Items for the week of Sunday, June 21st

This past Sunday, June 21^st, was the 4^th Sunday after Pentecost

We heard the following scripture readings, introduction, and prayer of the day during the Sunday morning worship service:

Introduction

God does not promise that the path of the disciple will be easy. Jeremiah feels the pain of rejection from those who do not want to hear what he has to say. Jesus declares that his words may bring stark division. Even so, we need not be afraid for God accounts for each hair on our heads. Though we may experience rejection, frustration, division, and death, God’s grace and love make us a new creation each day. Marked with the cross and filled with holy food, we are sent from worship to witness to Christ in the world.

Prayer of the Day

Teach us, good Lord God, to serve you as you deserve, to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to ask for reward, except that of knowing that we do your will, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Scripture

Jeremiah 20:7-13 The prophet must speak despite opposition
Psalm 69:7-10 [11-15] 16-18 Answer me, O Lord, for your love is kind. (Ps. 69:16)
Romans 6:1b-11 Buried and raised with Christ by baptism
Matthew 10:24-39 The cost of discipleship

Devotion for the Week

Between Hiding and Exposing

The desire to make known that which is currently hidden can evoke various responses. When abusive power and fear suppress opposition, or when liberating truth is just under the surface, the desire for uncovering and justice is likely strong. However, when harm or injustice is not an obvious outcome and that which is hidden is perceived to benefit stability or peace, there may be resistance to making the hidden known.

Through a variety of images, the speech in Matthew’s gospel calls for the unknown to be revealed and intentions made plain. Our liturgical practice of corporate confession provides an opportunity to acknowledge our relationship with what stays hidden and what we wish to reveal in our own lives. The confession may be discomforting, but it reminds us of an important dynamic in the life of faith: Just as Jesus tells his disciples not to fear and reassures them of their value, the words of forgiveness in the liturgy orient us toward a God who restores relationships and calls us beloved.

If only the liturgical practice of confession and forgiveness would once and for all set us on the right path and give us permanent assurance! But that would also free us from curiosity about what taking up the cross means in our lives. Once the cross is exposed, we must face our response to it, and it challenges our allegiances and prods at our vulnerabilities. However, Jesus is clear that the cross also uncovers a path to life. Instead of this path being a lonely, exposing journey, Jesus knows it well and joins us on the way.