21st September: St.Matthew: Trinity 14
online Morning Prayer from St.Oswald’s.
2 Corinthians 4:1-6
Paul has had his problems with with the Christians in the church at Corinth over the years. He now wishes to remind them that he has always spoken openly and truthfully to them, so they might see the light of God in Christ.
Therefore, since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God's word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake. For it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 9:9-13
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard this, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”
Something to think about
Tax collectors were disliked and despised by many of the Jews and shunned by the religious leaders as sinners and Law breakers. A well-known proverb lead Jesus into a quotation from the prophet Hosea, who as well as condemning the Israelites of his day for their disloyalty to God, spoke of the power of his love for them (Hosea 6:6, 11;1-6)
Collect
Father, giver of all gifts:
bring joy to our hearts through your Holy Spirit,
that the world may believe the good news
which comes to us through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Post Communion
Lord God, the source of truth and love,
keep us faithful to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship,
united in prayer and the breaking of bread,
and one in joy and simplicity of heart,
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Next Sunday’s (28th) Readings:
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
John 6:25-35
Please remember in your prayers this week:
Those who are unable to be with us in church, including Linda Torr and Arthur Williams.
Those who are ill, especially Graham Price.
The recently bereaved, especially the family and friends of Anne Brown, Patricia Jones, Gloria Bates, Nicholas Flux and Rita Mawbey.
Areas of conflict: the Ukraine, the Middle East and too many others.
Our local churches.
Our Ministry Team: Dwayne, Maggie, Nigel & Lynda.