Today is the Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity. In today’s reading from Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus is making his final journey toward Jerusalem. On the way Matthew offers further teaching about the Kingdom of heaven. The parable of the labourers in the vineyard makes the point that God rewards all equally, at whatever point they responded to the call of the Kingdom. Latecomers are entitled to the same reward a those who have borne the burden of the day. Tax collectors are as welcome as Pharisees. God’s way of looking at things overturns the customary expectations.
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 prizes for all. In today’s picture from their book, Cross, Aled and Sian are looking at the window display for the jewellery shop. Here they see special cups that are given as prizes.
Lord Jesus Christ,
you welcome all your people
into your kingdom.
Give us grace to love you,
that we may use our lives in your service;
for you are our God.
Amen.
Next Sunday is the Harvest Festival. The Gospel reading presents Luke’s narrative of the ten lepers. The point of the narrative is that all ten lepers were healed, but only one returned to give thanks. Harvest Festival is a time to prompt thankfulness and to shape changed and thankful lives. The image to help prepare for this theme is thank you cards. You can find out more about that theme by looking at the Educational Resources and the Preparation Resources.
The Constitution and Statutes of the Cathedral Church of Christ in Liverpool