EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST—PROPER 13
July 31, 2022
AS WE GATHER
Our world enjoys labeling people. Whether by skin color, gender, economic status, ethnic background, political affiliation, age, or whatever else it may be, labels are popular. This sort of labeling divides people into categories and causes much strife and argument. There was labeling going on in Colossae as well: Greek, Jew, circumcised, uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free. But in Colossians, Paul gives us a label that we share and a label that leads not to divisive evil but to amazing generosity and love. Paul writes, “You have been raised with Christ.” Imagine that. He doesn’t say that you will one day in the future be raised with Christ (although that is also true), he says, “You have been raised with Christ.” That is the label we are marked with in Holy Baptism. This comes to us by grace and calls forth from us a life abundant with generosity.
Bible Readings
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12–14; 2:18–26
(All is vanity.)
EPISTLE READING: Colossians 3:1–11
(You have been raised with Christ.)
HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 12:13-21 (Be on guard against covetousness.)