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Fourteenth Sunday - Pentecost • Year A
August 30, 2026 • Proper 17
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Historical Collect
O Lord, mercifully continue to purify and defend your Church. Since she cannot stand firmly without your power, govern her always by your grace; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Gelasian Sacramentary, 7th Century)
Thematic Collect
Holy God, strengthen us to follow your commands in humble obedience along life’s journey. Show us the way of sacrificial love for the sake of your world as we lose our old lives and find true life in Christ; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The Common Thread
When we feast upon God’s words, they become part of us. Like good food on the dinner table, the Word of God, given for us, brings us joy of the heart. In that Word is the promise of deliverance and salvation itself. As David depended on the redemption of God when he faced false allegations, we too may trust in God as we face the false charges of the devil and those who help his evil cause. Having confident hope, we are set free to overcome evil with good, shouldering that cross as we follow Jesus.
First Reading • Jeremiah 15:15-21
Ministers often feel like they are all alone. They long for a visit from the Lord. What should lonely ministers (ordained or not) do in such times? Find the Word of God; eat those words; be satisfied with the deep, delightful joy that only comes through his words. This is soul food fortified with bronze. God is with his mouthpieces (v19), to save and deliver through his word.
Psalm • Psalm 26:1-12
How many dare utter such words as the psalmist? Judge me according to my integrity! Yet, when one trusts in the Lord “without wavering,” even when integrity has suffered or faithfulness has not been as steadfast as planned, one may still walk in God’s faithfulness. Being faithful means returning to a faithful walk, especially when having been errant. The truest integrity trusts God’s faithfulness when accused of faithlessness (2Tim 2:13).
Second Reading • Romans 12:9-21
The faithful deployment of the grace afforded each believer means her faith will be recognizable. She will have certain traits that, though she is not perfect at using, she will return to over and over again. Though there will certainly be fluctuations, the arc of the Christian’s life will be marked by these attributes.
Gospel • Matthew 16:21-28
Suffering comes to those who “get behind” the Lord and truly follow him. They will certainly suffer along the way, since the things of God will always be an affront to the mind of man. Therefore, just as the Messiah suffered, so will his disciples—because of their Master (Mark 13:13). The only believers who never suffer might be those who shun their crosses. Yet, even they suffer in ignorance, never knowing the mind of God.
Resources
Links to Worship Resources for this Service
