Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (Thursday, June 4, 2024)

Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.

When the British colonies in what is now the United States of America declared their independence from England, they did not clamor for a king like the people of Israel in the time of the prophet Samuel. They had enough of the tyranny of the English king. They established a republic based on the democratic principle—government of the people, by the people, and for the people, a republic in which everyone with no exceptions would be subject to the laws of the land. They had no desire to replace one tyrant with another. The only king they would acknowledge was the one true King, God almighty, the sovereign ruler of the heavens and the earth. It is not only the independence of the United States of America that we celebrate on this day but also the establishment of that republic founded upon the principles of democracy and the rule of law.

In this evening’s message we examine what Jesus and the apostle Paul say about punishing someone whom we believe has done something bad to us by doing something bad to them.

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.

O Lord, accept my prayer as incense offered to you,
and my upraised hands as an evening offering.

Let us confess our sins to God our Father

Silence

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 Saviour 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 Saviour. Amen.

Merciful Lord, grant to your faithful people pardon and peace,
that we may be cleansed from all our sins,
and serve you with a quiet mind;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Open this link in a new tab to hear Elise Massa’s arrangement of the ancient lamp lighting hymn Phos hilaron, “O Gladsome Light.”

1 O Gladsome Light, pure brightness of
the everliving Lord in heaven.
O Jesus Christ, O Light from Light,
we worship you, holy and blessed.

2 Now as we come to eventide,
our eyes behold the vesper light.
We sing your praises, Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit, Three in One,

3 Christ, you are worthy at all times
By happy voices to be praised.
O Son of God, Giver of Life,
through all the worlds, be glorified

Let us pray

Silence

Almighty God,
you have taught us through your Son
that love fulfils the law.
May we love you with all our heart,
all our soul, all our mind, and all our strength,
and may we love our neighbour as ourselves;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

Open this link in a new tab to hear Liam Lawton’s adaptation of Psalm 84, “How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place.”

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, my God!
How lovely is your dwelling place, is your dwelling place, O God!

1 My soul is thirsting for the Lord,
how it yearns for the courts of the Lord.
My heart and soul ring out for joy to God,
the living God.

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, my God!
How lovely is your dwelling place, is your dwelling place, O God!

2 The sparrow finds herself a home
and the swallow a nest for her brood.
She lays her young by your altars, Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, my God!
How lovely is your dwelling place, is your dwelling place, O God!

3 One day, O Lord, within your courts
is better than a thousand elsewhere.
The threshold of the house of God I prefer
to the household of the wicked.

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, my God!
How lovely is your dwelling place, is your dwelling place, O God!

Silence

A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew, Chapter 5, Verse 13-30.

“You are like salt for the whole human race. But if salt loses its saltiness, there is no way to make it salty again. It has become worthless, so it is thrown out and people trample on it.

“You are like light for the whole world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; instead it is put on the lampstand, where it gives light for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.

“Do not think that I have come to do away with the Law of Moses and the teachings of the prophets. I have not come to do away with them, but to make their teachings come true. Remember that as long as heaven and earth last, not the least point nor the smallest detail of the Law will be done away with—not until the end of all things. So then, whoever disobeys even the least important of the commandments and teaches others to do the same, will be least in the Kingdom of heaven. On the other hand, whoever obeys the Law and teaches others to do the same, will be great in the Kingdom of heaven. I tell you, then, that you will be able to enter the Kingdom of heaven only if you are more faithful than the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees in doing what God requires.

“You have heard that people were told in the past, ‘Do not commit murder; anyone who does will be brought to trial.’ But now I tell you: if you are angry with your brother you will be brought to trial, if you call your brother ‘You good-for-nothing!’ you will be brought before the Council, and if you call your brother a worthless fool you will be in danger of going to the fire of hell. So if you are about to offer your gift to God at the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, go at once and make peace with your brother, and then come back and offer your gift to God.

“If someone brings a lawsuit against you and takes you to court, settle the dispute while there is time, before you get to court. Once you are there, you will be turned over to the judge, who will hand you over to the police, and you will be put in jail. There you will stay, I tell you, until you pay the last penny of your fine.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But now I tell you: anyone who looks at a woman and wants to possess her is guilty of committing adultery with her in his heart. So if your right eye causes you to sin, take it out and throw it away! It is much better for you to lose a part of your body than to have your whole body thrown into hell. If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! It is much better for you to lose one of your limbs than to have your whole body go off to hell.

Silence

May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.

Open this link in a new tab to hear Rory Cooney’s “The Canticle of the Turning.”

1 My soul cries out with a joyful shout
that the God of my heart is great,
and my spirit sings of the wondrous things
that you bring to the ones who wait.
You fixed your sight on your servant’s plight,
and my weakness you did not spurn,
so from east to west shall my name be blest.
Could the world be about to turn?

My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn.

2 Though I am small, my God, my all,
you work great things in me,
and your mercy will last from the depths of the past
to the end of the age to be.
Your very name puts the proud to shame,
and to those who would for you yearn,
you will show your might, put the strong to flight,
for the world is about to turn.

My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn.

3 From the halls of pow’r to the fortress tow’r,
not a stone will be left on stone.
Let the king beware for your justice tears
ev’ry tyrant from his throne.
The hungry poor shall weep no more,
for the food they can never earn;
there are tables spread, ev’ry mouth be fed,
for the world is about to turn.

My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn.

4 Though the nations rage from age to age,
we remember who holds us fast:
God’s mercy must deliver us
from the conqueror’s crushing grasp.
This saving word that our forebears heard
is the promise which holds us bound,
till the spear and rod can be crushed by God,
who is turning the world around.

My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn.

No Room for Retribution

In this evening’s reading Jesus equates dwelling on evil thoughts and wallowing in them with evil actions. Nursing a grudge against someone else he equates with murder and lusting after someone else’s wife with adultery. From Jesus’ perspective an individual who is constantly thinking about how they believe someone else has harmed them and how they are going to get even and expressing anger and resentment toward that person, who stays in that state without trying to change, is guilty of murder.

Among the implications is that if an individual keeps talking about doing evil things, he is guilty of doing them regardless of whether he actually does what he says. He is repeatedly thinking about them aloud. He is airing his evil thoughts and wallowing in them.

If the same individual stirs up anger and resentment in others toward those against whom he is nursing a grudge and keeps stoking their anger and resentment, that individual is also guilty of inciting murder.

Jesus would have us pursue reconciliation with those who have something against us. In no place in the Bible does Jesus encourage us to nurture a grudge against someone and exact vengeance upon them when the opportunity arises. Jesus teaches us to love our enemies and to do good to them. He makes no room for retribution. 

The truths and principles that Jesus set out in the Sermon on the Mount and elsewhere in the Gospels do not just apply to his disciples. They apply to all people. Jesus is Lord after all, not just of believers but of all creation, all humanity (Philippians 2:6-11).

The apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote in Romans 12:17-19.

If someone has done you wrong, do not repay him with a wrong. Try to do what everyone considers to be good. Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody. Never take revenge, my friends, but instead let God's anger do it. For the scripture says, “I will take revenge, I will pay back, says the Lord.”

Paul is essentially saying that we should leave to God whether someone whom we believe has treated us in an unfair or unacceptable way should be punished for what they did. It is not something that we should take upon ourselves. It is God’s prerogative.

What Paul is not saying that people should not be held accountable when they do something wrong. Rather our motive for bringing them to account should not be to exact vengeance upon them, to punish them for real or imagined harm done to us or our friends or family.

This teaching recognizes that God is in a far better position than we are to determine whether real harm was done, whether it deserved punishment, and how severe that punishment should be. It recognizes that some people have an over-inflated view of themselves and expect everyone to show them deference. Such individuals are easily angered and quick to take offense at what others say or do.

Paul may have been thinking about Proverbs 19: 11:

If you are sensible, you will control your temper. When someone wrongs you, it is a great virtue to ignore it.

He may also have also been reflecting on Jesus’s own words.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But now I tell you: do not take revenge on someone who wrongs you. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, let him slap your left cheek too. Matthew 5: 38-39

Jesus is not talking about a physical blow to our face. He is talking about “personal slights of all kinds.” What he is saying is not to retaliate when someone shocks or offends us.

According to the website Got Questions: Your Questions, Biblical Answers, “Turning the other cheek does not imply pacifism, nor does it mean we place ourselves or others in danger. Jesus’ command to turn the other cheek is simply a command to forgo retaliation for personal offenses. He was not setting government foreign policy, and He was not throwing out the judicial system. Crimes can still be prosecuted, and wars can still be waged, but the follower of Christ need not defend his personal “rights” or avenge his honor.

It further notes that retaliation is the way that people who are worldly act. “Responding to hatred with love and ignoring personal slights display the supernatural power of the indwelling Holy Spirit and may afford the chance to share the gospel.”

If you are not familiar with the term “worldly,” it means not to think or behave like a disciple of Jesus, to be focused upon amassing wealth and possessions; pursuing position, power, and prestige; gratifying physical desires; and to be indifferent and even hostile to spiritual matters except when they may provide a means to an end, by which personal advantage may be gained.

One of the “fruit of Spirit” that Paul lists in Galatians 5:22-23 is “self-control,” the ability to control our emotions and actions. We do not go off the deep end because someone says or does something that we do not like, does not agree with us, or supports a different course of action from the one we may wish to take.

While we may believe that we are justified in paying back someone else for the way that they treated us, what we are doing is showing contempt for God and opposing God’s rule and reign. If we encourage others to think the way that we do, we are also encouraging them to rebel against God

Implicit in both Jesus and Paul’s teaching is not to think of ourselves as more important than we are. As Jesus points to his disciples’ attention at the very beginning of the Sermon on the Mount—

“Happy are those who are humble;
they will receive what God has promised!
“Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires;
God will satisfy them fully!
“Happy are those who are merciful to others;
God will be merciful to them! Matthew 5: 5-7

Let us mediate upon these words and Jesus’ other teaching in the Sermon on the Mount and then live them as his faithful disciples.

Silence

Open this link in a new tab to hear Alison Robertson’s hymn, “Love Is the Touch.”

1 Love is the touch of intangible joy;
love is the force that no fear can destroy;
love is the goodness we gladly applaud:
God is where love is, for love is of God.

2 Love is the lilt in a lingering voice;
love is the hope that can make us rejoice;
love is the cure for the frightened and flawed:
God is where love is, for love is of God.

3 Love is the light in a tunnel of pain;
love is the will to be whole once again;
love is the trust of a friend on the road:
God is where love is, for love is of God.

[Instrumental interlude]

4 Love is the Maker, and Spirit, and Son;
love is the kingdom their will has begun;
love is the pathway the saints all have trod:
God is where love is, for love is of God.

[Instrumental interlude]

5 Love is the touch of intangible joy;
love is the force that no fear can destroy;
love is the goodness we gladly applaud:
God is where love is, for love is of God.
God is where love is, for love is of God.

Let us affirm with Christians across the ages what we believe about God
and his love for us.

We believe in one God,
who made us and loves all that is.
We believe in Jesus Christ,
God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was born, lived, died and rose again,
and is coming to call all to account.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
who calls, equips and sends out God’s people,
and brings all things to their true end.

This is our faith, the faith of the Church:

We believe in one God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

THE MINISTRY OF PRAYER

Let us pray for the Church and the world.

Almighty and everliving God,
hear the prayers which we offer in faith and love:

For peace, and for your salvation to be known throughout the world …
For the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church
and for the unity of all Christian people …

Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

For all who serve and lead in your Church,
for bishops, elders, deacons and licensed local pastors …

Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

For all your people, growing in the faith of Christ,
and passing it on to generations yet to come …

Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

For all who live and work in this community …

Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

For families, and for those who live alone …

Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

For all who are sick in body or in mind,
and for those who care for them …

Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

For all in authority,
and especially for our President …

Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

For all who have been entrusted with the responsibility of government …

Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

For those who work for peace, justice and righteousness throughout the
world …

Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

Rejoicing in the fellowship of your holy apostles and martyrs, and of all
your servants departed this life in your faith and fear, we commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to you, Lord God; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

As our Savior taught his disciples, 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 to hear John L. Bell and Graham Maule’s “The Summons.”

1 Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown, will you let my name be known,
Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

2 Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?

3 Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean and do such as this unseen,
And admit to what I mean in you and you in me?

4 Will you love the “you” you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you’ve found to reshape the world around
Through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?

5 Lord, your summons echoes true when I but call your name!
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
In your company I’ll go where your love and footsteps show.
Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.

THE SENDING FORTH OF GOD’S PEOPLE

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.

Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

May the Lord bless us and keep us,
May the Lord make his face to shine on us and be gracious to us,
May the Lord look on us with kindness and give us peace. Amen.

The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you always.
And also with you.

Those present may exchange a gesture of peace with these or similar words:
Peace be with you.