Consider the Word, September 15, 2022

Consider the Word, September 15, 2022
Email stpauls@pei.aibn.com for the link to the Bible Study.
 
Readings for September 18:

• Jeremiah 8:18-9:1
• Psalm 79:1-9
• 1 Timothy 2:1-7
• Luke 16:1-13

 
Collect:

Almighty God, 

you have created the heavens and the earth, and ourselves in your image. 

Teach us to discern your hand in all your works 

and to serve you with reverence and thanksgiving; 

through Jesus Christ our Lord, 

who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, 

one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 
Readings:
First Reading: 1 Timothy 2:1-7

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all - this was attested at the right time. For this I was appointed a herald and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

 
Reflection Question

1. The story of Jesus comprises not only the events of his life, but also his crucifixion. Yet how can the death of Jesus have saving significance?

 
Gospel: Luke 16:1-13

Then Jesus said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. So he summoned him and said to him, 'What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.' Then the manager said to himself, 'What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.' So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he asked the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' He answered, 'A hundred jugs of olive oil.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.' Then he asked another, 'And how much do you owe?' He replied, 'A hundred containers of wheat.' He said to him, 'Take your bill and make it eighty.' And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes. Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth."

 
Reflection Questions

1. What do you make of the story Jesus tells today?  What is his point?
2. What questions does this story raise for you?
3. Do you see yourself in the manager in the story?  What is that like for you?
4. How do you think Jesus' statements in verse 10-12 (underlined) regarding wealth relate to the story of the dishonest manager?

 
Closing Prayer:

O God,

you call us to embrace

both you and the children of this world

with unconditional love.

Give us grace to discern

what your love demands of us,

that, being faithful in things both great and small,

we may serve you with an undivided heart. Amen.