Living in Synch with God’s Gathering Love
- davidwperk
- Nov 24, 2023
- 5 min read
Devotional Reflection, Friday, November 24, 2023
Proper 28, the week of the twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s reading:
10‘Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven.. . . .14So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.
You will find the full text of today’s Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 994)
AM Psalm 102; PM Psalm 107:1-32
1 Macc. 4:36-59; Rev. 22:6-13; Matt. 18:10-20
Today we celebrate the Feast of Catherine of Alexandria, Barbara of Nicomedia, and Margaret of Antioch. (See below.)
David's Reflections
Why would a Christian desert the Christian community? Today’s Gospel reading names disrupted relationships as one of the main reasons. The "little one" has been offended by or has experienced a conflict with another in the community. Who becomes primarily responsible for restoring that offended one who now is wandering away from the community? Matthew's answer--those remaining active in the community. It will not do to stand at the door of the assembly with folded arms expecting the wandering one to return on his or her own. And, it matters not why people have absented themselves. The community must heed Jesus’ call to be seeking shepherds, regathering the scattered.
The parable of the lost sheep occurs also in Luke 15. There the context identifies the sheep as the one lost from God's love and an unbeliever. Here the context identifies the lost sheep as the straying member of the Christian community. The community cannot be at peace so long as that person remains absent any more than a shepherd can be at peace when even one sheep has gone absent from the fold.
The analogy for the shepherd's seeking love is God's love. God actively seeks that straying member of the community. God actively seeks those who have not yet come to faith. For us to pray for, visit, befriend, and seek to restore the wounded and straying puts us in synch with what God's love seeks to accomplish. For us to engage with, pray for, and welcome those without faith puts in synch with that seeking love. Who knows. Next month it might be you or me outside the community, too wounded or hurt or angry to find our own way back, dependent on the seeking energy of others in the community. (See Galatians 6:1-5)
Episcopal churches often are the “next step” for those who have given up on their previous community. Publicity, events off-Sunday and away from the church’s gathering spaces, acts of service and mercy, personal invitation--those I think of as some of ways God's seeking love finds expression. God does not rest easy and content while those who have believed in Jesus are not present to take their place at the Holy Table for Holy Communion. Nor can God rest while some wander without faith, far from the Feast of Love. So, nor can we.
As Rick Blum put it, “As surprising as it may be, we have something that Heaven is looking for.”+
+Rick Blum, "Our Home is God's Home," Parabola 31 (Winter 2006); 15.
Collect of the Day, Proper 28, the twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 236)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Catherine of Alexandria, Barbara of Nicomedia, and Margaret of Antioch, martyrs (died ca 300 CE).
Collect of the Feast of Catherine of Alexandria, Barbara of Nicomedia, and Margaret of Antioch
Embolden your church, O God, with the stories of your saints Catherine, Barbara, and Margaret, that we might face all trials and adversities with a fearless mind and an unbroken spirit, knowing that we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ who strengthens us. Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
A Collect for Fridays
Lord Jesus Christ, by your death you took away the sting of death: Grant to us your servants so to follow in faith where you have led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in you and wake up in your likeness; for your tender mercies' sake. Amen. (BCP, 123)
In the Order of Worship for Evening
Almighty, everlasting God, let our prayer in your sight be as incense, the lifting up of our hands as the evening sacrifice. Give us grace to behold you, present in your Word and Sacraments, and to recognize you in the lives of those around us. Stir up in us the flame of that love which burned in the heart of your Son as he bore his passion, and let it burn in us to eternal life and to the ages of ages. Amen. (BCP, 113)
A Collect for Mission
Merciful God, creator of all the peoples of the earth and lover of souls: Have compassion on all who do not know you as you are revealed in your Son Jesus Christ; let your Gospel be preached with grace and power to those who have not heard it; turn the hearts of those who resist it; and bring home to your fold those who have gone astray; that there may be one flock under one shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 280)
Daily Office Gospel, Matthew 18:10-20
10‘Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven. 12What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost
15 ‘If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. 16But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.’
Daily Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, The Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, page 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
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