Prayers of the People: Free for a Price ~ Proper 8, 5th Sunday after Pentecost '23 Yr A

For Sunday, July 2, 2023, Readings: Jeremiah 28:5-91, Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18; Romans 6:12-14, 22-23;

 Matthew 10:40-42 

  The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient times prophesied war, famine, and pestilence against many countries and great kingdoms. As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes true, then it will be known that the Lord has truly sent the prophet. [Jeremiah 28:5-9]

   I declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens. [Psalm 89:2]

   ...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]   

    We pick up this piece from Jeremiah in the middle without the benefit of the whole conversation. It would be useful to read the full chapter to get a sense of the context of this snippet or at the very least the four prior verses that open the chapter. Essentially, we are to understand that prophecy itself is contextual for its time, not eternal for all situations and eras. What works for one moment in time doesn’t in another and may be inappropriate or even destructive in another. Just because a prophet claims the message is from God isn’t proof that it is. It sometimes appears that prophetic messages are all doom and gloom, but prophecy can also speak of hope and promise. As we “listen” to this message in our own time, we want to consider: How do we know the difference between a true prophet and a false one?  Just because one is more familiar to us is no guarantee that the message is truly from God. Perhaps we do have to wait and see if and when the prophecy comes true to know with more certainty and that can take a very long time. Yet isn’t it more calming to hear and absorb those promises of hope amidst despair in troubled times?

   The Psalmist is singing a hopeful message about the steadfastness of God’s love. Given the dire messages of other psalms, this one is more comforting to remember God loves us especially for our faithfulness. And to remember God made a covenant with David, a less than perfect human!

   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 and especially distressing and yet truthful as we recognize the deep sin of systemic racial injustice and the continuation of too many who are willing to practice intentional racial, gender, and other 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, simple as a cup of cold water, done in the name of a disciple and/or Christ himself, grants us our never-ending reward. 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 price of obedience to The Great Commandment [Matthew 22:35-40] and this lesson in hospitality. 

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
 
Leader:  ~ O Lord of Steadfast Love, awaken us to know of Your faithfulness to all generations and helping us to recognize and accept that You are the glory of our strength. Guide us to walk in Your Light, working through rather than fearing, each test of faith in this life, always trusting in You.
 
                                                      Most Welcoming Christ
RESPONSE:                            Through You is eternal life
 
~ O Lord of Steadfast Love, ignite the hearts and souls of the leaders of this Country, this Community, and this World with extra grace and strength of character. Teach their hearts to legislate with compassion assuring economic, environmental, racial, and the humanity of every form of justice for all Your people. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
 
                                                       Most Welcoming Christ
                                                       Through You is eternal life  
 
~ O Lord of Steadfast Love, 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

 
                                                       Most Welcoming Christ
                                                       Through You is eternal life
           
~ O Lord of Steadfast Love, 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

 
                                                       Most Welcoming Christ
                                                       Through You is eternal life
 
~ O Lord Steadfast Love, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials… add your own petitions

 
                                                       Most Welcoming Christ
                                                       Through You is eternal life
                      
~ O Lord of Steadfast Love, fortify and sustain those chosen to help us navigate the time and tides of this human experience. Impart refreshment in body, mind, and 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

 
                                                       Most Welcoming Christ
                                                       Through You is eternal life
                                                                                                
The Celebrant adds: God of all that is, Seen and Unseen, guide us to be a welcoming reflection of Your love in all that we are and all that we do. Give light to the eyes of our souls to follow Your path of grace to salvation. We ask through Jesus, our Messiah, and Redeemer; and the Holy Spirit, Your Sacred Breath within us; who together with You are One God, now and forever.  Amen. 

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