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)
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
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
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.
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