The Tenth Sunday After Pentecost C
The Tenth Sunday After Pentecost C
Luke 12:49-53 (54-56)
“…why do you not know how to
interpret the present time?”
(vs. 56)
Jesus stood there among them. Jesus moved across their landscape from city to city, from province to province. Jesus announced the reality of the present time. The present time was the time for the kingdom of God to draw near. The present time was the time for repentance. Jesus was the sign of the present time. To interpret him properly meant being repented from a life outside the kingdom, dwelling there without faith, and dead in sin, and into a life within the kingdom living from faith and alive in Christ. When you are confronted by the person of Jesus Christ, the question of proper interpretation of the present time is thrust upon you. The person of Jesus Christ confronts you at the pulpit, the font, and the altar. At those places… in this present time… to properly interpret him is to be repented from your life outside the kingdom… from your dwelling without faith, and from your being dead in your sin. From that life outside the kingdom, you are repented to a life within the kingdom… dwelling in it with and by faith… dwelling there alive in Christ. Jesus means the coming of the kingdom and the work of repentance. Surely, you know those signs.
Prayers from one who would rather avoid the pain of being repented…
Our Father who art in heaven grant to me ears to hear the kingdom proclaimed in the presence of Jesus Christ. Father, in your mercy, hear my prayer.
Our Father who art in heaven grant to me the eyes of faith to see the kingdom surround me as I am in the company of the body of Christ. Father, in your mercy, hear my prayer.
Our Father who art in heaven grant to me such trust in your Word that it defines my reality more surely and completely than do my reason and senses. Father, in your mercy, hear my prayer.
Our Father who art in heaven turn me toward my brothers and sisters in Christ as together we comprise his body so that, in tending to them, I tend the body of my Lord. Father, in your mercy, hear my prayer.
Our Father who art in heaven open my eyes to see the plight of the world in its need for daily bread; set the labor of my hands to feeding it the bread of yeast and dough, and open my lips to speak to it of Jesus Christ, the Bread come down from heaven. Father, in your mercy, hear my prayer.
Our Father who art in heaven provide for the Institute of Lutheran Theology, its students, staff, faculty, and board. Father, in your mercy, hear my prayer.
Our Father who art in heaven, you alone know the day and hour of your Son’s coming in glory. Do not let me flag in ardent and eager anticipation of that day and hour. Father, in your mercy, hear my prayer.