May the grace, mercy and love of God be with us all. Amen.
Collect
Lord of creation, whose glory is around and within us: open our eyes to your wonders, that we may serve you with reverence and know your peace at our lives' end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Confession
Let us confess our sins to the Lord of creation, knowing that he will hear us and meet us with his love.
Forgive us, Lord, when we are slow to learn of your love.
Lord, have mercy: Lord, have mercy.
Forgive us, Lord, when we are neglectful of our neighbour’s need.
Christ, have mercy: Christ, have mercy.
Forgive us, Lord, when we evade our responsibilities toward your creation.
Lord, have mercy: Lord, have mercy.
God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. If we choose the light, and come to our Lord repenting, he will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. May we have peace in Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
God’s Word - Philippians, chapter 2, verses 1 to 13 :-
If our common life in Christ yields anything to stir the heart, any consolation of love, any participation in the Spirit, any warmth of affection or compassion, fill up my cup of happiness by thinking and feeling alike, with the same love for one another and a common attitude of mind. Leave no room for selfish ambition and vanity, but humbly reckon others better than yourselves. Look to each other’s interests and not merely to your own.
Take to heart among yourselves what you find in Christ Jesus: ‘He was in the form of God; yet he laid no claim to equality with God, but made himself nothing, assuming the form of a slave. Bearing the human likeness, sharing the human lot, he humbled himself, and was obedient, even to the point of death, death on a cross! Therefore God raised him to the heights and bestowed on him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow—in heaven, on earth, and in the depths - and every tongue acclaim, “Jesus Christ is Lord,” to the glory of God the Father.’
So you too, my friends, must be obedient, as always; even more, now that I am absent, than when I was with you. You must work out your own salvation in fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you, inspiring both the will and the deed, for his own chosen purpose.
Matthew, chapter 21, verses 23 to 32 :-
Jesus entered the temple, and, as he was teaching, the chief priests and elders of the nation came up to him and asked: ‘By what authority are you acting like this? Who gave you this authority?’ Jesus replied, ‘I also have a question for you. If you answer it, I will tell you by what authority I act. The baptism of John: was it from God, or from men?’ This set them arguing among themselves: ‘If we say, “From God,” he will say, “Then why did you not believe him?” But if we say, “From men,” we are afraid of the people’s reaction, for they all take John for a prophet.’ So they answered, ‘We do not know.’ And Jesus said: ‘Then I will not tell you either by what authority I act.
‘But what do you think about this? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first, and said, “My son, go and work today in the vineyard.” “I will, sir,” the boy replied; but he did not go. The father came to the second and said the same. “I will not,” he replied; but afterwards he changed his mind and went. Which of the two did what his father wanted?’ ‘The second,’ they replied. Then Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you: tax-collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For when John came to show you the right way to live, you did not believe him, but the tax-collectors and prostitutes did; and even when you had seen that, you did not change your minds and believe him.
Thanks be to God, for this his holy word. Amen.
Reflection on the Readings
Last Monday the clergy chapter went for a walk, from Worthen church to Westbury. It was a fabulous day for walking, and the views from up above the Rea Valley are excellent. Monday was St Matthew’s Day, and in our short service before we set out I read the Gospel for the day, how Matthew the tax collector was called by Jesus and followed him, and how as other tax collectors and similar low life joined Jesus and his friends for a meal at Matthew’s house, the Pharisees and their allies grumbled.
Later as we walked, one of my colleagues said to me, “It’s strange how before I became an Anglican I could lead worship without ever needing to look in a book, but these days I always need to look at the words to make sure I get everything right.” I tactlessly said that might have more to do with age than denomination, but thinking it over I suppose we are, us Anglicans, very liturgical. We like things to be right, and our faith is actually regulated and defined by what is written in our Prayer Book.
In our first reading today, Paul quotes from a bit of very early liturgy, in the words that begin, “Christ Jesus was in the form of God, but did not grasp at equality with God.” The song of the servant, as some call it, is one of the most ancient hymns of the Church, and Paul’s readers probably already knew it well. Paul quotes it there to make clear to them that liturgy isn’t just there to be said or sung, it must also be lived, it has to become part of us. He quotes the song in his letter as part of his encouragement to the Philippians to live lovingly and harmoniously together, in a way that shows the world the humble and obedient love of Christ.
And in our Gospel reading, Jesus, having tied the Pharisees in knots in much the same way as a really good political interviewer will with the kind of self-important lightweights who these days seem to pass for politicians, goes on to tell them a story, the parable, so-called, of the two sons.
It isn’t what we say we’ll do that matters; it’s what we actually do. Promises are not enough. One lad promised to work in the vineyard, but didn’t do it. The second angered and disappointed his father by refusing to work, but then had a change of heart and worked after all. So which one got it right? Which one delivered the goods? The answer is obvious, but Jesus still insists that the Pharisees say it.
As a tax collector, Matthew had betrayed his faith and collaborated with the Romans. He wasn’t living a good and holy life like the Pharisees were - they knew all the words and made sure they said them where people could see and hear them. But - says Jesus to them in essence - you’re all promises and no delivery. Fine words are ten a penny, even the fine words we offer to God. What matters is what we deliver on. What matters is that when people look at us, they can begin to see Jesus.
Statement of faith -
We believe in God the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.
We believe in God the Son, who lives in our hearts through faith, and fills us with his love.
We believe in God the Holy Spirit, who strengthens us with power from on high.
We believe in one God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayers -
Pray for the world, and especially today that we may value and conserve the many environments that are being degraded and put at risk by our thoughtless and greedy exploitation. May we take seriously the warning signs around us, and act now for the sake of our children and their children, and the myriad irreplaceable life forms with which we share this planet. Pray too that as we respond to the present pandemic, we may share the fruits of our research and development, and support those most in need.
Pray that the Church may be true in spirit and in practice to the example and call of Jesus, and may act responsibly in its use of resources. Pray for Christians in the Sudan, and for the Anglican Province of the Sudan. In our own Diocese, pray for Bishop Richard, and for our churches as they plan and prepare for harvest. Pray also for those due to be ordained this weekend as deacons and priests.
Pray for all who are ill, troubled or hurt today, and that they may receive the attention and care they need, and know God’s healing touch. Pray that all who care for others are protected themselves and kept safe. Pray today for all who suffer from the auto-immune condition lupus, particularly at this time of greater risk. Pray too for all infected with the Covid virus.
Pray for families and friends, and today especially for the farms and farmers of our communities. Pray we may continue to act with responsibility and care, looking out for each other, and keeping safe ourselves.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Blessing -
May the Lord bless us and watch over us; may his face shine upon us, may he be gracious to us; may the Lord look kindly on us, and give us his peace. Amen.
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