TWENTY FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 30TH OCTOBER 2022
OPENING SENTENCE-
Your justice is an everlasting justice.
HYMN
GREETING
Grace and peace to you from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen
COLLECT FOR PURITY
Almighty God
to whom all hearts be open
all desires known
and from whom no secrets are hidden;
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you
and worthily magnify your holy name
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SUMMARY OF THE LAW
Our Lord Jesus Christ said: The first commandment is this: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is the only Lord. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.”
The second is this: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these. Amen. Lord, have mercy.
CONFESSION
God is love and we are God’s children.
There is no room for fear in love.
We love because God loved us first.
Let us confess our sins in penitence and faith.
God our Father, we confess to you
and to our fellow members in the Body of Christ
that we have sinned in thought, word and deed,
and in what we have failed to do.
We are truly sorry.
Forgive us our sins,
and deliver us from the power of evil,
for the sake of your Son who died for us, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
ABSOLUTION
May the God of love and power
forgive you and free you from your sins,
heal and strengthen you by his Spirit
and raise you to new life in Christ our Lord. Amen.
GLORIA sung by Dougie Byers
COLLECT
O Lord,
watch over your household with constant love
that, with you as our shelter,
your family may be free from all distress
and devoted to good works:
for the glory of your name;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end. Amen
PROCLAIMING & RECEIVING GOD’S WORD
FIRST READING Habakkuk 1.1–4; 2.1–4 read by Margaret Morton
The oracle that the prophet Habakkuk saw. O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen? Or cry to you ‘Violence!’ and you will not save? Why do you make me see wrongdoing and look at trouble? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law becomes slack and justice never prevails. The wicked surround the righteous – therefore judgement comes forth perverted. I will stand at my watch-post, and station myself on the rampart; I will keep watch to see what he will say to me, and what he will answer concerning my complaint. Then the LORD answered me and said: Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it. For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end, and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay. Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faith.
SECOND READING 2 Thessalonians 1.1–4, 11–12 read by Robyn Brotherston
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of everyone of you for one another is increasing.
Therefore, we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith during all your persecutions and the afflictions that you are enduring. To this end we always pray for you, asking that our God will make you worthy of his call and will fulfil by his power every good resolve and work of faith, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
HYMN
GOSPEL READING Luke 19: 1-10 read by Rev Janice Aiton
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St Luke chapter 19 beginning at verse 1
Glory to Christ our Saviour.
Jesus and Zacchaeus
He entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So, he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”
Give thanks to the Lord for his glorious gospel
Praise to Christ our Lord
SERMON
Halloween is the evening before the Christian holy days of All Hallows’ Day, also known as All Saints’ or Hallowmas on 1 November and All Souls’ Day on 2 November, thus giving the holiday on 31 October the full name of All Hallows’ Eve, meaning the evening before All Hallows’ Day. This meaning of Halloween is still alive but perhaps it has become somewhat lost in the popular Halloween activities of trick or treating, carving pumpkins into lanterns, lighting bonfires, dooking for apples, playing tricks, visiting haunted attractions, telling scary stories, watching horror or Halloween themed films and attending Halloween costume parties.
I avoid Halloween costume parties. I was never interested in wearing masks and dressing up. Even as a young child, I hated dressing up and consequently I detested Halloween when we were expected to don costumes, visit my friends’ families to recite a poem, sing a song or tell a joke, before we were rewarded with apples, sweets and nuts. Thankfully my days and perhaps yours no longer require dressing up and mask wearing, but I did wonder if that is completely true, for we all tend to wear masks.
I greeted someone the other night and asked him how he was doing. He said, “I’m not doing very well. I’m sorry I just can’t say everything is fine, because everything isn’t fine.” I told him that it was okay not be fine and I was glad that he was honest with me. Sometimes it is easier to mask how we are really feeling for it takes courage to remove our masks and to be honest. Sometimes the mask has to come off.
This conversation made me think about all the masks that we wear. We wear masks at our job as we try to hide our imperfections. We wear masks at home for we pretend that we don’t have any problems. We pretend things are okay in our marriage when there is distance. We say nothing is wrong when our feelings are truly hurt. We don’t necessarily lie to our spouse; we just shade part of the truth. We don’t feel comfortable being our true self with our spouse because we are afraid of judgment or ridicule.
In other situations, we pretend that we are more confident in our position than we really are. We wear masks with our friends. We mask the debt that we have incurred to pay for a lifestyle we cannot afford. We mask our insecurities. We pretend to be closer to certain friends than we really are so that they can help us achieve our goals or ambitions. We wear masks at church. We argue all the way to Sunday service and paint on a smile on our way in. We pretend to be more spiritual, more put together, more mature in our faith than we really are. We fear that if anyone knew the real us, they would think less of us and so we mask our brokenness.
The thing about masks is that they never bring us closer to who we were created to be. Masks always make shallow what God has intended to be deep. Masks make shallow our friendships, our marriages, our families, our churches and our places of work. Everything in our lives is cheated when we choose to be fake, and choose to wear a mask.
It takes courage to live without masks. What would happen if we stopped apologizing for being honest with each other and started expecting and accepting authenticity? What if mask wearing were a thing of the past in your life? How would your friendships be different?
How would your marriage be different? How would your relationship with God be different?
Someone who found his friendships to be different, his relationship with God to be different when he removed his mask was the man in our Gospel Reading called Zacchaeus. The real Zacchaeus was well concealed behind the masks he wore. These masks had been worn for years so much so that his identity was caught up in his image making and false pretence making. Zacchaeus’ mask was one of contentment in the person he was and in the role he played in the communities that he served. He made out that he was an impressive figure in the community with important and significant power and this gave him no end of joy and fulfilment!
He wore the mask of contentment-he pretended that his role as chief tax collector was fulfilling and brought him happiness. Where the reality was that he knew that he was despised. Nobody in Jericho liked Zacchaeus. They would have been horrified to think that of all the inhabitants of Jericho, Zacchaeus of all people would be the one known by name in Scripture to millions of people two million years later. Zacchaeus was exactly the kind of man everybody despised. Not only a tax collector but a chief tax collector, that is, not only did he make money on the side, in addition to his legitimate collections, but he almost certainly made more money from the tax collectors working under him. Wherever money starts to talk, it shouts louder than the claims of honesty, respect and dignity. One can only imagine the reaction of the neighbours, and even of friends and relatives, as Zacchaeus’ house became more lavishly decorated, as more slaves ran around at his bidding, as his clothes became finer and his food richer. Everyone knew that it was their money and that he had no right to it: everyone knew that there was nothing they could do about it!
So, behind his mask of contentment, and happiness was a man, who in reality knew he was despised and who was ostracised and very lonely. Happiness was in fact foreign to him. The other mask that Zacchaeus selected to wear was the mask of confidence, strength and manliness. This mask hid the reality that he was a man who was small in stature and from all accounts someone that might have been subject to bullying in his childhood years. He projected an aura of confidence, great capability and strength but inside he was ripped apart by insecurities, human weakness, brokenness, and alienation. He was at desperation point but pride could not communicate such a truth and so he remained behind his mask until Jesus is passing through his community of Jericho. This passing through means that he is on a journey and has another destination in mind. The destination is Jerusalem where the important events of his death and resurrection will occur. But the passing through also has another meaning. Jesus is making himself available, if anyone in Jericho is interested – they can come out to see him.
Zacchaeus is interested. Although his profession has separated him from the community of the righteous in Israel, he nonetheless is attracted to Jesus. He wants to see who this Jesus is. This was more than a desire for simple ‘sighting.” He wants to grasp what Jesus is about, to know where he is coming from. However, Zacchaeus’ desire encounters the obstacle of the crowd. The crowd is a symbol of spiritual blindness. They do not understand Jesus, and so they block the true view that Zacchaeus desires. However, Zacchaeus is not deterred. He runs ahead and climbs a sycamore tree. Zacchaeus’ perseverance in getting to see Jesus is met by Jesus looking up and seeing him. Zacchaeus has been hurrying and Jesus continues the rush. Hurry down I must stay at your house today. Zacchaeus had been seeking Jesus now Jesus is seeking him. running and hurrying are signs of excitement and happiness at what is occurring.
This dynamic of Zacchaeus seeking Jesus and Jesus taking the initiative and inviting himself into Zacchaeus’ house has great spiritual implications. The sinner must show enough interest to turn and get to the place where they can be seen. But they do not have to crawl the whole way back, Jesus is waiting to welcome. Grace is always waiting and watching. Hurry down! I must stay at your house today. When Jesus says that he wants to stay at Zacchaeus house, it symbolises Jesus wanting to enter into Zacchaeus’ consciousness and transform it with his consciousness. Jesus wants to dwell within him, to shape his mind according to his own. This desire must resonate with that of Zacchaeus because he hurries down and welcomes him. This is a happy meeting of sinner and saviour. Repentance here isn’t just a change of heart-repentance involves restoration, making amends. Zacchaeus is determined to do so lavishly. He doesn’t offer to sell off his property, nor does Jesus demand it. But by the time he’d given half of it away and made four-fold restitution where necessary, we can imagine that he would find himself in seriously reduced circumstances. He doesn’t care. He has found something more valuable- Zacchaeus has lost his masks- his brokenness is healed. He is a different person – he is free from the pretence – he is his true self and he is not as poor with friends and people as he once was– the door has opened to a new life of peace, hope and joy.
What about you, me and our masks? Can we peel off our masks? Can we at least begin by revealing all our warts and brokenness to God? Can we become so secure in God and in our identity as his son or daughter that in his love we are free to be our true selves and be willing to be vulnerable with others and help them remove their masks so that they can discover the joy and freedom of simply being.
The key ingredient in this story is joy. Joy for Zacchaeus in his new found freedom. Joy that he can be true to himself and pretend no more! Joy that salvation and newness of life has come to Zacchaeus. Joy to the recipients of the community who have received their money back and also have been offered their hand of friendship. Joy is an important ingredient that God wants us to have in our lives. Masks prevents us from experiencing that joy. Be courageous today-get rid of the masks and be filled with joy! Amen.
NICENE CREED
We believe in one God, the Father,
the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one substance with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven;
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father.
With the Father and the Son,
he is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism
for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
PRAYERS
Lord Jesus, Lover of all people
we thank you for your great and constant love,
which never stops seeking us out,
never fades
and never lets us go.
We thank you for the love and kindness
that we experience every moment of each day,
for everything you have blessed us with.
We lift to you today
those who feel unloved,
unwanted and rejected.
Draw near to them and
enfold them in your everlasting arms of love.
Lord in your mercy
reach out in love.
Lord Jesus, Healer of the broken hearted,
we pray for those whose relationships have been broken,
whether through separation, divorce or bereavement.
We pray for those who have never enjoyed
the relationships they might have had-
children unwanted by parents,
parents alienated from their children,
family members estranged from one another.
Bring your healing touch,
and fill them with your love.
Lord in your mercy
reach out in love.
Lord Jesus, Servant King,
born in poverty and soon a refugee,
be with families today who are poor
and live in hunger and want.
Guide the aid agencies to their plight
and help us all play our part,
in alleviating the suffering of so many.
Lord in your mercy
reach out in love.
Lord Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life,
as you grew in wisdom and favour
with your Father and with the people,
in the family of Joseph the carpenter,
bring wisdom and your holy presence
into the work and growth of families today.
Lord in your mercy
reach out in love.
Lord Jesus, the great physician,
as you cleansed Zacchaeus of guilt
and brought him healing and restoration.
We lift to you all who are struggling with guilt
and ask for their healing
that they may experience newness of life.
We think of all who are ill in body, mind or spirit,
and pray that you will draw near to them,
that you will bring healing
and fill them with hope and peace.
Lord in your mercy
reach out in love.
Lord Jesus, the Resurrection and Life,
when you were dying
you called Mary and John to care for one another.
Provide today for those who lose their families:
the bereaved and childless, orphans and widows.
Bring your comfort and strength to them
in this time of need.
Lord in your mercy
reach out in love.
Lord Jesus the creator of this world,
we cry to you for our planet Earth,
and for the alarming results of climate change.
Lord help us to arrest
this destruction of your creation
and empower and guide us
to be better stewards of all who have entrusted to us.
Lord in your mercy
reach out in love.
Lord Jesus the ruler of this earth,
you appoint kings and queens,
politicians and governors
to direct the affairs of this land.
We lift to you our concern for the United Kingdom
in a time of economic upset,
rising inflation and the cost- of- living crisis.
Take away from our leaders
this hunger for ego and image
and instead give them a heart of care
for those they govern,
that we might find our fears for this winter allayed
and our burdens lifted.
Lord in your mercy
reach out in love.
Lord Jesus, the Saviour of the World,
help us by the power of the Holy Spirit,
to love you with all our heart, with all our soul,
with all our mind and with all our strength,
and to love our neighbour as ourselves.
Merciful Father accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord,
who taught us to pray together..
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Do not bring us to the time of trial
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
HYMN
BLESSING
The peace of God, which passes all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God,
and of his Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord:
and the blessing of God the Father,
the Son and Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always. Amen
DISMISSAL
Go or stay in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen