For Sunday, October
16, 2016, 22nd Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, Readings: Jeremiah
31:27-34, Ps 119:97-104, 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5, Luke 18:1-8
I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their
hearts; and I will be their God and they shall be my people... I will forgive
their iniquity, and remember their sin no more. [Jeremiah 31:33b, 34b]
I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable...For the time is coming when people...will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. [2 Timothy 4:1b-2a, 3a, 4]
" ...yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming." And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night?...I tell you he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" [Luke 18:5-7, 8]
Persistence is the order of the day. God makes a new covenant even though the house of Israel broke the previous one after God brought their ancestors out of Egypt. But God persists in coming for us. God's law is written in our hearts so that we will all know this LORD who forgives and forgets our sin. We are God's people.
The writer of 2 Timothy also reminds us to continue to follow the Scripture, inspired by God, that instructs us on how to gain Salvation through Jesus. We are to be persistent, whether the time is convenient or not, to proclaim the message, to be steadfast in the ministry to which Christ calls us, because people will wander away from the truth and believe whatever they choose for themselves.
And Jesus tells a parable about an unjust judge as a way to keep the disciples, and us, from losing heart and abandoning prayer. The judge isn't afraid of God and has no respect for anyone, but this widow - a woman with no husband was the least of the least in those days - kept coming before him to demand justice in her case, an annoying squeaky wheel whose noise could not be ignored until finally he grants her the justice she seeks to be rid of her. So, too will God grant justice to us who cry - or rather, pray - day and night. But, Jesus leaves us with that final question: And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? How do we answer? By returning again, and again, and again to Scripture, to prayer, to God's Covenant with us, written on our hearts. Let us, if we wander away, remember and turn to Truth, yet again.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ Lord God, Constant Creator, You write Your Law
on our hearts and remember our sins no more. Guide us, Your people, to know You better and to
continue in what we have learned that instructs us on gaining salvation through
Christ Jesus.
O
God, our God
RESPONSE: Keep us turned to Your Truth
~
Lord God, Constant Creator, refresh awareness of our responsibility to be the
persistent conscience for the leaders of this world, our nation, and our community,
for all generations to come. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
O
God, our God
Keep us turned to Your Truth
~ Lord God, Constant Creator, grant healing and
hope to all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, and revive the energy and
dedication of all who serve their needs. We
now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…
O
God, our God
Keep us turned to Your Truth
~
Lord God, Constant Creator, Your holy wind gives first breath to our loved ones
and receives their last earthly sigh. We take divine comfort in Your heavenly
and eternal welcome for all whose footsteps on this earth and in our hearts
will never disappear. We pray especially for:
O
God, our God
Keep us turned to Your Truth
~
Lord God, Constant Creator, we pause
in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud
or silently…
O
God, our God
Keep us turned to Your Truth
~
Lord God, Constant Creator, enrich the souls of all who bring us to Your Word
and Sacraments, and enfold their hearts in Your peace. We pray especially for:
O
God, our God
Keep us turned to Your Truth
The Celebrant adds: Holy God, Master of all Creation, equip us for
every good work that we may persist in Your ministry at all times. Let us come continually
to You for renewal and to persevere in prayer and faith. We ask through Jesus,
Son of Man, and the Holy Spirit, the Breath of Life, who together with You are
One God, above all, forever and ever. *** Amen.
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