11th Sunday after Trinity

11th after Trinity

Readings: Proverbs 25v6-7; Psalm 112; Hebrews 13v1-8&15-16; Luke 14v1&7-14.

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 hear the call to be careful about who we think we are and what we do in relation to others.

In Proverbs we are warned not to think too much of ourselves. For it is better to be invited into the presence of the nobility than to push our way forward and be sent back into a less honourable position. A warning that is echoed in Jesus’ teaching in Luke. For whilst he was at a meal, he saw how some of the guests were pushing themselves into seating places considered to be of more honour. In response, Jesus taught three really important things. The first is that when we are amongst others we should not be arrogant or pushy and the second to be modest and unassuming. The third is that when we open up our doors, we are to welcome into our midst people who are unable to repay what we are able to do for them.

I believe that these two readings are an invitation to consider where we stand and what we do as the body of Christ. Are we a pushy body who think too much of ourselves or are we so humble that we cannot see what God wants us to contribute to the world? For both of these positions are bad because they leave the Church with a distorted picture of itself. With those too pushy thinking they are better than others and those too humble underestimating what God knows they can contribute. I believe that this is something that the scriptures are telling us that God does not want. For God needs all of his people to be truthful, precise and accurate about who they are and what they can contribute so that each and every part can find its true place in God’s work and witness and mission.

For as we hear in Hebrews, we are called to follow Jesus and be God’s people, the Church. A people who live lives of love. A people who do good in the world in which we find ourselves. A people who share what we have with others. A people who pray for Church leaders and all those who shared their love of God and his son Jesus with us. A people who are pleasing to God because through them: marriage is honoured; strangers are cared for; and prisoners and tortured people remembered.

So, let us each take an accurate account of who we are and what we do. For God needs us to truly know who we are and who we are not. But, as Jesus warns in Luke, some of us may find this journey painful as we learn that we are not as important or significant as we thought we were. Meanwhile, others may find out and unexpected surprise, as they learn they are so much more important in God’s mission than they could ever have imagined for themselves. For as we hear in the psalm the Lord will shine a light in the darkness through everyone who holds the Lord in reverence. For through the Lord’s people and their descendants, the earth will be blessed by acts of compassion, justice, generosity and righteousness. Meanwhile the wicked will perish.

Let us Pray: Almighty and most merciful God, you show your power to us by taking away our sins and granting us pardon and peace. Preserve us from all wrong thinking and wrong doing, help us to stay firm on the foundation of the gospel, guide us so we live our lives in line with your commandments, for you have welcomed us to join in the work of gathering your sacred treasure. Amen

Thanks for joining us today.