Proper 11 Yr C
Justice for the Poor

Scripture: July 20, 2025 (Proper 11, Year C)—Amos 8:1-12 (image); Psalm 52 (image); Genesis 18:1-10a (image); Psalm 15 (image); Colossians 1:15-28 (image); and Luke 10:38-42 (image). 

Collect: Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have compassion on our weakness, and mercifully give us those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask; through the worthiness of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Reflection:
Track 1: How do you balance studying the Word and fostering a relationship with God while also serving others?
Track 2: What is the meaning of service? Martha was serving Jesus by being a gracious host and providing a meal. Mary was not serving, but listening to Jesus’ teaching. Jesus commends Mary’s attentiveness to his teaching and gently rebukes Martha for her busyness in serving. He says, “there is need of only one thing.” What is that “one thing” of which Jesus speaks? 

For families: Study guide and activities (another guide), group activity, snacks, kid video

For children: See family guide/activities above (another activity); bulletin; Martha berry pie;

For middlers: See family guide/activities above (another activity); bulletin; berry paper pie

For youth: In today’s story of Martha and Mary, try putting yourself in Mary’s shoes, consider what she was thinking, and why she chose to listen to Jesus. Now do the same for Martha, why were the chores more important? For Martha, think also about why she was really upset and whether it was related to her wanting to be favored by Jesus too. Now think about ways in which we can honor both. Comments welcome.

Coloring pages: Mary and Martha; Luke 10; Psalm

The term “liturgy” has two meanings: time spent in Christ’s presence and time spent in service to others. If our lives do not express both of these activities, then we are failing to celebrate the liturgy (the work of the people of God) which is the mark of being a Christian.

Track 1: Today’s reading from the Gospel of Luke gives priority to the time spent in Christ’s presence. This is not to say that our work of ministry is unimportant or only secondary, but that it can only be done adequately and without anxiety if it is based on and finds its strength from our communion with our Lord.

Track 2: Today’s reading from the Gospel of Luke gives priority to the time spent in Christ’s presence. This is not to say that our work of ministry is unimportant or only secondary, but that it can only be done adequately and without anxiety if it is based on and finds its strength in our communion with our Lord.

The first reading today finds God coming to Abraham and Sarah to renew God’s promise to them of a child. Throughout the scriptures, God comes to people and, in fellowship with them, fulfills the covenant promise of love and salvation.

As we continue to read the epistle to the Colossians, Paul tells us that the mystery that lies behind reality has been revealed in Christ. It is the life that we share in Christ by virtue of his dying and rising. In baptism, we enter that life, and it becomes our life. It is in that sharing of Christ’s life that we are empowered to minister and to pray as members of Christ’s Body.