The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost A

The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost A

Jesus himself tells us there are criteria of worthiness.  To be “worthy” of Jesus means being a cross-bearer.  Luther speaks of this when describes the marks of the church.  The seventh of the seven marks is, as Luther tells us, the Holy Cross—that is, suffering.  Whoever does not bear this suffering is not “worthy” of Jesus.  In the text before us, Jesus speaks to his disciples… he speaks to all those who are called out of the world into Jesus’ presence in order to receive his gifts which are the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.  The ones who are called out of the world are then sent back into to world where they must suffer the hiddenness of Jesus’ gifts.  The forgiveness of sins is hidden beneath the sins they continue to commit.  The eternal life of Jesus is hidden beneath the mortality of their own flesh.  Their salvation is hidden beneath the condemnation and accusation of the law.  This is the mark of the cross to be suffered by those called out of the world to be the church of Jesus Christ.  Without bearing this mark of hiddenness, the church and its members are not worthy of their Lord.

Prayers from one who is continually tempted to throw off the mark of suffering and force Jesus’ gifts into visibility…

Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, you have sent your Son into the world to call his church out of the world.   So open my ears that I would hear his call, gather in his presence, and receive his gifts.  Merciful Father, hear my prayer.

Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, you have sent your Son into the world to call his church out of the world.   Grant that, as I bear the cross of Jesus’ gifts being hidden, I would trust in their reality because your Word has promised them to me.  Merciful Father, hear my prayer.

Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, you have sent your Son into the world to call his church out of the world.   As I am brought to trust and faith in your Word despite the gifts’ hiddenness, grant that my only worthiness consists of believing the words “given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.”  Merciful Father, hear my prayer.

Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, you have sent your Son into the world to call his church out of the world.   As I am gathered with others out of the world and into the church… into the body of Christ, grant that when I am sent out into the world once more, these fellow members of the body receive the benefits of the labor of my hands.  Merciful Father, hear my prayer.

Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, you have sent your Son into the world to call his church out of the world.   As the work of my hands proves useful to those in the world around me, hold me in the humility of walking by faith and not by sight.  Merciful Father, hear my prayer.

Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, you have sent your Son into the world to call his church out of the world.   Provide the Institute of Lutheran Theology with the means to equip and support those who are called out of the world.  Merciful Father, hear my prayer.

Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, you have sent your Son into the world to call his church out of the world.   As I anticipate that day when faith shall become sight, grant to me the patience to await that day suffering the cross of hiddenness during these days of my baptism.  Merciful Father, hear my prayer.