Tenth Sunday after Trinity and St. Bartholomew's (24 August) - 2022

 

We lost centurion Jack Haynes to a massive heart attack today or yesterday. 

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant, Jack Haynes. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.

May his soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

The Tenth Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.145-160

xix. Clamavi in toto corde meo.

I CALL with my whole heart; * hear me, O Lord; I will keep thy statutes.

146 Yea, even unto thee do I call; * help me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.

147 Early in the morning do I cry unto thee; * for in thy word is my trust.

148 Mine eyes prevent the night watches; * that I might be occupied in thy word.

149 Hear my voice, O Lord, according unto thy lovingkindness; * quicken me, according to thy judgments.

150 They draw nigh that of malice persecute me, * and are far from thy law.

151 Be thou nigh at hand, O Lord; * for all thy commandments are true.

152 As concerning thy testimonies, I have known long since, * that thou hast grounded them for ever.

xx. Vide humilitatem.

O CONSIDER mine adversity, and deliver me, * for I do not forget thy law.

154 Avenge thou my cause, and deliver me; * quicken me according to thy word.

155 Health is far from the ungodly; * for they regard not thy statutes.

156 Great is thy mercy, O Lord; * quicken me, as thou art wont.

157 Many there are that trouble me, and persecute me; * yet do I not swerve from thy testimonies.

158 It grieveth me when I see the transgressors; * because they keep not thy law.

159 Consider, O Lord, how I love thy commandments; * O quicken me, according to thy loving-kindness.

160 Thy word is true from everlasting; * all the judgments of thy righteousness endure for evermore.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son * and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be * world without end. Amen. 

The Collect.

LET thy merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of thy humble servants; and that they may obtain their petitions make them to ask such things as shall please thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Lamentations 1.1-12

Psalter: Psalm 61, 62 | 48, 49

Epistle Reading: 1 Corinthians 12.1-11

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 19.41-46

Homily

Saint Bartholomew the Apostle

August 24

The Collect

O almighty and everlasting God, who didst give to thine Apostle Bartholomew grace truly to believe and to preach thy Word; Grant, we beseech thee, unto thy Church, to love that Word which he believed, and both to preach and receive the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 18.15-18

Psalter: Psalm 91

Epistle Reading: 1 Corinthians 4.9-15

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 22.24-30 

Homily

Ninth Sunday after Trinity and Pastoral Letter

 

The Ninth Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.129-144

xvii. Mirabilia.

THY testimonies are wonderful; * therefore doth my soul keep them.

130 When thy word goeth forth, * it giveth light and understanding unto the simple.

131 I opened my mouth, and drew in my breath; * for my delight was in thy commandments.

132 O look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, * as thou usest to do unto those that love thy Name.

133 Order my steps in thy word; * and so shall no wickedness have dominion over me.

134 O deliver me from the wrongful dealings of men; * and so shall I keep thy commandments.

135 Show the light of thy countenance upon thy servant, * and teach me thy statutes.

136 Mine eyes gush out with water, * because men keep not thy law.

xviii. Justus es, Domine.

RIGHTEOUS art thou, O Lord; * and true are thy judgments.

138 The testimonies that thou hast commanded * are exceeding righteous and true.

139 My zeal hath even consumed me; * because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.

140 Thy word is tried to the uttermost, * and thy servant loveth it.

141 I am small and of no reputation; * yet do I not forget thy commandments.

142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, * and thy law is the truth.

143 Trouble and heaviness have taken hold upon me; * yet is my delight in thy commandments.

144 The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: * O grant me understanding, and I shall live.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son * and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be * world without end. Amen. 

The Collect.

GRANT to us, Lord, we beseech thee, the spirit to think and do always such things as be rightful; that we, who cannot do any thing that is good without thee, may by thee be enabled to live according to thy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: 1 Kings 10.1-25

Psalter: Psalm 46, 47 | 44, 45

Epistle Reading: 1 Corinthians 10.1-13

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 16.1-9 

Homily

This is from my letter to my congregation this past week:

I hope you’ve taken the time to do as I recommended, and been reading through James to find out what he specifically says (or implies) about the character of God. I would love to hear from you about what you’ve found in your reading, what was corrective, and what was most encouraging. James is a truly rich and refreshing letter! 

I want to give you an example of what to look for, and you will hear it in this Sunday’s sermon. It has to do with James 1:16-18:

[16] Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. [17] Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. [18] Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

 

Observe that James 1:16-18 is focused on how we can impugn or malign God’s character. That’s why James begins with a serious admonition “do not be deceived”. We can easily deceive ourselves, or be deceived. And so James is calling on us, like this: “Do not be deceived or allow someone else to deceive you into thinking God is stingy and tightfisted.” You know James is concerned about those times when we become tempted to think God is miserly and ungenerous because of how v. 16 is straightened out by v. 17, “Don’t be deceived (16), for this is how God really is (17)!”  

Who do you recall used this tactic of claiming God was cheap and grudging to sway a certain woman into disobedience? Yes, the serpent. And so, James’s counterevidence is found in 1:18, “Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” Now, for anyone who assumes that James is all Law and no grace, all browbeating and no mercy, they need to sit up straight and take serious notice of those words! God’s prior initiative is the substantiation and foundation for all that James has said and will continue to say, “of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth”! James is really clear here. Don’t be fooled! God is lavish and God is life-giving.  

But then, pull together both v. 17 and 18, and you can see more about God’s real character, so as not to be deceived. Follow along: (1) God is not stingy but gift-giving – and the gifts he gives are just the right kind of gifts (17a), “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights”. You see an example of the right kind of gifts he gives back up 1:5-6. (2) He is steady and straightforward, not flippy-floppy or wishy-washy (17b), “with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change”. There are no “blind spots” with God, and no erratic, manic emotional shifts that go one way and then, for no reason, turn 180 degrees in the other direction. Steady and straightforward! (3) He is not a God of death but Giver of life (18a), “of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth”. Though he is over death and dying, etc., yet he delights to give life. As he says in Ezekiel, “Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel” (33:11)? (4) And lastly, he is not demeaning but purpose-investing, “that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures” (18b). His giving us life and just the right kinds of lavish gifts, etc., is to make us part of his world rescue operation, investing us with even more purpose!  

I hope that was helpful in showing what I’m asking everyone to do. And I hope it was just as encouraging to you as it is to me.         

Pastor Mike

Transfiguration of Christ (6 Aug) and Eighth Sunday after Trinity - 2022

 

The Transfiguration of Christ 
August 6

The Collect

O GOD, who on the mount didst reveal to chosen witnesses thine only-begotten Son wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistering; Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may be permitted to behold the King in his beauty, who with thee, O Father, and thee, O Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen. 

Epistle Reading: 2 Peter 1.13-18

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 9.28-36 

Philippians 3.20-21: “For our conversation (Greek: Citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” 

Homily 

The Eighth Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.113-128

xv. Iniquos odio habui.

I HATE them that imagine evil things; * but thy law do I love.

114 Thou art my defence and shield; * and my trust is in thy word.

115 Away from me, ye wicked; * I will keep the commandments of my God.

116 O stablish me according to thy word, that I may live; * and let me not be disappointed of my hope.

117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe; * yea, my delight shall be ever in thy statutes.

118 Thou hast trodden down all them that depart from thy statutes; * for they imagine but deceit.

119 Thou puttest away all the ungodly of the earth like dross; * therefore I love thy testimonies.

120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; * and I am afraid of thy judgments.

xvi. Feci judicium.

I DEAL with the thing that is lawful and right; * O give me not over unto mine oppressors.

122 Make thou thy servant to delight in that which is good, * that the proud do me no wrong.

123 Mine eyes are wasted away with looking for thy health, * and for the word of thy righteousness.

124 O deal with thy servant according unto thy loving mercy, * and teach me thy statutes.

125 I am thy servant; O grant me understanding, * that I may know thy testimonies.

126 It is time for thee, Lord, to lay to thine hand; * for they have destroyed thy law.

127 For I love thy commandments * above gold and precious stones.

128 Therefore hold I straight all thy commandments; * and all false ways I utterly abhor.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son * and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be * world without end. Amen. 

The Collect.

O GOD, whose never-failing providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth; We humbly beseech thee to put away from us all hurtful things, and to give us those things which be profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Zechariah 4.1-10 (11-14)

Psalter: Psalm 39, 41 | 37

Epistle Reading: Romans 8.12-17

Gospel Reading: St. Matthew 7.15-21 

Homily

Seventh Sunday after Trinity - 2022

 

The Seventh Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.97-112

xiii. Quomodo dilexi!

LORD, what love have I unto thy law! * all the day long is my study in it.

98 Thou, through thy commandments, hast made me wiser than mine enemies; * for they are ever with me.

99 I have more understanding than my teachers; * for thy testimonies are my study.

100 I am wiser than the aged; * because I keep thy commandments.

101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, * that I may keep thy word.

102 I have not shrunk from thy judgments; * for thou teachest me.

103 O how sweet are thy words unto my throat; * yea, sweeter than honey unto my mouth!

104 Through thy commandments I get understanding: * therefore I hate all evil ways.

xiv. Lucerna pedibus meis.

THY word is a lantern unto my feet, * and a light unto my paths.

106 I have sworn, and am stedfastly purposed, * to keep thy righteous judgments.

107 I am troubled above measure: * quicken me, O Lord, according to thy word.

108 Let the free-will offerings of my mouth please thee, O Lord; * and teach me thy judgments.

109 My soul is alway in my hand; * yet do I not forget thy law.

110 The ungodly have laid a snare for me; * but yet I swerved not from thy commandments.

111 Thy testimonies have I claimed as mine heritage for ever; * and why? they are the very joy of my heart.

112 I have applied my heart to fulfil thy statutes alway, * even unto the end.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son * and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be * world without end. Amen. 

The Collect.

LORD of all power and might, who art the author and giver of all good things; Graft in our hearts the love of thy Name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of thy great mercy keep us in the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Hosea 14.1-9

Psalter: Psalm 32, 36 | 33, 34

Epistle Reading: Romans 6.19-23

Gospel Reading: St. Mark 8.1-9 

Homily

------

From my letter to my congregation this week.

(As you read this, I am in the Washington D.C. area with Anna, our oldest daughter, and our grandkids. We will be flying back this Saturday afternoon.)

Someone recently asked me if I have a prayer for situations of domestic abuse. This person helps to counsel abused persons, and explained they were needing a hand as they pray with and for them. I thought about it and couldn’t recollect one, though it is on my mind often, and it arises often in my private prayers. So, I pointed this individual to Psalm 146 and gave some pointers. That short discussion has stayed with me, and so I have decided to present one possible prayer. The biblical text is Psalm 146.

 

Oh LORD God of Jacob, in whom alone we can trust. It is you who are our help and our hope. It is you who made heaven, earth, sea, and all that is in them. It is you who keeps faith forever, who executes justice for those oppressed, and gives food to the hungry. It is you who sets prisoners free, opens the eyes of the blind, lifts up those bowed down, loves the righteous, watches over sojourners, and upholds widows and orphans. And it is you who will bring ruin to the wicked. Dear God, here is oppression! Here is wickedness! Here is great need for genuine justice! We cry out and place our prayers between the violated and violator, between the oppressed and oppressor, between the abused and the abuser (…). Rise up on behalf of the bowed down and bowled over. Rise up and bring down the one who uses dominance to push down the defenseless. Rise up and raise up the one who is crushed under the weight of such tyranny. Rise up, O LORD, and we will ever sing and shout, “Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. The LORD will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD!”

 

This prayer is to be used with specific people or situations in mind. Where you see the ellipsis points, you may add those names.

 

Pastor Mike

Sixth Sunday after Trinity and St. James (25 July) - 2022

 

The Sixth Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.81-96

xi. Defecit anima mea.

MY soul hath longed for thy salvation, * and I have a good hope because of thy word.

82 Mine eyes-long sore for thy word; * saying, O when wilt thou comfort me?

83 For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; * yet do I not forget thy statutes.

84 How many are the days of thy servant? * when wilt thou be avenged of them that persecute me?

85 The proud have digged pits for me, * which are not after thy law.

86 All thy commandments are true: * they persecute me falsely; O be thou my help.

87 They had almost made an end of me upon earth; * but I forsook not thy commandments.

88 O quicken me after thy loving-kindness; * and so shall I keep the testimonies of thy mouth.

xii. In æternum, Domine.

O LORD, thy word * endureth for ever in heaven.

90 Thy truth also remaineth from one generation to another; * thou hast laid the foundation of the earth, and it abideth.

91 They continue this day according to thine ordinance; * for all things serve thee.

92 If my delight had not been in thy law, * I should have perished in my trouble.

93 I will never forget thy commandments; * for with them thou hast quickened me.

94 I am thine: O save me, * for I have sought thy commandments.

95 The ungodly laid wait for me, to destroy me; * but I will consider thy testimonies.

96 I see that all things come to an end; * but thy commandment is exceeding broad.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son * and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be * world without end. Amen. 

The Collect.

O GOD, who hast prepared for them that love thee such good things as pass man’s understanding; Pour into our hearts such love toward thee, that we, loving thee above all things, may obtain thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 57.13b-19

Psalter: Psalm 28, 29 | 30, 31

Epistle Reading: Romans 6.3-11

Gospel Reading: St. Matthew 5.20-26 

Homily

Saint James 
[July 25th]

GRANT, O merciful God, that, as thine holy Apostle Saint James, leaving his father and all that he had, without delay was obedient unto the calling of thy Son Jesus Christ, and followed him; so we, forsaking all worldly and carnal affections, may be evermore ready to follow thy holy commandments; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 45

Psalter: Psalm 34

For the Epistle Reading: Acts 11.27-12.3a

Gospel Reading: Matthew 20.20-28 

Homily: http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/james.html#homily

Fifth Sunday after Trinity - 2022

 

The Fifth Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.65-80

ix. Bonitatem fecisti.

O LORD, thou hast dealt graciously with thy servant, * according unto thy word.

66 O teach me true understanding and knowledge; * for I have believed thy commandments.

67 Before I was troubled, I went wrong; * but now have I kept thy word.

68 Thou art good and gracious; * O teach me thy statutes.

69 The proud have imagined a lie against me; * but I will keep thy commandments with my whole heart.

70 Their heart is as fat as brawn; * but my delight hath been in thy law.

71 It is good for me that I have been in trouble; * that I may learn thy statutes.

72 The law of thy mouth is dearer unto me * than thousands of gold and silver.

x. Manus tuæ fecerunt me.

THY hands have made me and fashioned me: * O give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.

74 They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; * because I have put my trust in thy word.

75 I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, * and that thou of very faithfulness hast caused me to be troubled.

76 O let thy merciful kindness be my comfort, * according to thy word unto thy servant.

77 O let thy loving mercies come unto me, that I may live; * for thy law is my delight.

78 Let the proud be confounded, for they go wickedly about to destroy me; * but I will be occupied in thy commandments.

79 Let such as fear thee, and have known thy testimonies, * be turned unto me.

80 O let my heart be sound in thy statutes, * that I be not ashamed.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son * and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be * world without end. Amen. 

The Collect.

GRANT, O Lord, we beseech thee, that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by thy governance, that thy Church may joyfully serve thee in all godly quietness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Ecclesiastes 2.1-23

Psalter: Psalm 21, 23 | 26, 27

Epistle Reading: 1 Peter 3.8-15a (15b-17)

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 5.1-11 

Homily

Fourth Sunday after Trinity (and Letter to the Congregation) - 2022

 

The Fourth Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.49-64

vii. Memor esto verbi tui.

O THINK upon thy servant, as concerning thy word, * wherein thou hast caused me to put my trust.

50 The same is my comfort in my trouble; * for thy word hath quickened me.

51 The proud have had me exceedingly in derision; * yet have I not shrinked from thy law.

52 For I remembered thine everlasting judgments, O Lord, * and received comfort.

53 I am horribly afraid, * for the ungodly that forsake thy law.

54 Thy statutes have been my songs, * in the house of my pilgrimage.

55 I have thought upon thy Name, O Lord, in the night season, * and have kept thy law.

56 This I had, * because I kept thy commandments.

viii. Portio mea, Domine.

THOU art my portion, O Lord; * I have promised to keep thy law.

58 I made my humble petition in thy presence with my whole heart; * O be merciful unto me, according to thy word.

59 I called mine own ways to remembrance, * and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

60 I made haste, and prolonged not the time, * to keep thy commandments.

61 The snares of the ungodly have compassed me about; * but I have not forgotten thy law.

62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee, * because of thy righteous judgments.

63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, * and keep thy commandments.

64 The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy: * O teach me thy statutes.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son * and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be * world without end. Amen. 

The Collect.

O GOD, the protector of all that trust in thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy; Increase and multiply upon us thy mercy; that, thou being our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we finally lose not the things eternal: Grant this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake our Lord. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Lamentations 3.22-33

Psalter: Psalm 19, 20 | 24, 25

Epistle Reading: Romans 8.18-23

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 6.36-42 

Homily

From my letter to the congregation this last week:

Over the last few weeks we have worked through Ecclesiastes 7. Two sets of verses have stuck with me and I am beginning to memorize them. Pastor Wes has also begun storing one or two in his head. Maybe I can persuade you to do the same. 

The first set is Ecclesiastes 7:9-10:

[9] Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools. [10] Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask this. 

The first of these verses (7:9) resonates deeply with Proverbs, such as “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly” (Proverbs 14:29). The reason I find memorizing and meditating on 7:9 helpful is because outrage sells in our day, and is contagious. It sells products, talk radio shows, podcasts, opinion pieces, “news,” etc. But the God-fearing approach is to not become clothed in outrage, which is foolishness. Think also of personal relationships and how easy it is to “snap”. It’s not that there aren’t things to become angry over, because there are. The problem is that, more times than not, we explode and flare up over self-serving things, words and actions that insult my notions and my agendas and my honor. So, as I’m memorizing this verse I also pray for God’s help that I would not have a fool’s heart that lodges anger. 

The second verse (7:10) reminds me that there has never been a golden age. As I said in a sermon recently, times may be bad now, but because of human sin, times have always been bad. The “Good Old Days” may not have had “these” sins, but they did have “those” iniquities. Since the fall, there has never been a golden age. So, being wise recognizes this truth and starts pondering how to learn from the past, so that we will know how best to act in the present with a view to the future. This verse restrains my heart from longing for the past, and instead to seek God’s aid for what is before me now. 

The second set of verses are Ecclesiastes 7:21-22:

[21] Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. [22] Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others. 

These two verses cause me to slow down, pause, and recognize that the very things that concern me in others are most likely in my own heart. It also brings me to slow down and not react too quickly when accused or slandered. In all honesty, my heart does tell me that I have done similar things regarding others, and before I rise up in self-vindicating indignation, I just might need to do some honest-to-God confession of my sins, ask forgiveness of another, and take stock on a new direction. As I often (maybe too often) say, when pointing one finger at others, I need to see three more pointing back at me. 

So, I’m striking out on the Bible-Verse-Memorization trek. I hope I’ve at least gotten you to consider memorizing these passages with me. It would be a pleasure if some of you would join me in this endeavor.

Third Sunday after Trinity - 2022

 

The Third Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.33-48

v. Legem pone.

TEACH me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes, * and I shall keep it unto the end.

34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; * yea, I shall keep it with my whole heart.

35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; * for therein is my desire.

36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, * and not to covetousness.

37 O turn away mine eyes, lest they behold vanity; * and quicken thou me in thy way.

38 O stablish thy word in thy servant, * that I may fear thee.

39 Take away the rebuke that I am afraid of; * for thy judgments are good.

40 Behold, my delight is in thy commandments; * O quicken me in thy righteousness.

vi. Et veniat super me.

LET thy loving mercy come also unto me, O Lord, * even thy salvation, according unto thy word.

42 So shall I make answer unto my blasphemers; * for my trust is in thy word.

43 O take not the word of thy truth utterly out of my mouth; * for my hope is in thy judgments.

44 So shall I alway keep thy law; * yea, for ever and ever.

45 And I will walk at liberty; * for I seek thy commandments.

46 I will speak of thy testimonies also, even before kings, * and will not be ashamed.

47 And my delight shall be in thy commandments, * which I have loved.

48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; * and my study shall be in thy statutes.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son * and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be * world without end. Amen. 

 

The Collect.

O LORD, we beseech thee mercifully to hear us; and grant that we, to whom though hast given an hearty desire to pray, may be comforted in all dangers and adversities; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 31.1-14

Psalter: Psalm 16, 17 | 18

Epistle Reading: 1 Peter 5.5-11

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 15.1-10 

Homily 

The following is from my letter to my congregation:

Neighborliness is quite the thing! For example, when we’re away from home on a business trip or out camping, or traveling into unfamiliar regions, and people extend hospitality to us, it warms our hearts. But neighborliness is also easy to forget if we’re wrapped up too tightly in traveling or business or chores. 

While we were at General Assembly, it would have been pretty effortless to let neighborliness slip. We were up to our eyeballs with meetings and events to attend, discussions to deliberate, etc. But General Assembly was, in many ways, a perfect time to extend hospitality, or to slow down and listen and pray with people, especially people we knew but had never met in person, and so on. And I am happy to say that neighborliness was our unplanned pattern. There were several times I would be stopped by someone I didn’t know – but who knew me from my prayer-posts on Facebook, or through reading one of my books. Instead of rushing off to do my thing, I would often simply put the brakes on, listen, ask questions about that person’s situation, family, future, and more. And then when it was clear they had said what they wanted to say, and knew that they had been seen and heard, I would offer to pray for them right then and there. Every one of them responded with warmth. Friendships were made, and fellowship was had. 

Also, Neal, Allan, Wes and I would welcome people into our lunch or other times. For example, the Assistant Pastor at Grace-Stillwater (Jason A.) was all by himself. And since he didn’t pursue the normal seminary plan toward his ordination he didn’t know very many people at GA. So we grabbed him, and drew him into our supper time, and made every effort to make him feel accepted and at home with us. The same thing happened with the Assistant Pastor from Christ the King in Norman (Tony P.), and J.R. B. Pastor Wes even invited a couple of guys to our AirBnB to play a board game. All of these folks appreciated the time we had together. Neighborliness is quite the thing! 

But this reminds me of the importance of being neighborly where we live. In some of our subdivisions we have to fight against the housing and lot designs to be neighborly. Most of suburbia is designed to be single family houses where a household can exist without being engaged or troubled by neighbors. High fences, garages that stick out further than the front door, no front porches to speak of, and so forth. Anna and I have pushed back on our suburban culture a bit, and in the ten years we’ve lived on our cul-de-sac we’ve gotten to know those who live around us; helped others when ice storms created chaos; stepped in to assist when a hot water tank broke; discussed the funny antics of our pets, climbed up to cut down large, dying tree limbs; and other acts of neighborliness, just to name a few things. 

Neighborliness is quite the thing! It takes a bit of effort, and it facilitates our cultivating a community where community is in serious decline. But, it also gives us a way to follow our Lord’s injunction with real, live people. You’ve got to know your neighbors to love your neighbors. “And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:37-40). Brothers and sisters, neighborliness is quite the thing!