The Readings
The Epistle
Galatians 6:(1-6)7-16
[My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor's work, will become a cause for pride. For all must carry their own loads.
Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher.]
Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest-time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.
See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be circumcised-- only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. Even the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! As for those who will follow this rule-- peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
The Gospel
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
The Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, `Peace to this house!' And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, `The kingdom of God has come near to you.' But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, `Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.'
"Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me."
The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!" He said to them, "I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
The Sermon
I have
been reading a book about an extended visit between the Dalai Lama
and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. It is a fascinating and inspirational
read and something I read seemed remarkably similar to the reading
today in Paul's letter to the Galatians. Let me share it with you.
These
two holy men were having a discussion about people and their fear of
death and how it seems to almost be universal. The Archbishop said
that he thought it might come from people's fear of going to hell
once they die. He thought it really should be a needless worry
because if you spent your time in life simply caring for others then
hell would not be a problem.
The
Dalai Lama took a very different approach. He said that although his
religion, Buddhism, believed in reincarnation rather than heaven and
hell, he said if when he died he had a choice between going to heaven
or hell, he would choose going to hell. A somewhat flabbergasted
archbishop asked him why he would choose hell. The Dalai lama said
that the people in heaven wouldn't need him nearly as much as the
people in hell!
Both
holy men were speaking to life's (and death's) purpose. We are here
not to see how much we can acquire of how comfortable we can become.
We are here to care for each other, to love one another to be there
when our brothers and sisters are in need.
Paul
was saying something very similar. He writes, “for you reap
whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap
corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the spirit, you will
reap eternal life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing
what is right, for we will reap at harvest time if we do not give up.
So then let us work for the good of all.”
You
know in your hearts what is right and good and joyful. That is the
simple mission that Jesus has given us. He told the 70 to out into
the towns and spread the good news of salvation. The mission he gave
the 70 is our mission today. Our task is to go out and spread that
good news. In today's reading from Luke Jesus says to his followers,
“the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask
the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
There are so many out there who have not had the experiences you have
had. They are ready to hear the message that they are loved by God
and that their lives will be enriched when they enter into a
relationship with the father
I
encourage you this week and every week to reach out to others and
talk about your faith and the difference it has made in your life.
Invite them to come to our service and be a part of our family.
Amen
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