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Eighth Sunday after Pentecost • Year B
July 14, 2024 • Proper 10
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Historical Collect
Richly inspire us, O Lord, to consider and accomplish what you see is good. For we know that we cannot live without you, but that with you, we shall prevail. And so, we pray through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Leonine Sacramentary, 6th Century)
Thematic Collect
Holy God, you are the author and giver of all good gifts. Increase in us the true faith, give us a love and fear of your holy name, and by your great mercy sustain us in goodness and holiness all our days; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.
The Common Thread
Though sin warps us and makes us crooked, God will restore us again. He forgives the sin of repentant people. The Israel of God (Gal 6:16) is predestined to be the redeemed in the land. Those who hear the word of truth, and believe, are guaranteed a righteous inheritance. Theirs is the kingdom of heaven, even if half of the kingdoms of this world are promised to others (Matt 5:3).
First Reading • Amos 7:7-15
Israel had been established by God to be straight and true. The people had become corrupted, out of line, crooked. Places of wrong worship had been set up all over the kingdom. The kingdom itself was improperly and illegitimately ruled. The Lord sent Amos to prophecy against the kingdom but instead of listening, they sought to send him away to the kingdom of Judah. God is measuring his people. His plumb line is true. Will his people listen to the word of the Lord and straighten out their ways?
Psalm • Psalm 85:1-7, 8-13
God is forgiving and merciful to his people. Because of his unshakable love, he relents of his anger and speaks peace. His salvation is near all those who will listen. However, they must fear the Lord and not take his mercy for granted. They must not turn back to the foolishness that got them into their mess, to begin with. The righteousness of God precedes them like a well-worn path. All his people need to do is follow him.
Second Reading • Ephesians 1:3-14
As God has always gone before us, showing us his way, he has now sent us his Son. We have been consoled by his redeeming death and given hope in his resurrection. (Rom 6:4) Though this life is difficult and death lingers on the horizon, God has blessed us through his Son in terms of heavenly matters. He has given his people an inheritance. We have heard of it through his true word and it is guaranteed by his Holy Spirit. When our days are over, we will take possession of his promise.
Gospel • Mark 6:14-29
Even as Herod's wife bore a grudge against John the Baptist, the world has a grudge against God's elect. The Church is often at odds with the rest of the world. So, we may end up losing our heads as we live in the kingdom of this world. But our future is sure. We await a new world, a heavenly kingdom in which righteousness dwells. (2Pet 3:13)
Resources
Links to Worship Resources for this Service
