Pr. DFD : July 2022

Sunday, July 31, 2022

Monday prior to Proper 14

Psalm 147:8–11; antiphon, Psalm 147:7—Psalm 147 is a great hymn of praise to God for His abundant power and His understanding beyond measure (v. 5), and, especially for His steadfast love (v. 11). It is well for us who fear the Lord to sing to the Lord with thanksgiving, because He has saved us from the futility of trying to earn our way into His good graces. He gives us the good things we need for this life, and has done everything necessary for our salvation.

Psalm 147 – Praising the God of Care and Creation

This is another of the last five psalms that have no title in the Hebrew text, but each of these last five begin and end with Hallelujah or Praise the LORD!

Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving: As we understand God’s majesty in both its heavenly and earthly expressions, it should create in us a natural response of praise. We bring our praise with song, with thanksgiving, and with music (on the harp to our God).

“He is ‘our God,’ whether he be the God of other men or not. He is ‘our God’ by his choice of us.[2]

The Lord Himself was Abraham’s shield and great reward. For “the word of the Lord came to him” and sustained the patriarch’s faith in the face of death (Genesis 15:4). By divine grace, Abraham “believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6), on account of the holy Seed, Christ Jesus. To that one old man, the Lord granted “as many descendants as the stars of heaven in number, and innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore” (Hebrews 11:12). The Lord is likewise faithful to you. It is His glad desire “to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). Therefore, “consider the ravens” and “do not be anxious for your life,” but instead “seek for His kingdom” (Luke 12:22, 31).

Collect for Psalm 147: God our Father, great builder of the heavenly Jerusalem, you know the number of the stars and call each of them by name. Heal hearts that are broken, gather those who have been scattered, and enrich us all from the plenitude of your eternal wisdom, Jesus Christ our Lord. [3]

Collect for Monday of the week of Pentecost 9: God our Father, open our eyes to see your hand at work in the splendor of creation, in the beauty of human life. Touched by your hand our world is holy. Help us to cherish the gifts that surround us, to share your blessings with our brothers and sisters, and to experience the joy of life in your presence. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen [4] -01 August, 2022

[1] Luther’s Seal, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-147/
[3] Collect for Psalm 147, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
[4] ibid

Proper 14 Series C

Proper 14 C

(August 7-13)

Genesis 15:1–6

Hebrews 11:1–16

Luke 12:22–34 (35–40)

Almighty and merciful God, it is by Your grace that we live as Your people who offer acceptable service. Grant that we may walk by faith and not by sight in the way that leads to eternal life...

The Lord Is Surely Coming to Give You His Kingdom

The Lord Himself was Abraham’s shield and great reward. For “the word of the Lord came to him” and sustained the patriarch’s faith in the face of death (Genesis 15:4).

By divine grace, Abraham “believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6), on account of the holy Seed, Christ Jesus. To that one old man, the Lord granted “descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore” (Hebrews 11:12).

The Lord is likewise faithful to you. It is His glad desire “to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). Therefore, “do not be anxious about your life,” but instead “seek his kingdom” (Luke 12:22, 31). Set your heart on that treasure. “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning … for the Son of Man is coming” (Luke 12:35, 40).

Pr. Daniel J Brege

So often when the Lord Jesus speaks, his preaching is profoundly pregnant, each statement being packed with themes that interconnect with the rest of Scripture. Thus in Luke 12:32 (from Sunday’s Gospel) Jesus promises: Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.

Do not be afraid. God repeats this comforting clause throughout Holy Writ, for we truly have plenty to fear! We are afraid of guilt, afraid of sickness and injury, afraid of death, afraid of Satan, afraid of hell, afraid of failure, afraid of a just God…and the list goes on. Christ’s perfect love casts out fear, and we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us, a love shown uniquely at the cross.

Little flock. Jesus speaks here of a flock of sheep. The Lord is our shepherd, so the Scriptures echo. As sheep of God’s flock we belong to Him and He cares for us. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture, because the Good Shepherd laid down His life and took it back up again to save His sheep. The Lord’s flock does not appear to be the flock of the very Creator of the universe, for most of the time (if not always) it is a little flock, consisting only of a remnant, only a relatively tiny group of seemingly helpless sheep. However, this little flock consists of those who know their Shepherd and He knows them and He gives unto them eternal life, carrying them through the valley of the shadow of death.

For your Father… When we were born into this fallen world, we were of our father the devil. But when the fullness of time had come God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Christ’s redemptive work at the cross was to give us the adoption as sons, to bring us back into the family of our heavenly Father. Now we are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of us who have been baptized into Christ have clothed ourselves with Christ. As surely as Jesus is God’s Son, so too we who in our Baptism were completely clothed with Him are then seen by God the Father to be His Son.

…is pleased to give you the kingdom. Why is the heavenly Father thus pleased to give us the kingdom? It is only because of His beloved Son, with whom He is well pleased (Lu. 3:22; same Greek word as here). Only in the Son of God can the Father be pleased with anyone, and we are in the Son and He is in us through the Word and Sacraments. The Father is thus pleased to give us the kingdom. Yes, give it to us! Salvation is not earned or merited, it is given; it is a gift purchased by the death and resurrection of the sinless One. And the kingdom which is gifted to us is more than can be grasped. Briefly the kingdom is all that has to do with the person and work of the King of kings. It is forgiveness, it is membership in the body of Christ, it is the indwelling of the Spirit whose work is to constantly point to Christ, it is faith, it is newborn love for our neighbor, it is the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting, it is heavenly bliss beatifically realized when see Jesus as he is.

As surely as Christ is risen from the dead, do not doubt His promise: Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.

Context - Jesus is heading to Jerusalem - the anxiety will only heighten.

Do Not Be Anxious

Luke 12:22

Εἶπεν δὲ πρὸς τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ• Διὰ τοῦτο λέγω ὑμῖν, μὴ μεριμνᾶτε τῇ ψυχῇ τί φάγητε, μηδὲ τῷ σώματι τί ἐνδύσησθε.

And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.

- anxiety this is what we are given to do - the reaction to what is given as gift.

- Διὰ - “Therefore” - When Jesus says "be not anxious" read on!

Luke 12:23

ἡ γὰρ ψυχὴ πλεῖόν ἐστιν τῆς τροφῆς καὶ τὸ σῶμα τοῦ ἐνδύματος.

For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.

ψυχὴ- Life, see vs. 19, the man who wanted to be happy, worried about his stuff.

Luke 12:24

κατανοήσατε τοὺς κόρακας ὅτι οὐ σπείρουσιν οὐδὲ θερίζουσιν, οἷς οὐκ ἔστιν ταμεῖον οὐδὲ ἀποθήκη, καὶ ὁ θεὸς τρέφει αὐτούς• πόσῳ μᾶλλον ὑμεῖς διαφέρετε τῶν πετεινῶν.

Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!

- how much more value do you have He cares for the whole

Luke 12:25

τίς δὲ ἐξ ὑμῶν μεριμνῶν δύναται ἐπὶ τὴν ἡλικίαν αὐτοῦ προσθεῖναι πῆχυν;

- which one of you by or through worrying (genitive absolute) can add one hour to his life?

Luke 12:26

εἰ οὖν οὐδὲ ἐλάχιστον δύνασθε, τί περὶ τῶν λοιπῶν μεριμνᾶτε;

- if you are able neither do to this little thing why worry about anything else.

Luke 12:27

κατανοήσατε τὰ κρίνα πῶς αὐξάνει• οὐ κοπιᾷ οὐδὲ νήθει• λέγω δὲ ὑμῖν, οὐδὲ Σολομὼν ἐν πάσῃ τῇ δόξῃ αὐτοῦ περιεβάλετο ὡς ἓν τούτων.

- consider how the lilies grow - they do not spin or work (what God gave Adam to do) but I say to you not only Solomon in his glory was clothed as one of these.

Wherein lies contentment?

Luke 12:28

εἰ δὲ ἐν ἀγρῷ τὸν χόρτον ὄντα σήμερον καὶ αὔριον εἰς κλίβανον βαλλόμενον ὁ θεὸς οὕτως ἀμφιέζει, πόσῳ μᾶλλον ὑμᾶς, ὀλιγόπιστοι.

- but if the grass is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow how much more will God cloth you oh little faiths.

Luke 12:29

καὶ ὑμεῖς μὴ ζητεῖτε τί φάγητε καὶ τί πίητε, καὶ μὴ μετεωρίζεσθε,

- and you do not worry seeking after what you should eat or drink.

Luke 12:30

ταῦτα γὰρ πάντα τὰ ἔθνη τοῦ κόσμου ἐπιζητοῦσιν, ὑμῶν δὲ ὁ πατὴρ οἶδεν ὅτι χρῄζετε τούτων.

- for these things all the nations of the world seek

Luke 12:31

πλὴν ζητεῖτε τὴν βασιλείαν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ταῦτα προστεθήσεται ὑμῖν.

- seek first the kingdom and all thee shall be added to you.

Luke 12:32

Μὴ φοβοῦ, τὸ μικρὸν ποίμνιον, ὅτι εὐδόκησεν ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν δοῦναι ὑμῖν τὴν βασιλείαν.

- the kingdom is already yours. It is continually given. "These things" are added. So we do need not concern ourselves with the periphery things....all these shall be added.

Luke 12:33

πωλήσατε τὰ ὑπάρχοντα ὑμῶν καὶ δότε ἐλεημοσύνην• ποιήσατε ἑαυτοῖς βαλλάντια μὴ παλαιούμενα, θησαυρὸν ἀνέκλειπτον ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς, ὅπου κλέπτης οὐκ ἐγγίζει οὐδὲ σὴς διαφθείρει•

- sell your possessions give (a mercy gift) to the poor. Provide purses (money bags) for yourself that will not wear out.

A treasure in heaven is not exhausted.

Luke 12:34

ὅπου γάρ ἐστιν ὁ θησαυρὸς ὑμῶν, ἐκεῖ καὶ ἡ καρδία ὑμῶν ἔσται.

- where your treasure is there is your heart.

Where are you storing up?

Where your treasure is there is your heart.

__________________

Sources:

Time in the Word - Proper 14

Pentecost 12 - Proper 14
August 1-06, 2022

The Lord Is Surely Coming to Give You His Kingdom

The Lord Himself was Abraham’s shield and great reward. For “the word of the Lord came to him” and sustained the patriarch’s faith in the face of death (Gen. 15:4). By divine grace, Abraham “believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness” (Gen. 15:6), on account of the holy Seed, Christ Jesus. To that one old man, the Lord granted “as many descendants as the stars of heaven in number, and innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore” (Heb. 11:12). The Lord is likewise faithful to you. It is His glad desire “to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). Therefore, “consider the ravens” and “do not be anxious for your life,” but instead “seek for His kingdom” (Luke 12:22, 31).

A collect for the Pentecost season: Almighty and merciful God, it is by Your grace that we live as Your people who offer acceptable service. Grant that we may walk by faith, and not by sight, in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayer for steadfast faith: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, because of Your tender love toward us sinners You have given us Your Son that, believing in Him, we might have everlasting life. Continue to grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may remain steadfast in this faith to the end and finally come to life everlasting; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

Prayers in times of affliction and distress: Almighty and most merciful God, in this earthly life we endure sufferings and death before we enter into eternal glory. Grant us grace at all times to subject ourselves to Your holy will and to continue steadfast in the true faith to the end of our lives that we may know the peace and joy of the blessed hope of the resurrection of the dead and of the glory of the world to come; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Almighty and everlasting God, the consolation of the sorrowful and the strength of the weak, may the prayers of those who in any tribulation or distress cry to You graciously come before You, so that in every situation they may recognize and receive Your gracious help, comfort, and peace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for hope of eternal life in Christ: Almighty, everlasting God, Your Son has assured forgiveness of sins and deliverance from eternal death. Strengthen us by Your Holy Spirit that our faith in Christ may increase daily and that we may hold fast to the hope that on the Last Day we shall be raised in glory to eternal life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Monday, 01 August 2022—Psalm 147:8–11; antiphon, Psalm 147:7—Psalm 147 is a great hymn of praise to God for His abundant power and His understanding beyond measure (v. 5), and, especially for His steadfast love (v. 11). It is well for us who fear the Lord to sing to the Lord with thanksgiving, because He has saved us from the futility of trying to earn our way into His good graces. He gives us the good things we need for this life, and has done everything necessary for our salvation.

Tuesday, 02 August 2022 - Psalm 33:12–22—What is it that gives the Lord pleasure, as He looks down from heaven upon His creation, and upon the children of men? It is not the might of man, his great armies, his war horses, or the strength of warriors. No, what pleases the Lord is those who fear him…those who hope in His steadfast love. He desires and takes delight in delivering their souls from death, of providing for the salvation of His people, and sparing them from famine and the wants of the body.

Wednesday, 03 August 2022—Genesis 15:1–6—Abraham was an old man, and his wife both barren and well beyond child-bearing years. Yet the Lord promised to Abraham that he would be father to many descendants, too numerous to count. If this promise had been made by a mere man, it would be utter nonsense, foolish and unthinkable. But the promise of a great nation coming from Abraham was not made by any man, but by the Creator of the earth, the universe, and all things, the Almighty God. Abraham’s response was one of faith: he trusted the Word of the Lord, and the Lord counted him righteous because of it. Likewise, when we trust in the Word of the Lord—specifically, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, slain and risen again for our salvation—then we, too are counted righteous by the Lord.

Trusting in His promises to bring us the forgiveness of sins and the salvation of our souls delivers that very salvation to us. We are saved by faith—faith which God Himself delivers to us by Word and Sacrament.

Thursday, 04 August 2022—Hebrews 11:1–16—We are saved by faith, and the eleventh chapter of Hebrews is the great chapter of faith in the Bible. First, the author gives us a good succinct definition of faith: it is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Then, he proceeds to recount some of the great heroes of faith in the Bible: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham (who believed the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness, as we read in the Old Testament reading), and also Sarah, the wife of Abraham. Let us also add our own names to this list, for God has, by His Word and Sacrament given us saving faith and preserved us in it. We, too, who trust in God alone for our salvation, will spend eternity with those listed here and all who die in the faith, rejoicing in our Lord forevermore.

Friday, 05 August 2022—Luke 12:22–34—In this sinful, troubled world in which we live, it is altogether too easy to succumb to the cares of the world and become anxious. But our heavenly Father, who desires only what is best for us, provides not only for our earthly needs, but, more importantly, has provided for our eternal salvation. We can rest secure in the fact that we have a loving and gracious God who knows our needs and provides for them.

Saturday, 06 August 2022—Sunday’s Hymn of the Day is O Little Flock, Fear Not the Foe (LSB #666). In the face of anxiety and especially, spiritual warfare, we can be confident and daring, not because we are strong in ourselves, but because the Lord is for us and fights for us; therefore, we can rest in the certainty that not earth nor hell’s satanic crew against us shall prevail.

Sources

Saturday, July 30, 2022

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 13 Series C

Luke 12:13-21

Possessed by one’s possessions

Jesus said, “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” If it does not consist of material goods. Of what does life consist? Most people feel that money is the key to real living. After winning the lottery, a woman once exclaimed, “Now I’m going to start living!” People need to know what makes life worthwhile.

O God, the Protector of all who trust in You, without whom nothing is strong and nothing is holy, increase and multiply Your mercy on us that with You as our Ruler and Guide we may so pass through things temporal that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.[1]

Possessed by one’s possessions

We need to have a balance in life. We need to learn how to handle our possessions so that our possessions will not handle us. Jesus is not condemning possessions. There is no virtue in being poor, needy, or devoid of material needs. It is a matter of keeping perspective. Do you possess your possessions? Or, do your possessions control you? Are you a slave to material goods? It is not a question of being rich or having fabulous homes, expensive jewelry, and having a high income. It is not only the super – rich who can become obsessed with possessions. Even those of modest means can become enslaved to their possessions – No matter how many or how few they may be. To be possessed by your possessions means.

1. You are greedy for possessions. "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." V. 15

A. Can you handle success? Can you handle wealth? Most people who strike it rich winning the lottery are broke within five to seven years. It wasn’t the money per se. It was their priorities. It was their attitude toward it. Your life does not consist in the abundance of your possessions. We live in a consumed consumer society that shouts at us every day saying, “You need more of this, you won’t be happy without that, you need to look this way, and have these things in order to be accepted, respected and valued by others.” The truth of the matter is this; the things of this world are passing away and only the things of eternity last forever.

B. Can you remember what you received for Christmas when you were seven? So why do you think that your children will be scared for life if they don’t have the latest thing?

Remember that day in your life. At the time, what you received might have been the most wonderful thing in the world. Now. Looking back. And reflecting. You now come to realize that what was truly important was having the people who mattered most in your life with you.

2. To be possessed by your possessions means you never get enough possessions. “He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.'” V. 17

A. In just a few weeks it will be here, once again, college move- in day. It’s amazing how much “stuff” an 18-year old can cram into a dorm room! What is amazing to me and I see it each year we take our children and their “stuff” back to campus is those students who arrive in a big honking’ SUV pulling a U-Haul which is bigger than the dorm room itself! And remember this student will have a roommate who has come with all of his stuff as well.

B. We can never be satisfied because we always want more. You receive an e-mail from a Mr. Abu-Bakr in Nigeria. He claimed to be the friend to the son of the late senator of Nigeria. You were recommended to him as an honest and reliable person. To whom he can entrust a sum of money. He explains ~ the son of the late senator is sending $22 million dollars out of the country. For your help he will give you 20% of the total. He is confident you would not keep all of the money. Like someone in Germany did a year ago. He asked you to send him your address, fax and phone number, and bank account number. He assures you of privacy. He hoped to hear from you immediately. You don't get something for nothing. We all know that. But why do so many fall for such a scam? We are all tempted by greed.

C. One author put it this way. “If you look carefully you will see that there is one thing and only one thing that cause unhappiness. The name of that thing is Attachment. What is an attachment? An emotional state of clinging caused by the belief that without some particular thing or some person you cannot be happy... Here is a mistake that most people make in their relationships with others. They try to build a steady nesting place in the ever-moving stream of life.”[2]

3. To be possessed by your possessions means you trust your possessions to give the good life. “And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." V. 19

A. Greed seeks worldly things, which must not be equated with true "living”. We stumble when material possessions become a substitute for the proper object of a person's search and worship--God. Therefore, greed . . . is idolatry!

God addresses the man on his own pragmatic terms. He is dealing not with matters of the kingdom or of life beyond death, but with the question of the disposition of his possessions. What will happen to all my stuff? This underscores the fact that in the end he will have to "leave it all." Then it will be someone else’s problem. Walk into any antique shop. It is filled with other people’s stuff. You will never see a U-Haul following a hearse.

Solomon reminds us of this reality in the book of Ecclesiastes. “I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the work into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless.” - Ecclesiastes 2:18-19

B. Since you can’t take it with you. Since things will not bring eternal happiness. We trust in that one thing needful. The only thing that can cause true contentment and joy, which is the person Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “I have come that they might have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

Contentment, joy, peace, happiness is not found in the amount and the value of your possessions but in knowing Jesus Christ. Trust not in princes. They are but mortal. Look to Christ. Where He may be found. There and there alone will we find lasting peace and joy.

Under Jesus’ protection and by His gifts you can experience the best life can offer. Jesus offers a completely new meaning to living. He provides full satisfaction and perfect guidance. He is your sufficiency. With Him, there is both peace and contentment.

Words –1,285
Passive Sentences –7%
Readability –80.4
Reading level – 4.8

[2] Anthony de Mello's 'The Way to Love.'

Friday, July 29, 2022

Saturday prior to Proper 13

[1]

Psalm 143:8 – The hymn of the week is “All Depends on Our Possessing” (LSB 732). This much loved hymn is best summed up in stanza three. Contemplate its impact in light of the readings for the week, “Many spend their lives in fretting over trifles and in getting things that have no solid ground. I shall strive to win a treasure that will bring me lasting pleasure and that now is seldom found.”

Against the love of money: Almighty God, heavenly Father, You have called us to be Your children and heirs of Your gracious promises in Christ Jesus. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may forsake all covetous desires and the inordinate love of riches. Deliver us from the pursuit of passing things that we may seek the kingdom of Your Son and trust in His righteousness and so find blessedness and peace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. [2]

Collect for Psalm 143: Lord Jesus, you bring the first light of dawn to those who dwell in darkness, and make your love known to them. Enter not into judgment against your servants, but let your Spirit guide us into the land of justice, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit live and reign, now and forever. [3]

Collect for Saturday of the week of Pentecost 8: Open our eyes that we may see, glimpses of truth You have for us. Please in our hands that wonderful key that shall unclasp and set us free. Silently now we wait for You, read our God, your will to see. Open our eyes, illumine us, Spirit divine. Amen - Anonymous -[4]30 July, 2022

[4] ibid

Thursday, July 28, 2022

Friday prior to Proper 13

[1]

Luke 12:13-21— Under the theme “Possessed by possessions,” Jesus teaches that possessions can cause a man to lose his soul.

Earthly wealth in terms of one’s possessions is not indicative of a strong and abiding faith. It may prove the opposite to be the case as one’s wealth becomes his idol.

In the parable of the rich fool Jesus said, “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions”; which runs contrary to popular American Evangelicalism which equates wealth with faith.

If life does not consist of material goods, of what does life consist? Most people feel that money is the key to real living. After winning the Irish Sweepstakes, a woman exclaimed, “Now I’m going to start living!” People need to know what makes life worthwhile.

Luke will remind us (See Luke 9:51; 19:28) that Jesus’ ministry was a journey to Jerusalem and the cross. As He went, however, our Lord revealed Himself by mighty deeds of mercy and especially in this section of the gospel, by teaching. Although it is difficult to determine the exact geographical and chronological context of the various episodes in this section of Luke’s gospel, each of them exemplified an aspect of Christ’s ministry as first defined in Luke 4:18, “to preach the Gospel to the poor.” In this particular reading Jesus teaches us that the Gospel is not a message concerning earthly possessions.

Notice the repeated use of the pronoun “My”; “my fruits,” “my barn,” “my goods,” “my soul.” This man never sees beyond himself. He makes himself his own god. Furthermore, he never sees beyond this world. Also his plans are made on the basis of life in this world. Jesus calls this man “senseless,” “without reason,” “without reflection or intelligence.” He is without reason, because this night his life is to be demanded of him. To whom will his possessions belong then? He has said, “My fruits,” and “my goods.” Now he is to be dispossessed at once. Life does not consist of having possessions, but in having union with Christ.

For proper use of wealth: Almighty God, all that we possess is from Your loving hand. Give us grace that we may honor You with all we own, always remembering the account we must one day give to Jesus Christ our Lord.[2]

Collect for Friday of the week of Pentecost 8: Hear us, O God in each unspoken prayer, as our hands reach out toward Thee, and we are still with awe before the sureness and the greatness of Thy love. Open our ears that the deep silence at the heart of life may be to us what Thou wouldst have it, the very sound o Thy passing; and take the dullness of our soul away. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen [3]-29 July, 2022

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

Thursday prior to Proper 13

[1]

Colossians 3:1-11— Under the theme “possessed by possessions” Paul instructs heavenly values are to be sought rather than earthly vices.

A Christian seeks to acquire heavenly virtues and shuns earthly vices. Many live according to earthly values. Usual folks walk with heads down, seeing worldly things, and thinking negative thoughts.

A Christian lives with his feet planted in two worlds – in this world of materials and vices, and in a higher world of heavenly values where Christ is. Since Christ has ascended, we on earth look to Him for our values, goals, and ideals while on earth. Our lives are impoverished by preoccupation with worldly values leading us into negative thoughts and wicked actions. The wagon of life needs to be hitched to the star of Christ.

A person’s life has meaning only as one is united to Jesus Christ; His life and merit. The way in which the individual actually exercises that union in Christ will be seen in day-to-day conduct. One’s spiritual vision should focus on the heavenly realm. The priorities of life should reflect this new higher connection to Christ.

For steadfast faith: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, because of Your tender love toward us sinners You have given us Your Son that, believing in Him, we might have everlasting life. Continue to grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may remain steadfast in the faith to the end and finally come to love everlasting; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.[2]

Collect for Thursday of the week of Pentecost 8: We beseech Thee, O Lord, to guide Thy Church with Thy perpetual governance; that it may walk warily in times of quiet, and boldly in times of trouble. Amen –An Ancient Collect - 28 July, 2022

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Wednesday prior to Proper 13

[1]

Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14, 2:18-26— Under the theme “Possessed by possessions,” wise King Solomon speaks of the vanity of possessions.

The vanity of accumulating wealth and leaving it to one who did not work for it. To get property, financial security, and a sizeable nest-egg, one usually must work hard and long for it, unless he inherited a fortune. To get ahead financially, a husband may work night and day, hold more than one job, and his wife may work, too. The question must often come to these people’s minds: Is it worth the work? Are our material desires and standards too high? Are we missing out on the better things of life by giving all our time and effort to making money? Our lesson speaks to these questions.

In our reading the realist attitude, the voice speaking from experience, stands out. The Preacher has painful lessons to share. Firs, what point is there in pursuing earthly success as if it would last? None. The fruits of labor, the spoils, go to the survivors. You can’t take it with you! (See Vv. 18-19)

More intellectual efforts produce nothing more permanent. All is left behind when a person dies. Wisdom, knowledge, skills all do not carry over. (See Vv.20-21) And even though God gives rest, fretting over the futility already described and tossing and turning turns that opportunity for relief into still one more fleeting moment in life. (See Vv. 22-23)

Verses 25-26 end an otherwise rather somber section on an upbeat note. The fruits of life’s labors and the intellectual efforts are all described as vanity because the sole character involved was the individual living under the sun. From the myopic perspective one sees only despair. Verse 25 brings us back to God and clearly points to Him as the one who makes the difference between an anchorless life adrift in emptiness and a life anchored by trust, mindful of God’s larger perspective and total control above the sun.

A Collect during the Pentecost season: O God, the Protector of all who trust in You, without whom nothing is strong and nothing is holy, increase and multiply Your mercy on us that with You as our Ruler and Guide we may so pass through things temporal that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Collect for Proper 13: O Lord, grant us wisdom to recognize the treasures You have stored up for us in heaven that we may never despair but always rejoice and be thankful for the riches of Your grace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God now and forever.[2]

Collect for Wednesday the week of Pentecost 8: O almighty and most merciful God, of your bountiful goodness keep us, we pray, from all things that may hurt us that we, being ready in both body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish whatever things you want done; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen [3]-27 July, 2022

Monday, July 25, 2022

Tuesday prior to Proper 13

[1]

Psalm 100— Praise God. His mercy endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations. “The Lord is God” and “The Lord is Good.” Let the whole earth sing and be glad.

Psalm 100 – A Psalm of thanksgiving for all lands

This psalm is simply titled A Psalm of Thanksgiving, and it is the only psalm in the collection to bear this title. It speaks of an invitation to the whole earth to know and to worship God. “It is jubilant with confidence for the whole earth, as it contemplates the glory of that earth, when all its people are submitted to the reign of Jehovah.” (G. Campbell Morgan)[2]

Collect for Psalm 100: God our Father, you have created us as your people and you sustain us with your hand. Help us always to give you thanks, for you alone are worthy of thanksgiving and praise and honor now and forever. Amen[3]

Collect for Tuesday of the week of Pentecost 8: O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor. Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever, Amen [4] -26 July, 2022

[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-100/

[4] ibid

Sunday, July 24, 2022

Monday prior to Proper 13

[1]

Psalm 49:7-8, 13-14a, 15; antiphon, Psalm 49:1-2 God is the owner of the earth and all that is therein. In giving to God we merely return that which is His own. The vanity of life is explained in this psalm. Also this psalm teaches that death comes to all. This psalm is similar to Psalm 39. Psalm 49 is a meditation on life and death. A typical piece of wisdom on life’s inequalities. At the end of the line death waits for the materialist not even he can buy himself off. The “moral” is similar to that of Jesus’ parable of the rich man found in Sunday’s gospel.

The theme for this coming week is “possessed by possessions”. In the Gospel lesson (Luke 12:13-21) Jesus refuses to champion the cause of one who wants his inheritance and goes on to teach by a parable that in the pursuit of wealth one can lose one’s soul. In the Old Testament lesson, (Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14, 2:18-26) the theme of vanity is shown when a man works hard to accumulate wealth only to leave it to one who did not work for it. In the Epistle lesson (Colossians 3:1-11) Paul gives us a contrast between heavenly virtues and earthly vices which are to be shunned.

Psalm 49 – What money can’t buy

As are many of the songs in Book Two of the Psalter, this psalm is titled To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. These sons of Korah were Levites, from the family of Kohath. By David’s time it seems they served in the musical aspect of the temple worship (2 Chronicles 20:19).

“The teaching of the song is simple, and sublime, present, and perpetual.” (G. Campbell Morgan) “This psalm touches the high-water mark of Old Testament faith in a future life.” (Alexander Maclaren) [2]

Collect for Psalm 49: Lord Jesus, you condemned the rich because they have already received their regard, and you proclaimed the poor blessed because the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Teach us to seek imperishable goods and to have confidence in your blood, poured out as the price of our redemption, and to you be the glory now and forever, Amen [3]

Collect for Monday of the Week of Pentecost 8: Father, let the gifts of your life continue to grow in us, drawing us from death to faith, hope, and love. Keep us alive in Christ Jesus. Keep us watchful in prayer and true to his teaching till your glory is revealed in us. Amen [4]-25 July, 2022

[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-49/

[4] ibid