Exploring the Sunday Gospel - Third Sunday after Trinity
Today is the Third Sunday after Trinity. The Gospel reading comes from the second of the
five blocks of teaching that give distinctive shape to Matthew’s Gospel. This is sometimes
known as the ‘missionary discourse’. After Jesus commissioned the twelve disciples as
apostles, he equips them for their work. The teaching contains two main ideas. First, the
disciples can expect to be treated no better than Jesus himself is treated. They will be
persecuted. Second, God cares about them and will take care of them. God cares for the
sparrows and they are of more value than many sparrows.
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 companion animals. In today’s
picture from his book, The Song, Teddy Horsley is comforted by the patient purr of his cat.
Lord Jesus Christ,
you show care for the birds of the air.
Help us to share your concern
for all living creatures,
that we too may know
your care and love for us;
now and always.
Amen.
Next Sunday is the Fourth Sunday after Trinity. The reading from Matthew’s Gospel is
another passage from the ‘missionary discourse’. This teaching concludes that everyone who
welcomes those whom Jesus sends welcomes Jesus himself. The image to help prepare for
this theme is making welcome. You can find out more about that theme by looking at the
Educational Resources and the Preparation Resources.
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