Lord,
you have been our dwelling place
throughout
all generations.
Before
the mountains were born
or
you brought forth the whole world,
from
everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Song: Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
Jesus Shall Reign Where'er the Sun (Tune: Truro - 5vv) [with lyrics for congregations] - YouTube
Prayer:
Loving God, we know that you are the one who holds all things together. We see you in everything, especially in our struggles in these strange times. Be with us, we pray.
Forgive us our impatience. Enable us to trust more fully in you. We know that you span the centuries, that time is in your hands.
Help us to extend your grace to others. Help us to love generously.
We know that we are imperfect, help us to improve. We pray that you will not hold our failures against us.
We thank you for our food, and pray for those who are hungry.
We thank you for the roof over our heads, and pray for those who are homeless.
We thank you for freedom to worship, and pray for those who are persecuted.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Song: Make me a channel of your peace
Make Me a Channel of Your Peace with Lyrics - YouTube
Reading: Leviticus, chapter 19, verses 1 to 3, 15 to 18.
Reading: Matthew’s gospel, chapter 22, verses 34 to 40
Song: For the fruits of His creation
For the fruits of his creation (with lyrics for congregations/StF 124) - YouTube
Our readings show us an interesting side of Jesus, his knowledge of the scriptures, (what we call the old testament); and his knowledge of people, their questions and what they were really meaning.
Our reading from Leviticus is a part of a long series of commandments given to the people of Israel. Some parts are difficult to translate, others seem to be peculiar to our modern minds.
Commands to be holy, to set time aside for God are easy to come to terms with. The command to honour your mother and father (interesting that mother is first) make good sense in any era.
Verse 18 presents difficulties. What does “Love your neighbour as yourself” mean? Does it only mean those like you? Does it only refer to the person next door? Does it only refer to Israelite men? The instruction in verses 33 and 34 to love the foreigner (alien in older versions) make the instruction more inclusive, but was controversial amongst some.
Jesus was questioned about many things by the Pharisees and Sadducees. This time he was asked which is the most important commandment. He answers by quoting not 1, but 2!
Had Jesus received training as a Rabbi? He certainly seems well versed in answering difficult questions. He also seems to put great importance on this quote. He quotes the injunction to “Love your neighbour” in two other places, (Matthew chapter 5 verse 43, and chapter 19 verse 18).
The story is also told by Mark and Luke, asking the question “Who is my neighbour?”
The question “Who is my neighbour?” is relevant to modern life. Does it just mean people like us? People with whom we work?; who live in the same block of flats, or area?; people who are travelling together?; people who go to church together?; football fans?;
Matthew’s account of the story of the sheep and goats in chapter 25 settles this question. Even those who are amongst “The least of these” are our neighbours.
Prayer:
God of abundant and gracious love, we remember the vulnerable of this world;
Those who live in the shadow of war;
People of Israel and Palestine;
People of Ukraine and Russia;
People of Ethiopia;
People of Sudan.
We remember those of many countries who face problems;
Debt, poverty, climate change, violence.
Those of our own society who lack homes, who are bereaved, who are discriminated against.
Guide these people to sources of help, and if we can be that source of help, may we be willing and able to help.
Surround all with compassion, and healing. Help us to be compassionate and loving.
Guide us in your service.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour,
Amen
Song: For all the saints
No comments:
Post a Comment