Weekly Liturgy : September 8-14
- John
- Sep 7
- 3 min read
Luke 15 : 1-10
NRSV Translation
1-3 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." So he told them this parable:
4-7 "Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep.' Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
8-10 "Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.' Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
REFLECTION
from John
Sometimes, we (Church at the Park) get asked to defend our work, and to explain why we are so uncompromising in our care toward and advocacy for our neighbors living outside.
Our answer is simple:
It’s because no human’s worth is up for debate. The immeasurable value of every one of our neighbors is a non-negotiable. There are no “deserving” poor nor “underserving” poor, just as there is no category of humanity that exists outside of God’s own care.
This text keeps us rooted in that conviction. Jesus tells the Pharisees that bad behavior isn’t a disqualification for belonging. So he tells all of us, for all time, that no one has to prove themselves in order to get a seat at God’s table. And no one gets removed from the table either, even if they prefer to have a food fight.
PRACTICE:
Outward Mindset Application
Is there a challenging conversation you have been avoiding? This week, have the conversation.
Non-Violent Communication Question of the Week
When you tell stories about your life and the world around you, how quickly do you insert moral judgements? Is there any room these pronouncements?
Pathways toward Centeredness
Asceticism (abstaining from comforts to make space for God):
Cheap dopamine is so accessible: Social media. Junk Food. Video Games. Alcohol and drugs. Shopping. Etc.
The next time you feel yourself compelled to engage in one of these quick behaviors of pleasure, how can you redirect your attention toward the God who sustains and satisfies us?
Questions for Reflection
When in your own life have you experienced unconditional love and pursuit, regardless of whether or not you deserved it?
Who in your life currently needs to be reminded that they are worth the time and attention of the God of the Universe?
What is your favorite metaphor to describe the Kingdom of God?
“Liturgy” refers to the habits and practices humans use to form community around shared values and meaning. At Church at the Park, we desire to be a community of practice, becoming people who see the world through the eyes of the marginalized, making meaning through the lens of pain and suffering, and committing ourselves to non-violence in a wounded world. This weekly email is intended to provide pathways of practice for becoming the type of people who embody these values.
Many of our reflections on each week's text come from other sources. If you're interested in reading more of what inspires us, here our our two favorite reflections.
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