Ezekiel 18:1-4,25-32 \/ Philippians 2:1-13 \/ Matthew 21:23-32<\/p>\n
Who do you think you are?\u00a0 We\u2019d probably ask the same question if a man came riding into town on a donkey causing a commotion, turning the temple fundraiser upside down, zapping a fig tree, and talked of throwing mountains into the sea.\u00a0 The religious officials were afraid of Jesus \u2013 and of their own shadows.\u00a0\u00a0 A little later on Saul was afraid of Jesus too, especially his wayfaring followers \u2013 but something happened and he became Paul by the word of Jesus. As the Lord had told Ezekiel, Paul turned and received \u201ca new heart and a new spirit\u201d. Joining the wayfarers he wrote to the Philippians from prison about his separation from them and encouraged them to be \u201cof the same mind\u201d: specifically \u201cthe same mind that was in Christ Jesus\u201d.\u00a0 Encouraging them in his absence to look to Jesus, and to know that even though they were apart, God was at work in them together.\u00a0 God\u2019s Grace in them.<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s a beautiful picture and one which recalls to mind a story I\u2019ve shared at quiet days over the years, of seeing a young girl running with outstretched arms, almost stumbling over herself – as overly excited children tend to do, – towards a mailbox where a postal truck has just pulled off in a cloud of red dust, rushing for the delivery of a long- expected parcel.\u00a0 Today as the turmoil of \u201ccovidtide\u201d rages on and the lost voices of division demand to know \u201cWho do you think you are?\u201d let us turn again with new hearts and minds as we pray for the new life we\u2019re given together in Jesus, the heavenly treasure.<\/strong><\/p>\n Let us pray:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n O\u00a0God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.\u00a0Amen.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n O God, our Healer and our Good, you sent your Son to cure the world\u2019s sickness by taking upon himself the burden of its guilt.\u00a0 Heal the diseased vision that causes us to mistake evil for good; heal the sickened mind that causes us to mistake selfishness for love; heal the unhealthy habits that we have made our own, so that we may stand together before you, whole in body, soul, and spirit, to sing your praise for ever with all the saints, through Jesus Christ out Lord. Amen.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Ezekiel 18:1-4,25-32 \/ Philippians 2:1-13 \/ Matthew 21:23-32 Who do you think you are?\u00a0 We\u2019d probably ask the same question if a man came riding into town on a donkey causing a commotion, turning the temple fundraiser upside down, zapping a fig tree, and talked of throwing mountains into the sea.\u00a0 The religious officials were … Continue reading 9\/27 The 17th Sunday after Pentecost: Heavenly Treasure<\/span>