Pentecost 22, God's Image, October 22, 2017

Twentieth Sunday of Pentecost (Year A)

Sunday, October 22, 2017

So, surely this dramatic moment in Matthew’s Gospel is not only about taxes, is it? Indeed, all of life is a constant negotiation for all that we have and all that we are and I am quite certain that by Jesus using the example of the emperor’s face on a coin, he is actually pointing to all of this — to all those things which compete for our obedience and our loyalty today..

– Janet Hunt, Dancing with the Word

Theme: God’s Image

Reflection:  You’re being used. And it’s all good.

Face it, ever since you were born, and especially since God named you and claimed you in Holy Baptism, God has been using you. People have been watching you, taking in every move you make, every word you speak, and every dollar you spend. Do your words and actions serve as examples of the One you claim to follow?

Oh, it’s much easier when you are in those certain places – in the sanctuary, in Bible studies, joining other faith family members for dinner or on an outing. God’s grace is reflected in each other, and your discipleship never slips far from your mind.

How about Monday morning? When you’re late for work and can’t find that matching sock or your cell phone?

Monday afternoon, when your boss moves up your project deadline or wants to know why your productivity isn’t topping the chart?

And Monday evening, when the evening news reports on the growing conflicts between the U.S. and North Korea, increasing tension between Congress and the White House on the budget and healthcare reform, and hostility between white supremacists and protestors at a march in Florida?

What do your words and actions say then, because you are still a living example of your Lord and Savior? Not quite so easy to hold back the anger, the resentment, the frustration. What do you do?

I’d like to say that I meet every situation with grace and kind words, prayer and positive action. But I don’t. Sometimes others might see a good likeness of Christ in me when I call my lawmakers to advocate for diplomacy and dedication to compassion. But I’ve been known to scream and yell over a missing sock, or make disparaging remarks about those in authority over me.

God uses every moment, even when we are a challenge. God used Cyrus, even when Cyrus didn’t know God, to bring about his purpose. He used the new believers at Thessalonica to demonstrate hospitality and rejecting idols – and the word got around. 

Our lives as children of God aren’t segmented into the sacred and the secular, the divine and the day-to-day. When Jesus told the Pharisees and Herodians to give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s, I don’t think he was advocating a split.  Jesus might have said “Render to Caesar that which is Caesar’s, but remember, render everything to God, because everything we are is God’s.”

So when we’re in the voting booth or paying our taxes, when we’re attending a town hall or attending a march, we are God’s people. When we are taking care of our neighbors, or if we choose to look the other way, we are God’s people. When we speak kind words and teach peace to our children, or when we don’t, we are God’s people.

Perhaps that’s what Paul had in mind when he wrote “God makes all things work together for good,” in Romans 8:28.

God has an easier time working through us when we act like God’s people. We may demonstrate the kingdom better when we serve than when we ignore those in need.  I am working on being “on the clock” as God’s disciple 24/7, waking each morning with a prayer dedicating this day back to the One who gave me life in the first place.

But it’s refreshing to know God will use us, no matter if we are on fire like the Thessalonians, unaware like Cyrus, or even opposing the Savior like the Pharisees and Herodians.

We’re being used, and it’s all good.

(You always are welcome to respond with your thoughts and reflections in the comments section at the bottom of this post.) 

Faith App:  No matter if you are a student, a laborer, a professional or retired, each day you are called to share God’s image with the world. Make it a good likeness.

HYMN/SONG SUGGESTIONS

Sing Praise to God, the Highest Good, ELW 871

To Be Your Presence, ELW 546

We Are an Offering, ELW 692

Lord, Be Glorified, ELW 744

You Are Mine, ELW 581

Take My Life, That I May Be, ELW 583

God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens, ELW 771

Let Them See You, JJ Weeks Band https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mgho0_JRetk

Let them see You in me

Let them hear You when I speak

Let them feel You when I sing

Let them see You, let them see You in me

You Are God Alone, Phillips, Craig & Dean

I Am New, Jason Gray

Love Come to Life, Big Daddy Weave

LESSONS

Isaiah 45:1-7 God chooses King Cyrus, even though Cyrus doesn’t yet know the Lord.

Psalm 96:1-9 [10-13] Great is the Lord, to be praised and honored above any other gods.

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 Paul recognizes the Thessalonians, who turned from idols to worship God.

Matthew 22:15-22 Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God those that are God’s.

Summary:  Cyrus didn’t know God, and God used him anyway. Caesar thought he was God, and God used him anyway. How about us? How much more can God use us, especially if we’re available to allow people to see God through us?

OPENING LITANY based on Psalm 96:1-9

L:  Break into a brand-new song, God’s creation;

C:  From dawn to dusk, sing of God’s unending love!

L:  Praise-filled lyrics of Divine signs and majesty;

C:  Join in with God’s people all over the earth!

L:  How glorious are your works and ways, O Lord;

C:  You are the One God, far above worldly things.

L:  Worshiping our toys and treasures is foolishness;

C:  Instead, our Creator, it’s your wonders we adore.

L:  Earth’s seas and mountains are God’s majestic cathedral;

C:  The cosmos, Great Architect, your stunning display.

L:  Faith family, give all your honor to the deserving One,

C:  Open your mind to the mystery, your heart in awe.

CONFESSION

L:  Lord, we bear your name as chosen disciples,

C:  Sincere in our convictions to live for you,

L:  But we ignore our call to peace and justice,

C:  To be the voice of our neighbors in need.

L:  We speak with joy of the living and true God,

C:  Imitating Christ’s loving and serving ways,

L:  Examine our hearts, as well as our planners,

C:  For everyday idols competing for our time.

L:  We confess we want to divide our lives,

C:  Into one day of holy, and six we control,

L:  Help us to see that each moment is sacred,

C:  Every encounter a gift we give back to God.

(Silent reflection)

L:  In our confession, we pray together,

C:  Most Merciful God … we confess we live our lives like we’re in charge, instead of living for you. We give you one morning of praise each week and wonder why the rest of our lives seem so empty. Remind us that everything we have, all we are, our works of faith and labors of love are yours. From the rising of the sun, help us to start each new day by giving ourselves back to you to do your kingdom work in this world.

P:  Hear this Good News: Receive this word with joy, inspired by the Holy Spirit. Turn to God from idols, to serve the living and true God. Commit your hearts and minds to follow Jesus the Christ first and always, the risen Lord who rescues and releases you from all your sin.

In the name of…

C:  Amen

PRAYER OF THE DAY

L:  We pray together, 

C:  Living and True God … How we collect things and acquire passions, trying to satisfy the God-shaped void within us that only you can fill. Help us to clean out and give away what threatens your primary place in our lives, lest other idols replace the real joy and peace that only you provide. Amen.

COMMUNION BLESSING

L:  We pray together,

C:  We give you thanks, most gracious God, for the calling us through this holy meal to be your image-bearers in this world, serving you with everything you’ve given us. Remind us to start our days with a prayer that we would use what you’ve given us to bless you, to give you the honor and glory, and to imitate by generous actions and loving examples the God we serve.  Amen.

SENDING

L:  We were created in the image of God,

C:  Do our words speak grace and peace?

L:  Do our actions reflect mercy and love?

C:  Would they know Jesus by meeting us?

L: Go now, God’s image-bearers, to love and to serve the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God!

First Reading Isaiah 45:1-7 (NRSV)

Setting the Scene: Persian King Cyrus took over Babylon in the sixth century B.C., allowing the exiles to come home and ultimately preparing for the life of the Messiah. It didn’t matter to God that Cyrus didn’t know God.

45Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him and strip kings of their robes, to open doors before him— and the gates shall not be closed: ²I will go before you and level the mountains, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron, ³I will give you the treasures of darkness and riches hidden in secret places, so that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who call you by your name. ⁴For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, I call you by your name, I surname you, though you do not know me.

⁵I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides me there is no god. I arm you, though you do not know me, ⁶so that they may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is no one besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other. ⁷I form light and create darkness, I make weal and create woe; I the Lord do all these things.

Second Reading 1Thessalonians 1:1-10 (NRSV)

Setting the Scene: Paul visited Thessalonica, an important city on a trade route, on his second missionary journey. Paul’s letter is filled with encouragement, as some of their members have died before seeing the return of Christ.

1Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

²We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly ³remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁴For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, ⁵because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake.

⁶And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, ⁷so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. ⁸For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. ⁹For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, ¹⁰and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.

Gospel Matthew 22:15-22 (NRSV)

Setting the Scene: The Pharisees join forces with the supporters of the Roman government, the Herodians, against Jesus. Jesus was upsetting the established order and they wanted him gone, whether he blasphemed God or insulted the Roman government.

¹⁵Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. ¹⁶So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. ¹⁷Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” ¹⁸But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? ¹⁹Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. ²⁰Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” ²¹They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” ²²When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.

Come to the Feast, Pentecost 19, October 15, 2017

Nineteenth Sunday of Pentecost (Year A)

Sunday, October 15, 2017

This is the very heart of the bigger table. It isn’t about formulating and defending some ironclad religious system that we proof-text and memorize and attempt to convince others to adopt. It’s not about winning theological discussions or defending worldviews. It is about tangibly living in a way that responds to what we believe about our own belovedness and about the belovedness of those we live alongside.

– John Pavlovitz, A Bigger Table

Theme: Come to the Feast

Reflection: Just a note – with today’s texts, I celebrate three years of weekly liturgical writing. I still have a long way to go to be the voice God wants me to be. Maybe by the time I complete this three-year course a few more times, God will have sanded off a few of the rough edges. Thank you for your grace in reading along.

I have this picture of God, preparing to welcome us all home. It’s a little like holidays among my family growing up. Put every leaf in the dining room and kitchen tables, set up the card tables, and if it’s nice outside, put the kids out on the picnic table. If we’re short some spaces, some of the young adults can sit on the couch or easy chairs. Everyone is welcome, and we’ve pulled out all the stops.

Except God has a super-big, round table, and it keeps expanding. No one gets stuck on the fringes, or at the foot of the table. Everyone is welcome and equal, known and beloved.

The wedding feast parable in today’s Gospel is Jesus’s attempt to explain the radical hospitality of God’s table of grace. Rich and poor, royals and paupers, respected and ruffian, healthy and ill – ALL are invited. The only way to be excluded is to refuse the invitation, or reject the garment of grace that covers all of our imperfections.

Matthew’s Gospel can be a little heavy-handed with the brutality. It seems a bit misplaced next to the amazing grace of the king, inviting everyone to the wedding feast. Remember the gospel is written for a community of Jewish believers whose scriptures were full of law and violence. It’s hard for us to read “kill the murderers and burn their towns” and “tie him up, and throw him out into the outer darkness.” But tucked inside is this lavish promise of “invite everyone.” All are welcome!

So dress right – in God’s beautiful robe of grace and take your place at the table. 

(You always are welcome to respond with your thoughts and reflections in the comments section at the bottom of this post.) 

Faith App:  Not everyone can accept that God’s invitation includes them – perhaps they’ve been rejected before, or believe they have to earn it first. This week, can you share some of that limitless grace with someone, especially if the person who needs to accept it is you?

HYMN/SONG SUGGESTIONS

Let Us Go Now to the Banquet, ELW 523

As We Gather at Your Table, ELW 522

God Extends an Invitation, ELW 486

United at the Table, ELW 498

Gather Us In, ELW 532

What Feast of Love, ELW 487

Come, Let Us Eat, ELW 491

The King of Love My Shepherd is, ELW 502

The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want, ELW 778

My Shepherd Will Supply My Need, ELW 782

Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us, ELW 789

Wedding Banquet, Roots for Rain (would be good for Sunday School classes or families) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv8ojKvo1pI

There once was a mighty King

His son was getting married

His servants searched the kingdom

Oh, calling all the guests to come

Oh come, oh come, oh come

The feast is ready here for you

Oh come, oh come, oh come

Come to the table of the Groom

None were ready when He called

They made excuses and they stalled

They told the servant let us be

They did not listen to the King

Oh come, oh come, oh come

The feast is ready here for you

Oh come, oh come, oh come

Come to the table of the Groom

{Go out into the city streets and alleys

Collect all who look like they need a square meal

All the misfits and homeless and wretched you can find and bring them here

The servant said, "Sir, I did what you commanded and there's still room."

The Master said, "Then go out to the country roads; whoever you find drag them in. I want my house full!"}

They found everyone they could

The poor the humble bad and good

But there was still room to spare

The King said, "Fill these empty chairs!"

Oh come, oh come, oh come

The feast is ready here for you

Oh come, oh come, oh come

Come to the table of the Groom

Oh come, oh come

Come to the table of the Groom

Come to the table of the Groom

Table of Grace, Phillips, Craig and Dean

Broken Things, Matthew West

Shoulders, For King and Country

He Will Carry Me, Mark Schultz

LESSONS

Isaiah 25:1-9 On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast.

Psalm 23 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

Philippians 4:1-9 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.

Matthew 22:1-14 Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone to the wedding banquet.

Summary:  God’s grace can be overwhelming. It makes us uncomfortable that God would take such good care of us, since we know our own hearts. But God’s grace IS that generous, so no more excuses – come to the feast!

OPENING LITANY based on Psalm 23

L:  Great Shepherd, you provide everything I could need and more,

C:  You surround me with beauty and urge me to rest on my journey.

L:  When I feel overwhelmed and powerless, you give me strength.

C:  You help me discover and do your kingdom-work.

L:  Even when I’m in a dark place or facing death, I am not afraid.

C:  You are always with me, and you protect and guide me.

L:  You invite me to a feast, and the guests surprise and challenge me.

C:  You welcome all people here and unite us in your purpose.

L:  Every day you cover me with mercy and loving-kindness,

C:  And I will live with you, today and forevermore!

CONFESSION

L:  In today’s Gospel, we are invited to a royal banquet

C:  God reaches out to us, catches us off-guard

L:  We know we don’t deserve to be at God’s table.

C:  This is awkward – we aren’t fit to be at this feast for the Son.

L:  Some folks refused to honor their invitations.

C:  We understand. We’ve turned our backs when God has called us.

L:  Others beat and killed those who brought the invitations.

C:  We confess we also can be kill-joys to those who are Spirit-filled.

L:  For our inaction that keeps us from your celebration, Lord have mercy.

C:  For our actions that make others unwelcome at the table, Christ have mercy.

(Silent reflection)

L:  In our confession, we pray together,

C:  Most Merciful God … you invite us to a feast and want us to sit at your table. Help us to come joyfully, and be a part of the dance that includes everyone. Help us to come dressed appropriately, wearing acceptable attire of patience and service, gratefulness and love.

P:  Here is Good News: You are God’s beloved, and you are invited to take your seat at the wedding feast. Don’t turn down your invitation – put on the robe of righteousness God has provided for you and rejoice! You are forgiven and set free from your sin by God’s abundant grace.

In the name of…

C:  Amen

PRAYER OF THE DAY

L:  We pray together, 

C:  Welcoming God, we sit at your banquet table, wondering why you asked us to join you. We don’t deserve to be at the feast. Even though we clean up well on the outside, on the inside we are a pretty scruffy bunch. We don’t look or act very different from those who refuse your invitation. Keep teaching us to clothe ourselves in love for you, and kindness and service to others, and that your table is for everyone. Amen.

COMMUNION BLESSING

L:  We pray together,

C:  We give you thanks, most gracious God, for the lavish feast in this bread, the joyful invitation in this cup, today and every time we gather. In this meal, we join with all your people, high and low, rich and poor, young and old, united by your grace that welcomes everyone. Help us keep extending your hospitality that has no limits.  Amen.

SENDING

L:  You’ve been invited, so come to the banquet;

C:  Put on your wedding robe and come inside!

L:  The feast is prepared and everything is ready;

C:  Rejoice! At God’s table there’s room for all!

L:  Go now, surprised again by grace, to love and to serve the Lord.

C:  Thanks be to God!

First Reading Isaiah 25:1-9 (NRSV)

Setting the Scene: Canaanites annually celebrated a festival when Mot, the god of death, attempted to swallow the god, Baal, but did not succeed. The people of Israel would have recognized the reversal when Yahweh swallows death.

25 O Lord, you are my God;
    I will exalt you, I will praise your name;
for you have done wonderful things,
    plans formed of old, faithful and sure.
² For you have made the city a heap,
    the fortified city a ruin;
the palace of aliens is a city no more,
    it will never be rebuilt.
³ Therefore strong peoples will glorify you;
    cities of ruthless nations will fear you.
⁴ For you have been a refuge to the poor,
    a refuge to the needy in their distress,
    a shelter from the rainstorm and a shade from the heat.
When the blast of the ruthless was like a winter rainstorm,
⁵     the noise of aliens like heat in a dry place,
you subdued the heat with the shade of clouds;
    the song of the ruthless was stilled.

⁶ On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples
    a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines,
    of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear.
⁷ And he will destroy on this mountain
    the shroud that is cast over all peoples,
    the sheet that is spread over all nations;
⁸     he will swallow up death forever.
Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces,
    and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth,
    for the Lord has spoken.
⁹ It will be said on that day,
    Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us.
    This is the Lord for whom we have waited;
    let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

Second Reading Philippians 4:1-9 (NRSV)

Setting the Scene: Paul wrote to the church at Philippi from prison. Amazing that this passage is so uplifting and encouraging despite his circumstances.

4 ¹ Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

² I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. ³ Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. ⁵ Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ⁹ Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Gospel Matthew 22:1-14 (NRSV)

Setting the Scene: Jesus continues to teach in the temple. Unlike the rabbis, who could speak freely, Jesus had to cloak his teachings in parables. Even then, the chief priests and Pharisees got the point, often

22 Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: ² “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. ³ He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. ⁴ Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.’ ⁵ But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, ⁶ while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. ⁷ The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. ⁸ Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. ⁹ Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’ ¹⁰ Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.

¹¹ “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, ¹² and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?’ And he was speechless. ¹³ Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ ¹⁴ For many are called, but few are chosen.”