swept from the floor. Then you enslave poor people for one piece of silver or a pair of sandals.

Now the Lord has sworn this oath by his own name, the Pride of Israel: “I will never forget the wicked things you have done!”
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 113:1-2, 4-6, 7-8 (NLT)
[God lifts up the poor.]

Praise the Lord!

A Coptic Christian man picks up trash before it is recycled inside Garbage City in Cairo. [Cairo’s zabbaleen are primarily Coptic Christians, a sizable minority who have a history of being ostracized by Islamist powers in the country.] For more on Cairo's "Town of Trash," please click on picture. — A Coptic man picks up trash before it is recycled inside Garbage City in Cairo. Cairo’s zabbaleen are primarily Coptic Christians, a sizable minority who have a history of being ostracized by Islamist powers in the country.
[Click on picture for full article.]

Yes, give praise, O servants of the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord! Blessed be the name of the Lord now and forever.
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For the Lord is high above the nations; his glory is higher than the heavens.

Who can be compared with the Lord our God, who is enthroned on high? He stoops to look down on heaven and on earth.
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He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump. He sets them among princes, even the princes of his own people!
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“Psalm 113: Praise the Lord Ye Servants” – Elizabeth C. Patterson and Gloriae Dei Cantores

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A Reading from the Letters: 1 Timothy 2:1-8 (NLT)
[Paul reminds us to offer prayers for everyone.]

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For,

There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.

This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I’m not exaggerating—just telling the truth.

In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 16:1-13 (NLT)
[We cannot be slaves both of God and money.]

Jesus told this story to his disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a manager handling his affairs. One day a report came that the manager was wasting his employer’s money. So the employer called him in and said, ‘What’s this I hear about you? Get your report in order, because you are going to be fired.’

“The manager thought to himself, ‘Now what? My boss has fired me. I don’t have the strength to dig ditches, and I’m too proud to beg. Ah, I know how to ensure that I’ll have plenty of friends who will give me a home when I am fired.’

“So he invited each person who owed money to his employer to come and discuss the situation. He asked the first one, ‘How much do you owe him?’ The man replied, ‘I owe him 800 gallons of olive oil.’ So the manager told him, ‘Take the bill and quickly change it to 400 gallons.’

“‘And how much do you owe my employer?’ he asked the next man. ‘I owe him 1,000 bushels of wheat,’ was the reply. ‘Here,’ the manager said, ‘take the bill and change it to 800 bushels.’

“The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light. Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?

“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”
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“If My People” – Brenda James

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Intercessory Prayer:

Gracious God: We come confidently before Your throne of grace. Grant your mercy and help to those on our hearts today –

+ For all who minister among your people…. Lord, hear us.
+ For our current leaders and everyone in authority over us…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those seeking public office and positions of authority…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the preservation of righteousness throughout our land…. Lord, hear us.
+ For peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity…. Lord, hear us.
+ For freedom of religion and an end to religious persecution…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who have been unjustly treated in any way…. Lord, hear us.
+ For people in difficulty, particularly those whom we know…. Lord, hear us.
+ For for all who have died in Christ, especially through conflict and violence in the Middle East…. Lord, hear us.

God of glory and majesty, you stoop from the heights to lift up the poor: hear the prayers of all who praise you, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Jesus at the Center” – Darlene Zschech

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Benediction:

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.

Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.

– Colossians 1:15-20

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

24th Ordinary Sunday, 11 September: Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14; Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 17, 19; 1 Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-32 ~ Jesus is praying for you

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Our loving and compassionate God seeks out sinners to forgive them – and that’s a good thing!

Opening Prayer:

Undaunted you seek the lost, O God, exultant you bring home the found. Touch our hearts with grateful wonder at the tenderness of your forbearing love. Grant us delight in the mercy that has found us and bring all to rejoice at the feast of forgiveness. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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“Great Is Thy Faithfulness” – Don Moen

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14 (NLT)
[God relents in response to pleas for leniency.]

The Lord told Moses, “Quick! Go down the mountain! Your people whom you brought from the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves. How quickly they have turned away from the way I commanded them to live! They have melted down gold and made a calf, and they have bowed down and sacrificed to it. They are saying, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.’”

The Adoration of the Golden Calf Nicolas Poussin, ca 1634 National Gallery, London — The Adoration of the Golden Calf
Nicolas Poussin, ca 1634
National Gallery, London

Then the Lord said, “I have seen how stubborn and rebellious these people are. Now leave me alone so my fierce anger can blaze against them, and I will destroy them. Then I will make you, Moses, into a great nation.”

But Moses tried to pacify the Lord his God. “O Lord!” he said. “Why are you so angry with your own people whom you brought from the land of Egypt with such great power and such a strong hand?
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Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. You bound yourself with an oath to them, saying, ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars of heaven. And I will give them all of this land that I have promised to your descendants, and they will possess it forever.’”

So the Lord changed his mind about the terrible disaster he had threatened to bring on his people.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 17, 19 (NLT)
[We ask for God’s mercy, as prodigals turning to our loving Father.]

For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.
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Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you.
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The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
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Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit—with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings. Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar.
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Choneni Elohim, from Psalm 51 (Be Gracious to me O G-d) – Christene Jackman

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A Reading from the Letters: 1 Timothy 1:12-17 (NLT)
[Paul insists that Jesus came into the world to save sinners, people like Paul himself.]

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.

This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 15:1-32 (NLT)
[Jesus tells a series of stories that illustrate God stretching out his hand to sinners.]

Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them!

The Story of the Lost Sheep

So Jesus told them this story: “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!

The Story of the Lost Coin

The Lost Drachma James Tissot, 1886-1894 Brooklyn Museum — The Lost Drachma
James Tissot, 1886-1894
Brooklyn Museum

“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”

The Story of the Lost Son

To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.

“A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.

“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’

“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’

Return of the Prodigal Son Il Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri) , 1619 Kunsthistorisches Museum, Gemäldegalerie Vienna — Return of the Prodigal Son
Il Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri) , 1619
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Gemäldegalerie
Vienna

“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

“Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, and he asked one of the servants what was going on. ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’

“The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’

“His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”

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“You Have Searched Me” – Citizens & Saints

Your kindness leads me, to repentance, Your grace assures me, to trust in You

I could climb up, into the sky | Or dive down deep, where darkest evil lies | I’ll never find a place to flee, Your presence is, always, where I am, | You never leave my side

Even when I fight to get my way | You patiently disarm my defenses with your grace

Your kindness leads me, to repentance, Your grace assures me, to trust in You | Faithful savior, You restore me | My life is Yours, I belong to You
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Intercessory Prayer:

Great and compassionate God: you welcome us into your presence through our Lord Jesus Christ. Hear the cries of our hearts as we bring our needs to You –

+ That believers everywhere may experience your healing love, particularly when they fail…. Lord, hear us.
+ That the consecration of Mother Teresa of Calcutta may remind the world to show mercy to the least, the lost, and the last among us…. Lord, hear us.
+ That believers everywhere will learn what mercy means and live it out in our daily lives…. Lord, hear us.
+ That migrants seeking shelter, safety, and a new place to live may experience generosity and kindness…. Lord, hear us.
+ That people who believe they are beyond the reach of your mercy may experience your intervention and compassion…. Lord, hear us.
+ That all who live in loneliness may be cared for by believers in their local communities…. Lord, hear us.
+ That those who have died in Christ may know the joy of your presence. We remember especially those lost in the terror attacks in New York, 15 years ago today…. Lord, hear us.

O God, in your kindness, you blot out our sins and failings: hear our humble prayers, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“One Thing Remains” – Kristian Stanfill

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Benediction:

Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. – Romans 8:33-34

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Morning Prayer: Mon, 05 Sep – Proverbs 28:13; James 2:12-13 ~ mercy given, mercy received

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Sentence

As I arise today, may the strength of God pilot me, the power of God uphold me, the wisdom of God guide me.

Morning Reading: Proverbs 28:13 (NLT)

People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

Morning Reading: James 2:12-13 (NLT)

So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.

Prayer

Lord God, in the life of your incarnate Son, you have shown us the dignity of man’s labor. Lord, bless our work.

+ Thank you, Lord, for bringing us to this day; protect our lives and give us what we need.
+ Be with us, Lord, as we take up our daily tasks; remind us that it’s your world in which we live and work.
+ Help us, Lord, to serve you responsibly in the world; help us to build a just and peaceful society.
+ Stay with us, Lord, and with everyone we meet today; may we give your joy and your peace to the world.

King of heaven and earth, Lord God, rule over our hearts, minds and bodies this day. Sanctify us and, by the power of your Word and Spirit, guide our every thought, word and deed, so that now and forever your grace may free and save us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“God Be Merciful to Me” – Metropolitan Tabernacle, London

Blessing

Christ with me, Christ in me.

Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left; Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down; Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me; Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me.

Christ with me, Christ in me.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

23rd Ordinary Sunday, 04 September: Proverbs 2; Psalm 90:3-6, 12-17; Philemon 9-10, 12-17; Luke 14:25-33 ~ count the cost

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening Prayer:

God of the ages, you call the Church to keep watch in the world and to discern the signs of the times. Grant us the wisdom which your Spirit bestows, that with courage we may proclaim your prophetic word and complete the work you have set before us. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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“Immortal, Invisible” – Tommy Walker

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Proverbs 2:2-3, 5-6, 9-10, 20-22 (NLT)
[Wisdom comes from God.]

Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.
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Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
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Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy.
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So follow the steps of the good, and stay on the paths of the righteous. For only the godly will live in the land, and those with integrity will remain in it. But the wicked will be removed from the land, and the treacherous will be uprooted.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 90:3-6, 12-17 (NLT)

You turn people back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, you mortals!” For you, a thousand years are as a passing day, as brief as a few night hours. You sweep people away like dreams that disappear. They are like grass that springs up in the morning. In the morning it blooms and flourishes, but by evening it is dry and withered.
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Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.

O Lord, come back to us! How long will you delay? Take pity on your servants! Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives. Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery! Replace the evil years with good. Let us, your servants, see you work again; let our children see your glory. And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!
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Psalm 90 (A Thousand Years) – James Block

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A Reading from the Letters: Philemon 9-10, 12-17 (NLT)
[Paul writes a warm letter concerning a former slave whom he now regards as his brother.]

But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me—Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus. I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison.
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I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart.

I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf. But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced. It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever. He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.

So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 14:25-33 (NLT)
[This Gospel reading contains hard teachings; we are asked to carry the cross of discipleship and to give all we have to it.]

A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.

“But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’

“Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? And if he can’t, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.
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“The Cost” – Rend Collective Experiment

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Intercessory Prayer:

Immortal, Invisible, God only Wise: we cry out to you today for wisdom and insight that we may understand what is right, just, and fair, and follow you to our life’s end. Hear the cries of our hearts:

+ That we may follow Christ wholeheartedly and finish well…. Lord, hear us.
+ That migrants from Asia and Africa may find a safe home and live in peace…. Lord, hear us.
+ That all those affected by natural disasters will have the help they need…. Lord, hear us.
+ That people who live in fear of death, may know that you are close to them…. Lord, hear us.
+ That we may display generosity toward others and receive help meeting our own needs…. Lord, hear us.
+ That those who have died in Christ may enjoy the gift of life without end…. Lord, hear us.

God of the ages, you teach your people wisdom of heart, help us to trust in your care, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Take Up Your Cross” – The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

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Benediction:

“Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
– Matthew 28:20b

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

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