This week, the Second Sunday after Pentecost, we consider God’s call. In Genesis 12:1-9 we hear how God calls Abram. While living in Haran, Abram (not yet Abraham) hears, Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. The Epistle from Romans (4:13-25) points out that it was Abram’s faith that justified him, not what he did. His faith “was reckoned to him as righteousness”…[faith] will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.
The Gospel (Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26) draws both the call and
faith together into one story in the call of Matthew. As Jesus was walking
along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to
him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. In the same reading, we
are told of the faith of the leader of the synagogue and of a woman suffering
from hemorrhages for twelve years. Both seek Jesus’ healing, and both have
their faith rewarded with renewed life. Jesus tells the woman, “Take heart,
daughter; your faith has made you well.” Both the woman and child are
restored to the community.
How does Psalm 33 fit into this message of call and
faith-filled responses to God? It is a song of praise to God declaring, the
word of the Lord is right, and all his works are sure…the loving-kindness of
the Lord fills the whole earth…the Lord’s will stands fast for ever, and the
designs of his heart from age to age…happy the people he has chosen to be his
own.
Each of us is created and called by God. The Psalm promises,
Great blessings belong to those who have the Lord as their God! He chose
them to be his own special people. The God who created everything,
including us, loves each of us and we are each special to God.
How might I live this week in a way that acknowledges the
special, chosen-ness of myself and everyone I meet?
Is there something God is calling me to do?
Sometimes, I like to find a Bible coloring page for a story.
It can help me think about the story as I color it. If you like to do that, you
can use the image below (or download) for the Call of Matthew to think about how Jesus’ call
changed Matthew’s life, and perhaps how God is calling you.
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Psalm
33:1-12 1 Rejoice in the
Lord, you righteous; it is good for the just to sing praises. (Book of Common Prayer) |
Rejoice in the
Lord, good people! It is only right for good people to praise him. (Easy to Read Version) |
