SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
(PROPER 22)
October 2, 2022
AS WE GATHER
“Our Lord is the Lord who serves. Jesus Christ came into the flesh not to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many—The Lord’s service calls forth our service—in sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving to Him and in loving service to one another” (Lutheran Service Book, p. viii). It is very tempting for us to look for recognition or reward for our serving the Lord or serving one another. Jesus teaches us in today’s Gospel reading that a true servant heart will say “We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.” It is indeed our duty (and our delight) to “thank and praise, serve and obey” our gracious God.
Bible Readings
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
(The prophet prays for God’s deliverance.)
EPISTLE READING: 2 Timothy 1:1-14
(Paul urges Timothy to be faithful to the Gospel entrusted to him.)
HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 17:1-10 (Jesus offers guidelines for Christian living.)