For
Sunday, October 14, 2018, 21st Sunday after Pentecost, Year B, Readings: Job 23:1-9, 16-17; Psalm 22:1-15, Hebrews
4:12-16;
Mark 10:17-31
Mark 10:17-31
Oh that I knew where I might find him, that I might
come even to his dwelling!...he would give heed to me. There an upright
person could reason with him, and I should be acquitted forever by my
judge. [Job 23:3, 6b-7]
…you were my God when I was still in
my mother’s womb. Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to
help. [Psalm 22:10b-11]
The word of God is living and active... able to
judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart...we have a great high priest...Jesus...Let us...approach the throne
of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in
time of need. [Hebrews 4:12 a,b; 14a, 16]
It
is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is
rich to enter the kingdom of God...[but] for God all things are possible...many
who are first will be last, and the last will be first. [Mark 10:25, 27b, 31]
Job, poor Job! We're 23
chapters into his story and things are not only as grim as ever, they’re worse.
And yet, he keeps trying, keeps wondering, keeps asking God, WHY?! But then he answers himself as
he knows deep in his faithful
heart, that God would listen to reason and acquit him of these terrible trials,
if only he could find God, if only he didn't feel forsaken. Yet, he doesn't
give up; he perseveres. How long, I ask myself, would I endure with half of Job’s
troubles without giving up on God?
The writer of Hebrews confirms
what Job believes, that God does indeed know and judge our thoughts and the intentions
of our hearts. Further, we have help to hold fast to our confession of faith
though Jesus, who is our great high priest, who was tested and remains without
sin. With faith and Christ’s support, we are to be bold and ask God for the
mercy and grace that we need to keep us strong and faith-filled on our soul’s journey to eternal life.
In the Gospel from Mark, a
man grieves as he walks away from Jesus because he follows the commandments but
doesn't want to let go of his earthly possessions. Perhaps he expected Jesus to
extol him for following the Law and confirm his own thoughts that there was nothing more he needed do.
How many in recent years, months, and weeks, all over this world,
have lost so much because of winds, floods, fires, war, and the everyday
tragedies and tempests of life? How many of us say "Oh yes, I believe and
follow the Commandments" and go about our every-day lives as if there was
nothing we have to do differently, assured of our place in the front of the line
at the gates of God’s Kingdom. Will we cry out "Where is God?" when
the winds, floods, tragedies, and tempests hit our lives? Will our faith
crumble; will we give in to despair?
Job never stops asking for
God to be present because hope keeps him going, as it does for us all even in
the times when our faith is weakest. And whether we wonder how many angels can
dance on the head of a pin, or whether Jesus meant literally that a camel would
have to go through that needle’s eye, Jesus tells us plainly, with God all things are possible. With the eyes of our souls
and the intentions of our hearts we can seek Christ’s path that is sometimes
rocky, sometimes tempestuous, and even sometimes calm, but always with Him
beside us. Eyeing God’s Kingdom? Store up your greatest treasure in heaven instead of only at the bank.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ Holy God, Living and Active, keep us
mindful of our thoughts and the intentions of our hearts that we may measure
our spiritual wealth each day by the ways we live into our love for You.
O Lord our God
RESPONSE: With You all things are possible
~ Holy God,
Living and Active, speak boldly through our voices from Your Throne of Grace to
reach all those who govern on this Earth, in our Country, and in our Community.
Implore them to show mercy, provide life’s basic necessities, and establish safety
and peace for all who are in great need. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
O Lord our God
With You all things are possible
~
Holy God, Living and Active, cast
the light of Your presence into the shadows of those who suffer in body, mind,
or spirit, and comfort and rest to all who give them care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for
those in need…
O Lord our God
With You all things are possible
~ Holy God,
Living and Active, ease the hearts of
all who mourn, as those who have gone ahead now enter the glorious Life and Peace
of Christ. We pray especially
for:
O Lord our God
With You all things are possible
~ Holy God, Living and Active, we pause in this moment to offer You our
other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud
or silently…
O Lord our God
With You all things are possible
~ Holy God,
Living and Active, refresh and excite all who are called as our Shepherds in
Your Church. May they inspire us to live in love through our every thought and
action. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
O Lord our God
With You all things are possible
The
Celebrant adds: Omnipotent, Eternal God, grant us the courage
and strength of faith to turn our lives completely to You, to know deeply that we
are never forsaken, and that the path of Christ will lead us to life
everlasting with You. We ask through Jesus our Redeemer Christ, and the Holy
Spirit, the Wisdom of our souls, who together with You, reign as One God
through all time, forever and ever. Amen.
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