13th Sunday After Trinity

Readings: Joshua 24v1-2a&14-16; Psalm 34v15-end; Ephesians 6v10-20; John 6v56-69

Let us pray: May the words of my mouth, and the thoughts and meditations of all our hearts, be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer.

A Word: From the book of Joshua, the words “who will you serve” kept jumping out at me. As we heard in the reading, Joshua, his family and all the people he was addressing declared their reply in the response “we will serve the Lord God”. In the gospel we hear the disciples making a similar declaration. For after some of those hearing what Jesus has to say about himself reject and turn their backs on him, Jesus asks his disciples if they too want to leave him. In response Peter says “Where would we go because you are the holy one of God and have the words of eternal life”.

In our generation, all people of all ages, backgrounds, abilities and beliefs have the same question to answer. Who will you serve? For the purpose of the church is to point others and ourselves to God and to his Son Jesus: the bread of heaven; the flesh and blood sent by the father; the one who gives everlasting life; the one that the father draws all he is calling unto. For according to Jesus, only those that the father calls to his son will turn to and follow Jesus. Today as Jesus’ body here on earth, the church is called to serve God and teach the world about God’s salvation plan fulfilled through God’s son Jesus.

But this calling is not easy because as we dare to follow Jesus we will find ourselves in a battle, the battle described by Paul. A battle between good and evil. A battle to save the lost souls of this world. A battle against supernatural forces. A battle we must prepare ourselves for by putting on God’s armour: of truthfulness, righteous living, proclaiming the good news of peace between God and humanity, holding on firmly to our faith and learning from God’s word (the bible). And with this armour we are as ready as we can be to search for, serve and offer God’s gift of salvation to those God sends our way.

Let us pray: Living Lord we thank you for hearing the cries and prayers of all of your creation. Thank you for calling us to your son and the work, witness and worship of your church. Grant us the grace, courage, compassion and gifts we need to serve in the world through Christ’s body the church. That we will always point others to heaven. Amen

Thank you for joining us.