Prayers of the People: Willing to be Willing? ~ 4th Sunday after Pentecost Yr A

For Sunday, June 28, 2020, Readings: Genesis 22:1-14, Psalm 13, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42

      God tested Abraham..."Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering..."When they came to that place...Abraham...took the knife to kill his son. But the angel of the Lord...said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy...for now I know that you fear God..." they came to that place...Abraham...took the knife to kill his son. But the angel of the Lord...said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy...for now I know that you fear God..." [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...and whoever gives even a cold cup of water...truly I tell you, none..will lose their reward." [Matthew 10:40, 42]

     Abraham! How could…How did…What were…Am I…? 

      My first thought whenever this reading from Genesis appears is of Abraham. I try to imagine the conversation, “So, Sarah, I'm taking Isaac away for a few days.” Was he planning on how he would explain returning without the boy? “Terrible accident with a) fall off the mountain, b) wild beast got him, c) well, actually God said…” Was he worried, anxious, or so 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 horrifying on its face. It is no stretch of the imagination to understand why seminary professor and author, Phyllis Trible, names this one of the Texts of Terror in her book of the same name. 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 angelic intervention in mind - the sacrifice was more about Abraham's willingness to do God's bidding and that was all God required. 
        It's very easy and frightening 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 sources and yet allowing ourselves to be paralyzed by fear of what may or may not happen to ourselves and those we love is more than self-defeating, it’s unfaithful.
        Paul asks what advantage did you get…from the things of which you are now ashamed? In accepting Christ, we are freed from enslavement to sin. Yes, the language of “slave” and “enslavement” is archaic though wonderfully and especially distressing as we recognize the deep sin of systemic racial enslavement and willing discrimination in our own time.  To put it into more contemporary language, Eugene Peterson’s The Message refers to the tyranny of sin and when released we are in living in God’s freedom.
       Matthew’s Gospel for this week gives us The Five Welcomes, the smallest actions of life done in the name of a disciple and/or Christ himself, grants us our never-ending reward of Salvation.
       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. But as we learned from Abraham’s angel, it’s the willingness to obey that matters. It still a bit terrifying and isn’t at all easy. I try often and I fail more often, but as I keep starting over, I will always be looking and hoping for that rescue angel to reach me just in time.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
 
Leader:  ~ Oh Lord Who Provides, awaken the spark You created within us to seek the heart of Abraham by accepting and working through, rather than fearing, each test of faith in this life, trusting in Your saving help.
 
                                                     O God of Grace
RESPONSE:                               We trust in Your Mercy
 
~ Oh Lord Who Provides, ignite the hearts and souls of the leaders of this Country, this Community, and this World, with extra grace and strength of character, to act upon Your will and wisdom for all Your people. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
 
                                                       O God of Grace
                                                       We trust in Your Mercy 
 
~  Oh Lord Who Provides, restore hope and health to those who struggle with continuing illness, isolation, or homelessness, and stamina for all who give support. We now join our hearts together to pray for those in need… add your own petitions

 
                                                       O God of Grace
                                                       We trust in Your Mercy
           
~ Oh Lord Who Provides, to Your Everlasting Arms, we lift up all who have exchanged this earthly life to flourish in the peace of eternity with You.  We pray especially for… add your own petitions

 
                                                       O God of Grace
                                                       We trust in Your Mercy
 
~ Oh Lord Who Provides, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials… add your own petitions

 
                                                       O God of Grace
                                                       We trust in Your Mercy
                      
~ Oh Lord Who Provides, fortify and sustain those chosen to help us navigate the time and tides of this human experience. Impart refreshment in spiritual wisdom to preach Your Word, encourage our understanding, and connect us to You in everyday living. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

 
                                                       O God of Grace
                                                       We trust in Your Mercy
                                                                                                        
The Celebrant adds: God of all that is, Seen and Unseen, save us from fear in our times of trial, and give light to our eyes to see the path to salvation. Guide us to be a welcoming reflection of Your love in all that we are and all that we do. We ask through Jesus, our Messiah, and Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit, Your Sacred Breath within us.  Amen. 

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