Fourth Sunday After Pentecost -Proper 7
Jesus said to the twelve disciples, “A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household! “So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. “Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven. “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:24-39
The birds in my back yard are often vocal and seem to not like what we are doing. Maybe they're yelling at the dog, maybe criticizing our yard work, whatever they are saying, they do it loudly. Our partners in this existence are often forgotten and ignored, but Jesus reminds us that the Creator cares for each, and for us as well, even more so possibly. We are reminded that even the hairs of our heads are counted. Jesus tells us this, so that we might not spend our time in worry and care but rather in gratitude and faithfulness. We are called to share the great love and care we have received, trusting our lives to th hands of a tender and caring Creator.
Gracious Creator, you hold all creation in your arms
and tenderly watch over us in the daytime and at night.
Lord Jesus, make us fearless as we serve the world in your name.
We are given to worry and love of money and things
forgetting you have already given us everything we need.
Lord Jesus, make us fearless as we serve the world in your name.
We forget you and turn to our own solutions and ways
and we lose sight of your love as we sink in the mire.
Lord Jesus, make us fearless as we serve the world in your name.
Lift us, Lord, from our selfish worries and demands
and turn our hearts to our neighbors and our world.
Lord Jesus, make us fearless as we serve the world in your name.
There is so much for us to do here in your name
strengthen us to be your love and your compassion.
Lord Jesus, make us fearless as we serve the world in your name.
Lead us, dear Lord, into a life of service following you
so all of creation might rejoice in your presence here.
Lord Jesus, make us fearless as we serve the world in your name. Amen.
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