A “Shofar” for a Sunday Sabbath

Today is the 21st Sunday Sabbath after Pentecost in the Anglican, Episcopal, Lutheran (ELCA), and Mar Thomas Church of India in the Liturgical Kalendars of these Traditions. It is the 20th Sunday Sabbath after Pentecost in the Russain/OCA Kalendar. In the Roman Rite it is the 29th Sunday Sabbath in Ordinary Time. In the Coptic Church of Egypt it is the Second Sunday Sabbath of the Month of Baba.

The Prayer for the Day is from the Lutheran (ELCA) Book of Worship.

Prayer of the Day
Sovereign God, you turn your greatness into goodness for all the peoples on earth. Shape us into willing servants of your kingdom, and make us desire always and only your will, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

The Collect appointed for the day according to the BCP.

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

There are two Gospel Readings one from the Russain/OCA Lectionary and one from the Roman Lectionary.

These two Gospel Readings give a clear and indisputable presentation of what as Christians are our values. These values are diametrically opposed to the American culture of egocentric consumerism and the worship of money, power and status! the Beggar Lazarus who represents all that is condemned and shunned in so called free market capitalism and yet infinitely valued by God and the example of servant hood of all to and for the Common Good rather than dominance by power, nationalism, image, class, or exclusion is for the followers of Jesus the Way we must live.

Luke 16:19-31 from the Russain/OCA Lectionary

19There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day.20But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate,21desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.22So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.23And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.24Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’25But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.26’And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’27Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house,28’for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’29Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’30And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’31But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ The Second Reading from the Roman Lectionary.

Mk 10:42-45

Jesus summoned the Twelve and said to them,
“You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles
lord it over them,
and their great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.
For the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

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