Proper 22 Yr C
A grandmother's faith

Scripture: October 5, 2025 (Proper 22, Year C)—Lamentations 1:1-6 (image); Lamentations 3:19-26 (image) OR Psalm 137 (image); Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4 (image); Psalm 37:1-10 (image); 2 Timothy 1:1-14 (image); and Luke 17:5-10 (image). Also The Fifth Sunday of Creation. Creation theme: Bless.

Additional Creation Reading: A Reading of “Seeds of life and hope” from Ladder to the Light, Steven Charleston

The Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston (b. 1949) is a Native American elder, a citizen of the Choctaw Nation, an author, and a retired bishop in the Episcopal Church. He is widely recognized as a leading proponent for justice issues and for spiritual renewal in the church in both the United States and Canada. Among other roles, he has served as the national staff officer for Native American ministries, the Bishop of Alaska, and the Dean of the Episcopal Divinity School.

I have a small vision to share, one that came to me through the night walks we call dreams. In my dream, I saw a shadowy figure standing high on a darkened hill, throwing seeds into the wind. Once the seeds left the figure’s hand, they turned to tiny points of light and were carried away into the sky. That’s all I remember, but it is enough. You and I stand on a windswept moment in history. All around is us is a gathering darkness. But we are not afraid because we have seeds of life and hope in our pockets. Our task is to cast them as far and wide as we can. The breath of the Spirit will do the rest.

Additional Creation Reading: A Reading from Red: Passion and Patience in the Desert, Terry Tempest Williams

Terry Tempest Williams (b. 1955) is an American writer, educator, conservationist, and activist. Williams' writing is rooted in the American West and her work focuses on social and environmental justice ranging from issues of ecology and the protection of public lands and wildness to exploring humanity's relationship to culture and nature. She is working with the Planetary Health Alliance and the Center for the Study of World Religions in establishing The Constellation Project, where the sciences and spirituality are conjoined.

The eyes of the future are looking back at us and they are praying for us to see beyond our own time. They are kneeling with hands clasped that we might act with restraint, that we might leave room for the life that is destined to come. To protect what is wild is to protect what is gentle. Perhaps the wilderness we fear is the pause between our own heartbeats, the silent space that says we live only by grace. Wilderness lives by this same grace. Wild mercy is in our hands.

Collect: Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Creation Collect: All-loving and everliving God, you are always more ready to give than we are to receive: Pour upon us your abundance of contentment with simple, faithful living; through Jesus Christ the Wisdom of Creation, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

Reflection: 

Track 1: In Luke 17:5–10, the disciples ask Jesus to increase their faith. By asking this, they acknowledge that faith does not grow by our own works and hard efforts but is a gift from God’s grace. How has the gift of faith in your own life changed over time? Was there a particular time when your faith weakened? Can you recall a time when the strength of your faith helped you endure? God often uses special people in our lives to help us grow in faith and understanding. Who has helped you grow in faith?

Track 2: What is faith?

For families: Study guide & activities (former guide), group activity; snack, kid video

For children: See family guide/activities (another activity); bulletin; word shape

For middlers: See family guide/activities (another activity; bulletin; multiple choice

Coloring: 2 Timothy; God hears my prayers; Lamentations

For youth: Often, it's easy to lack confidence. Plus there are so many things going on, pulling us in this direction or that. It's difficult to see how we, as an individual, can make a difference. But Jesus helps us to understand that we do nothing on our own. We are always—always—supported by God. And we know there is nothing God cannot do. So let's be confident that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Your thoughts.

Today’s liturgy focuses on faith. In the gospel reading, the disciples ask Jesus to increase their faith. His response is to teach that faith is expressed by being God’s obedient servants, and not doing so in expectation of a reward.

Track 1: The prophet Jeremiah lived to see the destruction of Jerusalem. Unknown writers composed this series of laments for the desolate city which tradition ascribed to Jeremiah. Regardless of authorship, the lamentations have moved Jewish and Christian believers alike with their poetry and image of God forgotten by the people and the people grieving their loss.

Track 2: The prophet Habakkuk, writing at a time when powerful enemies threatened the very existence of Israel, also speaks of faith. After describing the terrible power of their foes, he brings a message from God that the day is coming when God will intervene on the people’s behalf. The prophet says that, while the proud will be destroyed, the righteous will live by their faith.

The second reading is from the second letter to Timothy. The writer, after reminding Timothy of his heritage of a faithful family, speaks of his own vocation. Paul as a herald, apostle, and teacher has persevered, certain that God will be faithful to the promise to all people.

We gather as people on pilgrimage toward God. Like our forebears, the outcome of our journey cannot be seen now, but we trust that it will bring us to our true home with God. Faith is not merely a vague yearning for God, nor is it summed up in believing the correct doctrines about God. It is remaining true to God’s call as we persevere in the journey as obedient servants.