For Sunday, July
2, 2017, 4th Sunday after Pentecost, Year A, Readings: Genesis
22:1-14, Psalm 13, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42
[Genesis 22:1a, 2a,9a, 10-11a, 12]
Look upon me and answer me, O Lord my God, give life to my eyes, lest I sleep in death...But I put my trust in your mercy; my heart is joyful because of your saving help...I will praise the Name of the Lord Most High. [Psalm 13: 3, 5, 6b]
...present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life...as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but grace...now that you have been freed from sin...the advantage you get is sanctification...For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. [Romans 6:13b, 14, 22-23]
Jesus said, "Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me." [Matthew 10:40]
My first thought when this reading from Genesis appears is of Abraham. Did he simply say to Sarah, "I'm taking Isaac away for a few days," and was he wondering how he would explain returning without the boy? Was he worried, anxious, or profoundly trusting in God and willingly "obedient?" My second thought is always about Sarah - did she know about this plan before or after? Given her actions to rid Abraham of Ishmael and clear the path for Isaac, we can only imagine the scene if the sacrifice had taken place. This universally known story of Abraham's [almost] sacrifice of Isaac as a test of obedience to God is pretty terrifying on its face. It is related to one of four others that seminary professor and author, Phyllis Trible, discusses in her book Texts of Terror. Uncountable millions of words by nearly as many writers have been written attempting to explain it. Who of us, upon hearing this, hasn't wondered and worried if this is what it means to "obey" God? But we must keep the intervention in mind - the sacrifice was more about Abraham's willingness to do God's bidding and that was all God required.
It's easy and scary, to get
caught up in the language of fear, especially in these volatile times,
but each of this week's readings reinforces God's steadfast
love. Yes, physical harm may come from a variety of other
sources and we can allow ourselves to be paralyzed by fear of what may or may not happen to
ourselves and those we love. Yet we are continually reminded in Scripture that come
what may, we are filled with God’s grace. Our "life" here, when we
accept being freed from sin, welcoming
and caring for others in Christ’s name, is to be a preparation for the free gift of God in eternal
life in Christ.
Free gift? Well, it is free choice and, at the very least, the promise of eternity seems well worth the sometimes expensive price of obedience and hospitality. It still doesn’t sound so easy and as I try and fail but keep starting over, I will always be looking and hoping for that rescue angel to reach me.
Free gift? Well, it is free choice and, at the very least, the promise of eternity seems well worth the sometimes expensive price of obedience and hospitality. It still doesn’t sound so easy and as I try and fail but keep starting over, I will always be looking and hoping for that rescue angel to reach me.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE,
PRAY
Leader: ~ God of Righteousness
and Grace, awaken the spark You created within us, that we may seek the heart
of Abraham in accepting rather than fearing each test of faith in this life, trusting
in Your mercy and Your saving help.
O
Lord, our God
RESPONSE: O
Christ, our Salvation
~
God of Righteousness and Grace, endow the leaders
of this world, our country, and our community with extra grace and strength of
character to discern and act upon Your will and wisdom in all that they do for
Your people. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
O
Lord, our God
O Christ, our Salvation
~ God of Righteousness
and Grace, restore hope and health to those who struggle with serious illness, addiction
recovery, and depression, and feed the energy of all who give support. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in
need…
O
Lord, our God
O Christ, our Salvation
~
God of Righteousness and Grace, to Your
mercy we lift up all who have exchanged this
earthly life to flourish in the splendid peace of eternity with You. We
pray especially for: add your own petitions
O
Lord, our God
O Christ, our Salvation
~
God of Righteousness and Grace, we pause in this moment to offer You our
other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or silently…
O
Lord, our God
O Christ, our Salvation
~
God of Righteousness and Grace, we give you
thanks for those chosen to help us navigate the time and tides of this human
experience. Grant them physical and spiritual refreshment to preach Your Word,
encourage our understanding, and connect us to You in our everyday living. We
pray especially for:
O
Lord, our God
O Christ, our Salvation
The
Celebrant adds: O Lord Most High, save us from the fear of
our times of trial, and give light to our eyes to see the path to eternal life freed from sin, being sanctified through Christ. We ask through Jesus, our Messiah, and
Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit, Your Sacred Breath within us. Amen.
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