Philemon
1–21—Under the
theme of the demands of discipleship Onesimus must understand the demand of
forgiveness.
During the summer months, our epistle readings make
their way through some of the letters (epistles) in the New Testament. This
summer, we read through Galatians, the first half of Colossians, and, last
Sunday, we finished the latter portion of Hebrews.
Sunday’s reading is from Philemon, but it is the only
reading we shall have from that book, as it is only 25 verses long. Philemon is
asked to pay the price of being a Christian by forgiving and accepting Onesimus
as a brother and not a slave.
Christians are called to forgive which presupposes an
obvious sin or offense has occurred. The greater the wound; greater still is
the obstacle to forgive. What impediment stands in the way between you and him/her?
What barrier is in your road? Christ has
carried that obstacle all the way to Calvary’s cross.
When we pray in the Lord’s Prayer “…and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive
those who trespass against us,” we are reminded by Luther, We pray in this petition that our Father in
heaven would not look at our sins, or deny our prayer because of them. We are
neither worthy of the things for which we pray, nor have we deserved them, but
we ask that He would give them all to us by grace, for we daily sin much and
surely deserve nothing but punishment. So we too will sincerely forgive and
gladly do good to those who sin against us.
A Prayer for Christian vocation: Heavenly Father, grant Your mercy and grace
to Your people in their many and various callings. Give them patience, and
strengthen them in their Christian vocation of witness to the world and of
service to their neighbor in Christ's name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
A Prayer for likeness to Christ: O God, by the patient suffering of Your
only-begotten Son You have beaten down the pride of the old enemy. Now help us,
we humbly pray, rightly to treasure in our hearts all that our Lord has of His
goodness borne for our sake that following His blessed example we may bear with
all patience all that is adverse to us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
[2]
Collect for Thursday
of the week of Pentecost 12: O Lord and Master of my life, take from me
the spirit of laziness, meddling, ambition and vain talk. But give me a spirit
of prudence, humility, patience and love. Yet Lord and King grant me to see my
own sins and faults and not judge my brother. For you are Blessed Forever and
ever, Amen –Ephraem -[3] 01
September, 2022
[2] Collect for Christian vocation and for likeness to Christ, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. St. Louis
[3] Collect for Thursday of the week of Pentecost 12, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
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