All Hallows Evening Worship for Saturday (December 10, 2022)
THE PREPARATION
The leader may greet the other participants.
THE LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
Jesus said, ‘No one more important than
John the Baptist has ever been born;
yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is
greater than he.’
Amen. Come soon, Lord Jesus!
The third candle is lit and this response is used
Jesus is the light of the world.
A light no darkness can ever put out.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Mark Earey’s “Advent Candles Tell Their Story.”
Advent candles tell their story
as we watch and pray,
longing for the Day of Glory,
‘Come, Lord, soon,’ we say.
Pain and sorrow, tears and sadness,
changed for gladness
on that Day.
Prophet voices loudly crying,
making pathways clear;
glimpsing glory, self-denying,
calling all to hear.
Through their message - challenged, shaken –
hearts awaken: God is near!
John the Baptist, by his preaching
and by water poured,
brought to those who heard his teaching
news of hope restored:
‘Keep your vision strong and steady,
and be ready
for the Lord.’
Great is the Lord and worthy of all praise.
Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom,
thanksgiving and honor, power and might,
be to our God for ever and ever! Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear the Church Folk’s arrangement of Aurelius Clemens Prudentius’ “Of the Father’s Love Begotten.”
1 Of the Father's Love begotten
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the source, the ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see,
Evermore and evermore!
2 He is found in human fashion,
Death and sorrow here to know,
That the race of Adam's children,
Doomed by Law to endless woe,
May not henceforth die and perish
In the dreadful gulf below,
Evermore and evermore!
3 O ye heights of heaven adore Him!
Angel-hosts His praises sing!
All dominions bow before Him,
And extol our God and King;
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert ring,
Evermore and evermore!
4 Christ to Thee, with God the Father
And, Holy Ghost, to Thee!
Hymn, and chant, and high thanksgiving,
And unwearied praises be,
Honor, glory, and dominion,
And eternal victory,
Evermore and evermore!
Evermore and evermore!
Evermore and evermore!
Hear these words of scripture.
Love one another,
for love is of God,
and whoever loves is born of God and knows God.
Spirit of God, search our hearts.
Let us bow our heads and, in silence,
remember our need for God’s forgiveness.
Silence
Let us confess our sins to God.
Almighty and merciful God,
we have sinned against you,
in thought, word and deed.
We have not loved you with all our heart.
We have not loved others
as our Savior Christ loves us.
We are truly sorry.
In your mercy forgive what we have been,
help us to amend what we are,
and direct what we shall be;
that we may delight in your will
and walk in your ways,
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Almighty God, you pardon all who truly repent,
forgive us sins, strengthen us by the Holy Spirit,
and keep us in life eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
Open this link in a new tab to hear the Sons of Korah’s version of Psalm 93, “The Seas Have Lifted Up.”
The Lord reigns, He's robed in majesty, in majesty
And He is armed with strength
The world is firmly established
It cannot be moved
Your throne was established long ago, long ago
You are from eternity
The seas have lifted up
The seas have lifted up
The seas have lifted up their voice
The seas have lifted up
The seas have lifted up
The seas have lifted up their pounding waves
Mightier than the thunder of the great waters
Mightier than the breakers of the sea
Of the sea, of the sea
The Lord on high, He is mighty
(The seas have lifted up)
He is mighty
(The seas have lifted up)
He is mighty
(The seas have lifted up their voice)
The seas have lifted up
The seas have lifted up
The seas have lifted up their pounding waves
He is mighty
The Lord on high, He is mighty
Your statue stands firm
Holiness adorns Your house
For endless days, O Lord
Open this link in a new tab to hear the Sons of Korah’s version of Psalm 94, “Oh, Lord, Who Avenges.”
Oh, Lord, Who avenges!
Oh, God, Who avenges!
Shine forth!
Shine forth!
Rise uu uu up uiuu uu uu up uiuu uu uu up uiuu uu uu up!
Oh Judge of the earth
Give the proud what they deserve!
Oh Judge of the earth
How long will the evil one triumph?
They pour out arrogant words!
All evil doers are full of boasting!
Shine forth!
Shine forth!
Rise uu uu up uiuu uu uu up uiuu uu uu up uiuu uu uu up!
Oh Judge of the earth
They crush us in the dirt!
Oh Judge of the earth
They oppress Your precious inheritance!
Oh Judge of the earth
They crush us in the dirt!
Oh Judge of the earth
They slay the widow and the alien!
They murder the fatherless!
They say You don't see see see!
And that You pay no heed hee heed!
They say You don't see see see!
And that You pay no heed hee heed!
They say You don't see!
Take heed you senseless ones you fools!
When will you understand you fools!
Does the God Who teaches man all things not know!!!!
Does He not know!!!
Does the God Who made the ear not hear???
Does He Who formed the eye not see???
Does the God Who disciplines nations never punish???
Does He not judge???
Take heed you senseless ones you fools!
When will you understand you fools!
Does the God Who teaches man all things not know!!!!
Does He not know!!!
Does the God Who made the ear not hear???
Does He Who formed the eye not see???
Does the God Who disciplines nations never punish???
Does He not judge???
Rise uu uu up uiuu uu uu up uiuu uu uu up uiuu uu uu up!
Oh Judge of the earth
Listen to their words!!
Oh Judge of the earth
How long will the evil one triumph??
Oh Judge of the earth
Listen to their words!!
Oh Judge of the earth
The Lord knows the thoughts of man!
He knows that they are futile!
They say You don't see see see!
And that You pay no heed hee heed!
They say You don't see see see!
And that You pay no heed hee heed!
They say You don't see!
Silence
The Reading from the New Testament: Matthew 16: 1-12
One day the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus, demanding that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.
He replied, “You know the saying, ‘Red sky at night means fair weather tomorrow; red sky in the morning means foul weather all day.’ You know how to interpret the weather signs in the sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the signs of the times! Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign, but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.” Then Jesus left them and went away.
Later, after they crossed to the other side of the lake, the disciples discovered they had forgotten to bring any bread. “Watch out!” Jesus warned them. “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn’t brought any bread. Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, “You have so little faith! Why are you arguing with each other about having no bread? Don’t you understand even yet? Don’t you remember the 5,000 I fed with five loaves, and the baskets of leftovers you picked up? Or the 4,000 I fed with seven loaves, and the large baskets of leftovers you picked up? Why can’t you understand that I’m not talking about bread? So again I say, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’”
Then at last they understood that he wasn’t speaking about the yeast in bread, but about the deceptive teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Silence follows the reading.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Brian Perdue’s version of the Magnificat, “Canticle for Mary.”
Who am I but Your servant?
To this lowly one you came
Filled with Grace at Your calling
My soul magnifies Your name
For He who is All Mighty
Great things He’s done for me
Throughout all generations
Blessed will I be.
From the seed of Abraham
Your promise was proclaimed
The barren one would bear a child
Blessed be Your name
From now until forever
The world will still acclaim
The gift my Lord has given
Holy be His name
Now my heart rejoices
Your love bestowed on me
This vessel you have filled with Him
Glory to Your name
From the line of Jesse’s tree
Your Prophets did acclaim
You came to earth a mortal man
Blessed be Your name
You came to earth a mortal man
Blessed be Your name
Silence may follow the song.
I spent the better part of my childhood living in a rural part of Suffolk in England and in what was then a rural part of Louisiana here in the United States. One of the things that I learned during that time was how to interpret the weather signs in the sky. I learned to recognize the smell of rain in the air and to listen for the distant rumble of thunder. One way of predicting the weather was the color of the sky at dusk and at dawn. My grandmother taught me the saying, “Red at night, shepherd’s delight; red in morning, shepherd’s warning.” As we learn from this evening’s reading from the New Testament, this piece of weather lore goes as far as Jesus’ day and most likely further back than his day.
There were no meteorologists in Jesus’ day. No weather forecasts on the radio, TV, cell phone, or internet. People learned from a very early age to interpret the weather signs in the sky.
The Pharisees and the Sadducees represented the two leading schools of religious thought in Judaism at the time, learned in the teaching of the Hebrew Bible. From what he says, Jesus appears to have expected them to recognize him for who he was without demanding that he perform a miraculous sign to prove his authority. He refuses to oblige them
What is the sign of Jonah which Jesus tells them is the only sign he will give them? Jonah is one of the minor prophets of the Hebrew Bible. His story is told in the Book of Jonah. Rather than obey God when God instructs him to go to the city of Nineveh and proclaim God’s judgment against its people, Jonah attempts to flee across the Mediterranean Sea to the distant Phoenician colony of Tarshish on the coast of the Iberian Peninsula in what is now modern-day Spain. Jonah hates the Ninevites who are cruel and merciless people and fears that God will spare them. God, however, prevents Jonah from making his escape and the reluctant Jonah, after again being instructed by God to go to Nineveh and deliver the message God has given him obeys God. Upon hearing the message, the people of Nineveh believe. From the greatest to least they dress in sackcloth and ashes, fast and pray, and turn from their evil ways and stop their violence. As Jonah feared, God changes his mind and does not carry out the destruction that he threatened.
The sign of Jonah then is people repenting from their sins and turning to God in response to Jesus’ proclamation of the Kingdom of God and his call to repentance, to turn away from sin and to turn to God. This is the only sign the Pharisees and the Sadducees will be given.
Later, when the disciples discover that they have not brought any bread with them, Jesus who senses a teachable moment warns them against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees. This sparks an argument among the disciples over no one having brought any bread. Jesus interrupts their argument, pointing to their attention that he is not talking about the yeast in bread but the deceptive teaching of the Pharisees and the Sadducees and their hypocrisy. They finally understand what he is saying.
This passage from the Gospel of Matthew does not paint a very flattering portrait of the Pharisees and Sadducees or the disciples. God’s grace is visibly working in front of the very noses of Pharisees and Sadducees, but they refuse to see it. They demand a miraculous sign. The members of both schools of religious thought occupy a position of respect in Jewish society of Jesus’ day, but as Jesus repeatedly points out to his disciples and to the multitude, they do not provide the people with the right spiritual guidance that they need. In the case of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, they put on an outward display of religious piety, but their inner thoughts and feelings are not close to God. As for the disciples, an argument over bread does not suggest that they have fully grasped what Jesus is teaching. They were given to blaming and finger-pointing.
We are not much different from the Pharisees and the Sadducees and the disciples in our day. We refuse to accept Jesus as the Christ because he does not do the things that we think that he ought to do or say the things that we think that he ought to say. As C. S. Lewis wrote, we put God in the dock, the place in an English criminal law court where the accused person sits or stands during the trial. We sit in judgment of God.
God’s grace, the power of the Holy Spirit, is working in the front of our noses too and we ignore what God is doing, how he is transforming lives. Those toward whom we direct our attention are those who claim to be followers of Jesus but do not live like they are, those who are harsh in their judgment of others and unkind in their treatment of them. Those who are living lives of love and obedience escape our attention.
Those of us who are followers of Jesus are prone to argue about matters that show that we do not really trust God to provide for us. This is the point Jesus is making in this evening’s reading when he tells them that they have so little faith and reminds them of the feeding of the 5000 and the 4000.
The sign of Jonah which Jesus tells the Pharisees and Sadducees in this evening reading is the only sign that he will give them is the sign which Jesus gives to each generation of the people on earth until his coming again in glory. We may not see water turned into wine, loaves and fishes multiplied, the sick healed, the dead raised to life, but if we keep open hearts, minds, and eyes, we will see lives transformed, people turning away from sin and turning to God. We will see God’s grace working in those around us. We will see God’s grace working in ourselves.
Jesus has made his followers in every generation his representatives and agents, has entrusted to them his message and teaching, and charged them with spreading the good news about himself and making more disciples. If they are faithful to the mission given them, they like Jonah will witness God’s mercy in action. God will use them to give the people on earth the sign of Jonah in their day.
Silence
Make your ways known upon earth, O God,
your saving power among all peoples.
Renew your Church in holiness,
and help us to serve you with joy.
Guide the leaders of this and every nation,
that justice may prevail throughout the world.
Let not the needy, O God, be forgotten,
nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
Make us instruments of your peace,
and let your glory be over all the earth.
Heavenly Father,
you have promised to hear when we pray
in the name of your Son.
Therefore in confidence and trust
we pray for the Church:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)
Father, enliven the Church for its mission
that we may be salt of the earth and light to the world.
Breathe fresh life into your people.
Give us power to reveal Christ in word and action.
We pray for the world:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)
Creator of all,
lead us and every people into ways of justice and peace.
That we may respect one another in freedom and truth.
Awaken in us a sense of wonder for the earth and all that is in it.
Teach us to care creatively for its resources.
We pray for the community:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)
God of truth, inspire with your wisdom
those whose decisions affect the lives of others
that all may act with integrity and courage.
Give grace to all whose lives are linked with ours.
May we serve Christ in one another, and love as he loves us.
We pray for those in need:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)
God of hope, comfort and restore
all who suffer in body, mind or spirit.
May they know the power of your healing love.
Make us willing agents of your compassion.
Strengthen us as we share in making people whole.
We remember those who have died and those who mourn:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)
We remember with thanksgiving those who have died in the faith
of Christ, and those whose faith is known to you alone.
Father, into your hands we commend them.
Give comfort to those who mourn.
Bring them peace in their time of loss.
We praise you for (N and) all your saints
who have entered your eternal glory.
May their example inspire and encourage us.
We pray for ourselves and our ministries:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered and the prayers
conclude with the following.)
Lord, you have called us to serve you.
Grant that we may walk in your presence:
your love in our hearts,
your truth in our minds,
your strength in our wills;
until, at the end of our journey,
we know the joy of our homecoming
and the welcome of your embrace,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Terror and doom, and wrath to come,
John your herald preached
to bring us to repentance;
open our eyes, almighty God,
show us our sin, and grant us forgiveness.
Hear this prayer for your love’s sake.
Amen.
Gracious God,
you have given us much today;
grant us also a thankful spirit.
Into your hands we commend ourselves
and those we love.
Be with us still, and when we take our rest
renew us for the service of your Son Jesus Christ.
Amen.
In darkness and in light,
in trouble and in joy,
help us, heavenly Father,
to trust your love,
to serve your purpose,
and to praise your name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.
As our Savior Christ has taught us, we pray:
making pathways clear;
glimpsing glory, self-denying,
calling all to hear.
Through their message - challenged, shaken –
hearts awaken: God is near!
John the Baptist, by his preaching
and by water poured,
brought to those who heard his teaching
news of hope restored:
‘Keep your vision strong and steady,
and be ready
for the Lord.’
Great is the Lord and worthy of all praise.
Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom,
thanksgiving and honor, power and might,
be to our God for ever and ever! Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear the Church Folk’s arrangement of Aurelius Clemens Prudentius’ “Of the Father’s Love Begotten.”
1 Of the Father's Love begotten
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the source, the ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see,
Evermore and evermore!
2 He is found in human fashion,
Death and sorrow here to know,
That the race of Adam's children,
Doomed by Law to endless woe,
May not henceforth die and perish
In the dreadful gulf below,
Evermore and evermore!
3 O ye heights of heaven adore Him!
Angel-hosts His praises sing!
All dominions bow before Him,
And extol our God and King;
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert ring,
Evermore and evermore!
4 Christ to Thee, with God the Father
And, Holy Ghost, to Thee!
Hymn, and chant, and high thanksgiving,
And unwearied praises be,
Honor, glory, and dominion,
And eternal victory,
Evermore and evermore!
Evermore and evermore!
Evermore and evermore!
Hear these words of scripture.
Love one another,
for love is of God,
and whoever loves is born of God and knows God.
Spirit of God, search our hearts.
Let us bow our heads and, in silence,
remember our need for God’s forgiveness.
Silence
Let us confess our sins to God.
Almighty and merciful God,
we have sinned against you,
in thought, word and deed.
We have not loved you with all our heart.
We have not loved others
as our Savior Christ loves us.
We are truly sorry.
In your mercy forgive what we have been,
help us to amend what we are,
and direct what we shall be;
that we may delight in your will
and walk in your ways,
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Almighty God, you pardon all who truly repent,
forgive us sins, strengthen us by the Holy Spirit,
and keep us in life eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
Open this link in a new tab to hear the Sons of Korah’s version of Psalm 93, “The Seas Have Lifted Up.”
The Lord reigns, He's robed in majesty, in majesty
And He is armed with strength
The world is firmly established
It cannot be moved
Your throne was established long ago, long ago
You are from eternity
The seas have lifted up
The seas have lifted up
The seas have lifted up their voice
The seas have lifted up
The seas have lifted up
The seas have lifted up their pounding waves
Mightier than the thunder of the great waters
Mightier than the breakers of the sea
Of the sea, of the sea
The Lord on high, He is mighty
(The seas have lifted up)
He is mighty
(The seas have lifted up)
He is mighty
(The seas have lifted up their voice)
The seas have lifted up
The seas have lifted up
The seas have lifted up their pounding waves
He is mighty
The Lord on high, He is mighty
Your statue stands firm
Holiness adorns Your house
For endless days, O Lord
Open this link in a new tab to hear the Sons of Korah’s version of Psalm 94, “Oh, Lord, Who Avenges.”
Oh, Lord, Who avenges!
Oh, God, Who avenges!
Shine forth!
Shine forth!
Rise uu uu up uiuu uu uu up uiuu uu uu up uiuu uu uu up!
Oh Judge of the earth
Give the proud what they deserve!
Oh Judge of the earth
How long will the evil one triumph?
They pour out arrogant words!
All evil doers are full of boasting!
Shine forth!
Shine forth!
Rise uu uu up uiuu uu uu up uiuu uu uu up uiuu uu uu up!
Oh Judge of the earth
They crush us in the dirt!
Oh Judge of the earth
They oppress Your precious inheritance!
Oh Judge of the earth
They crush us in the dirt!
Oh Judge of the earth
They slay the widow and the alien!
They murder the fatherless!
They say You don't see see see!
And that You pay no heed hee heed!
They say You don't see see see!
And that You pay no heed hee heed!
They say You don't see!
Take heed you senseless ones you fools!
When will you understand you fools!
Does the God Who teaches man all things not know!!!!
Does He not know!!!
Does the God Who made the ear not hear???
Does He Who formed the eye not see???
Does the God Who disciplines nations never punish???
Does He not judge???
Take heed you senseless ones you fools!
When will you understand you fools!
Does the God Who teaches man all things not know!!!!
Does He not know!!!
Does the God Who made the ear not hear???
Does He Who formed the eye not see???
Does the God Who disciplines nations never punish???
Does He not judge???
Rise uu uu up uiuu uu uu up uiuu uu uu up uiuu uu uu up!
Oh Judge of the earth
Listen to their words!!
Oh Judge of the earth
How long will the evil one triumph??
Oh Judge of the earth
Listen to their words!!
Oh Judge of the earth
The Lord knows the thoughts of man!
He knows that they are futile!
They say You don't see see see!
And that You pay no heed hee heed!
They say You don't see see see!
And that You pay no heed hee heed!
They say You don't see!
Silence
The Reading from the New Testament: Matthew 16: 1-12
One day the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus, demanding that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.
He replied, “You know the saying, ‘Red sky at night means fair weather tomorrow; red sky in the morning means foul weather all day.’ You know how to interpret the weather signs in the sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the signs of the times! Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign, but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.” Then Jesus left them and went away.
Later, after they crossed to the other side of the lake, the disciples discovered they had forgotten to bring any bread. “Watch out!” Jesus warned them. “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn’t brought any bread. Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, “You have so little faith! Why are you arguing with each other about having no bread? Don’t you understand even yet? Don’t you remember the 5,000 I fed with five loaves, and the baskets of leftovers you picked up? Or the 4,000 I fed with seven loaves, and the large baskets of leftovers you picked up? Why can’t you understand that I’m not talking about bread? So again I say, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’”
Then at last they understood that he wasn’t speaking about the yeast in bread, but about the deceptive teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Silence follows the reading.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Brian Perdue’s version of the Magnificat, “Canticle for Mary.”
Who am I but Your servant?
To this lowly one you came
Filled with Grace at Your calling
My soul magnifies Your name
For He who is All Mighty
Great things He’s done for me
Throughout all generations
Blessed will I be.
From the seed of Abraham
Your promise was proclaimed
The barren one would bear a child
Blessed be Your name
From now until forever
The world will still acclaim
The gift my Lord has given
Holy be His name
Now my heart rejoices
Your love bestowed on me
This vessel you have filled with Him
Glory to Your name
From the line of Jesse’s tree
Your Prophets did acclaim
You came to earth a mortal man
Blessed be Your name
You came to earth a mortal man
Blessed be Your name
Silence may follow the song.
The Sign of Jonah
I spent the better part of my childhood living in a rural part of Suffolk in England and in what was then a rural part of Louisiana here in the United States. One of the things that I learned during that time was how to interpret the weather signs in the sky. I learned to recognize the smell of rain in the air and to listen for the distant rumble of thunder. One way of predicting the weather was the color of the sky at dusk and at dawn. My grandmother taught me the saying, “Red at night, shepherd’s delight; red in morning, shepherd’s warning.” As we learn from this evening’s reading from the New Testament, this piece of weather lore goes as far as Jesus’ day and most likely further back than his day.
There were no meteorologists in Jesus’ day. No weather forecasts on the radio, TV, cell phone, or internet. People learned from a very early age to interpret the weather signs in the sky.
The Pharisees and the Sadducees represented the two leading schools of religious thought in Judaism at the time, learned in the teaching of the Hebrew Bible. From what he says, Jesus appears to have expected them to recognize him for who he was without demanding that he perform a miraculous sign to prove his authority. He refuses to oblige them
What is the sign of Jonah which Jesus tells them is the only sign he will give them? Jonah is one of the minor prophets of the Hebrew Bible. His story is told in the Book of Jonah. Rather than obey God when God instructs him to go to the city of Nineveh and proclaim God’s judgment against its people, Jonah attempts to flee across the Mediterranean Sea to the distant Phoenician colony of Tarshish on the coast of the Iberian Peninsula in what is now modern-day Spain. Jonah hates the Ninevites who are cruel and merciless people and fears that God will spare them. God, however, prevents Jonah from making his escape and the reluctant Jonah, after again being instructed by God to go to Nineveh and deliver the message God has given him obeys God. Upon hearing the message, the people of Nineveh believe. From the greatest to least they dress in sackcloth and ashes, fast and pray, and turn from their evil ways and stop their violence. As Jonah feared, God changes his mind and does not carry out the destruction that he threatened.
The sign of Jonah then is people repenting from their sins and turning to God in response to Jesus’ proclamation of the Kingdom of God and his call to repentance, to turn away from sin and to turn to God. This is the only sign the Pharisees and the Sadducees will be given.
Later, when the disciples discover that they have not brought any bread with them, Jesus who senses a teachable moment warns them against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees. This sparks an argument among the disciples over no one having brought any bread. Jesus interrupts their argument, pointing to their attention that he is not talking about the yeast in bread but the deceptive teaching of the Pharisees and the Sadducees and their hypocrisy. They finally understand what he is saying.
This passage from the Gospel of Matthew does not paint a very flattering portrait of the Pharisees and Sadducees or the disciples. God’s grace is visibly working in front of the very noses of Pharisees and Sadducees, but they refuse to see it. They demand a miraculous sign. The members of both schools of religious thought occupy a position of respect in Jewish society of Jesus’ day, but as Jesus repeatedly points out to his disciples and to the multitude, they do not provide the people with the right spiritual guidance that they need. In the case of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, they put on an outward display of religious piety, but their inner thoughts and feelings are not close to God. As for the disciples, an argument over bread does not suggest that they have fully grasped what Jesus is teaching. They were given to blaming and finger-pointing.
We are not much different from the Pharisees and the Sadducees and the disciples in our day. We refuse to accept Jesus as the Christ because he does not do the things that we think that he ought to do or say the things that we think that he ought to say. As C. S. Lewis wrote, we put God in the dock, the place in an English criminal law court where the accused person sits or stands during the trial. We sit in judgment of God.
God’s grace, the power of the Holy Spirit, is working in the front of our noses too and we ignore what God is doing, how he is transforming lives. Those toward whom we direct our attention are those who claim to be followers of Jesus but do not live like they are, those who are harsh in their judgment of others and unkind in their treatment of them. Those who are living lives of love and obedience escape our attention.
Those of us who are followers of Jesus are prone to argue about matters that show that we do not really trust God to provide for us. This is the point Jesus is making in this evening’s reading when he tells them that they have so little faith and reminds them of the feeding of the 5000 and the 4000.
The sign of Jonah which Jesus tells the Pharisees and Sadducees in this evening reading is the only sign that he will give them is the sign which Jesus gives to each generation of the people on earth until his coming again in glory. We may not see water turned into wine, loaves and fishes multiplied, the sick healed, the dead raised to life, but if we keep open hearts, minds, and eyes, we will see lives transformed, people turning away from sin and turning to God. We will see God’s grace working in those around us. We will see God’s grace working in ourselves.
Jesus has made his followers in every generation his representatives and agents, has entrusted to them his message and teaching, and charged them with spreading the good news about himself and making more disciples. If they are faithful to the mission given them, they like Jonah will witness God’s mercy in action. God will use them to give the people on earth the sign of Jonah in their day.
Silence
Make your ways known upon earth, O God,
your saving power among all peoples.
Renew your Church in holiness,
and help us to serve you with joy.
Guide the leaders of this and every nation,
that justice may prevail throughout the world.
Let not the needy, O God, be forgotten,
nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
Make us instruments of your peace,
and let your glory be over all the earth.
Heavenly Father,
you have promised to hear when we pray
in the name of your Son.
Therefore in confidence and trust
we pray for the Church:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)
Father, enliven the Church for its mission
that we may be salt of the earth and light to the world.
Breathe fresh life into your people.
Give us power to reveal Christ in word and action.
We pray for the world:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)
Creator of all,
lead us and every people into ways of justice and peace.
That we may respect one another in freedom and truth.
Awaken in us a sense of wonder for the earth and all that is in it.
Teach us to care creatively for its resources.
We pray for the community:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)
God of truth, inspire with your wisdom
those whose decisions affect the lives of others
that all may act with integrity and courage.
Give grace to all whose lives are linked with ours.
May we serve Christ in one another, and love as he loves us.
We pray for those in need:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)
God of hope, comfort and restore
all who suffer in body, mind or spirit.
May they know the power of your healing love.
Make us willing agents of your compassion.
Strengthen us as we share in making people whole.
We remember those who have died and those who mourn:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)
We remember with thanksgiving those who have died in the faith
of Christ, and those whose faith is known to you alone.
Father, into your hands we commend them.
Give comfort to those who mourn.
Bring them peace in their time of loss.
We praise you for (N and) all your saints
who have entered your eternal glory.
May their example inspire and encourage us.
We pray for ourselves and our ministries:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered and the prayers
conclude with the following.)
Lord, you have called us to serve you.
Grant that we may walk in your presence:
your love in our hearts,
your truth in our minds,
your strength in our wills;
until, at the end of our journey,
we know the joy of our homecoming
and the welcome of your embrace,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Terror and doom, and wrath to come,
John your herald preached
to bring us to repentance;
open our eyes, almighty God,
show us our sin, and grant us forgiveness.
Hear this prayer for your love’s sake.
Amen.
Gracious God,
you have given us much today;
grant us also a thankful spirit.
Into your hands we commend ourselves
and those we love.
Be with us still, and when we take our rest
renew us for the service of your Son Jesus Christ.
Amen.
In darkness and in light,
in trouble and in joy,
help us, heavenly Father,
to trust your love,
to serve your purpose,
and to praise your name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.
As our Savior Christ has taught us, we pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear the Chattanooga Mission’s “Hark! ‘Tis the Watchman’s Cry.”
Hark! ’tis the watchman’s cry,
Wake, my brothers, wake!
Jesus himself is nigh;
Wake, my brothers, wake!
Hark! ’tis the watchman’s cry,
Wake, my brothers, wake!
Jesus himself is nigh;
Wake, my brothers, wake!
Sleep is for the sons of men;
Wake, my brothers, awake!
Call each awakening band,
Watch, my brothers, watch!
Clear is our Lord’s command;
Watch, my brothers, watch!
Be ye as men that wait
Wake, my brothers, awake!
Hear we the Shepherd’s voice,
Pray, my brothers, pray!
Would ye His heart rejoice?
Pray, my brothers, pray!
Even though He tarry late
Wake, my brothers, awake!
Wake, my brothers, awake!
Wake, my brothers, awake!
Awake! Awake!
Wake, my brothers, awake!
THE DISMISSAL
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The almighty and merciful God bless us
and keep us now and for ever. Amen.
Go now to love and serve the Lord. Go in peace.
Amen. We go in the name of Christ.
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear the Chattanooga Mission’s “Hark! ‘Tis the Watchman’s Cry.”
Hark! ’tis the watchman’s cry,
Wake, my brothers, wake!
Jesus himself is nigh;
Wake, my brothers, wake!
Hark! ’tis the watchman’s cry,
Wake, my brothers, wake!
Jesus himself is nigh;
Wake, my brothers, wake!
Sleep is for the sons of men;
Wake, my brothers, awake!
Call each awakening band,
Watch, my brothers, watch!
Clear is our Lord’s command;
Watch, my brothers, watch!
Be ye as men that wait
Wake, my brothers, awake!
Hear we the Shepherd’s voice,
Pray, my brothers, pray!
Would ye His heart rejoice?
Pray, my brothers, pray!
Even though He tarry late
Wake, my brothers, awake!
Wake, my brothers, awake!
Wake, my brothers, awake!
Awake! Awake!
Wake, my brothers, awake!
THE DISMISSAL
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The almighty and merciful God bless us
and keep us now and for ever. Amen.
Go now to love and serve the Lord. Go in peace.
Amen. We go in the name of Christ.
Comments
Post a Comment