Reuben's Sermon for The 17th. Sunday after Trinity:
Proper 23:
Reuben's Theme: "Why is this happening to me?"
(Trinity 17) - EVENSONG 1830hrs. at Saint George's - Cullercoats.
Sunday, 12th. October 2003 Anno Domini.
Morning Mass: Job: 23.1-9, 16-17 Ps: 22.1-15 Hebrews: 4.12-16 Mark: 10.17-31
Evensong: Psalm: 127 [128]. Joshua: 5.13 - 6.20 Matthew 11.20-30

October 12, 2003 Cycle B Trinity 17 (Pentecost 18).

COLLECT

Almighty God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you:
pour your love into our hearts and draw us to yourself, and so bring us at last to your heavenly city - where we shall see you face to face;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

FIRST READING (morning Mass):

Job 23.1-9, 16-17

A reading from the book of Job.
Job answered his companions:
'Today also my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy despite my groaning.
Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his dwelling!
I would lay my case before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. I would learn what he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.
Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No; but he would give heed to me. There an upright person could reason with him, and I should be acquitted for ever by my judge.
If I go forward, he is not there; or backward, I cannot perceive him; on the left he hides, and I cannot behold him; I turn to the right, but I cannot see him.
God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me; If only I could vanish in darkness, and thick darkness would cover my face!'


Psalm (morning Mass):

Psalm 22.1-15

RR Why are you so far from the words of my distress?

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? and are so far from my cry and from the words of my distress? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but you do not answer; by night as well, but I find no rest. Yet you are the Holy One, enthroned upon the praises of Israel. RR
Our forebears put their trust in you; they trusted and you delivered them. They cried out to you and were delivered; they trusted in you and were not put to shame. RR
But as for me, I am a worm and no man, scorned by all and despised by the people. All who see me laugh me to scorn; they curl their lips and wag their heads, saying, 'He trusted in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, if he delights in him.' RR
Yet you are he who took me out of the womb, and kept me safe upon my mother's breast. I have been entrusted to you ever since I was born; you were my God when I was still in my mother's womb. RR
Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help. Many young bulls encircle me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me. They open wide their jaws at me, like a ravening and a roaring lion. RR
I am poured out like water; all my bones are out of joint; my heart within my breast is melting wax. My mouth is dried out like a potsherd; my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; and you have laid me in the dust of the grave. RR

SECOND READING (morning Mass):

Hebrews 4.12-16

A reading from the letter to the Hebrews.
The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.
Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

GOSPEL (morning Mass):

GOSPEL Mark 10.17-31

Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.
As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before Him, and asked Him, 'Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?'
Jesus said to him, 'Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.
You know the commandments: "You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honour your father and mother."'
He said to Jesus, 'Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.'
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, 'You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.'
When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, 'How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!'
And the disciples were perplexed at these words.
But Jesus said to them again, 'Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.'
They were greatly astounded and said to one another, 'Then who can be saved?'
Jesus looked at them and said, 'For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.'
Peter began to say to him, 'Look, we have left everything and followed you.'
Jesus said, 'Truly I tell you there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundred fold now in this age - houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields - but with persecutions - and in the age to come eternal life.
But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.'


POST COMMUNION

Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, and make us continually to be given to all good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Evensong:

Psalm 127 [128]

1 ¶ A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labour in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
3 Lo, sons are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons of one's youth.
5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
1 ¶ A Song of Ascents. Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways!
2 You shall eat the fruit of the labour of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.
4 Lo, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD.
5 The LORD bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life!
6 May you see your children's children! Peace be upon Israel!

Old Testament: Joshua 5.13 - 6.20 (RSV)

13* ¶ When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man stood before him with his drawn sword in his hand; and Joshua went to him and said to him, "Are you for us, or for our adversaries?"
14* And he said, "No; but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come." And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and worshipped, and said to him, "What does my lord bid his servant?"
15* And the commander of the LORD's army said to Joshua, "Put off your shoes from your feet; for the place where you stand is holy." And Joshua did so.
1* ¶ Now Jericho was shut up from within and from without because of the people of Israel; none went out, and none came in.
2* And the LORD said to Joshua, "See, I have given into your hand Jericho, with its king and mighty men of valour.
3* You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days.
4* And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark; and on the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, the priests blowing the trumpets.
5* And when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, as soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up every man straight before him."
6 ¶ So Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them, "Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD."
7 And he said to the people, "Go forward; march around the city, and let the armed men pass on before the ark of the LORD."
8 And as Joshua had commanded the people, the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns before the LORD went forward, blowing the trumpets, with the ark of the covenant of the LORD following them.
9* And the armed men went before the priests who blew the trumpets, and the rear guard came after the ark, while the trumpets blew continually.
10 But Joshua commanded the people, "You shall not shout or let your voice be heard, neither shall any word go out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then you shall shout."
11 So he caused the ark of the LORD to compass the city, going about it once; and they came into the camp, and spent the night in the camp.
12 Then Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD.
13 And the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD passed on, blowing the trumpets continually; and the armed men went before them, and the rear guard came after the ark of the LORD, while the trumpets blew continually.
14* And the second day they marched around the city once, and returned into the camp. So they did for six days.
15* On the seventh day they rose early at the dawn of day, and marched around the city in the same manner seven times: it was only on that day that they marched around the city seven times.
16 And at the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, "Shout; for the LORD has given you the city.
17* ¶ And the city and all that is within it shall be devoted to the LORD for destruction; only Rahab the harlot and all who are with her in her house shall live, because she hid the messengers that we sent.
18 But you, keep yourselves from the things devoted to destruction, lest when you have devoted them you take any of the devoted things and make the camp of Israel a thing for destruction, and bring trouble upon it.
19* But all silver and gold, and vessels of bronze and iron, are sacred to the LORD; they shall go into the treasury of the LORD."
20* So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people raised a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.


New Testament: Matthew 11.20-30 (RSV)

16* ¶ "But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places and calling to their playmates,
17* 'We piped to you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.'
18* For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon';
19* the Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds."
20* Then he began to upbraid the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent.
21* "Woe to you, Chorazin! woe to you, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22* But I tell you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgement for Tyre and Sidon than for you.
23* And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
24* But I tell you that it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgement for the land of Sodom than for you."
25* ¶ At that time Jesus declared, "I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes;
26* yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will.
27* All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28* Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29* Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30* For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Hymns: (NEH)

456 (office hymn)

Teach me, my God and King, In all things Thee to see.


429 (hymn directly before the sermon)

O Thou in all Thy might so far, In all Thy love so near.


373 (hymn directly after the sermon)

How shall I sing that majesty, which angels do admire?

Reuben's Theme: "Why is this happening to me?"

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

When I am asked to preach at evensong, the first task I set myself to do is to make a copy of all the readings and psalms for Mass and Evensong and then meditate on them.
I reflect on them while working. I muse over them while resting. I mull them over, in my mind, while praying.

Yes the Bible each day helps you work, rest and pray.

So, what did we have this morning at the Parish Eucharist?

A reading from Job. (Job 23.1-9, 16-17) Poor old Job.

As we all know, Job is the unknowing participant in an awful and devastating challenge to God by the devil.

The part we heard this morning was the beginning of Job's reply to Eliphaz.

If only Job could find God and put his case to him.
But God is nowhere to be found, and his ways are inexplicable.

Poor old Job. At this point it doesn't look good for him.

He searches for God.
'If I go forward, he is not there; or backward, I cannot perceive him; on the left he hides, and I cannot behold him; I turn to the right, but I cannot see him.
God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me; If only I could vanish in darkness, and thick darkness would cover my face!':

To say that Job is suffering a crisis is the grandest understatement I can possibly imagine.

It was the opening words of this morning's psalm that Jesus used to express his anguish on the cross...

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?".

And the terms the psalmist chose to describe his own agony and despair - of mind and body - became an extraordinarily precise description of the last hours of our Lord and Saviour's life as a human being.
The psalmist only felt himself to be deserted by God.

In the part of the letter to the Hebrews, (4.12-16) that we heard this morning, we heard of the power of the word of God and God's ability to see deep within our minds and our souls.

Nothing can be hidden from God.

We are reminded us that Jesus, the Son of God, is our great high priest who has shown us the way to salvation.

Because God has suffered, as a human being - and still remained without sin - he can sympathise with our weaknesses.

We are told to approach the 'throne of grace' with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find help in time of need.

And finally this morning, in the excerpt from the Gospel according to Mark, we hear of the positive disadvantage of wealth.

Not implying that all Christ's followers must become penniless. Jesus is speaking to one man, at that time, and today - to anyone to whom money and possessions are so important.

He is speaking to someone who's possessions kept him from becoming a disciple.

To anyone who's possessions are so important they can't be a Christian.

Anything that takes first place - God's place - in our lives, must go.

So, this morning we we were faced with:

Job's frustration and utter desolation.

A psalmist's despair as he feels he has been deserted by God.

The power of the word of God, God's ability to see deep within our minds and our souls and that the way to salvation is by following Jesus - that we may receive mercy and find help in time of need.

It's all beginning to gel.

In times of trouble don't think God has deserted you.

God will never desert you.

Follow Jesus and He will be with you (God will be with you).. ..always - through the good times and the bad times, even the very bad times!

And Mark, tells us of the positive disadvantage of wealth.

Anything that takes first place - God's place - in our lives, must go.

God must come first ABOVE ALL THINGS!

So, with all that rattling in our minds, what happens?

We are greeted, tonight, by a psalm that tells us of the futility of human effort without God.

Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labour in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.

We hear the story of the fall of Jericho (Joshua 5.13 - 6.20).

The conquest of Canaan was a holy war - God was at the head of the army.
No one knew this better than Joshua.
Israel knew it, as the ark of God's presence led the forces.
Israel's enemies knew it, and quaked.

It was a war of nerves for the men of Jericho; day after day the encircling troops, the trumpet-blasts, the silent army, building up to the great climax of the seventh day.

Moments before the fall of Jericho, the city and its contents are dedicated utterly to God. It becomes sacrilege then, for anyone to take anything for themselves.
Israel, only with the help and presence of God, are victorious, but the wealth of Jericho, the money, the possessions are not for them.

Also tonight we hear Matthew (Matthew 11.20-30) giving us Jesus' message:

Come to me!

Most of Jesus' miracles took place in the small area at the north of the sea of Galilee - around Capernaum, Chorazin and Bethsaida. They evoked so little response from the people that God's judgement on their stubborn disbelief was inevitable.

Tyre and Sydon - the prosperous, godless seaports, denounced by the prophets (Isaiah 23) - even Sodom, the byword for evil (Genesis 19), could not have seen what they had seen and remained unmoved.

It was the ordinary people who received Jesus - and He was glad.

To all who are worn down by burdens, He offers relief.

Those who enter His service...
...those who enter the service of Jesus...
...God's service...
...will be wonderfully surprised.

As Jesus said... "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light".

In times of trouble, sorrow, loneliness and despair...

When everything seems to fall apart and nothing goes right...

When we feel God has deserted us...

Know this:

God is with us always.

Turn to God in good times and bad times.

God can see into our innermost thoughts.

He knows our feelings; our loves, our loneliness, our joy and our sadness.

Follow Jesus - trust in Him.

God loves us more than anything we can possibly imagine.

Sometimes, when everything goes wrong, we feel God has deserted us, but that is only when we have actually deserted God.

Put everything else - all worldly things - in second place to God.

God will be with us throughout all time.

I want to end with a psalm that crops up on Saturdays and Sundays in the Morning Prayer office every few weeks.

Every time I read it, it projects the feeling (the mood) that the combination of today's readings seems to invoke.

I want you to close your eyes, now, and listen to these words:

1. Lord, you have searched me out and known me;* you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 
2. You trace my journeys and my resting-places* and are acquainted with all my ways. 
3. Indeed, there is not a word on my lips,* but you, O Lord, know it altogether. 
4. You press upon me behind and before* and lay your hand upon me. 
5. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;* it is so high that I cannot attain to it. 
6. Where can I go then from your Spirit?* where can I flee from your presence? 
7. If I climb up to heaven, you are there;* if I make the grave my bed, you are there also. 
8. If I take the wings of the morning* and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 
9. Even there your hand will lead me* and your right hand hold me fast. 
10. If I say, "Surely the darkness will cover me,* and the light around me turn to night", 
11. Darkness is not dark to you;    the night is as bright as the day;* darkness and light to you are both alike. 
12. For you yourself created my inmost parts;* you knit me together in my mother's womb. 
13. I will thank you because I am marvellously made;* your works are wonderful and I know it well. 
14. My body was not hidden from you,* while I was being made in secret    and woven in the depths of the earth. 
15. Your eyes beheld my limbs, yet unfinished in the womb;    all of them were written in your book;* they were fashioned day by day,    when as yet there was none of them. 
16. How deep I find your thoughts, O God!* how great is the sum of them! 
17. If I were to count them,    they would be more in number than the sand;* to count them all,    my life span would need to be like yours. 
[18. O that you would slay the wicked, O God!* You that thirst for blood, depart from me. 
19. They speak despitefully against you;* your enemies take your name in vain. 
20. Do I not hate those, O Lord, who hate you?* and do I not loathe those who rise up against you? 
21. I hate them with a perfect hatred;* they have become my own enemies.] 
22. Search me out, O God, and know my heart;* try me and know my restless thoughts. 
23. Look well whether there be any wickedness in me* and lead me in the way that is everlasting.

Psalm 139

Let us pray:

Lord, who created and fashioned us, who knows us and searches us out, who abides with us through light and dark: help us to know your presence in this life and, in the life to come, still to be with you; where you are alive and reign, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

1677 words - 16-18 minutes
©Reuben Condie 12/10/2003
Bible Readings: Morning Mass NRSV and Evensong RSV
Psalm 139 Celebrating Common Prayer