June 25, 2023

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • Genesis 21:8-21
  • Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Jeremiah 20:7-13
  • Psalm 69:7-10, (11-15), 16-18
• Second reading
  • Romans 6:1b-11
• Gospel
  • Matthew 10:24-39

The second reading from Romans:
Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. or whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

*Note:
Although the figure carrying the cross represents Simon of Cyrene, the power of the image reminds us of Christ’s admonition to take up the cross and follow him. Photo by Lawrence OP.

The gospel from Matthew:
Jesus said “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.

Sermon:
The gospel reading this week is difficult to understand. Pastor Stevenson had a friend who tried to conduct a bible study on this scripture, but none of his congregation came. Paul wrote in Romans “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” Life of faith can be tough. We come to church to be uplifted and encouraged. But not all our problems are washed away. In his sermon Pastor continues with the help that we receive from God. ……….

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