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. . . As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord . . . Joshua 25:15b
Epiphany 6 Yr A
Introduction
Introduction
The concept for this week—Choose life or death—is somewhat like headlines in the media: very dramatic, attention-getting. Even so, a scan of the scripture appointed for today reveals the concept to be quite accurate. In Sirach (or Deuteronomy), we read that we have choices and the consequences of those choices: "to act faithfully is a matter of your own choice." The psalmist reminds us that when we follow God’s statutes we are happy. In the epistle, we hear that following one or another of the apostles leads us to stray from reliance on God: You are the building, God does the growth. Finally, the gospel could not be clearer. Jesus tells his followers: you choose your behavior. Jesus continues by saying that EACH of us will receive the reward of each own's behavior—good or bad. Hence, it’s both difficult and simple: Making the decision might be difficult but, once made, the result is simple. Choose life or death, friends.
[Ed.'s note: head nod to Neal Clamp, "You do what you wanna do!"]
Comments welcome.
Sirach 15:15-20
Sirach 15:15-20
If you choose, you can keep the commandments, and to act faithfully is a matter of your own choice.
He has placed before you fire and water; stretch out your hand for whichever you choose.
Before each person are life and death, and whichever one chooses will be given.
For great is the wisdom of the Lord; he is mighty in power and sees everything;
his eyes are on those who fear him, and he knows every human action.
He has not commanded anyone to be wicked, and he has not given anyone permission to sin.
sermons4kids: “If we have hurt someone, we should ask God to forgive us and we should go to the person we have hurt and ask them to forgive us. . . . When we have done that, God will be pleased with our heart and with our offering.”
Scripture: February 12, 2023—Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (image); Sirach 15:15-20 (image); Psalm 119:1-8 (image); 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 (image); and Matthew 5:21-37 (image). A vidual/audio journey.
Collect: O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reflection: Today’s readings speak of blessings and curses, life and death, good relationships and those that are broken. Moreover, the texts suggest that we have a choice in these matters. Where do you find life, and where do you not—and what role do your choices play? Where have you experienced broken relationships in your own life or in the church? How do Christ and the reign of heaven enable us to move beyond brokenness and live in mutual support?
Excerpted from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year A, Volume 1 © 2013 Westminster John Knox Press
Memory verse: 1 Corinthians 3:7-9—So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labour of each. For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building.
Hymn focus: Tune Ash Grove. This tune is familiar when we sing "Let all things now living" but it harkens back to the 1600s where it was included in a Beggar's Opera. Though there are many versions today, the concept is that it depicts a peaceful place for reflection. Read more.
Ear Worm: “Abundant life” by Marty Haugen; “The heavens declare his glory“, meditative music; “Let all things now living“, Ash Grove, sung by Michael Card.
Eye Candy: “A blessing for the broken-hearted” by Jan Richardson; “Hands across the divide” by Maurice Harron; “Choosing sides” by Carol Leben.
Brain Food: “You have heard it said“, performance poem by Christopher Burkett; “Choose Life” by Ann Howard; “The danger zone” by Steve Goodier
Parables: “Tangled” (2010), power of healing; “Eye in the sky” (2015), complex decisions in contemporary warfare; “Circle” (2015), WARNING ADULT THEMES – group think to decide who is to die (scroll down); "Final solution" (2001), story of a youth turned assassin
Some eye-candy:
“Marriage of heaven and hell†by Keith Haring
“Sermon on the mountâ€
Brain food:
commentary “The tell-tale heart†reflection by Alice McKenzie
Poem "You have heard it said" from PreacherRetorica website
For families: Study guide and activities (former guide), group activity
For children: See family guide/activities above (other activity), bulletin; craft
For middlers: See family guide/activities above (other activity); bulletin; craft
Coloring: Forgive others; Matthew
For youth: Think about what the gospel is saying. In particular, what aspects of the Kingdom of Heaven is Jesus calling us to live out and how are things still woefully lacking in our society today? Can you think of examples in which people are struggling to live into a life of Christ? How might our SSSJ community do so? Excerpted from Lesson Plans that Work.
If you wish, share your thoughts.
activities
"Jesus loves the little children", kids video
Make a bookmark of connected heart shapes
snacks—this week, heart shaped cookies
Again, we hear a portion of the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew’s gospel presents Jesus as the fulfillment of Moses. In today’s reading, Jesus speaks of various requirements of the Law. Those who live in his Way will follow the Law inwardly, not simply outwardly. Jesus’ own relationship to God as God’s Child is revealed in his teaching our relationship as children of God given to us in baptism grows through the way of living he taught.
The first reading from Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) is perhaps the clearest statement on human freedom of choice in the Hebrew Scriptures. This passage alone would seem to suggest that everyone can do that which is right unhindered by sin. This passage needs the corrective supplied by today’s gospel reading that makes it clear that we are still dependent upon God’s gracious assistance if we are to carry out the inward obedience that Jesus commands.
In the second reading, Paul continues to seek to deal with division in the Corinthian church between cliques loyal to him and those loyal to Apollos. His approach is to suggest that each member of the body is essential and it is God alone who is building up the church through the varied ministries we are given. The liturgy is this truth about our life in the church, as each of us has a role to play and all of our individual liturgical actions and words combine to make the work of the people of God.
From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2009 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.
On these Sundays after the Epiphany, the liturgy brings before us Jesus’ manifestation as Savior. He is revealed first by his own life and ministry, and especially in his death and resurrection. He is also revealed in subsequent times and in all places through us, his body, the Church. Because of this Epiphany theme, we have been reading every Sunday from 1 Corinthians. That congregation had become a hotbed of contention and factionalism. In seeking to call them back into unity, Paul gives the fullest expression found in the Scriptures of the true nature of the Church. Paul calls those who believe they are wiser than the other members are and those who have divided into groups supporting various leaders, to recognize that they are united in one Body and to act accordingly. In the first reading, we hear the basic principles of conduct toward others that Jesus reiterated in his teaching. He calls us into a kind of living that is far different from normal worldly life. The hard sayings that we hear today present us with the way of living that is to characterize those who are expecting God’s Kingdom. It is not in a legalistic following of these sayings as rules, but in grasping the underlying principle of them that we become signs of God’s Reign. That principle is to depend upon God rather than on the world for the model of behavior we are to follow. Christ, manifested to us in Word and Sacrament, is God’s model for us. More importantly, as we gather in Eucharist as his Body to meet him, his Spirit conforms our lives to his life. As we continue to grow in Christ, his life will shine forth more strongly through us.
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