Greetings from St. Mark’s on the Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost, the Sunday following the Annual meeting in Convention of the Episcopal Church in Western Oregon.
We were gathered when we asked God to increase our gifts of faith, hope, and charity to allow us to realize the promise of Jesus. Our first lesson from Deuteronomy recounts Moses’ passing after seeing the promise land and declares Moses’ position as the model prophet. The Psalmist tells of God’s nature as refuge and creator and that God’s event horizon is much greater than we can imagine yet God stays connected with all humanity. The reading from the first letter to Thessalonians offers Paul’s declaration that he, as a human, was not capable by his power to share the gospel, but that with God we can share more clearly. Matthew’s gospel proclaims the great commandments and invites people to reflect on the meeting place between the past and the future and being called to honor both past and future.
We are asked to remember where our commission comes from, and that the work of God is not something we devise, rather it is the work that God needs us to do for God in the world. Jesus was asked questions about the law, both foundational (with God) and relational (within our communities). A point we need to consider is that we are called to be oriented towards God and our neighbor equally so we can bear hope through our relationships. We are called to remember where we come from but also remember that God calls us to move forward towards the end where all creation becomes restored to God. We do this by witnessing to God’s hope in Christ, support and encourage as needed, and sustain believers who do their part for God.
How do we sustain our community and empower followers to expand their circle and move forward with hope? Who is the one you know who needs recognize God’s ever-present grace? I invite your comments,
Les+
Lessons: Deuteronomy 32:1-12; Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8; Matthew 22:34-46
Sermon link: https://audiomack.com/fatherles-2/song/pentecost-22-sermon-2
