Today is the Eighth Sunday after Trinity, when the Gospel reading is Luke’s account of Jesus’ teaching to his disciples to be alert and to be prepared. This teaching comes at the very beginning of Jesus’ final journey toward Jerusalem, when the precise timing and strategy for his arrest remain uncertain. It is like the owner of the house being prepared for a break-in. He does not know precisely when the thief will come. The owner of the house needs to stay alert.

For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of home security. In today’s picture from his book, Teddy Horsley Feasts with Jesus, Teddy Horsley makes sure that the front door is securely locked before he sets off on his journey to church.   

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Lord Jesus Christ,

you call your people

to be ready for your coming.

Prepare our hearts,

that we may be ready to welcome you;

for you are our God,

now and always.

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Amen. Next week, the Nineth Sunday after Trinity, the reading from Luke’s Gospel continues Jesus’ teaching as he progresses his final journey toward Jerusalem where he will be arrested and crucified. The image to help us prepare for next week’s theme is weather forecast.You can find out more about that theme by looking at the Educational Resources and the Preparation Resources.

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