Greetings from St. Mark’s on the fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost on Labor Day weekend and the beginning of our new program year.
We were gathered with a reminder that we need to trust in God so we can avoid resting on our strength and trust only in God’s power for life and mercy. Our first lesson from Exodus recounts the institution of the passover feast as a sign of God’s mercy. The Psalmist sings a song of praise recounting God’s grace for those who believe in God. The reading from the letter to the Romans is encourages believers to own nothing in their lives but to love (in relationship) God and our neighbor, because being related to others is how we keep the law. Matthew’s gospel defines how believers are supposed to settle disputes with others of faith.
This week we delve into stories about order and relationship in and among the people of God and all creation. As humans, our society needs an outline of principles which describe how we are related and how we resolve differences. Paul’s letter to the Romans identifies the scope of the law for believers, and not simply as something folks can do but as something which is part of what makes us Christians. Paul describes how love, which is relational, is the true basis of the law of God. That love Paul speaks of is an active process which is revolutionary, reaching across human-formed boundaries to include all in God’s grace. Paul reminds us that God’s love and relationship with us transcends our understanding.
What actions will you take to make God’s kingdom recognizable in our divided world? How are you sharing God’s grace to remove people’s otherness and create community? I invite your comments,
Les+
Lessons: Exodus 12:1-14; Psalm 149; Romans 13:8-14; Matthew 18:15-20
Sermon link: https://audiomack.com/fatherles-2/song/pentecost-15-sermon-2
