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22nd Sunday after Pentecost • Year B
October 20, 2024 • Proper 24
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Historical Collect
O God, our refuge and strength, since you yourself are the author of our devotion, graciously consider the devout prayers of your Church. May those things which we ask in faith effectively follow by your grace; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Thematic Collect
Gracious and mighty God, you open to us the way of eternal life through your Son, Jesus Christ. By your Spirit teach us to humble ourselves and trust in your abundant grace and mercy rather than our own accomplishments or possessions; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.
The Common Thread
The state lottery is up to $110 million this month. That means there are a lot of excited people, thinking that finally, this month, the answer to all of their troubles will arrive. How difficult it will be for those who dream of wealth to enter the kingdom of God! That is a change to Jesus’ words, I know, but suggests that focusing on wealth—whether one has it or not—takes one’s attention off God. The person who gets that $110 million will probably not be any more satisfied with life, and perhaps, less so. Enduring joy and peaceful rest is found in the heart, if God is there. Better to meditate on God’s Word than on the winning number or the bank balance.
First Reading • Ecclesiastes 5:10–20
We are going out of this world in the same way we came into it: naked and penniless. You may spend all your days in amassing great wealth but it does you no good in eternity. Indeed, excess money does you little good in this life either since the one who loves it will never be satisfied with his wealth. He always needs more and will not be content no matter how much he earns. True contentment and peace in life is enjoyed only by those for whom God is their pursuit and joy.
Psalm • Psalm 119:9–16
The real blessings of life come from the Lord, not from the work of our hands and the accumulation of riches. If only we delighted in the Lord's word and pursued his testimonies like we pursue wealth, we would be satisfied. We should store up more of his word in our minds every day so that we are focused on God and might not sin against him. Luther teaches in the Large Catechism that we Christians ought “to occupy ourselves daily with God’s Word and carry it in our hearts and on our lips.
Second Reading • Hebrews 4:1–13 (14–16)
The promise of God's rest—whether peace of mind and heart in this life or an eternal home and rest with God—is only apprehended by faith. Those who fear the Lord and believe in his promise will enter that blessed rest. Therefore, we should strive by faith to enter that rest. God provides his word so that we may confidently “hold fast to our confession.”
Gospel • Mark 10:23–31
How hard it is to enter heaven by our own works! Even the wealthiest person does not have the resources to purchase that admission ticket. But those who give up everything for the sake of Jesus and his gospel will be given more than was surrendered in this life, though not without some trials. Furthermore, they will inherit eternal life. What was impossible to achieve by all the works of people, is possible because of the free gift of God in Jesus Christ.
Resources
Links to Worship Resources for this Service
