Collect for Trinity 17
Almighty God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you: Teach us to offer ourselves to your service, that here we may have your peace, and in the world to come may see you face to face;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Philippians 2: 1-13
Matthew 21: 23-32
Apparently, the phrase ‘All mouth and no trousers’ is local to the North of England, where I grew up. It means a person who talks a lot but never does anything.
Jesus doesn’t use the phrase – but the example He gives means the same. The ‘dutiful’ son says he will do the bidding of his father but doesn’t – the ‘rebellious’ son says he won’t but does. One son talks the talk; the other walks the walk.
The religious and political hierarchy try to trip Jesus by questioning His authority to teach and heal, hoping that He will blaspheme by claiming God’s authority. In return, He asks them a question they can’t answer without putting themselves at risk of their own authority being undermined – and they dare notrisk being seen as the frauds they are. It might cause them to have to put their words into action.
As in so many cases, Jesus sees through their motives for trying to trick Him and uses a story to reply to His accusers. The chief priests and Temple elderslead ‘blameless ‘ lives (yeah, right..) and use sophisticated theological argument to discuss the prophecy of Messiah and the return of Elijah, but refuse to accept John or Jesus as it’s fulfilment; the people at the lowest of the hierarchy, the tax collectors and prostitutes, might not lead ‘Holy’ lives, but recognise and accept Jesus for who He is – the way, the truth and the life. He is the one promised – the choice is to repent and do His bidding or refuse it. The reward for accepting Him is the joy of knowing freedom, and then to accept His command to work in the vineyard, to feed His lambs – not with empty words, but with deeds. In the final analysis, it is ordinary people, not religious or political leaders, who will bring His Kingdom come.
Previous Posts
Praying Together 29th June 2025
Jesus is looking for commitment. Absolute, unconditional, commitment. When I think of what that means, I’m always minded of Martina Navratilova’s remark: “The difference between involvement and commitment is like ham and eggs. The chicken is involved; the pig is committed.”
Praying Together 22nd June 2025
As Christians, may we never regard mercy and compassion towards others as weakness, naivety or gullibility, but display the traits which demonstrate that we follow a Saviour who came to rescue those left behind.
Praying Together 15th June 2025
You couldn’t fly a kite inside a church building –for the Kite to fly you’d have to go into the windy street outside. Where does that place the need for the Spirit to act?
Praying Together 8 June 2025
Of all the strange things happening on the Day of Pentecost, perhaps the most puzzling is when God appears to have second thoughts. In Genesis 11, He makes it difficult for people to understand each other’s language
Praying Together 1st June 2025
The song by Mary Black, ‘Bless the Road’, while written as from a parent whose child is leaving home alone for the first time – maybe first day at primary school, going to college, beginning an independent life – always puts me in mind of the thoughts and blessing of Jesus as He prays for His disciples before His Ascension.
Praying Together 25th May 2025
‘Peace I give to you… do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.’
His peace is not remote and only there at the end of things – His Peace is with us now.
Praying Together 18th May 2025
So the commandment is a challenge. To love those who betray you. Those who jeer. Those who wield the whips embedded with flint, hammer in the nails, pierce your side.
Praying Together 11th May 2025
Wherever there are people who have no freedom to make choices about their lives, where there is inequality and injustice, slavery exists.
Praying Together 4th May 2025
But difficult as it is to forgive, it is even harder to be forgiven – even though words of forgiveness have been offered, there will be times during early sleepless hours of wondering whether it will ever be possible to forgive oneself.
Praying Together April 27th 2025
The passage from Matthew’s Gospel gives a warning and example against which every Christian teacher and leader must be tested. As fallen humans, everyone will fall short of perfection– but we can measure lives against it.
Praying Together 20th April 2025
So together, morning, noon and night, we shout Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Praying Together 13th April 2025
He is sinless, we were not – but He takes our sin unto Himself, allowing us the freedom to choose to serve His purpose rather than our own