Sunday, August 10th, 2025 Proper 14
Jesus said to his disciples, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. "Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. "But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour." Luke 12:32-40
When we were children, living by the ocean, a family friend owned a gift shop which had a treasure chest called "Captain Kidd's Treasure Chest." It was filled with surprise bags; paper bags filled with trinkets and small toys. We rarely got a chance to dive in and get a bag, but on occasion, our parents would front us the 25 cents so we could pick a treasure. Usually we were delighted, but sometimes we were disappointed in what the surprise bag held. Life is often like that as we dream of great riches, and we are disappointed with our small "treasures." We fail to see the riches we have in the love and faith around us. Jesus tells the disciples to give, rather than build up treasures. He calls us all to build up treasures in heaven. Faith, compassion, love, generosity and inclusion are the gifts and treasures of heaven. They are in short supply these days. May we be those who have our lamps lit and are spreading God's love.
A litany for Sunday, August 10th
Wondrous Creator, you shower us with treasures
giving us abundant love and community for free
asking us to tend to the needs of those around us.
Draw near to us, precious Savior, and teach us how to live again.
We often fail to see the want and needs around us
too busy focused on amassing wealth and power
never seeing how fleeting and shallow both are.
Draw near to us, precious Savior, and teach us how to live again.
You told the disciples to sell riches and give alms
and store up treasures in heaven by giving to others
and caring for the most vulnerable around us.
Draw near to us, precious Savior, and teach us how to live again.
Move us from fear to helpfulness today, dear Lord
for we are weary, confused and without direction.
Draw near to us, precious Savior, and teach us how to live again.
Help us to live humbly and with great compassion
so all might see the loving treasures in their midst.
Draw near to us, precious Savior, and teach us how to live again.
For you are the source of all good and gracious things
and we are always yours, secure in your love for us all.
Draw near to us, precious Savior, and teach us how to live again. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment