Untitled Sermon (2)

The Feast Day of Katherina von Bora

Isaiah 55:6–11 REB

Seek the Lord while he is present, call to him while he is close at hand. Let the wicked abandon their ways and the evil their thoughts: let them return to the Lord, who will take pity on them, and to our God, for he will freely forgive. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways. This is the word of the Lord. But as the heavens are high above the earth, so are my ways high above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts. As the rain and snow come down from the heavens and do not return there without watering the earth, making it produce grain to give seed for sowing and bread to eat, so is it with my word issuing from my mouth; it will not return to me empty without accomplishing my purpose and succeeding in the task for which I sent it.

Psalm 46 REB

For the leader: for the Korahites: according to alamoth: a song God is our refuge and our stronghold, a timely help in trouble; so we are not afraid though the earth shakes and the mountains move in the depths of the sea, when its waters seethe in tumult and the mountains quake before his majesty. [Selah There is a river whose streams bring joy to the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High; God is in her midst; she will not be overthrown, and at the break of day he will help her. Nations are in tumult, kingdoms overturned; when he thunders, the earth melts. The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. [Selah Come, see what the Lord has done, the astounding deeds he has wrought on earth; in every part of the wide world he puts an end to war: he breaks the bow, he snaps the spear, he burns the shields in the fire. ‘Let be then; learn that I am God, exalted among the nations, exalted in the earth.’ The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. [Selah

John 15:1–11 REB

‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. Any branch of mine that is barren he cuts away; and any fruiting branch he prunes clean, to make it more fruitful still. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Dwell in me, as I in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself, but only if it remains united with the vine; no more can you bear fruit, unless you remain united with me. ‘I am the vine; you are the branches. Anyone who dwells in me, as I dwell in him, bears much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not dwell in me is thrown away like a withered branch. The withered branches are gathered up, thrown on the fire, and burnt. ‘If you dwell in me, and my words dwell in you, ask whatever you want, and you shall have it. This is how my Father is glorified: you are to bear fruit in plenty and so be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Dwell in my love. If you heed my commands, you will dwell in my love, as I have heeded my Father’s commands and dwell in his love. ‘I have spoken thus to you, so that my joy may be in you, and your joy complete.