THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST—PROPER 8
June 26, 2022
AS WE GATHER
While we have received great freedom in Christ, we must not use such freedom for our own selfish desires. We use our freedom to follow Jesus. We follow Jesus by living and walking in the Spirit of God, seeking to produce His fruit for the benefit of our neighbors. We cannot have caveats and conditions to following Jesus, as some people did in today’s Gospel. Such people have become conceited and arrogant, thinking they can make demands of God. Thanks be to God that Jesus knows better than we do. Where He is leading is infinitely better than where we choose to go with all of our caveats and conditions.
Bible Readings
FIRST READING: 1 Kings 19:9b–21
(God reassures Elijah and sends him back to his people.)
EPISTLE READING: Galatians 5:1, 13–25
(Our freedom in Christ is not permission to sin even more.)
HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 9:51-62 (Following Jesus is costly.)