Greetings from Chuckatuck on this wonderful Sunday. It has been an unsettled week in Southside – which isn’t uncommon in early June. Sweltering heat and torrential downpours. A clergy friend mentioned yesterday that this Sunday was the “14th Sunday if Coronatide”, which while humorous, is sadly true. It has been almost 4 months since we gathered for worship – and yet we keep preparing for regathering in person. My prayer is soon and unless things take a dramatic turn for the worse we should be regathering soon. Our prayers are offered for those who have had health issues crop up in the past couple days and who have asked for our prayers.
In worship we began our journey in the post-Pentecost season (often called Ordinary Time) after our Trinity Sunday celebration last week. Our collect of the day reminded us that it is God’s faith, love, and grace that empowers us to be truthful about God and minister justice compassionately. In our reading from Genesis we saw Abraham offer hospitality to God/God’s messengers and receive the blessing of Isaac for his acts of faith. Abraham cared because it was important to the community’s health and sustenance. In Matthew’s Gospel the disciples receive authority to go into the world and be Jesus’ messengers to the world, especially after he departs from this earth. We receive the same commission through our participation in the Christian community. Finally, in Paul’s letter to the Romans we realize that we are justified by faith (in God’s grace) and that it is only in God’s grace that we have anything to boast about. God’s grace brings us hope; the hope we have sustains us for the mission that will stay with us until our end.
How are we encouraged to witness to the hope found in God’s gracious presence since the beginning of time? I invite your comments,
Les+
Readings: Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-7; Psalm 116:1, 10-17; Romans 5:1-8; Matthew 9:35-10:23
Video of worship: https://youtu.be/fXM49RMBWV0
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