For Sunday, August
7, 2016, 12th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, Readings: Isaiah
1:1, 10-20; Ps 50: 1-8, 23-24; Hebs 11:1-3, 8-16; Lk 12:32-40
...seek justice,
rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. [Isaiah 1:17]
...for I am God, your
God...Whoever offers me the sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me; but to those
who keep in my way will I show the salvation of God. [Ps 50:7b, 24]
Now faith is the
assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen...For he
looked forward to the city that has foundations; whose architect and builder is
God...they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one. [Hebrews 11: 1,10, 16a]
Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven...For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also...Be dressed for action
and have your lamps lit...You must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an
unexpected hour. [Luke 12: 33b-35, 40]
Again this week we are reminded that earthly life is very short, yet there is much to do to be ready for the return of the Son of Man. While it seems on the one hand that we are always being called to give up every thing, on the other, this is more about arranging our lives around what is truly important, placing less emphasis on the material and much more on the spiritual, the unfailing treasure in heaven. There is no difficulty in understanding and recognizing the truth of the statement that where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Paul reminds us of the strength of the faith of Abraham ~ even when he didn't live long enough to receive all that was promised, or, perhaps it was his soul that was gifted and served by God through his faithfulness.
This faith work seems especially hard
in these days and times with so many delicious and even frustrating distractions
that keep us from centering ourselves on our soul's vocation: Full-Time
Faithful Followers of Christ.
One key is simplicity in reducing the
accumulation of unnecessary things, activities, and diversions. Another is to begin and end each day in prayer and find moments throughout the day to offer thanks in between asking for help. Another is genuine,
unplugged (electronically and otherwise ) Sabbath time. Let us keep ourselves in God's way. Yes, yes, I know, I'm working on it, I'll get to it as
soon as I finish writing this, cleaning that, paying
the bills, checking on-line bargains, texting and driving (which may actually
bring one quickly to that unexpected hour and encounter with Jesus or cause it for another)...
Part-time Christianity isn't what God has in mind. Our Heavenly Broker is all
about Vocation Vocation Vocation - using our life's work as preparation for the
unexpected hour when we will be called to the City of God. Be dressed for action. Don't let the time to be
ready slip by unnoticed.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE,
PRAY
Leader: ~ O God, our God, let us continually honor You with
our thanksgivings and always keep in Your Way to be worthy of Your eternal Salvation. Guide us to seek our heart's unfailing treasure in You.
O
Lord Most High
RESPONSE: Guide us home to Your Heavenly Country
~
O God, our God, fill us with conviction in faith to stand among all who lead in
this world, this nation, and our community, and seek the assurance of things
hoped for our neighbors and ourselves - justice, the rescue of the oppressed, and the
defense of those made helpless through war, poverty, and greed. We pray
especially for: add your own petitions
O
Lord Most High
Guide us to Your Heavenly Country
~ O God, our God, gather into Your Heart those
most vulnerable in sickness and despair, and bring them comfort in the form of
loving helpers. We now join our voices to pray
aloud for those in need…
add your own petitions
O
Lord Most High
Guide us to Your Heavenly Country
~
O God, our God, we are blessed in our sorrow by the joyful reunion of those
alive again in our glorious Homeland with You. We pray especially for:
O
Lord Most High
Guide us to Your Heavenly Country
~
O God, our God, we pause in this
moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or
silently…
O
Lord Most High
Guide us to Your Heavenly Country
~
O God, our God, delight again the souls of those You have called to gather Your
flock, that together we may radiate the impending bliss of divine and unfailing
treasure. We pray especially for:
O
Lord Most High
Guide us to Your Heavenly Country
The Celebrant adds: Almighty Creator, you are Architect and Builder of
all that is, seen and unseen. Keep us ever mindful of our short sojourn on this temporal planet, and urge us to be prepared
for the unexpected hour when the Son of Man returns. We ask in the name of
Christ Jesus, the Living Word, and the Holy Spirit, the Revealer of Truth, who
together with You are one God, infinitely, eternally, forever. Amen.
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