SUNDAY (September 27, 2020)
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Gospel Sentence
“For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord GOD; so turn, and live.”” (Ezekiel 18:32)
Reading
“The word of the LORD came to me: “What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’? As I live, declares the Lord GOD, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:1–4)
Meditation
This proverbial saying about sour grapes and setting the children’s teeth on edge is rather strange. Essentially what it means is this, “Oh, don’t blame ME for what is wrong. I am simply a victim of a miscarriage of justice.” Through the prophet Ezekiel, God tells His people, “Stop blaming others for your misdeeds. The guilt is yours alone to bear. All souls belong to me—I will be the ultimate judge.” How often are we like the Israelites with our grumbling and complaining and blaming? It is far easier to be the victim than to own up to our own guilt and misdeeds. God knows this. He calls us to repentance and gives us forgiveness to wipe the slate clean.
Silence
Prayer for Holy Cross Member
Let your grace be upon Kathy O Lord, and teach her to hope in the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Prayer of the Week
Almighty God, You exalted Your Son to the place of all honor and authority. Enlighten our minds by Your Holy Spirit that, confessing Jesus as Lord, we may be led into all truth; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Lord’s Prayer