Trinity XVI- Luke 7:11-17

 The Gospel for the Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity is from St. Luke 7:11-17. This selection contains a miracle that exemplifies our Lord's compassionate work. Jesus restores the son of a widow from the village of Nain to life. Of course, there is compassion for the young man whose life has been cut short. However, in this case, Christ's compassion seems to be focused on the woman. Her situation is especially desperate. The young man is her only son, and she is already a widow. In first-century society, her situation is especially vulnerable. A widow's loss of her son means that she is being left alone, without livelihood or protection. In compassion, our Lord uses His divine power to raise the young man and restore him to his mother. 

We should also notice the crowd's reaction to this impressive miracle. Their first reaction is fear because they sense that overwhelming divine power is at work in Jesus. They merely call Him a prophet, but they sense His uniqueness. Then, they glorify God for Christ's work. Thus, although Christ's compassion is important in itself, Jesus' act of mercy points beyond itself to divine power and rule. He can even conquer death. (In this and other Gospel miracles raising the dead, the victory over death is only for a time; later, Jesus' own resurrection will be an eternal victory.)

In Jesus of Nazareth, the kingdom of God comes into the world in powerful new ways. As we notice the mercy and compassion of God in Christ, let us also notice the presence of divine power. Jesus Christ is unique. He conquers sin, death, and evil, and His divine work calls for appropriate responses. God's power and presence in Jesus Christ call for awe and praise. The divine work of Jesus Christ should lead us to gratitude and faith.

Ember Days of Autumn- Luke 4:16-21

This Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday are the traditional autumn Ember Days (after the feast of the Holy Cross on September 14). The traditional Ember Days are days of fasting and prayer near the changes of the four seasons. These days seem to have originated in Rome during the third century, and they may have been established as Christian days of fasting in contrast to pagan feasts near changes of the seasons. Gradually, the observance spread throughout the Western Church, and in the early Middle Ages, the days also became associated with ordinations. Until liturgical revisions of the 1960s and 1970s, Anglican, Lutheran, and Roman Catholic calendars included Ember Day prayers. However, as newer calendars made them optional, the Ember Days practically disappeared in many places. 

Among the general prayers, the 1662 Book of Common Prayer contains two Ember Day prayers for those about to be ordained. The 1928 Book of Common Prayer has an additional general prayer for the increase of the ministry and a set of Ember Day propers. The Collect for the Day focuses on increasing the number of candidates for ministry. The Gospel from Luke 4:16ff is about the beginning of Christ's public ministry in Nazareth. The 1962 Canadian BCP includes propers for each set of Ember Days. The autumn theme focuses on Christian labor.

Seasonal days of prayer and fasting are certainly appropriate. It is also fitting that we pray for sound vocations to ordained ministry, especially in societies where clergy and church membership are aging. The Church always needs candidates with sound spiritual, moral, and mental qualities to pursue ordination. Those already ordained also need the Church's prayers that they may fulfill their vocations in a godly manner.

Holy Cross Day- 14 September- Philippians 2:8; John 12:32,33

On the church calendar, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on September 14 can serve as a reminder of changing seasons. Schools, including parish religious education, are often back in session. In the Northern Hemisphere, nature has hints of autumn. For those who observe the autumnal Ember Days, this festival also marks that time.

However, Holy Cross Day has deeper historical and theological significance. Several months have passed since Lent and Good Friday. Thus, this feast is a fresh reminder of the centrality of Christ's Cross. As Philippians 2:8 affirms, "he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." As John 12:32,33 teaches, "'And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.' This he said, signifying what death he should die."

Holy Cross Day dates back to the fourth century, when Emperor Constantine's mother decided to look for Christ's cross. While one may doubt if the remnants of that cross could or can be identified, it is useful to remember Christ's cross on this day and throughout the year. Holy Cross Day is a minor observance or "black-letter day" in the 1559 and 1662 Books of Common Prayer. It is also referred to indirectly in the 1928 American BCP  in setting the dates for the autumn Ember Days. 

Commemorating Christ's cross reminds us that the cross is at the heart of Christian doctrines of redemption. The cross has always been the central Christian symbol. This day can be an occasion to focus on why we are Christians. Our divine and human Lord has suffered the degradation and pain of the cross for us sinners and our salvation. In doing so, He has become the Paschal Lamb who takes away the sins of the world. He has offered us His mercy and peace. He has overcome sin and reconciled us with the heavenly Father. And by His Resurrection, our Lord Jesus Christ has transformed the Holy Cross into a glorious sign of faith, hope, love, and eternal life. Thanks be to God!

Trinity XV- Matthew 6:24-34

 The Gospel for the Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity is from St. Matthew 6:24-34. The reference to God's provision is appropriate for late summer/early autumn, the beginning of the harvest season, but it implies much more. It points us to divine providence and mercy in all its expressions. All creation depends upon God for existence and survival. He watches over and cares for wild plants and the least birds. How much more must He care for human beings, especially for His faithful people! 

Divine providence also implies other points. An important result of God's care is His expectation of a faithful response. This expectation appears in the first verse of this Sunday's Gospel. In Matthew 6:24, Jesus says, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." God's grace comes first, but human beings must respond. We must choose: either we serve God, or we serve material wealth and possessions. We can not have two top priorities, and if we try, life becomes filled with irreconcilable conflicts. 

Divided loyalties remain an ongoing issue in human life. When people are prospering, they tend to become greedy to increase profits or comforts. When they are facing economic uncertainty, people tend to become anxious or grasping just to maintain minimal standards. In both cases, materialism tends to push loyalty to God and His eternal values aside.

Yet, our passage also contains beautiful images of what life can be like when human beings put God first and trust in Him. Christ points us to examples from nature. Even birds and wildflowers, which only live briefly, are cared for under divine providence. So faithful human beings should find comfort and joy in life. Earthly life may be fleeting, but God cares for us and gives us what we need. And as believers, we trust that when our allotted time here is complete, God will grant us even greater spiritual solace. Therefore, let us cast aside faithless anxieties. We must reject the idolatry of mammon or materialism. Let us place God's kingdom and His righteous standards first. Then life becomes truly meaningful.

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary- 8 September

 Since the Elizabethan Prayer Book of 1559, the Nativity or Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary has been included as a "black letter day" or minor commemoration on some Anglican calendars. Although we have no real historical information about her birth, we know that it occurred and that she played an important and holy role in the story of redemption. So it is certainly appropriate to think of the Blessed Virgin in a special way today and to give thanks for her birth, life, and faith. In the words of Luke 1:28:

     And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. (KJV)

Trinity XIV- Luke 17:11-19

The Gospel for Trinity XIV is from Luke 17:11-19. This selection is the second in a row that shows a Samaritan in a positive light. Last week, the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 15 showed a Samaritan's compassion to the man who had been robbed and beaten. This week, the positive example is a Samaritan leper who shows great gratitude.

As Jesus passed through a village on the way from Galilee to Jerusalem, He healed ten lepers.  Of the ten, only one, a Samaritan, responded by glorifying God and thanking Jesus. Christ noted the man's identity, and then "he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole"(17:19).An outcast Samaritan, who had also been a contagious and disfigured leper, becomes a great example of faith in God and in Christ.

The Samaritan's identity makes a significant point. Not only can a despised person exemplify good moral behavior, but such a person may also exemplify great religious faith. And faith is the ultimate issue. Regardless of all other human characteristics, faith in God through Christ is the core of a person's identity. Faith and a grateful response are more significant than physical health, nationality, or membership in a certain religious group.

Whether thinking of other people or ourselves, we should think of attitudes toward God rather than obvious external characteristics. The primary focus of a person's identity should not rest in worldly traits such as appearance, physical health, nationality, or denominational affiliation. We should ask ourselves whether we are humbly faithful and grateful to God for His work in Jesus Christ. For it is such faith that determines who we really are.