Monday prior to Proper 10

Psalm 103:15-19 - This is the Psalm portion from which the Introit for next Sunday is taken. The antiphon is taken from verse 8, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” This verse is a summation of the Father’s love and compassion for this fallen world. He desires not the death of the sinner but that all would come in repentance. He desires the redemption of all. Thus He plants the seeds of faith into our hearts; that, by His grace, a harvest may come.

Man’s days are limited; “As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone.” The Lord’s reign however is eternal. “But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting.” 

If we only focus on the present and try to live only in the moment soon we will become frustrated; concluding that life is futile, a waste of time and meaningless. What has been will be and then will be again. Everyone, rich or poor, wise or foolish, mighty or lowly, will live a while and then die. What we have worked so hard for all our lives is left to someone else who may just waste it. The more we have the more we use and the more we want. It all was meaningless and like trying to catch the wind says the writer to the book of Ecclesiastes. 

The Psalmist gives us a different perspective.  The meaning to life is not found simply living in this world but in anticipating the world which is to come. Life is not to be live in the moment but with eternity as our perspective. What gives true reason for living is when we have respect for God and seek to please him in every way we possible.   We have the Lord’s promise that He will sustain us. “His righteousness (extends) to children's children.”

Jesus, in teaching his disciples to pray, asked that the will of the Father would be done on earth as it is in heaven.  God’s will is manifest in our lives when we do his bidding and obey his word.

“Lord, keep us steadfast in Thy Word.”

A prayer before we study the Word – Almighty God, our heavenly Father, without Your help our labor is useless, and without Your light our search is in vain. Invigorate the study of Your holy Word that, by due diligence and right discernment, we may establish ourselves and others in Your holy faith.

Prayer for Psalm 103 – Lord, you have compassion for the sinner, as a father has compassion for his children. Heal the weakness of your people and save us from everlasting death, that with the saints and angels we may praise and glorify you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Sources:

Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and by the Church © 1995 American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

Lift High the Cross copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Proper 10 Series A (Pentecost 7)

Pentecost 7

Isaiah 55:10–13
Romans 8:12–17
Matthew 13:1–9, 18–23

 

The Preaching of the Word of Christ Bears the Good Fruits of Faith and Love 

As “the rain and the snow come down from heaven” and “water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout” (Is. 55:10), so the Word of God accomplishes the purpose for which He speaks it, granting joy and peace through the forgiveness of sins and producing the fruits of faith and love in those who are called by His name. Christ Jesus, the incarnate Word, has established the name of the Lord as “an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off” (Is. 55:13). He opens our ears to hear, our minds to understand and our hearts to believe His Word, lest the evil one come and snatch it away. He thus transforms our rocky hearts into good soil, which clings to the Gospel and “indeed bears fruit” (Matt. 13:23). He is Himself the first-fruits of all who “have received the Spirit of adoption as sons” (Rom. 8:15). Thus being “led by the Spirit of God,” we are not afraid, but we cry out in faith to our Father in heaven (Rom. 8:14–15). For as we suffer with Christ, the beloved Son, so shall we “also be glorified with him” (Rom. 8:17).

Blessed Lord, since You have caused all Holy Scripture to be written for our learning grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them that we may embrace and every hold fast to blessed hope of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. 

Matthew 13:1–9, 18–23
The Parable of the Sower 

V1Ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ἐξελθὼν ὁ Ἰησοῦς τῆς οἰκίας ἐκάθητο παρὰ τὴν θάλασσαν·
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea.

v2 καὶ συνήχθησαν πρὸς αὐτὸν ὄχλοι πολλοί, ὥστε αὐτὸν εἰς πλοῖον ἐμβάντα καθῆσθαι, καὶ πᾶς ὁ ὄχλος ἐπὶ τὸν αἰγιαλὸν εἱστήκει.
And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach.

 

v3 καὶ ἐλάλησεν αὐτοῖς πολλὰ ἐν παραβολαῖς λέγων· Ἰδοὺ ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρων τοῦ σπείρειν.
 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow.

 

v4 καὶ ἐν τῷ σπείρειν αὐτὸν ἃ μὲν ἔπεσεν παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν, καὶ ἐλθόντα τὰ πετεινὰ κατέφαγεν αὐτά.
And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.

 

v5 ἄλλα δὲ ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ τὰ πετρώδη ὅπου οὐκ εἶχεν γῆν πολλήν, καὶ εὐθέως ἐξανέτειλεν διὰ τὸ μὴ ἔχειν βάθος γῆς,
Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil,

 

v6 ἡλίου δὲ ἀνατείλαντος ἐκαυματίσθη καὶ διὰ τὸ μὴ ἔχειν ῥίζαν ἐξηράνθη.
but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away.

 

v7 ἄλλα δὲ ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ τὰς ἀκάνθας, καὶ ἀνέβησαν αἱ ἄκανθαι καὶ ἔπνιξαν αὐτά.
Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.

 

v8 ἄλλα δὲ ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν τὴν καλὴν καὶ ἐδίδου καρπόν, ὃ μὲν ἑκατὸν ὃ δὲ ἑξήκοντα ὃ δὲ τριάκοντα.
Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

 

v9 ὁ ἔχων ὦτα ἀκουέτω.
He who has ears, let him hear.”

The Parable of the Sower Explained

v18 Ὑμεῖς οὖν ἀκούσατε τὴν παραβολὴν τοῦ σπείραντος.
Hear then the parable of the sower: 

 

v19 παντὸς ἀκούοντος τὸν λόγον τῆς βασιλείας καὶ μὴ συνιέντος, ἔρχεται ὁ πονηρὸς καὶ ἁρπάζει τὸ ἐσπαρμένον ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ· οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ παρὰ τὴν ὁδὸν σπαρείς.
When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.

 

v20 ὁ δὲ ἐπὶ τὰ πετρώδη σπαρείς, οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ τὸν λόγον ἀκούων καὶ εὐθὺς μετὰ χαρᾶς λαμβάνων αὐτόν,
As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy,

 

v21 οὐκ ἔχει δὲ ῥίζαν ἐν ἑαυτῷ ἀλλὰ πρόσκαιρός ἐστιν, γενομένης δὲ θλίψεως ἢ διωγμοῦ διὰ τὸν λόγον εὐθὺς σκανδαλίζεται.
 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.

 

v22 ὁ δὲ εἰς τὰς ἀκάνθας σπαρείς, οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ τὸν λόγον ἀκούων, καὶ ἡ μέριμνα τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου καὶ ἡ ἀπάτη τοῦ πλούτου συμπνίγει τὸν λόγον, καὶ ἄκαρπος γίνεται.
As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 

v23 ὁ δὲ ἐπὶ τὴν καλὴν γῆν σπαρείς, οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ τὸν λόγον ἀκούων καὶ συνιείς, ὃς δὴ καρποφορεῖ καὶ ποιεῖ ὃ μὲν ἑκατὸν ὃ δὲ ἑξήκοντα ὃ δὲ τριάκοντα.
As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software

ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

– Romans 7:14-25a Paul finds peace of mind through Christ’s deliverance

 

“What the Hell’s wrong with me?”

“Wretched man that I am!” This is how Paul put it. Today the expression is found in the title of this morning’s homily.[1]  Each person experiences this despair within himself. What. Is. Wrong. With. Me?!

Each of us has a civil war within. We have a duel nature. We are torn. Between our higher and lower selves. Like St. Paul, we often do not understand why we do certain things. And when we vow. To ourselves. To our spouse. To our children. To our teachers. To our boss. Not to practice certain things. That is precisely what we do.  

Paul explains this conflict with these words, “I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.” v. 25

How do you make sense of this conflict? How do you understand yourself?

How do you understand yourself? – It is good and comforting to know Paul was human as we are. He confessed he did not understand why he did certain things the very thing he did not want to do.

We can say, ‘Paul, join the crowd!’ This reminds us of the doctrine that as Christians we are both saints and sinners alike. At the very same time.  And the two are ever in conflict until death.

The Christian life is one of inner conflict. It is a struggle between the lower and the higher selves. It is a battle between the old and the new Adam. It is a clash between the law of the body and the law of the mind. 

What is so wrong?

1.     We do what we don’t want to do – “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want.”  V. 15

The reason for such behavior is simple: It is the power of sin. “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh.”  v. 18 It is sin what makes us do the wrong thing. Especially when all we want to do is the right thing. “For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.” It is the law of sin. It is the power of evil that possesses the flesh. It is the unregenerate part of us that desires evil.

Paul continues, “But I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members…it is sin that dwells within me.” V. 20

While the Law in itself is good. The Law shows us the wrong we do. This calls for a continual battle against temptation and the evil force that still lives in a Christian.

The Solution: Deny the lower self. Repent. Realize there is nothing good in you. Try as you might you cannot overcome the power of sin. Will power does not work. Paul will admit, “I have the desire to do what is right.” But he has to admit, “I don’t have the ability to carry it out!”   

2.     We don’t do what we want to do – but I do the very thing I hate. V.15

The reason for all this: Our better self wants to do right – “I have this desire to do what is right.” Each of us wants to do the right thing.  Not only do we know what is right. We know we should fulfill it.  The victim of this civil war cries out in despair, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” v. 24 This conflict that persists, can only lead to despair of self.

Is there no end? No way out? Paul found the solution in Christ for whom he gives thanks for this deliverance. Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! V. 25

The Solution: Affirm the higher self? Better yet, rejoice in Christ’s deliverance. St. Paul says, “For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being.” v. 22

Christ is your peace. Who brings together the two warring selves into one integrated, harmonious person. He has redeemed you. And when we come to Him daily in contrition and faith He forgives our sins.

But He does us even better. He gives you His Holy Spirit. So that you can be the hands, the feet, the fingers, and the toes of Jesus in your world.    

This year as we commemorate the anniversary of the Reformation. The Reformers taught that a farmer may worship God by being a good farmer. The Reformation proclaimed that a parent, changing diapers, could be as near to Jesus as the Pope. At the time. This was scandal. But it was also revolutionary.

"We can't be holy in the abstract. Instead we become a holy blacksmith. Or a holy mother. Or a holy physician. Or a holy systems analyst. We seek God in and through our particular vocation and place in life…Our task is not to somehow inject God into our work. But to join God in the work He is already doing in and through our vocational lives."[2] In short, you become a sermon in shoes.

"In the daily rhythms for everyone everywhere, we live our lives in the marketplaces of this world. In homes and neighborhoods. In schools and on farms. In hospitals and businesses. And our vocations are bound up with the ordinary work that ordinary people do. We are not great shots across the bow of history. Rather, by simple grace. We are hints of hope."[3]  

________

Words –1,000

Passive Sentences –2%

Readability –86.5

Reading Level – 3.4

Luther’s Seal © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

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[1] Offence was not intended in the title of this homily although it is a common idiom

[2] Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life.- Tish Harrison Warren  © 2016 Intervarsity Press   pg. 94

[3] Ibid pg. 189

July 4 – Saturday prior to Proper 9

 

John 6:35 –

This passage is the inspiration for the hymn “I heard the Voice of Jesus say.”LSB #752

 

I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto Me and rest;

Lay down, thou weary one, lay down thy head upon My breast

I came to Jesus as I was, So weary, worn and sad;

I found in Him a resting place, And He has made me glad.

 

Christ suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane. He felt both the pain and agony that are a part of the human lot. As a human being, He prayed to have the cup of suffering removed. Yet, He also prayed that God’s will be accomplished.

 

Christ suffered on the cross. He felt the physical pain of being nailed to the cross. He was utterly rejected by His Father. He was weighed down with the awesome burden of the sins of the whole world. When we come to Him, He offers us complete and total rest.

 

Today is Independence Day. We give thanks to God for the freedoms we enjoy as society and nation. Especially this year we pray for those who have been placed in the position of leadership that by their guidance we may live our lives in quietness and peace.

 

Collect for humility - O God, You resist the proud and give grace to the humble. Grant us true humility after the likeness of Your only Son that we may never be arrogant and prideful and thus provoke Your wrath but in all lowliness be made partakers of the gifts of Your grace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

 

Collect for our nation – Almighty God, You have given us this good land as our heritage. Grant that we remember Your generosity and constantly do Your will. Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education, and an honorable way of life. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil course of action. Make us who come from many nations with many different languages a untied people. Defend our liberties, and give those whom we have entrusted with the authority of government the spirit of wisdom that they may be justice and peace in our land. When times are prosperous, let our hearts be thankful. In troubled times do not let our trust in You fail; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

The American Flag copyright © Google Images

Prayers for humility and our nation from Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

July 3 – Friday prior to Proper 9

 Psalm 145:1-5 – This Psalm selection is suggested for next Sunday. The key verse “I will extol thee, my God and my King” (v. 1a)

This is the only Psalm which comes with the title “A Song of Praise” This is also an acrostic Psalm  each letter of the Hebrew alphabet is mentioned except for the Hebrew letter “nun” which is mysteriously absent.  This method of writing was intentional. It was an easy way for people to memorize the psalm as they would recite it in unison.

As a Psalm of David, the king of Israel gives homage and praise to the Lord, the King of all creation. This Psalm is also a Mission Psalm as the people of God are called to proclaim to the world the mighty deeds of the Lord.

It’s one thing to believe God exists but another to acknowledge Him as your King, to acknowledge His authority over you.  The Psalmist’s praise will never cease but will continue both now and into eternity. This is an Old Testament example of belief in eternal life.

What God has done is to be told by parents to their children, passed down from one generation to the next. By God’s grace this has happened in our congregation for the past 182 years. May the Lord strengthen our families as we tell the next generation the mighty acts of God.

Collect for Psalm 145 – Loving Father, you are faithful in your promises and tender in your compassion. Listen to our hymn of joy, and continue to satisfy the need of all your creatures, that all flesh  may bless your name in your everlasting kingdom, where with your Son and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, now and forever.  

A Prayer for families – Almighty God behold the families of our congregation and community. We pray that You might be the ever present yet unseen guest in every home. Daily may we serve You that there might be harmony and peace. Keep us safe from the enemy and may Your blessings fall upon us like gentle rain.

A Prayer for purity– Almighty God unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, from whom no secrets are hidden, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit that we may perfectly love You and worthily magnify Your holy name.

For humility - Heavenly Father, You resist the proud and give grace to the humble. Grant us true humility after the likeness of Your only Son that we may never be arrogant and prideful and thus provoke Your wrath but in all lowliness be made partakers of the gifts of Your grace.

Lutheran Study Bible © 2009 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Prayers from Luther Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Prayer for Psalm 145, For All the Saints – A Prayer Book For and By the Church Vol.1 © 1994 American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

God so Loved the Word copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

July 2 – Thursday prior to Proper 9

 

Matthew 11:25-30

“When life’s troubles rise to meet me. Though their weight may be great, they will not defeat me. God, my loving Savior sends them. He who knows, all my woes, knows how best to end them. - Why should cross or trial grieve me - stanza two

What Jesus offers is peace. It’s more than a feeling. It’s a state of being. A commodity many are willing to pay any price to obtain. “Aint no mountain high enough…aint no valley low enough…” for us to yearn, to strive, to struggle - to achieve it.

Where do we find this peace? Christ our Savior has promised to give us His abiding peace. So look to Jesus. And to the places where He can be found.  As John has reminds us in his gospel, Jesus said, “Peace I give you, My peace I leave you. Not as the world gives it do I give to you.” -  John 14:27  

No wonder we pray in the collect for peace, “…give us that peace which the world simply cannot give.” In our Gospel  reading  for today, Jesus promises that His peace may be yours.

Jesus says, “Come to Me.” He is gentle and lowly in heart. Gentle does not mean “weak.” He took your cares, concerns, and burdens. “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:4-5

You will find rest for your soul. Rest because you are in Him. From the heavy burden of sin that you've been carrying. Find your rest in Him.  The Lord offers you a trade; His yoke, which is easy and light. Jesus lifts your burden, by carrying it Himself.  The load of your sin He bore in His body to the cruel cross of Calvary. There He offers you that great exchange; His mercy and grace replaces the burden you’ve been carrying.  He became your substitute. He lived a perfect life for you. He died a sinner’s death for you.  He rose to life and replaces your former life with His life. Now His Spirit directs you. The life you live you live for Him.

In this world there continues to be contention and strife. “Come unto Me all those who are carrying heavy burdens.” (v.18)

Jesus offers true and lasting peace to all who could come to Him in faith. Jesus Christ alone is the source of your peace. Jesus’ prayer at the cross needs to be your prayer, this day. “Father, into Thy hands I commend myself…”May Christ’s peace be yours this day.

Collect for Proper 9 –Gracious God, our heavenly Father, Your mercy attends us all our days. Be our strength and support amid the wearisome changes of this world, and at life’s end grant us Your promised rest and the full joys of Your salvation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Almighty and everlasting God, through Your Son You have promised us forgiveness of sin and everlasting life. Govern our hearts by Your Holy Spirit, that in our daily need, and especially in all time of temptation, we may seek Your help and by a true and lively faith in Your Word, obtain all that You promised! Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

July 1 – Wednesday prior to Proper 9

 

Romans 7:14-25a –

The Christian life is one of inner conflict. It is a struggle between the lower and the higher selves. It is a battle between the old and the new Adam. It is a clash between the law of the body and the law of the mind.

What is so wrong?

We do what we don’t want to do – “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want.”  And we don’t do what we want to do – “but I do the very thing I hate.” V. 15

Our better self wants to do right – “I have this desire to do what is right.” Each of us wants to do the right thing.  Not only do we know what is right. We know we should fulfill it.  The victim of this civil war cries out in despair, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” v. 24 This conflict that persists, can only lead to despair of self.

Is there no end? No way out? Paul found the solution in Christ for whom he gives thanks for this deliverance. Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! V. 25

The Solution:

 Affirm the higher self? Better yet, rejoice in Christ’s deliverance. St. Paul says, “For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being.” v. 22

Christ is your peace. Who brings together the two warring selves into one integrated, harmonious person. He has redeemed you. And when we come to Him daily in contrition and faith He forgives our sins.

But He does us even better. He gives you His Holy Spirit. So that you can be the hands, the feet, the fingers, and the toes of Jesus in your world.   

The Reformers taught that a farmer may worship God by being a good farmer. The Reformation proclaimed that a parent, changing diapers, could be as near to Jesus as the Pope. This was scandal. But it was also revolutionary.

"We can't be holy in the abstract. Instead we become a holy blacksmith. Or a holy mother. Or a holy physician. Or a holy systems analyst. We seek God in and through our particular vocation and place in life…Our task is not to somehow inject God into our work. But to join God in the work He is already doing in and through our vocational lives. In the daily rhythms for everyone everywhere, we live our lives in the marketplaces of this world. In homes and neighborhoods. In schools and on farms. In hospitals and businesses. And our vocations are bound up with the ordinary work that ordinary people do. We are not great shots across the bow of history. Rather, by simple grace. We are hints of hope.”

Through your daily work you become the hands and feet the fingers and toes of Jesus. Bloom where you are planted; in short, become a sermon in shoes.

A prayer before we study the Word – Almighty God, our heavenly Father, without Your help our labor is useless, and without Your light our search is in vain. Invigorate the study of Your holy Word that, by due diligence and right discernment, we may establish ourselves and others in Your holy faith.

In our living - Lord God, You have called Your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing were we go but only that Your hand is leading us and Your live supporting us; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Luther’s Seal copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life.- Tish Harrison Warren  © 2016 Intervarsity Press   pg. 94, 189