Good Morning Children of God!
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Save us, we beseech you, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech you, give us success!” Psalm 118:24-25
Have a joyful and successful day in the Lord. Here is your Sunday Message.
June 28, 2020
4th Sunday after Pentecost
Prayer of the Day
O God, you direct our lives by your grace, and your words of justice and mercy reshape the world. Mold us into a people who welcome your word and serve one another, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
First Reading Jeremiah 28:5-9
Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18
Second Reading Romans 6:12-23
Gospel Matthew 10:40-42
Grace to you and peace, from God our Father and the Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.
When I was a student at Pinecrest Elementary, the school day started with everyone reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. In researching the origin of the pledge, I was surprised to see that the words “under God” were not in the original statement which was written in 1892. Those two important words were added by Congress in 1954 at the request of President Eisenhower. It is said that the words were intended to differentiate the United States from the communist countries which were seeking to increase their influence in the world at that time. So, what does it mean to be “under God?” Today’s scriptures give us a good indication.
In Romans 6:14, St. Paul told the church in Rome that they were “under grace.” To be under God is to be under grace for the Lord is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” (Exodus 34:6) To be under the grace of God is to be “brought from death to life.” (Romans 6:13) This is the free gift of God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:23)
Psalm 89 celebrates that being under God means benefiting from the loyal love and faithfulness of God. That love was on full display when Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead. His sacrifice and victory changed our standing from being under sin and death, to being under forgiveness and life. For Christians, “under God” includes standing beneath the cross of Jesus washed in redemption, with the blessed assurance of life in the resurrection.
St. Paul wrote: “[Y]ou have been freed from sin and enslaved to God.” (Romans 6:22) Belonging to God and living under God we are to present ourselves to him “as instruments of righteousness.” (Romans 6:13) We are to become obedient from the heart to the teaching of God. (Romans 6:17)
The teaching of God is simply stated but difficult to follow. We are taught to love. We are taught to treat others the way we want to be treated. We are taught to treat people fairly, be kind, and walk humbly with God. We are supposed to emulate Jesus. That is the result of being “under God.”
For some time now I have been bemoaning the loss of civility in our society. In my opinion, the mean streak that runs through humanity is worsening in our time. Instead of being under God it seems that the norm is to be under anger, self-righteousness, and personal indignation. The church needs to hear the voice of St. Paul. “Do not let sin exercise dominion in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions.” (Romans 6: 12) The Lord has dominion over us and our passion is to be for him.
Mean spiritedness can be contagious, like a highly transmissible virus. And like the virus, it can be fought. In the fight against COVID-19 we are told that maintaining a safe distance from others is helpful in slowing down the virus. Distance can help tame a mean spirit too. If we can learn to separate ourselves from and control our anger, arrogance, resentment, and tongue lashings then we can help prevent the spread of hate and ill-will.
We are told that it is wise to wear a mask in public in order to help prevent transmission of the coronavirus. With the contagion of meanness, we can protect against the spread of hate and indifference by masking our pride and looking for the best in others, seeking to build them up rather than tear them down.
The words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance were intended to differentiate the United States from communist countries. Living under God, as we are taught in God’s word, would serve to differentiate between righteous and unrighteous behavior. It would distinguish between constructive and destructive attitudes and actions. It would serve as an example of how to love and serve the neighbor.
As an elementary school student, I recited the Pledge of Allegiance daily. Repetition is an excellent teacher. Each day it is good for us to remember that we are to live under God. It is important to learn the lesson that living under God includes loving others for God. Jesus taught us that when we love all manner of people for God, we are also loving him. (Matthew 25:31-46)
Jesus loves people from death into life. Following his example of love will change things for the better. Sadly, choosing a contrary path is a missed opportunity to improve the life of another. Living under God, do your best to love people from despair to hope, from sin to redemption, and from death into life. Amen.
I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
Tho’ none go with me, I still will follow,
Tho’ none go with me I still will follow,
Tho’ none go with me, I still will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry till I see Jesus,
My cross I’ll carry till I see Jesus;
No turning back, No turning back.
Peace and blessings,
Pastor Bill