Living the Lectionary 13th Sunday After Pentecost

Season: Pentecost Week of September 11th Starting with the Psalms: Judgment
About the Season: The season of Pentecost is a season of being given the gifts of God for the purpose of living out His mission on earth as His Body. Its color, green, implies the growth of the Church both personally and as a Body through the work of the Holy Spirit. About this Sunday: Today we conclude our short series on the Psalms with Davids Psalm about the

richness of Gods mercy as we sit before His judgment seat. Today we also remember a national tragedy that happened 10 years ago and consider what Gods judgment and forgiveness tells us about how we can respond. Reflecting on the Readings: Genesis 50:15-21 Am I in the place of God? Josephs brothers fear retribution for all of the pain that they caused him, but Joseph refuses, saying that judgment is Gods place, not his. When have you stolen Gods rightful place of judgment? Psalm 103 And Justice for All God promises justice for the oppressed, but also mercy for the oppressors and transgressors. Do you count yourself among the oppressed or the oppressors and transgressors? Romans 14:1-12 All stand before the judgment seat - Paul assures his Roman-Jewish readers that all will stand before the Lord and so it is not necessary to stand before each other to be judged. Who do you fear will not be judged according to your standards? Matthew 18:21-35 Judgment and Mercy Jesus tells a shocking story that seems to imply that if we do not recognize Gods gift of forgiveness by forgiving our enemies, that this will cause us to be under judgment. Who do you have a hard time forgiving? Law and Gospel: Law: This world is sick with sin and needs judges. If we were not sinners, we would have no need for someone to judge and to stand up for the oppressed. Gospel: God has not falsely acquitted you. He has declared you guilty of breaking His law. But you do not bear the punishment. Rather, His Son bore it for you on the cross.

Living the Lectionary Ideas: Learn: The concept of judgment is discussed at length in the Large Catechism, especially in regard to what it says about commandments 4 through 8. Consider finding an online copy or pick up an actual print copy and read this section. Do: Consider a way that you might be able to stand up for those who have been judged either rightly or wrongly remembering that Christ stood up for you. Live: Develop your sense of justice. Consider what is truly just this week, what is unjust, and how mercy figures into that equation.