Seventh Sunday after Pentecost 2023

Memory of the Fathers at the First Six Ecumenical Councils

The Holy Martyrs Athenogenes, Bishop of Sebaste and his ten disciples

No special Ambon Prayer

Title

The “strong” are revealed by their care for the “weak”

Outline

In our world we tend to lionize the “strong”

Those who are great in sports

Those who have financial power

Those who seem to have it all together

Those who have power and authority, from the doctor in the hospital to the person granted authority due to expertise to the political and military leaders.

What we as a society do not do is care well for the “weak,” whether these are the sick (perhaps unable to afford to pay for care), the poor (perhaps even homeless), the hungry, the immigrant, the mentally challenged, or . . . fill in the blank.

Paul teaches about this disparity

He is dealing with people with weak consciences, who think that Jewish prescriptions are binding on all Christians, including them; if they follow Gentile practices (e.g. eating pork) they feel guilty or else they despise and split from the Gentiles.

Paul says, “bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” Why? “Christ did not please himself.” In fact, he was insulted for following God, “The reproaches of those who reproached thee fell on me.”

Paul’s goal is unity under Jesus: “May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus.”

This starts with welcoming the one whom you think is weak, “Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”

Jesus acts this out

Two blind men (this is Matthew) who follow him because they believe he can heal them. Jesus heals them and does not try to make capital from it, but simply sends them off.

He also heals a person who is dumb because he is demonized (we do not know if the demon could speak through them or not). Jesus heals the person and he speaks, and Jesus does this knowing that the Pharisees would use this as a weapon against him, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.” He does this to preach the good news in action so that some would say, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.”

Jesus cared for the weak no matter what the consequences for him were

Well, we have seen what Paul taught and what Jesus practiced

The question for us is how we deal with the weak around us? Do we think of what is our advantage or what is their advantage no matter if it disadvantages us?

Do we do all we can do to build unity in our community (unity without compromising obedience to Jesus) no matter what it may means for us personally?

Readings

Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) 8-11-2024: Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

EPISTLE

Romans 15:1–7

1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves; 2 let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him. 3 For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached thee fell on me.” 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) 8-11-2024: Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

GOSPEL

Matthew 9:27–35

27 And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” 28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, “See that no one knows it.” 31 But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.

32 As they were going away, behold, a dumb demoniac was brought to him. 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” 34 But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”

Notes

Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) (7-16-2023: Seventh Sunday after Pentecost)

SUNDAY, JULY 16, 2023 | OCTOECHOS

Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) 8-11-2024: Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Dark Vestments

Matins Gospel John 20:1–10

Epistle Romans 15:1–7

Gospel Matthew 9:27–35