Second Sunday after Pentecost • Year B

Historical Collect

Work in us a perpetual reverence and love for you, O Lord, for we know that those who come to love your ways are never disappointed in the path on which you are guide. Grant this, we pray, 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

Glorious God, you have freed us from the threat of sin and death. Give us such faith that we may always receive your free and gracious gifts of forgiveness and eternal life; through our Savior, Jesus Christ, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit, forever one God. Amen.

The Common Thread

Too often, observance of the Sabbath has turned into another form of law.  However, God gave us Sabbath as a gift.  Martin Luther reminds us in his Small Catechism, "We should fear and love God so that we do not despise his Word and the preaching of it, but acknowledge it as holy, and gladly hear and learn it."  Worshipping our God is one way to observe the Sabbath.  Certainly we can worship our God with songs of praise and time of prayer.

First Reading • Deuteronomy 5:12-15

This is a selection taken from Ten Commandments that highlights the Third Commandment: Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy.  It was chosen to accompany today's Gospel reading from Mark 2:23-3:6).  Everyone needs time for rest and renewal.  God has given us this gift to take time from our busy lives to focus on him and all that he has done for us.

Psalm • Psalm 81:1-10

Psalm 81 speaks about worship practices among the Israelites, especially at the time of Moses and the exodus from Egypt.  The Israelites focused on God's deliverance as a part of their worship.  However, the Israelites were tempted time and again to worship false gods.  God reminds them, and us, that he has delivered all of us out of the bondage of sin.  God provides for us over and again, even though we are sinful and do not deserve it.

Second Reading • 2 Corinithians 4:5-12

God uses believers as his vessels to bring the message of the Gospel to others.  However, like "jars of clay," we are fragile.  Sharing the Gospel with others in a world full of sin is not easy, to say the least.  Certainly we will deal with affliction, and at times, even suffering.  But it is in these moments that the Gospel truly shows its power.  God promises never to leave or foresake his people.  We can trust in God to see us through, no matter what circumstances may come our way.

Gospel • Mark 2:23-28 (3:1-6)

The Pharisees accuse Jesus and his disciples of breaking God's commandment regarding the Sabbath.  However, Jesus explains that the Sabbath was created for humans.  It is marvelous gift God has given to his children that they might be reminded of the peace and rest that is found only him.  Jesus claims to be lord of the Sabbath, which declares his authority as the Son of God. The Sabbath was not intended to hold people hostage, enslaving them to more rules.  The Sabbath was intended to give people the rest and renewal in God they so needed.

Once again Jesus demonstrates his authority over the Sabbath with the healing of a man with a withered hand.  Jesus knows our every weakness.  He knows our burdens that threaten to keep us from true peace and restoration.  May we call upon him in prayer that he might grant us the rest we truly need.