St Clement Church Community Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity Service
Good morning to you all
Yet again a challenging two-part Gospel reading from Mark. Each part is difficult in its own way. Being challenged is good – too often we get complacent/over confident and forget that no matter who we are, we are children of God. So, we need to remember what being a child was like – we were not self-sufficient then – we are not now.
My love to you all
Liz
Let us be still as we draw near to worship God.
Take a moment to remind ourselves why we are gathered together.
Listen … God speaks even through the background noise of the world around us.
Let us pray:
Lord God, in this short time together, open our ears and our eyes to see your vision for this place and our part within it. Teach us, hear our prayers, and enable us for service wherever you may take us, to your praise and glory. Amen
We say together:
Bless us as we meet together, dear Lord we pray.
Bless the singing of your praise,
The reading of Your Word,
The sharing of our fellowship,
The prayers that will be heard.
Bless us as we meet together,
dear Lord, we pray.
Amen
Hymn: 413 Now thank we all or God
We say together our Prayer of Penitence:
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we have sinned against you and against our neighbour in thought, word and deed, through negligence, through weakness, through our own deliberate fault.
We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins.
For the sake of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ who died for us, forgive us all that is past and grant that we may serve you in newness of life to the glory of your name. Amen
The Collect for Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity
O God, forasmuch as without you we are not able to please you; mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, 5who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen
Readings:
Genesis 2. 18 - 24
Hebrews 1. 1 – 4; 2. 5 - 12
Hymn: 344 Children of the heavenly king
Gospel: Mark 10. 2 - 16
(Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.
Response: ‘Glory to you O Lord.’)
Some Pharisees came, and to test Jesus they asked, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?’
He answered them, ‘What did Moses command you?’
They said, ‘Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.’
But Jesus said to them, ‘Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. But from the beginning of creation, “God made them male and female.”
“For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two of them shall become one flesh.”
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.’
Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter.
Jesus said to them, ‘Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.’
People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.
Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’
And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.
(This is the Gospel of our Lord. Praise to you, O Christ)
Reflection
Today’s reading is in two definite parts – one deals with divorce and the other with the blessing of little children. Why were they put together? I suspect to help the preacher who did not want to deal with the challenging divorce text. It is so much more pleasant to talk about little children, isn’t it?
I decided to be brave. However, by the time I had worked my way through Jewish law, Roman law, and also touched on Egyptian law, I was getting totally … really, would I want to sit through all this?
So, friends – yes, you will be relieved to learn … I am going for the other option, but please notice, I didn’t say the ‘easier’ one!
Imagine – you’re sitting in a park watching a young family in the playground. As you watch, a little girl of 3 – 4 years old is enjoying herself on all the equipment. As she tries to reach the monkey bars, she looks to dad for the lift she needs. As she hesitates to come off an elevated platform, she looks to mum for help coming down. And when she’s sufficiently worn out, she looks to her big brother to help her reach the just out of reach, drinking fountain. As her small, tired-out body is carried to the car by her dad, you try to hold on to the scene.
Now, keeping that mental picture in your mind, think back to the Gospel reading from Mark.
‘And they (the people in the crowd) were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
So, what is happening here? As Jesus is doing all the things that he’s been doing throughout his ministry; preaching, teaching, healing and casting out demons, parents are bringing their children to Him … ‘that He might touch them.’ Are these sick children in need of healing? No, these parents are simply seeking exactly what Jesus gives them at the end of the account; they simply want Jesus to bless their children.
In contrast to the parents, Jesus’ disciples want to do exactly the opposite. They want to keep the children away from Jesus. Why? It is likely that they thought Jesus had better things to do than kiss babies and indulge needy parents – not necessarily because they didn’t like children … children were treasured in First Century Jewish life. Rather, it is likely that the disciples were, at this point, focused intently on the ideas of power and influence. If Jesus, the Messiah of Israel, is going to rule as king, spending time with children, powerless, insignificant children, must seem like a complete waste of time.
But, obviously Jesus doesn’t share their perspective, does he? Yet again, the disciples don’t understand, do they? Whilst Jesus’ response is wonderfully encouraging for both the parents and the children, the main focus is those who are children of God; by his grace, through faith in Christ.
What does Mark reveal about why Jesus is ‘indignant?’
It isn’t simply because children are precious and valuable and equally image-bearers of God. Jesus doesn’t rebuke His disciples for their lack of hospitality, or for being mean-spirited. He’s also not upset because they’re ruining His image with a key demographic, like parents. No – Jesus makes a direct connection between children and the kingdom of God. Jesus reveals to His disciples (and everyone listening) that the very kingdom of God He’s been proclaiming throughout His ministry, this kingdom … belongs to people like these children. “…whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
What is Jesus trying to highlight or commend in these children? Is it childlike innocence or childlike wonder, childlike simplicity, or childlike faith?
I think it is more than that. It is childlike humility. If you receive God’s kingdom with childlike humility, then you also live in that kingdom with childlike humility. No person can be a genuine Christian, a true disciple, unless he or she has extended their arms like the little girl in the playground; that is, unless he or she, in repentance, has extended arms of faith with a real sense of helplessness. A child is not ashamed of his or her neediness. Unlike the first disciples, children don’t posture in order to show strength, to gain glory or to claim victory. They simply accept that they are weak; that they need help. But, they do so, and should do so, knowing that there is someone bigger and stronger there to help them.
It's very easy to drift from childlike humility, isn’t it? Over time, it’s very easy to believe that we’ve finally got everything under control, that we finally have things figured out, that our wisdom, our plans and our resources are sufficient; and so, without knowing it, we stop depending on God, we stop praying, we stop feeding on God’s Word.
Remember the weakness and dependence we see in children, those are the very things that we should treasure most as followers of Christ.
So, look around. Learn from the little ones in your lives. Give thanks for them and remember “… whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
Amen
Affirmation of faith
We believe in God the Father, maker of all things.
We believe in his Son Jesus Christ, Lord and Saviour of the world.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, giver of life and light.
We belong to the Church, God’s family everywhere.
Amen.
Hymn: 338 At the name of Jesus (omit verse 6)
Our Intercessions
Dear Lord, as we gather our thoughts to offer You our prayers, we thank You for the opportunity to be still, to let our thoughts wander, to open our hearts to You and to listen for Your voice.
Dear Lord, in the calm and peace of this time, we bring before You all those around the world who are suffering through man’s inhumanity to man. We ask Your blessing on all those who cannot live in peace and harmony; those who are constantly in fear of violence in all its forms; those who are suffering through hunger and lack of medical care; those who are tortured for their beliefs or just for the satisfaction of their tormentors.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
Dear Lord, as people in the countries across the Middle East become more concerned by the threat of even more missiles, drones, and possible full-scale attacks, we pray that each country and faction will step back from the brink. May the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, stop, and may both nations agree to live peacefully within their own borders.
Dear Lord, we pray that all those in authority may always seek the good of the people that they represent and not their own importance and dominance. We pray that ideology should never be at the expense of the welfare of ordinary families.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
Lord, we bring before You the many thousands of people in Nepal who have lost their homes, and those who lost their lives, in the floods that have swept their country; for the people of the six states in the United States hit by the hurricane that destroyed so much, killed so many and where many are still missing; for those in this country who have also been flooded.
We cannot imagine the pain, agony and hopelessness that they must be feeling. We also bring before You, those whose lives have been turned upside down by fires, earthquakes, and tornadoes; those for whom there is no certainty of the next meal because of drought. We ask Your comfort and blessing on them all and may we never forget just how fortunate we are.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
Dear Lord, forgive us when we waste our lives by being too busy to enjoy Your creation. Teach us to make spaces in the day to do the things we most enjoy; just as You rested from Your work. Help us to practise the discipline of recreation and help us to become Your hands and feet in our streets so that our neighbours will one day ask us to tell them more about You.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
Dear Lord, help us to see and understand that it is only through Your grace that we receive Your justice which is over and above what we deserve. You called the children to You. Help us to be more child-like not only in our faith but also in true childlike humility in how we put our trust in You.
Loving Lord, help those we know and love to turn away from habits which are harmful to them. Help them to turn to You in times of crisis, rather than reaching for ‘quick-fix’ solutions. Lord, we bring before You all those we know who are ill or suffering in any way. Give them healing and restore them in body, mind, and spirit. We especially pray for:
Ken and Reverend Diane, May, Susan, Lauren, Lynda, Terry and Dot, Margaret, Maureen, Pam and David, Barrie and Sandra, Michael and Patricia, Rob and Alison, Stella, Jeremy, William, Jane, Anita and Stephen, Callum and Elaine, Andy, Anne, Sue and Martin, Margaret and John, Jane, all those known to each of us and those who have no one to pray for them.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
Lord, we remember in Your presence all those who have died, and particularly those we have known and loved. Thank You for them and thank You for Your promise of eternal life and peace.
Be close to those who are recently bereaved - strengthen them with the knowledge that You are always there to lean on, and if things get really hard, that You will carry them through the difficult times.
And in our years mind, we remember: Bertram Wye and Frank Smith
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
Dear Lord, we do not always live our lives as we should; we do not always treat others as we would be treated; we do not follow in Your way as we should.
We ask Your blessing on each, and every one of us; lead us along the paths You would have us follow; stretch forth Your hand when we falter, and may we feel Your presence at all times.
Dear Lord, we believe, help our unbelief.
We listen, please help us to hear.
We look, please help us to see, and in so doing, let us be true and faithful followers of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rejoicing in the fellowship of St Andrew, St Allen and St Clement and all Christian people to your unfailing love.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
Gathering our prayers and praises into one,
Let us pray with confidence as our risen Lord taught us;
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Jesus and the Children
They came to Him
as they still do;
wide-eyed,
clamouring to climb
into His lap,
eager to believe.
He welcomed them,
gathering them to Him;
rebuking the adults
who thought they should go;
loving them,
teaching them.
Oh, that I was as willing;
seeking Him out;
putting my trust
in Him alone;
looking into His face
as a little child.
The Peace
Blessed are the peacemakers: they shall be called children of God.
We meet in the name of Christ and share his peace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
Hymn: 333 All my hope on God is founded
The Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields
and, until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of his hand.
Amen