Today is the Twelfth Sunday after Trinity. The reading from Luke’s Gospel takes Jesus closer to Jerusalem. Now, Jesus’ teaching about the crisis which confronts him and his followers increases in urgency.  In this passage, Jesus makes it clear that the disciples who continue with him on the journey need to show single-minded and determined commitment.  They need to count the cost before setting out further on the road and decide whether they can complete the course.   

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 squirrels. Like the squirrel who prepares stores for the winter, the disciples need to look ahead. In today’s picture Teddy Horsley is making friends with a squirrel.    

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Lord Jesus Christ, 

you teach your people 

to count the cost of discipleship. 

Give us grace to understand the cost 

and to follow you in the way of the cross, 

that we may be your true disciples; 

now and always. 

Amen. 

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Next week, the Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity, the reading from Luke’s Gospel continues Jesus’ teaching as he progresses his final journey toward Jerusalem. Here Luke tells the parable of the lost sheep and the parable of the lost coin. The image to help us prepare for next week’s theme is lost property. You can find out more about that theme by looking at the Educational Resources and the Preparation Resources.  

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