For Sunday, August 9, 2020, Readings: Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28; Psalm 105:1-6,
16-22, 45b; Romans 10:5-15, Matthew 14:22-33
Now Israel [Jacob] loved Joseph best of all his sons, for he was a child
of his old age; and he had made him an ornamented tunic...his brothers...hated
him. [Genesis 37: 3, 4b - Jewish
Study Bible]
Give thanks to the Lord and
call upon his Name, make known his deeds among the peoples...let the hearts of
those who seek the Lord rejoice. [Psalm 105: 1, 3b]
For there is no distinction
between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who
call on him. [Romans 10:12]
But when the disciples saw [Jesus] walking on the sea, they were terrified...But...Jesus...said, "...it is I, do not be afraid." Peter [said]..."command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." [Peter] became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught [Peter], saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. [Matthew 14:26a, 28-, 30b, 31-32]
But when the disciples saw [Jesus] walking on the sea, they were terrified...But...Jesus...said, "...it is I, do not be afraid." Peter [said]..."command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." [Peter] became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught [Peter], saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. [Matthew 14:26a, 28-, 30b, 31-32]
Jacob made his son, Joseph, a "an ornamented tunic,"
or, "a richly embroidered robe," or, a "long robe with
sleeves" depending on the translation you read. The differences in
description are because the Hebrew itself is not clear. But the story is known
far and wide, by believers and non-believers alike, as Joseph and his coat
of many colors, the coat being a symbol of a father's great love for
his son and the jealousy wrought by extreme sibling rivalry. God is with
Joseph throughout his entire ordeal and despite his brothers' treachery, Joseph
survived many hardships and was able to repay his brothers in surprising ways
as we'll soon see.
The constancy of God is a continuing theme in the Jacob saga and
throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, no matter the whims and wastes of those God
loves. The Psalmist reminds us to call upon his name and
to search for the Lord and his strength.
Paul tells us that God in Jesus is Lord of all,
of everyone, whether Jew or Greek or whatever the color of your coat - this was
a shocking idea in those times, a notion that God doesn't
dismiss or exclude those people who aren't one of us was quite
radical - no wonder Paul ended up in prison! Imagine if we felt that way today
- oh, wait, have you read the current news? It leads to the kind of
betrayal Joseph's brothers visited upon him, it encourages violence, irrational
hatred, and divides neighborhoods and nations. Yet Paul is adamant that everyone
who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved [Romans 10:13].
Furthermore, we are the ones who are to proclaim Christ to all.
Just as God is Lord of ALL, regardless of human categorization of
gender, race, ethnicity, religion, status in life, etc., Jesus calls - requires
- us all to be out of the boat to get our feet wet in the realities of
life's unpredictable times, tides, and weather. Nothing easy about it - just
ask Peter. But praying for the trust to believe in our hearts, to speak our
faith out loud in words and actions and bring Christ to others, will help us
find the strength we need to pull ourselves and each other up from that sinking
feeling of fear and doubt. Jesus bids us Come, step out in faith, and together we will
know and share the calmer seas of the Good News.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~
Generous and Merciful God, the Constant who guides us through the calm and
chaos of our earthly life if we believe in our hearts and call upon Your Holy
Name. Amplify our faith, relieve our fears and doubts, and quicken our
determination to answer Christ’s simple call, “Come.”
Jesus, Lord of All
RESPONSE:
Our Strength and
Salvation
~ Generous and Merciful God, renew
us in spirit daily as we carry the message of Christ on our lips and hearts to the
leaders of this Community, this Country, and this World for the peace, health,
and well-being of all people everywhere. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Jesus, Lord of All
Our
Strength and Salvation
~ Generous and Merciful God,
soothe the hearts and minds of all who struggle with serious illness, chronic pain,
or depression, and revive the stamina of those who give them care. We now join
our hearts together to pray for those in need…
Jesus, Lord of All
Our
Strength and Salvation
~ Generous and Merciful God, we
give You thanks and praise for the new life of our loved ones in the glorious
eternity of heaven. We pray especially for:
Jesus, Lord of All
Our
Strength and Salvation
~ Generous and Merciful God, we pause in
this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions,
petitions, and memorials…
Jesus, Lord of All
Our
Strength and Salvation
~ Generous and Merciful God, grant
spiritual vitality and an even keel to all who lead us in Your church by Your
Word and Wisdom, through the calm and perilous waters of life. We pray
especially for: add your own petitions
Jesus, Lord of All
Our
Strength and Salvation
The Celebrant adds: Almighty
and Ever-Living God, You created us all in Your image, in coats of many
colors, and bid us always to turn to You in each hour of life. Empower us to step
out and answer Your call with courage and conviction, in tempest and
tranquility, for this life and the next. We ask this through Christ Jesus, our Savior;
and the Holy Spirit, our Advocate; who together with You, are One God forever
and ever. Amen.
All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment