The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost A

The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost A

There’s a whole lot of coveting going on.  Those employed in the fields from the beginning of the day looked upon those who merely labored at the end of the day with a jealous eye.  That green-eyed monster reared its head, consumed the satisfaction of those who had put in an honest day’s labor for an honest day’s work, and made them liable for rebuke from their employer.  Yet, even as this parable illustrates the destructiveness of jealousy, envy, and coveting, we acknowledge the motivational power present in them.  Exhortation and motivation often appeal to the disparity between the present hearers and the objects of their desires.  Thereby, jealousy, envy, and covetousness are aroused.  The hearers are made dissatisfied with their current situation; their contentment is destroyed.  Since we cannot see into our own hearts, let alone the hearts of others, when we seek to exhort and motivate, we simply do not know whether we arouse beneficial affections or the destructive affections of jealousy, envy, or coveting.

Prayers from one who would easily arouse jealousy, envy, or coveting in others if it motivated them to a desired end…

Heavenly Father, you would have us be content in any circumstance.  Grant that I would receive the fullness of Jesus Christ and his life, and so not be lacking in anything.  For Jesus’ sake, hear my prayer.

Heavenly Father, you would have us be content in any circumstance.  Grant that as I receive the life of Jesus Christ, I would come to know the secret of contentment because his life is my strength.  For Jesus’ sake, hear my prayer.

Heavenly Father, you would have us be content in any circumstance.  Give me ears to hear the promise of my Lord Jesus when he declares, “Come unto me and I will give you rest,” that in such rest I will have contentment.  For Jesus’ sake, hear my prayer.

Heavenly Father, you would have us be content in any circumstance.  Forgive me when I motivate my neighbors for my benefit by appealing to their jealousy, envy, or covetousness.  For Jesus’ sake, hear my prayer.

Heavenly Father, you would have us be content in any circumstance.  Lead me to forgive my neighbors when their exhortations and motivations stir up jealousy, envy, and covetousness within me.  For Jesus’ sake, hear my prayer.

Heavenly Father, you would have us be content in any circumstance.  Grant that the Institute of Lutheran Theology, even as it strives for growth and excellence, would be kept from arousing jealousy, envy, and covetousness in its participants.  For Jesus’ sake, hear my prayer.

Heavenly Father, you would have us be content in any circumstance.  As the days of my baptism continue one after another, hold me in the faith and life of Jesus Christ that I would be content with each day even as I await with longing for that day, the day of Christ’s return in glory.  For Jesus’ sake, hear my prayer.  Amen