4th after Trinity
Readings: Deuteronomy 30v9-14; Psalm 25v1-10; Colossians 1v1-14; Luke 10v25-37.
Let us pray: May the words of my mouth and the thoughts and meditations of all our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer.
A Word: In the readings today we learn much about the ways of God and our calling as God’s people.
Through Moses God told his people that if they obeyed him by turning to him with all their heart and soul he would allow them to prosper. For if they obeyed this, God would provide many things that would help them to thrive. From this we learn that we are a people called to turn to God with all our heart and soul.
In the psalm we hear a prayer asking God for protection from enemies, asking for sins committed to be forgiven and asking to learn and know the ways of God. For God is gracious, upright, compassionate, loving and merciful. The one true God who keeps his promises and pledges. From this we learn that we are a people who can turn to God in prayer and to ask for what we think we need. This may include many things, such as protection from enemies, but should also include us turning to God for forgiveness of our sins and asking for the help we need for us to know God’s ways.
In Luke we hear that to inherit eternal life, Jesus confirms that we are to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, all of our soul, all of our body and all of our mind, as well as to love our neighbour as ourself. Then in the story that Jesus taught, we learn that our neighbour is everyone we meet in life, whoever they are. And the love we are to show them is the love we would want for ourselves. The love that is offered to us even when we are a stranger. The love that is merciful to us when we are in need. The love that is gentle with us when we are broken. The love that makes provision for us when we are not able to help ourselves. From this we learn that we are people called to put the love of God at the centre of our lives and to show love all people.
All of this asks much of us but is something that we can grow into. Just like the early Christians did as we hear in the letter to the Colossians. For Paul describes them as a people who have grown because of the gospel they have received. A people rescued from the power of darkness, a people forgiven of their sins, a people with a share in the inheritance of the saints, a people who now belong in the kingdom of God’s beloved Son. A people who have already grown in the fruit of God’s kingdom because they have faith in Jesus and love all the saints. A people who will continue to grow because they have the hope of a place in heaven and are being prayed for by Paul, Timothy and Epaphras to be filled with a wise and spiritual understanding of God’s will and to bear fruit in every good work. From this we learn that we are a people Jesus died for to save us from our sins and to open up for us the kingdom of heaven. A rescued people who belong to Jesus and are called to love other Christians. A people who are to bear good fruit by growing as God’s people. A people called to share the good news with others and to pray for them. For we are all a people in need of prayer.
Let us Pray: Almighty and eternal God, our protector and comforter. In you, we are made strong and holy. In your mercy, be our ruler and guide. Heal us when we are broken. Feed us with hope. Teach us the ways of gentleness and peace. Guide us as we pass through life so we hold firm to eternal life and share with the world the kingdom of your son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen
Thanks for joining us today.