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Sentence

God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore encourage one another and build up each other. 1 Thessalonians 5:9, 11

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Collect

Everliving God,

before the earth was formed,

and even after it shall cease to be, you are God.

Break into our short span of life

and show us those things that are eternal,

that we may serve your purpose in all we do;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you in unity with the

Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Readings

• Judges 4:1-10
• Psalm 123
• 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
• Matthew 25:14-30

next week

• Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
• Psalm 100
• Ephesians 1:15-23
• Matthew 25:31-46

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A Thought to Ponder

Pentecost 24 Matthew 25:14-30

“‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter …?

’“For to everyone who has, more will be given, and they will grow rich; but from the those who have not, even what they have will be taken away.”

The “measure” of Christ’s judgment in the world to come is made clear in the parable of the talents: The Lord will judge us according to how well we used the “talents” and gifts every one of us has been given. The greater the “capital” we have been given, the greater God’s expectations.

Whatever degree of talent, ability and wealth we possess have been “entrusted” to us by the “Master.” Jesus teaches that our place in the reign of God will depend on our stewardship of those talents God has given us: whether we “bury” them in fear or selfishness or use them readily to reveal God in our midst.  

Each one of us is given many opportunities to “reap and gather.” The challenge of the Gospel is to be ready and willing to respond to those opportunities joyfully and generously for the sakes of others, to build the kingdom of God in own time and place.

Jesus urges us not to “bury” our talents in the safe ground of self-interest and passivity but to “invest” them for the benefit of all. Christ calls us to a faith that is willing take the risk of investing what we have in the greater good, and he promises us the grace to work to enable others to realise a return on the investment of their own talents in God’s kingdom in our midst.  

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Sermon

You can read the Pew Sheet here

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