27 August 2023 - Proper 16, Year A

 

Theme

This week’s readings speak about the partnership that Christ-followers are called into with God. Romans speaks about the various gifts that God gives to people. We are encouraged to offer these gifts back to God as a living sacrifice. Moses’ mother used her initiative to save her son’s life and even get him a place of honour in the Egyptian courts. Jesus identifies Peter’s gifts and declares that he will be integral to the building of the church. Isaiah reminds us what God can do with seemingly hopeless cases that remain faithful to God.

Scripture Readings

  • Exodus 1:8-2:10 - The Egyptians enslave the Israelite people because they became fearful of their numbers and strength. Pharaoh instructs the Egyptian midwives to kill all Israelite babies who are boys, but the Midwives disobey and let them live. Pharaoh found out about this and commanded that all Hebrew boys be thrown into the Nile River. Moses is born to a woman from the tribe of Levi around this time. His mother kept him hidden for 3 months and then put him in a basket in the reeds of the Nile River. Pharaoh’s daughter went down to bathe in the river and found the baby. Moses’ sister who was waiting nearby asked the princess if she should go and find a Hebrew lady to nurse the baby for her. When Moses’ mother came, the princess asked her to nurse the baby and committed to pay for her help. Later, when the baby was older, he was taken to the princess who adopted him and she named him Moses.
  • Psalm 124 - A Psalm declaring God’s faithfulness and protection for being on their side.
  • Romans 12:1-8 - Paul urges the readers to give their bodies as a living sacrifice to God. Don’t copy the ways of the world but let God transform you into a new person. Don’t think you are better than you are, but be honest about your evaluation of yourselves. Just as a body has many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. God has given us different gifts that we should use well.
  • Matthew 16:13-20 - Jesus asks his disciples who people say the Son of Man is. They respond that some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the other prophets. Jesus asks them who they say he is. Peter responds that he is the Messiah, Son of the living God. Jesus says that Peter is blessed because God has revealed this to him. Jesus calls Peter the rock upon which he will build his church. He will be given the keys of heaven and whatever he forbids or permits on earth, will be forbidden or permitted in heaven.
  • Isaiah 51:1-6 - A message of encouragement from the prophet, likely to the Israelites in exile. A call to remember where they came from and what God can do with seemingly hopeless cases.
  • Psalm 138 - A Psalm of thanksgiving for God’s might, glory and protection.

Personal Application

In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus asks his disciples a challenging question: “Who do you say that I am?” Jesus’ question is one that we all need to answer at various points in our lives. Depending on how we answer this question, it may hinder or help our relationship with Christ.

If we see Christ as a strict judge, taking notes of our every mistake and waiting to punish us at every opportunity, we will live our lives in fear of messing up, constantly focusing on our mistakes and shortcomings. If we see Christ as a forgiving friend, we may live a more free life, but might need to be wary of abusing that freedom. However we relate to Christ speaks to the image that we have of God.

Our image of God has been formed through various influences: our upbringing, our cultural context, our church tradition, our beliefs about God and the world. Our image of God is likely to change over the course of our life. This is normal and good. It helps to be honest with ourselves about our image of God. This helps us to be aware of possible harmful images of God that we have aquired as well as more helpful images of God that may draw us nearer to God.

Take some time to ponder over your default image of God. Where did you aquire this image from? Is it a helpful or a harmful image for you? Could God perhaps be inviting you to see God in a more helpful, lifegiving way?

Communal Application

In Romans, the apostle Paul encourages Christ-followers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices to God. He tells them that just like a body has many parts that each has its own function, so is Christ’s body, the Church, made up of different parts that each have their own function. Every person has their own unique gifts and these should be offered to God.

The problem is that many churches and Christians have placed higher importance on some gifts than others. These are usually the more “public” gifts like preaching, leading worship and prophesying. Because of this, some people become envious of others or even ashamed because other’s gifts seem more righteous or important than their own. We need to remember that every gift is important to the life of the church, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant. I know from personal experience that a church community would not be able to thrive without the door-greeters, cleaners, bakers, prayers, mothers and smiling faces. I love the examples of gifts that Paul uses in this passage that show the vast scope of gifts in the church: serving, prophesying, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading and showing kindness. Each of these gifts, and many more, are essential to the life of the church. To offer these gifts to God as a living sacrifice is to do them to the best of our ability to serve God and our church community.

What are some of the gifts that you have been blessed with? How can you best offer these gifts to God and your church as a living sacrifice?

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