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Sixth Sunday after Epiphany • Year C
February 16, 2025
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Historical Collect
O Lord, graciously hear the requests of your people. May we who are afflicted for our sins be mercifully relieved, for the sake of your glory, to find new life through the love of Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Thematic Collect
Almighty God, you are the strength of all who put their trust in you. Because of the weakness of our human nature we can do no good thing apart from you. Help us to keep your Word, that we may receive the blessings you so freely give to those who love you. Make us like trees planted by flowing streams, that we would thrive in your love and keep your commandments all our days. We pray this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Common Thread
It is election season as I write this paragraph, and I am troubled once again, by those who put their trust in people. It goes beyond the civil duty of voting to faith that a government official is the answer to all our woes. Scripture says that we should pin all our hopes on God and that we will be happy when we meditate in his Word instead of the latest news or poll. For through Christ, God will even raise us to new life. Even though the world disappoints, we will rejoice in the day of resurrection.
First Reading • Jeremiah 17:5-8
Trusting in the strength of self or others is a shaky undertaking. Human stores are limited in both quantity and quality. The strongest person, in the end, is not up to the challenges of life. When it comes to eternal life, our trust must be in the Lord; our own strength will fail us, whether it be physical power, reason, will, or piety. God’s resources never run dry. The person who trusts in God, turning to the Lord in difficult, as well as good times, will not be anxious, as God is his trust — not himself, others, or any other supply. The one who seeks God first will be furnished with all that is needed for this life and the one to come.
Psalm • Psalm 1:1-6
Popular religion promises prosperity of the purse. But there is a greater and deeper prospering that faith holds onto. It cannot be counted or stored up in bank accounts, yet its returns are certain and everlasting. These revenues cannot be read in market reports but are discovered daily in God’s Word. This is where the happy righteous take their stand and put their trust.
Second Reading • 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, 12-20
Human reason says that the body or the flesh is corrupt and therefore, cannot rise from the dead. It further conjectures that only the spirit can live on. But with God, all things are possible (Matt 19:26). Even so, just as Christ was raised from the dead, all those who are baptized into his death will be raised with him in newness of life (Rom 6:4). This is our confidence, the certain hope of a bodily life to come.
Gospel • Luke 6:17-26
Called the Sermon on the Plain because Jesus is seen here standing on a level place, we too find solid footing when we come to hear him and be healed. Joy, peace, and favor are ours in abundance as we live in the kingdom of the Son of Man. Though trouble interferes with the enjoyment of this life, our reward is great in heaven and we will rejoice on that Day.
Resources
Links to Worship Resources for this Service
