Proper 11, Sunday, July 17th. 2002

                                      

Proper 11, Sunday, July 17th. 2002

The Collect 

Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have compassion on our weakness, and mercifully give us those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask; through the worthiness of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. 

Old Testament Genesis 18:1-10a 

The LORD appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. He said, "My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on-- since you have come to your servant." So they said, "Do as you have said." And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, "Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes." Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate. They said to him, "Where is your wife Sarah?" And he said, "There, in the tent." Then one said, "I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son." 

Psalm 15 

1 LORD, who may dwell 

in your tabernacle? *

 who may abide upon your holy hill? 

2 Whoever leads a blameless life 

and does what is right, * 

who speaks the truth from his heart. 

3 There is no guile upon his tongue; 

he does no evil to his friend; * 

he does not heap contempt 

upon his neighbor. 

4 In his sight the wicked is rejected, * 

but he honors those who fear the LORD. 

5 He has sworn to do no wrong * 

and does not take back his word. 

6 He does not give his money 

in hope of gain, * 

nor does he take a bribe 

against the innocent. 

7 Whoever does these things * 

shall never be overthrown. 

The Epistle Colossians 1:15-28 

Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers-- all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him-- provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a servant of this gospel. I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. I became its servant according to God's commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 

The Gospel Luke 10:38-42 

As Jesus and his disciples went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her."

I am one of four sisters, although we re now three since my sister Pegi passed in 1990. We are all very different. Some are industrious and set on to the work needing to be done. Others have their head in the clouds and find ways to avoid the chores. I am a mother of three women, who are very different as well. They live their lives and face the world in different and wonderful ways. And they can drive each other crazy. My sisters still can drive me crazy and I laugh about the many times I was left with all the chores. Needless to say, this Gospel is often difficult for me. If Mary had just helped Martha, both would have been able to sit with Jesus. And, if Martha had just put down her list, she could have sat and might have gotten her sisters' help afterwards. God invites us on this season to choose wisely, careful with what we pick up and what we let go. And giving time to Christ's presence is always important.

A Litany for a Summer Sunday

Gracious Creator, your abundance is evident

in the many fruits that are ripening daily

in the warmth that surrounds us making growth

and the summer storms which replenish the waters.

Dear Savior, help us to set aside our worries and come to you.

There is much worry and violence in our world

we fear our prayers and hard work are useless

yet you told Martha to rest for a season and listen

and you call us all to follow you in our every day.

Dear Savior, help us to set aside our worries and come to you.

We long for a renewal of this precious planet

we ache for wars to cease and violence to end

yet we wrap ourselves in aggression and fighting

instead of letting go to your loving peace,

Dear Savior, help us to set aside our worries and come to you.

We are weak and worried with poverty all around

yet in the stillness of our dark nights you call to us.

Dear Savior, help us to set aside our worries and come to you.

We work for financial security and beautiful things

and we forget to make our hearts and homes welcoming.

Dear Savior, help us to set aside our worries and come to you.

You have promised to be with us in all our storms

help us to rest in your love and share what we have.

Dear Savior, help us to set aside our worries and come to you. Amen.