Grace and peace from smoky Medford on the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, a place where we share the hope of God’s bounty.
Our invitation to worship is a prayer with the reminder that God’s greatest power for humans is in showing mercy and pity for those who trust God’s promises. Our first lesson from the Prophet Jeremiah is often called Jeremiah buys a field – the story of Jeremiah redeeming his kin’s land, even as he is in prison and Babylon is getting ready to destroy Israel. The Psalmist’s refrain revives the truth of shelter found in God and God’s grace. The New Testament reading from Paul’s first letter to Timothy reminds us that our mission as believers is to use and share God’s gifts faithfully and to honor God in others. Our Gospel from Luke is the parable of the rich man and Lazarus with Abraham’s indictment of the rich man stating that everything the man’s family needs to know for salvation has already been offered.
Our scripture and faith remind us that there are things which are expected of believers – not just remembering the jots and tittles, but the basics of human existence. We are called to share our resources freely with those who need assistance. Our faith should remind us that we have been given more gifts than we can ever fully use, and that we can’t hope someone else will convince our community to give and help. Our life and application of our gifts needs to be offered to help others be restored to wholeness. Like Jeremiah, we need to do things which the world considers irresponsible or unnecessary – because we truly can make a difference for our future and the future of our communities.
Who are we called to find in our midst who can help us realize the true blessings of life in the body of believers? I invite your comments,
Les+
Readings: Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15; Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16; 1 Timothy 6:6-19; Luke 16:19-31
Sermon link: https://audiomack.com/fatherles-2/song/pentecost-16-sermon
