13th July: Trinity 4
online Morning Prayer from Snelston.
Colossians 2:6-15
Paul writes to the Christians in Colossae, praying for their continuing growth in the faith under the leadership of Epaphras, another of his colleagues.
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a spiritual circumcision, by putting off the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ; when you were buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. And when you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with him, when he forgave us all our trespasses, erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in it.
Luke 10:25-37
Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’
But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.” Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’
Something to think about
A young rabbi asked Jesus a question to which he replied in typical rabbinic fashion by telling the young man a story. This, to us, well known story of the Good Samaritan offered challenges - the Samaritans were despised by Jews, Priests and Levites as Temple servants were respected. They passed by while the Samaritan acted with real generosity. The next challenge to the young man was to sell all he had and give it away. He could not respond.
Collect
Almighty God, you search us and know us:
may we rely on you in strength and rest on you in weakness,
now and in all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Post Communion
Eternal God, comfort of the afflicted and healer of the broken,
you have fed us at the table of life and hope:
teach us the ways of gentleness and peace,
that all the world may acknowledge
the kingdom of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Next Sunday’s (20th) Readings:
Colossians 1:15-28
Luke 10:38-42
Please remember in your prayers this week:
Those who are unable to be with us in church, including Linda Torr and Arthur Williams.
The recently bereaved, especially the family and friends of Lindsey Harrison, Bob Bates and Paul Clarke.
Areas of conflict: the Ukraine, the Middle East and too many others.
Our local churches, as they face up to the problems of the future.
Our Ministry Team: Maggie, Nigel & Lynda and her support: Simon.