Tending to the Kingdom – better late than never
a sermon on Matthew 21:33-46
The Rev’d Rhonda Waters
Giving Thanks
The Story for the
Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
October 11, 2020
prepared by the Rev’d Adam Brown
Luke 17:11-19
Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers
On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, 13 they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. 16 He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? 18 Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”
Something to Do
Giving Thanks
Make a list of ten things in your life for which you are thankful. If you’re having a hard time, name something in your home, something in the city, something in nature, etc. If you have a smartphone or camera, try taking pictures of these things for when you need to remember them.
Thank You Notes
Once you have made your list of things for which you are thankful, choose as many or as few as you’d like and write it a short Thank You note. If you need inspiration, check out the Canticle of the Sun by Francis of Assisi, below.
Something to Wonder
The Canticle of the Sun
In the spirit of giving thanks to God for all Creation on this Thanksgiving weekend, I invite you to meditate on this ancient hymn.
In 1224, Saint Francis of Assisi was recovering from an illness at San Damiano. Throughout his illness, he composed a song known today as “The Canticle of Creation” or “The Canticle of the Sun”. The first time it was sung was by Francis himself on his deathbed, with Francis adding the final lines about ‘Sister Death’ just minutes before passing away. It also served as the inspiration for the well-known hymn “All Creatures of Our God and King”. Here is the text of that song (paraphrased slightly), written 796 years ago:
O all-powerful and Most High God,
To you are all praise, glory, honour, and blessing;
Your Holy Name beyond the capability of mortal lips.
Be praised, O God, through all your creatures,
Through Brother Sun, who brings the day;
Through him You shine light into the world.
He is beautiful and radiant in all his splendour!
Truly, he bears your likeness, O God.
Be praised, O God, through Sister Moon and the stars,
In heaven you formed them clear and precious and beautiful.
Be praised, O God, through Brother Wind,
And through the air, cloudy and serene,
And every kind of weather,
Through which you sustain life.
Be praised, O God, through Sister Water,
who overflows with life, purpose, humility, and purity.
Be praised, O God, through Brother Fire,
through whom you shine light into a darkened world.
He is beautiful, playful, robust, and strong.
Be praised, O God, through Sister Mother Earth,
who sustains us, and leads us,
Who gifts us with fresh fruits, colourful flowers, and herbs.
Be praised, O God, through those who give pardon for your love,
Through those who are sick, and those who are vulnerable.
Be praised, O God, through Sister Death,
Whom we all must face.
Our hearts break for those whom she finds sewing hate,
But we rejoice for those who have lived a life of love.
Praise and bless God in all you do,
Return to God all your thanks and gratitude,
And live your life walking humbly with the God and Creator of all.
Something to Learn
Leprosy in the Modern World
Learn more about the medical, social, and cultural impacts of leprosy in the modern world by watching this short documentary produced in partnership with the World Health Organization.
Something to Pray
Holy God, we do not always understand your word or your ways.
Give us wisdom and imagination and courage as we learn and grow.
The story this week has made me wonder about…
(what questions are still on your heart?)
Receive my questions and help me hear your answers.
The story this week has filled me with…
(how are you feeling?)
Accept my praise, heal my hurt, ease my worry.
The story this week has reminded me of…
(are there situations or people you are thinking of?)
Be with all who are in need of you.
In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.
Creating Bigger Stories Film Series
Creating Bigger Stories:
Interrogating Our Narratives of Power & Co-creating Goodness Together
Classified by the South African government to be “colored,” Rev. René August came into adulthood during one of the most historic movements of justice in the last century. How fitting and appropriate to interrogate and discern your on narrative as you digitally sit at René’s feet and learn from her lived experience and expansive study of how the love of the Divine can be made present through storytelling, understanding power and seeking justice.
Over 5 weeks, we will listen to Rev. René August and spend time in discernment and conversation with one another.
Watch the series trailer here.
Series Dates
- Oct 15 – Session One // Interrogating Narratives
- Nov 5 – Session Two // A Declaration of Power
- Nov 19 – Session Three // Creating Bigger Stories
- Dec 3 – Session Four // Proximity to Power
- Dec 17 – Session Five // Creating Goodness Together
The Book of Nature
The Story for the
Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Oct 4, 2020
prepared by the Rev’d Rhonda Waters
Psalm 19
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the firmament shows the handiwork of the Lord.
One day tells its tale to another,
and one night imparts knowledge to another.
Although they have no words or language,
and their voices are not heard,
their sound has gone out into all lands,
and their message to the ends of the world.
In the deep has God set a pavilion for the sun;
it comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber;
it rejoices like a champion to run its course.
It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens
and runs about to the end of it again;
nothing is hidden from its burning heat.
The law of the Lord is perfect and revives the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure and gives wisdom to the innocent.
The statutes of the Lord are just and rejoice the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear and gives light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean and endures for ever;
the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
more than much fine gold, sweeter far than honey,
than honey in the comb.
By them also is your servant enlightened,
and in keeping them there is great reward.
Who can tell how often they offend?
Cleanse me from my secret faults.
Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins;
let them not get dominion over me; then shall I be whole and sound,
and innocent of a great offense.
Let the words of my mouth
and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight;
O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.
Something to Do
The heavens declare the glory of God
Gaze at the heavens. Do it at different times of day. Do it in different weather. What are they saying to you? Can you draw it? Or write it? Or dance or sing it?
Sweeter far than honey
The psalmists compares God’s law to honey, the sweetest thing they would have likely known. Do a taste test and find the sweetest thing in your house. God’s law is even sweeter!
Something to Wonder
Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins…
What do you think are “presumptuous sins”? Are they the same for everyone? Or are your presumptuous sins different than mine? Why does the psalmist want to be kept from them “above all“?
Law as freedom
God’s law as a source of freedom is a constant theme throughout the Bible. Does this idea ring true to you? Why or why not? Either way, try to imagine why it might be the opposite for someone else.
Something to Learn
The Book of Nature
Philosophers and theologians of the Middle Ages developed the idea that God revealed Godself through nature, creating a “book of nature” to be read alongside the Bible. The idea has still older roots, reaching back to Aristotle. Read a quick summary on Wikipedia.
Then read a modern working out of this idea from the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren:
The question of how God created the universe has never been a settled one, and has sometimes overshadowed more important questions about the purpose of God’s creative work. For example, what can Christians learn about God from creation itself? These important questions merit careful reflection...read on.
Something to Pray
Holy God, we do not always understand your word or your ways.
Give us wisdom and imagination and courage as we learn and grow.
The story this week has made me wonder about…
(what questions are still on your heart?)
Receive my questions and help me hear your answers.
The story this week has filled me with…
(how are you feeling?)
Accept my praise, heal my hurt, ease my worry.
The story this week has reminded me of…
(are there situations or people you are thinking of?)
Be with all who are in need of you.
In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost – Season of Creation September 27, 2020
By Whose Authority?
a sermon on Matthew 21:23-32
The Rev’d Adam Brown