Mark 10:25English Standard Version Anglicised
25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
Marc 10:25Beibl William Morgan
25 Y mae yn haws i gamel fyned trwy grau’r nodwydd, nag i oludog fyned i mewn i deyrnas Dduw.
Sermon 100
At this time of year, churches around the country are
celebrating harvest. It feels somehow odd to be thinking of the abundance of
this world when we are hearing daily about shortages. Not enough fuel, because
not enough delivery drivers. Not enough carbon dioxide for fizzy drinks or the
food industry. Not enough money to pay for the top up on universal credit for
people already struggling.
There is not enough, yet billionaires are taking day trips
to space, not enough but politicians are having £200 meals, not enough even
though some corporations are paying no tax.
Jesus did not say a word about same sex relationships but he
spoke at length challenging the rich and powerful.
A rich young man came to him and asked what he needed to do
to inherit eternal life. Jesus told him, “Keep the 10 Commandments.” When the
man said he did all that, Jesus said “The only thing left is to give all you
have to the poor!” but the man went away sad because he had a lot to lose.
When we celebrate the harvest we remember that God gifted us
creation with all its resources to steward and to share. When we have been
blessed it is our duty to share, when we or others are in need and those who
can help do not, it is up to us to call them out, speak truth to power and
demand that the abundance God gives be shared.
Pocket Prayer
Loving creator God of all Abundance, maker of all that is,
you filled this world with blessings.
Food enough for all, resources enough for all, space enough
for all. You placed the caring and sharing of it into humanities hands. You
created us good, you declared us to be very good. When you saw inequality and
oppression you called servants to lead captives to freedom. You fed the hungry
with bread from heaven and flocks of quail, brought water from the rock to
quench their thirst. Changing water of purification into the wine of
celebration. Feeding a multitude with a miniscule offering. Jesus came that we
might live and live in abundance. Blessed with abundant love, a world with abundant
resources and a life with abundant opportunity to give and serve.
Yet we as greedy children have not always shared. Fearful
that what was given once may not be given again. More concerned with our own
needs than those of our siblings around us
Help us see past our abundance. Let us see the poor
neighbour we step over to enjoy our comfort.
Help us see past our want. Let us see what you want from us,
what we can give back from what we have.
Help us see past our love of what is ours. Let us see that what
we have is not ours, we are stewards who need to discern why we have what we
have and who might need what we can give.
Help us see past our needs. Let us see that you care for
each of us and want to meet our needs, if we love and serve others we can accept
better the love and service of others.
Thank you loving God that your abundance goes far beyond all
that we could possibly ask or imagine. You are as abundant in love and mercy as
any of your gifts. In you there is forgiveness and grace.
Amen
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