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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