Brothers and sisters, many of us are enjoying a bit cooler weather. It is a relief from the above-seasonal-average heat we have been experiencing. I encourage you to take time to attend church. It too offers a relief and respite from the world’s troubles as God delivers forgiveness and renewed faith through His gifts in the service.
I want to remind you that we are now having weekly weekday Bible study. We are still striving to find a day of the week that works for everyone. The next study is scheduled for Friday October 17th at 10 am. After that, Tuesdays October 21 and 28 have been penciled in. Please let Pastor know which days and times would work for you to attend.
On Sunday October 12 we will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Four beginning on page 203 in the LSB hymnal. Hymns selected for the day are #790 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty; #846 Your Hand, O Lord, in Days of Old; #620 Jesus Comes Today With Healing; and #528 O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing.
Scriptures assigned by the lectionary for the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 23, are Psalm 111:1-10; Ruth 1:1-19a; 2 Timothy 2:1-13; and Luke 17:11-19. The Old Testament Lesson and the Gospel lesson both include people who have contrasting responses to situations in their lives.
The verses we read in the Old Testament lesson are the introductory chapter of a story about an Israelite woman named Naomi and a Moabite woman named Ruth. Their story is familiar to many of you. Naomi and her husband with their two sons move to Moab seeking relief from a famine in Israel. Sadly, while in Moab, her husband dies. Her sons each marry Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other named Ruth. Sadly, after ten years both of the sons also die. Naomi hears that the famine in Israel has ended so she decides to go home.
Her two daughters-in-law have to decide what they will do next. Naomi encourages them to stay in Moab in hopes of remarrying there. She describes her situation as rather hopeless. She is too old to remarry so she is unlikely to have more sons to care for any of them. She describes herself as bitter because of what God has done to her (verse 13).
Orpah goes back to her parents. But Ruth remains with Naomi. In contrast to Naomi’s response, she is hopeful. She expresses trust in God. Once a pagan, and as perhaps a bit of surprise, she has come to know the goodness of God even in difficult times. Her faithfulness to God is expressed in her commitment to Naomi. She is willing to go wherever God leads them. So, Ruth returns with Naomi to Bethlehem. I encourage you to read the remainder of Ruth’s story. The book is only four chapters long. She eventually remarries and gives birth to a son, named Obed. Obed becomes the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David who becomes king of Israel, and the ancestor of Jesus. What an amazing turn of events! God’s ways are beyond our understanding! In the midst of famine, death, and sadness, He involves a foreign pagan as He makes preparation for the forgiveness of sin and the salvation of the world!
We still struggle with troubles, loss, and sadness. Will we respond like Naomi, or like Ruth?
The gospel lesson is also a familiar story, often read at Thanksgiving. Ten lepers ask Jesus to heal them. He does so, but of the ten, only a Samaritan returns to thank Him and to praise God. Why is there a difference in response? We can be sure each of the men was thrilled that they had been healed. But why did only the one return? Jesus singles out the man’s faith. Jesus says, “Your faith has made you well.” (verse 19). What faith is Jesus referring to? It’s not some generic spirituality. Neither is it some nebulous belief that God is good. But it’s a specific trust that helped the Samaritan recognize Jesus as God in the flesh, the One who is worthy of praise. This lesson too is a study of contrasts. The nine took Jesus for granted. They did not connect Him to their healing. But the Samaritan recognizes Jesus as the divine source deserving thanks and praise. Jesus has died to earn for you forgiveness and eternal healing of your body and soul. Will you respond like the nine, or like the Samaritan?
In the Epistle lesson from 2 Timothy 2, St. Paul continues to encourage Timothy that he might be prepared when opposition and persecution come. His use of the examples of soldiers, athletes, and farmers emphasizes that each of us should keep thinking of the future, with training, commitment, and patience so none of us is distracted or detoured by events going on around us. We can endure to the end of this life if we keep our eyes on Jesus. Jesus is faithful. He will achieve your salvation if you remain connected by faith to Him.
COLLECT: Almighty God, You show mercy to Your people in all their troubles. Grant us always to recognize your goodness, give thanks for Your compassion, and praise Your holy name; through Jesus Christ, Your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Please let me know if you have any prayer requests, if you would like to know more about Bible study, or if you have questions about any of Sunday’s Scripture lessons. God bless you. Pastor Boster
