sermon on the mount: life on earth as it is in heaven
July 20-21: Helping Those Who Help Themselves (to your stuff)
Preacher: The Rev. Alex Shuttleworth
The collect for the day
O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The lesson: Isaiah 50: 6-7
6 I gave my back to those who strike,
and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard;
I hid not my face
from disgrace and spitting.
7 But the Lord God helps me;
therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like a flint,
and I know that I shall not be put to shame.
The psalm: 112
1 Praise the Lord! Blessed is the one who fears the Lord,
who has great delight in his commandments.
2 His seed shall be mighty in the land;
the generation of the faithful shall be blessed.
3 Riches and plenteousness shall be in his house,
and his righteousness shall endure for ever.
4 For the upright, there rises light in the darkness;
he is merciful, loving, and righteous.
5 It is good for him to be generous in lending
and to guide his words with discretion.
6 For he shall never be moved,
and the righteous shall be kept in everlasting remembrance.
7 He will not be afraid of any evil tidings,
for his heart is steadfast and trusts in the Lord.
8 His heart is established, and will not fear;
at the last he shall see his desire upon his enemies.
9 He has given freely to the poor,
and his righteousness endures for ever; his horn shall be
exalted with honor.
10 The ungodly shall see it, and shall be angry;
he shall gnash his teeth, and waste away; the desire of
the ungodly shall perish.
The gospel: matthew 5: 38-42
Retaliation
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
