#ordinary 17

[rivikah]

In the midst

Here’s a whole set of metaphors for the Kingdom of Heaven with things mixed in with other things. Hiding in the midst of other stuff. There’s a mustard plant with insignificant seeds becoming vast thickets, yeast distributed though bread dough and transforming it into something different than it was, a treasure hiding in a field, a valuable pearl found at a market in the midst of overpriced or…

In the midst

[rivikah]

Lectionary Readings for Ordinary 17

Genesis 29:15-28 Psalm 105:1-11, 45 Romans 8:26-39 Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 Previously Bread Big and Small

[rivikah]

Preaching

The catechism caught my attention this week. I’ll get around to Lord’s Day 31 in a bit, but I think we need to take stock of everything we’ve seen here so far. After the preamble of Lord’s Day 1, the catechism is broken into three parts. People who like alliteration label the parts as Sin, Salvation, and Service. Other making schemes talk about misery, redemption, and gratitude. We’re right at…

Preaching

[rivikah]

Echoes

Jesus feeds the 5000 and walks on water. We’ve jumped over to read this story from John as context for spending the next several weeks of talking about bread. The basic plot here is similar to the one in Mark. Teaching a large crowd in an isolated place, Jesus instructs his disciples to provide them food. When they cannot feed so many, he miraculously expands a small amount of food to feed the…

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[rivikah]

Bread

We’re reading about Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness immediately after his baptism and I’m thinking about bread. Actually no. I’m thinking about clothing. Let’s see if I can explain this wild tangent. A person made your clothing. Or, to be more precise, several people. Yes, even that cheap, ten dollar t-shirt that will disintegrate after half a dozen washes. There are not automated…

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[discerningacall]

Prayer

Today, I am writing my sermon for this Sunday’s readings: the tenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 12, Ordinary 17)–Track 2.

I will be preaching for the church where I am an intern (so I know the congregation a bit, but not well, yet), and my mother, my grandmother, and my boyfriend, who are all agnostics, will be in the pews.

Lord, give me strength and guidance as I set out to proclaim your Word. Be with me and remain with me always, that I may send forth your message to all your people. Amen.

EDIT: Sermon completed, sleep about to commence... Lord, please let the words I speak be the ones your people need to hear. Amen.