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. . . As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord . . . Joshua 25:15b
Proper 8 Yr A
Editor's note: During the season of Pentecost, churches that use the Revised Common Lectionary have two options. One, often called "semicontinuous" or "Track 1", provides more detail about the Old Testament stories. The other, called "complementary" or "Track 2", more closely marries the Old Testament lesson to the gospel reading.
image is hoard of gold coins from Epidaurus, 3rd Century BC, at Numismatic Museum of Athens. (Wikimedia Commons).
Published date 06292023
Introduction
Introduction
It’s interesting that action-reward looms large in the scripture for Proper 8 (Pentecost 5 this year). Often, when Jesus speaks, his words are clear and easy to understand; this is no exception. "Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward..." But it’s also interesting how well Jesus understands humanity, that humans are very often concerned about their reward. You know, what will I get if I "do the right thing." How can this benefit me? It's a "human" response that we have to work at to not feel. Also “righteous” behavior will receive “righteous” reward. Also, that I will not lose my reward is comforting.
The action-reward concept is echoed in both Old Testament readings. From Genesis (Track 1), Abraham trusted that God would provide, even when God gave Abraham a horrid task to complete. From Jeremiah (Track 2) tells us that the prophecy of peace becomes a reality then we will know the reward of God. And Paul (in Romans) adds the exclamation point by adding that the gift is eternal life. So let us come together as one body, the righteous, to receive God's reward.
Comments welcome.
Matthew 10:40-42
Matthew 10:40-42
Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”
From sermon4kids.com: “To hear the Father say, "Well done, good and faithful servant" is reward enough for me. ”
Scripture: July 2, 2023, Proper 8, Year A—Genesis 22:1-14 (image); Psalm 13 (image); Jeremiah 28:5-9 (image); Psalm 89:1-4,15-18 (image); Romans 6:12-23 (image); and Matthew 10:40-42 (image). Illuminating the scripture, an image and audio journey.
Collect: Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reflection:
Track 1: What is God asking me to return? Why? What might be the outcome?
Track 2: The life and witness of the prophet Jeremiah remind us that in challenging times we often choose denial and despair and resort to easy answers. How can we more faithfully discern God’s will during times of trial in our life, nation, or church? At the expense of comfort, ease, and half-truths, to whom or to what do you turn for the courage to choose justice, hope, and truth, and what is the reward that you seek?
Morning Prayer:
Gracious God,
I awake this day in expectation and thanks
and ask to receive the opportunity
to share your hospitality with all whom I meet.
May I welcome you in serving others
and grow ever deeper in holiness and right relationship.
This is my prayer; this is my hope. Amen.
Eye Candy:
“Jephte's daughter” (1876), by Edouard Debat-ponsan;
“Sacrifice of Isaac” (521-547), a mosaic from the Basilica di S Vitale in Italy;
"Isaac's sacrifice" by Cosme Acuna Troncoso
Ear Worm:
“There’s a spirit in the air” by Brian Wren;
“O Master, let me walk with thee“, hymn in beautiful a capella harmony by the Table Singers;
"I could sing of your love forever", Hillsong, beautiful rendition of Psalm 89
Brain Food:
"Desires of the heart" by Julie Dotterweich Gunby, "These murderous words in the mouth of God are heart-stopping";
'Commentary on Matthew 10:40-42" by Stanley Saunders, "Jesus not only represents divine power and presence, but democratizes this power ";
"Sit up straighter", by Rick Morley, "it is also an extension of loving God with our hearts, souls, and lives "
Old Gaelic Rune
I saw a stranger yestereen:
I put food in the eating place,
drink in the drinking place,
music in the listening place;
and in the blessed name of the Triune
he blessed myself and my house,
my cattle and my dear ones,
and the lark said in her song
often, often, often,
goes the Christ in the stranger’s guise
often, often, often,
goes the Christ in the stranger’s guise
~traditional Gaelic rune of hospitality
Parables:
“Eye of God” (1997, R), a dark movie, Review;
“Amelie” (2001, R), a capacity for kindness, Review;
“Road to Perdition” (2002, R), a father-son relationship, Review
Hymn Notes: Some believe "progressives" have just arisen in our society. Not so. Read about Washington Gladden (1838-1918), author of "O master, let me walk with thee" (referenced above).
"Gladden was a native of Pennsylvania, and served churches in New York and Massachusetts before accepting a call to First Congregational Church, Columbus, Ohio, a parish he served for 32 years. Educated at Owego Academy and Williams College, he was the moderator of the National Council of Congregational Churches from 1904-1907. He served as one of the editors of the Pilgrim Hymnal (1904).
As editor of the Independent, he made important contributions to the cause of social justice. While a pastor in Massachusetts, Gladden began preaching about labor-management problems, encouraging cooperation between employers and employees.
This theme aroused opposition from those who felt the role of a minister was “to save souls, not to regulate business.” Furthermore, he challenged the idea that the Bible was inerrant in matters of science and history.
Hymnologist Albert Bailey notes that “he found his fellow-clergymen without courage to follow him, for heresy trials were beginning in the Congregational Church.”. . .
From the Ohio pulpit, Gladden found willing listeners to his message at the State University of Columbus. He received invitations to deliver lectures at a number of universities including the Yale Divinity School. His tracts, Social Facts and Forces (1897) and Organized Labor and Capital (1904), were very influential.
Perhaps this hymn is a paradox. Few singers realize that behind the relatively peaceful words of Gladden’s poem, sung to a placid Victorian melody, one can find the witness of a champion for social justice."
From Discipleship Ministries website
For families: Study guide and activities, (former guide—Trk 1, Trk 2), group activity—nothing available, snacks—sunflower seeds with reminder that sparrows eat them too
For children: See family guide/activities (other activity); bulletin
For middlers: See family guide/activities (other activity); bulletin
Coloring: Psalm 13, Helping others
For youth: Consider Paul’s words from Romans 6—contrast the slavery of sin vs. slavery in Christ. What’s the difference? Can you think of examples of both? In what ways is it more difficult to be a slave to Christ rather than a slave to self (i.e., to sin). In what ways is it easier? Share.
[based on “Trust, Obey, and Get the Lead Out” from The Stewardship of Life Institute]Comments welcome.
Today we continue reading from the Gospel according to Matthew. This passage follows Jesus’ commissioning the disciples to go out and preach and his warning of the opposition they will encounter. Today he concludes this section describing those who accept their message. Matthew is speaking here of us and of all who have accepted the message and who have received the reward of our faith.
Track 1: Abraham’s greatest test of faith now comes as God tells him to sacrifice the child he and his wife had awaited for so long. Abraham sets out to obey but God intervenes, spares the child, and renews the promise to Abraham’s descendants, including us.
Track 2: The first reading finds Jeremiah countering false prophets who give a message of peace even though the time of judgment and war is a hand. Jeremiah says to see if what the prophets says comes true. In fact, Jeremiah’s message turned out to be the true message.
The reading from Romans today carries on Paul’s discussion of the result of baptism. We are dead to sin but we still have the choice between sin and grace. The choice is to be controlled by sin or by God. One receives only death from sin but from God comes sanctification, growing into the image of God in which we were created.
We gather as people who find our life in Christ rather than in the conventions of the world. Our action in worship is a contradiction of the world’s standards. Our life as we go forth from worship is to show forth our new way of existing by ministry to the poor and neglected that God saves all who turn to God in faith. We are to live in accordance with God’s kingdom, even when that reality is hard to find in the world around us.
From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2007 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.
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