Sunday September 15 Pentecost 17
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Psalm 8
God is amazing in what God has created. It is astonishing that God cares for humans who are so small in comparison, because God has even given humans care for God’s amazing earth.
Psalm 84
I love to be with God. In verse 2 it may be that a bird built a nest near the actual altar in the temple, and the poet, seeing that, is thinking that if a tiny bird can be accepted by God and have a home in the temple, so God completely accepts me when I am at home in God’s presence. God cares for us more than we can imagine!
Some of the imagery is of people climbing the hill up to the temple in Jerusalem. Appropriate for a Sunday as we come to the presence of God at worship.
Job 38.1, 18-41 What’s Job about?
God continues to ask Job questions making clear that God created everything. Although the lections skip chapter 39 (for brevity) it is well worth reading. There is an amazing degree of detailed knowledge about the natural world.
The author is using the most advanced knowledge of his time to put Job’s complaints into perspective. What the author seems to be saying is that despite the disasters which happen to all of us, beneath the world is an astonishing creativity to which we can give our total trust. The author is saying that while dreadful things do happen to people and that we should never deny that, the greater truth is that God’s magnificent presence at every moment enfolds us and all the circumstances of our lives.
Matthew 5.21-26 What’s Matthew about?
As often in Matthew, Jesus takes the ancient laws seriously but insists they be done with a deeper level of integrity and generosity so that we don’t think superficial observance is doing God’s will for full life. Prohibiting murder isn’t just about murder but is about refusing to engage in emotional or verbal violence. Making a religious gift must never be done unless one has already given the gift of forgiveness to someone else. Matthew understands this depth of care is what Jesus is calling for and what will distinguish his followers from the rest of society.
This week’s collect:
Almighty God,
you call your Church to witness
that in Christ we are reconciled to you.
Help us so to proclaim the good news of your love,
that all who hear it may turn to you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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