For Sunday, July
31, 2016, 11th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, Readings: Hosea:
11:1-11, Ps 107:1-9, 43; Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21
I led them with cords of human kindness,
with bands of love. [Hosea 11:4a]
Give thanks to the
LORD, for he is good, and his mercy endures forever...He put their feet on a
straight path...For he satisfies the the thirsty and fills the hungry with good
things. Whoever is wise will ponder these things and consider well the mercies
of the LORD. [Psalm
107: 1, 7, 9, 43]
Set your minds on the things that are
above, not on the things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is
hidden with Christ in God...Christ is all and in all! [Colossians 3:1-11]
But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life is
being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?'
So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich
toward God. [ Luke 12:20-21]
As the saying goes, "You can't take it with you" though heaven, and those left behind, know how hard we try. What we do take with us, is the baggage of sin, error, and, mostly, foolish neglect of God. As we build our un-noble barns to store up earthly materials, we are unaware of the ticking clock and unknowing what hour the chime will toll for us. Be sure to take a look around the world and in our own country and see what treasures others cling to and are desperate for - clean water, food, mosquito nets, basic shelter, health care. Google the after effects of hurricanes such as the infamous Katrina or the Asian tsunamis, tornadoes, catastrophic floods, and wild fires and see the loss of possessions measured against the loss of life.
Check out a local estate sale and see a lifetime of collections, clothing, furniture, and just plain stuff that's left, offered for sale ~ at a bargain ~ to be collected by others and then ultimately left again for sale or other disposal. The U-Haul won't accompany the hearse. (If you've never heard, or it's been awhile, look up George Carlin's comedy piece on "Stuff" on YouTube - get the censored version if the language might offend, but it is a classic riff on shallow values.)
How are you prepared this very night? And the things you have prepared, whose will they be? It's less about downsizing than upsizing - start storing up spiritual treasures with God. Be filled with human kindness and bands of love; life is short and no amount of stuff will make it last longer. Whoever is wise will ponder these things...Set your minds on things that are above...
Check out a local estate sale and see a lifetime of collections, clothing, furniture, and just plain stuff that's left, offered for sale ~ at a bargain ~ to be collected by others and then ultimately left again for sale or other disposal. The U-Haul won't accompany the hearse. (If you've never heard, or it's been awhile, look up George Carlin's comedy piece on "Stuff" on YouTube - get the censored version if the language might offend, but it is a classic riff on shallow values.)
How are you prepared this very night? And the things you have prepared, whose will they be? It's less about downsizing than upsizing - start storing up spiritual treasures with God. Be filled with human kindness and bands of love; life is short and no amount of stuff will make it last longer. Whoever is wise will ponder these things...Set your minds on things that are above...
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE,
PRAY
Leader: ~ LORD of Enduring Mercy, release us from the human
desire for all things unnecessary to a full life in the Spirit. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts and lead us
on the straight pathway to You.
God
of Eternal Life
RESPONSE: Set our minds on Christ
~
LORD of Enduring Mercy, awaken the souls of all who govern by merit or by force
in the nations of this world and in our local communities. Grant them the wisdom
to ponder well that no amount of wealth or power determines the length of one’s
earthly span. Their good and sincere service to benefit all Your children in
this life will also benefit themselves in the next. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
God
of Eternal Life
Set our minds on Christ
~ LORD of Enduring Mercy, free all whose spirits
languish in the face of physical or emotional pain, hunger, or fear, and refresh
the energy of those who try to help. We now
join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…
God
of Eternal Life
Set our minds on Christ
~
LORD of Enduring Mercy, liberate the hearts that grieve with the joy that all
whom we have loved now rise to live again, in the newness and glory of Christ
our Lord. We pray especially for:
God
of Eternal Life
Set our minds on Christ
~
LORD of Enduring Mercy, we pause in
this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or
silently…
God
of Eternal Life
Set our minds on Christ
~
LORD of Enduring Mercy, for all You have called to lead us in Your church with
cords of human kindness and bands of love, we give You thanks. We pray
especially for:
God
of Eternal Life
Set our minds on Christ
The Celebrant adds: Compassionate Lord, as the
longest life on this Earth is but a moment in Your time, keep us from foolishness that we may present ourselves to You, in our designated
time, ready and worthy to ascend to heaven’s highest height. We ask through Jesus,
our constant Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit, our eternal Advocate, who together
with You are One God, now, always, and forever. Amen.
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