Greetings on 23rd Sunday after Pentecost, the journey of the liturgical year is nearly over and Advent waits around the corner.
Our invitation to worship is a prayer stating the purpose of holy Scripture – to provide us hope as we read, learn, and make them part of our life. Our first lesson from the prophet Isaiah tells us that God is making a new heaven and earth so we can recognize and share the hope we have with others. The Canticle reminds us that it is God alone that saves us. The New Testament reading from the second letter to the Thessalonians warns us about the difficulties which arise from a disordered life in community. Our Gospel from Luke discusses the uncertainty of the end of time and all that will happen as the end approaches.
If Paul had a bumper sticker, it might be “Without Order There Is Only Chaos.” Our sermon today offers a reminder that we are called to live in groups and every person has an important part to play in the community. We have realized that if we try to live alone, we will ultimately cease. We are called to remember that we have a part to play and every person is essential. We live a balanced life trying to hold both individualism and collectivism in tension so we can sustain our life by including all. We are asked to do our part so that we can encourage others to do their part, in their time. The work we do is important and helps us to have hope in our future and the future of our society.
How are we called to reimagine and reorder our life in community, over and against the world’s view of scarcity? Who needs to hear a message of hope? I invite your likes and comments,
Les+
Readings: Isaiah 56:17-25; Canticle 9; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19.
Sermon link: https://audiomack.com/fatherles-2/song/pentecost-23-sermon-1
