MICAH 6.8

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time ♦ Proper 18 ♦ Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost September 4, 2022 A Liturgy For Worship and Meditation PRAYER Creator God, you form us on the wheel of life as a potter molds the clay. Shape us into holy vessels, bearing the mark of your wise crafting, that we may remain strong and useful through years of faithful and obedient service in your name most Holy. Amen. SONG Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise (Click Here For Music) Author: Walter C. Smith (1867) ST. DENIO: John Roberts (1839) Immortal, invisible, God only wise, in light inaccessible hid from our eyes, most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise. Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light, nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might; thy justice like mountains high soaring above thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love. To all life thou givest, to both great and small; in all life thou livest, the true life of all we blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree, and wither and perish but naught changeth thee. Great Father of glory, pure Father of light, thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight; all praise we would render, O help us to see 'tis only the splendor of light hideth thee. PRAYER God of power and justice, like Jeremiah you weep over those who wander from you, turn aside to other gods, and enter into chaos and destruction. By your tears and through your mercy, teach us your ways and write them on our hearts so that we may follow faithfully the path you show us. Amen. READING—Jeremiah 18:1-11 18:1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the God of Hosts: 18:2 "Come, go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear my words." 18:3 So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel. 18:4 The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him. 18:5 Then the word of God came to me: 18:6 Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the God of Hosts. Just like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. 18:7 At one moment I may declare concerning a nation or a realm, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, 18:8 but if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will change my mind about the disaster that I intended to bring on it. 18:9 And at another moment I may declare concerning a nation or a realm that I will build and plant it, 18:10 but if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will change my mind about the good that I had intended to do to it. 18:11 Now, therefore, say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: Thus says the God of the covenant: Look, I am a potter shaping evil against you and devising a plan against you. Turn now, all of you from your evil way, and amend your ways and your doings. The clay on the potter's wheel is flexibly moldable. In its malleability it can be molded into many shapes amd objects. But, getting the clay to be modeled into the form the potter is aiming for is not always easy and often fails—collapsing or slide off center. The potter then has no choice but to remove it from the wheel, fix it again into a ball, throw it back to center and start over. God's word to the people through the prophet Jeremiah is that people and nations are like clay on a potter's wheel. The fingers that carefully turn the wet clay into a vessel is God. Sometimes it works. Other times it does not. God is not lacking, but people have a tendancy to not cooperate with God's will. The creativity of God is now within the covenant where people are free to choose. They are able to chose God's way or another way. Only when God's way is chosen and lived out will people and communities change for the better. God's transforming work of molding and shaping us into what we were created and now redemmed to be. Yet, as the potter finds the clay to be quite unforgiving, not allowing for error, God desires the vessel to be working in cooperation. The people of Isreal were not always cooperative. Thus, God's message is that such unilateral living will end in destruction. This destruction is not God's doing, but ultimately what we bring upon oursselves. What kind of clay are we? Do we trust the Potter's hands so as to yield our lives to God and live within the Realm of justice and peace? PSALMODY—Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 139:1 O God, you have searched me and known me. 139:2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. 139:3 You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. 139:4 Even before a word is on my tongue, O God, you know it completely. 139:5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. 139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it. 139:13 For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 139:14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well. 139:15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 139:16 Your eyes beheld my unformed substance. In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed. 139:17 How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 139:18 I try to count them — they are more than the sand; I come to the end — I am still with you. The Psalmist sings the joy of being within the intimacy of a God who is affectionate and faithful. The immediacy of God is so profound, yet known, by the Psalmist. This is not a far off God removed from creation and those God created. Rather, God is inevitable, the presence of God cannot be missed within the open mind and heart. In fact, the closeness of God's presence is as if there is but transparancy. There is no filter between God and us. God knows our every breath, our every movement, our every thought, our every feeling. God sees to the core, the heart of hearts is known by God. This affinity of God is known as if God knew everything about us even before we were born. In fact, the contiguity of God is as if God formed us before the womb and in the womb and thereafter. This is not a literal argument regarding when life begins. To be sure, it is a poetic expression of how God is in our life and living. Such proximity of God is both received in welcome and deterred in discomfort. We truly want a God who is close and always available to us. Yet, such immediacy hints at shame, culpability and abasement. To be known for both the good and the bad is severe. No wonder the Book of Common Prayer begins worship with the Collect For Purity: Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name. READING—Philemon 1:1-21 1:1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus ... To Philemon our dear friend and co-worker ... 1:2 and to the church in your house: 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God ... 1:4 When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God 1:5 because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward ... Jesus. 1:6 I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ. 1:7 I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother. 1:8 For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, 1:9 yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love — and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. 1:10 I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. 1:11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me. 1:12 I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. 1:13 I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel; 1:14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. 1:15 Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, 1:16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother--especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in God. 1:17 So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 1:18 If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 1:19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. 1:20 Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in God! Refresh my heart in Christ. 1:21 Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. In the stream of thought shared by Luther — he believeing that the Letter of James should not be contained within the canon — I have always had a like belief that Paul's letter to Philemon should be revoked as not being fit for Scripture. A grandiose sense, for certain, but I have much trouble wrapping my head around this act by Paul in sending Onesimus back to the man who considered him a slave. Any use of slavery as a biblical, theological, philosophical, or societal worldview is difficult to hear and be understood as a worthwhile analogy to any relationship, be it with God or others. Nonetheless, Paul is well know for his description of relationship to God as being a slave of Christ for the sake of the gospel. I suppose that is why he makes it clearly known to his friend that he is imprisoned (by Rome) for the ministry he had done as a follower of Jesus. For him, being a prisoner is not unlike being a slave, especially when one's freedom is concerned. Thus, he uses his own experience of slavery to model one's rightful relation to God. Returning a run away slave to the slaves' owner is strangely in Paul's mind a homecoming. It is almost like the parable of the prodical that Jesus shared. Hence, in such a line of sight the only right thing is for Onesimus to return to Philemon with a note from Paul requesting that this particular slavery be within a welcoming transaction where Paul bears the cost of any loss the situation has caused. It is as if Paul is offering an atonement through his own enslaved imprisonment. And, this gesture was not only for the moment, but in Paul's hope and faith it would be a reality that Philemon will have Onesimus for ever. READING—Luke 14:25-33 14:25 Now large crowds were traveling with him; and he turned and said to them, 14:26 "Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. 14:27 Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? 14:29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, 14:30 saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' 14:31 Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? 14:32 If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. 14:33 So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions. Crosses are often misunderstood. Just as the purpose of a cross is misguided. People tend to refer to their suffering — be it illness or plight in life — as the cross they have borne or carried. The problem with this is that a cross is not something that chooses you, but something that you must chose. Most things people refer to when they talk about bearing a cross as things not chosen by them. When Jesus talks about a cross, our mind immeidately turns to the cross he bore in crucifixion. It was a choice he made. He could have had an outcome that did not have him dying on a cross. But, to his accusers he did not speak a word that would have spared him such consequence. The New Testament books being written and taking shape after the earthly life of Jesus would have us understand the cross in no other way. And, as a metaphor for following Jesus in his way, there is an element of hyperbole. While there is something about Jesus' cross that shapes and forms our faith and life, Jesus would not use the image of the cross in a literal way for his followers. The point of following Jesus is to have life, life in all its fullnees. If everyone who followed Jesus took up the cross, as he did, there would be no Christians left. Christianity is not a religion of martyrdom. Taking up and bearing one's cross has its own risks and consequences, but the point is not about becoming a sacrifice for the sake of others. As it comes to hyperbole, this text is filled with it. Just as Jesus would not want his followers to experience firsthand the cross that was his, he would not want us to literally hate our kinsfolk. The exaggeration here that is hyperbole serves to indicate the core message about priorities. While being a parent, sibling, or a person within a relationship is important, the roles having both expectations and neccesities, one's utmost priority is their relationship to God. If we do not place God as first in our lives, we miss what is at the center of life itself. We forget who and whose we are. So, Jesus offers this teaching to help us understand our reality. As the Psalmist writes in Psalm 100: Know that the God (we see in Jesus) is God. It is (this God) who made us, and we are God's, and not we ourselves. we are the people (of the Good Shepherd) and the sheep of God's pasture. As St. Augustine prayed (following the words of Aratus the philosopher — 3rd century BCE — that became part of Scripture as Acts 17.28): Almighty God, in whom we live and move and have our being, You have made us for yourself, so that our hearts are restless until they rest in you. Grant us purity of heart and strength of purpose, so that no selfish passion may hinder us from knowing your will, no weakness from doing it. Grant that in your light we may see light clearly, and in your service find our perfect freedom. PRAYER Trusting in the power of God not only to fashion the world, but to mend and refashion our hearts, let us say how it is with us. Holy God, like children long indulged, we are quick to presume your pardon, your sanction of the way we live We turn away from neighbors in need, sharing fragments that remain only after our cravings have been met. Merciful Maker, you created us for better use; remake us now. Where we are distorted re-center and reshape us, bring us low and raise us up. Then fire our hearts until we shine with your glory and find our place in your purpose. Hear the sound of love poured out: If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new. Sisters and brothers, in the name of the Christ I declare that your story is known, your sin is forgiven, your life is made new. Let us live as those reborn. —Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year C, Volume 2. Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. SONG Take My Heart, O God (Click Here For Music) Author: Eddie Espinosa (1982) CHANGE MY HEART: Eddie Espinosa (1982) Change my heart oh God Make it ever true Change my heart oh God May I be like You Change my heart oh God Make it ever true Change my heart oh God May I be like You You are the potter I am the clay Mold me and make me This is what I pray Change my heart oh God Make it ever true Change my heart oh God May I be like You INTERCESSION For all people: that we may strive to open our hearts to God each day and be vigilant against allowing anyone or anything to displace God as the center of our life... Holy One, hear our prayer. For the gift of Wisdom: that the Spirit of God will enlighten our minds and guide us in making loving and life-giving decisions each day... Holy One, hear our prayer. For courage: that God will strengthen us as we encounter our daily challenges so that we may give witness to God through living in the way of Jesus... Holy One, hear our prayer. For a renewal of creativity: that the Spirit of God will inspire us to use the many gifts that God has given us to bring forth new blessings and undreamed-of possibilities for our faith community and all the human family... Holy One, hear our prayer. For freedom of spirit: that God will unbind all from past hurts and failures so that we may be free to love, serve and be in relationship... Holy One, hear our prayer. For all who are suffering for their discipleship or who are imprisoned or persecuted for their faith: that God will heal their pain, strengthen their spirit, and make strong and effective their witness to God's love, compassion, and mercy... Holy One, hear our prayer. For a deeper connection with all the people who are in our life: that we may see them with the love that God has for each of them and encourage them to live their life fully... Holy One, hear our prayer. For a true appreciation of all of our possessions: that we may accept them as gifts from God, use them to serve God and others, and never be possessed by them... Holy One, hear our prayer. For an end to terrorism: that all who feel trapped and burdened by life may seek new ways to address their pain and come to a new understanding of the dignity of human life... Holy One, hear our prayer. For all who have no food or shelter: that God will touch the hearts of those with abundance to share their bounty so that all may experience the reign of God... O Holy One, hear our prayer. If You Wish To Share In the Eucharist (Click Here) PRAYER OF JESUS O God, who line a mother or a father, watches over us: Most Holy is your Name. May You always be praised! In heaven and earth, may your Name be forever praised! Your Realm has come, on earth as it is in heaven; it is closer than it has ever been. To be completed in Your time, the Realm of justice and peace. Give us day by day the portion of food that is needed, and may we share with those who have less. Forgive us for the wrong we have done, and the good we have neglected to do; one to each other. Test not our faith, for it wavers; but save us from all evil. For to You is all Sovereignty, all Power, and all Glory, now and forevermore. Amen. —G Lake Dylan © 2022 THANKSGIVING O God, you know us as intimately as a potter knows the clay within her hands. See our paths, behind and before us. Know our hearts; hear the prayers that are within us. We ache for peace. We yearn for vision and certainty amidst so much mystery, amidst so much chaos. We strain toward you. We collapse. We want someone to hold this life together. Have mercy. Be full of love in those places and to those people who are suffering, sick, abused, and dying; be full of wisdom in the places of decision-making; be full of strength in the ties that bind us and show us the cords that we otherwise have abandoned. Make us vessels full of love, receptive to your wisdom, trusting of your grace so that our formation – our transformation – in your hands will take shape to your glory. Amen. SONG Here I Am, Lord (For Music Click Here) Composer: Daniel L. Schutte (1981, 1983) HERE I AM, LORD: Daniel L. Schutte (1981, 1983) Arranged by Mark Hayes I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard My people cry. All who dwell in dark and sin, My hand will save. I who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright. Who will bear My light to them? Whom shall I send? Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord? I have heard You calling in the night. I will go Lord, if You lead me. I will hold Your people in my heart. I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame. I will set a feast for them, My hand will save Finest bread I will provide, Till their hearts be satisfied. I will give My life to them, Whom shall I send? Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord? I have heard You calling in the night. I will go Lord, if You lead me. I will hold Your people in my heart. DISMISSAL WITH BLESSINGS Go in peace to serve God and one another in love, peace, and justice. And, may the blessing of the Most Blessed be with you, now and always. Amen.