Consider the Word, October 27, 2022

Consider the Word, October 27, 2022
Email stpauls@pei.aibn.com for the link to the Bible Study.
 
Readings for October 30

• Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4
• Psalm 119:137-144
• 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12
• Luke 19:1-10

 
Collect:

Almighty God,

whose chosen servant Abraham obeyed your call,

rejoicing in your promise

that in him the family of the earth is blessed,

give us faith like his,

that in us your promises may be fulfilled;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 
First Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12

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.

 
Reflection Question

1. What do you suppose “grace” and “peace” mean to Paul?

 
Gospel: Luke 19:1-10

Jesus 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."

 
Reflection Questions

1. Are there ways in which Zacchaeus is different (or similar) to us?
2. Does Zacchaeus’ response to Jesus tell us anything? 
3. Zacchaeus is rich, despised by his neighbors, yet Jesus singles him out. Why?

 
Closing Prayer:

God of unfailing light,

in your realm of glory

the poor are blessed,

the hungry filled,

and every tear is wiped away.

Strengthened by this vision,

may we follow in the way of holiness

that your Son made known in life and death. Amen.