Fifteenth Sunday - Pentecost • Year A

Historical Collect

O Lord, always lead and follow us with your grace, that we may be still more intent on doing good. Grant this, 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. (Gelasian Sacramentary, 7th Century)

Thematic Collect

God of grace, through your Son you have reconciled your creation to yourself. Still, we continue to find ways to divide and destroy the unity you intend for us. Preserve your church that, assured of Christ’s presence among us, we may exemplify the peace and reconciliation that can only come from you; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

The Common Thread

Warnings must come; the law must be proclaimed. But those who hide in God find forgiveness. Knowing this, we are able to be humble. We do not have to fight for position because God has placed people in authority over us to serve and protect us. We are left with the monumental task and godly duty to love our neighbors with childlike love. 

First Reading • Ezekiel 33:7-9

We used to play war games when I was a child in Ohio. Our bombs were harvested corn stalks. The loamy soil clung to the roots as we easily pulled these stubs from corn rows. We hauled these “dirty bombs” up in trees and waited for the other side to walk beneath us. Eventually, they got smart and sent scouts ahead to look out for our positions in the trees. It is difficult to imagine such a watchman, seeing us waiting in a tree but not reporting it to his friends. They might not be friends much longer.

Psalm • Psalm 32:1-7

People tend to know when they are doing something wrong. Children comprehend this at an early age. We do not, however, always want to change. Often we slide along with the behavior of the folks we call friends—or of the greater society—even though we know it is wrong. For some, guilt grows heavy and they confess their wrongdoing, often to the one they wronged. When that person forgives them, they experience release from the burden they had been carrying.

All our wrongdoings, even if directed at another person, are sins against God. Remaining silent about our faults only increases the debt by being deceitful. Yet, the one who acknowledges her transgressions to God will find deliverance from guilt and preservation from further trouble. 

Second Reading • Romans 13:1-10

The old saying goes that there are only two things certain in life: death and taxes. We owe the first to God because of sin (Rom 6:23). The second, we owe the government. Paying taxes is expected, whether we like it or not. But what do we owe each other? Certainly, we owe it to others to not covet or steal their property. We should not have an affair with their spouses. We should not murder each other. Paul brings this idea of our indebtedness to others to a head, summing up the expectation of the whole law: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love is all we owe each other; and that is a great sum. 

Gospel • Matthew 18:1-20

Does Jesus ever answer us in the way we expect? When asked who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, they might have expected him to answer, “your heavenly Father” or even, “Moses” or “Elijah.” They were actually hoping he would name one of their own names. Instead, he pulled a child into the gathering and taught them to become like children. How does one become like a child?

Children receive other children. Generally, children do not try to do serious harm to others. They go to great lengths to find children they used to play with but who have not been around for awhile. They also easily forgive each other and settle disputes privately within their group of friends.

How is the Church doing along these lines?