Sunday, October 6, 9:30 AM
If you cannot bring your pet to church physically, you can bring a photo.
Blessing of the Animals
14 Pentecost (Proper 19)
Recall again the words of the psalm we read a few moments ago: “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ All are corrupt and commit abominable acts; there is none who does any good” (Psalms 14:1). One of the commentaries I consulted as I prepared this sermon said that this psalm is addressing the problem of “functional atheism” (Preaching Through the Christian Year, Year C, p. 405). I find this a compelling and terribly pertinent term. The psalm is addressing itself to the elite within the society at the time it was written: those with the social and economic power. It warns these oppressors that “great terror” awaits them (v. 5) for their mistreatment of the poor. While they profess faith in Yahweh, their behavior gives no evidence of this faith. They are functional atheists – and great will be their fall.
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Proper 14C
There is a story you may have come across on the Internet. It is about a philosophy professor
who is lecturing her students on how to lead a full life. In order to make her point…the professor has a few props – the first is a large mayonnaise jar and a pile of small rocks. The professor takes some of the rocks and puts them
in the jar until she cannot fit anymore. Then she asks her class “Is the jar full?” and the answer seems obvious.
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The SPIRE Volume 65
Our situation would be easier if Jesus were less clear about the priorities he sets for us. At the heart of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” “All these things” refers to such things as food, clothing, and other fundamental necessities of life, plus security, safety, and moral clarity. The priority that Jesus asks us to seek is God’s kingdom, God’s righteousness, the first thing above all else to which we are meant to direct our attention and efforts. That is also the first petition in the pattern of prayer that Jesus taught his followers to say: “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done…” We should notice that only after that priority is established are we encouraged to ask for our own needs in the form of daily bread.
–Peter J. Gomes
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This Month’s Thoughts by Rev. J. Cooper Conway
Year C: 2019 (Proper 16)
This morning we continue our yearlong exploration of the Gospel of Luke. You may be aware that this is Year C in the Common Lectionary which determines which readings we examine on each Sunday. The Lectionary is on a 3 year cycle A, B, and C. In year A, we read Matthew, in B, Mark, and in C, Luke. (John does not have its own year but is read at specific times in each of the other three.) So today (since we are in year C), we continue to read Luke this morning.
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