This week’s Readings and Sermon for the Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity
The Collect for This Week
Lord of creation, whose glory is around and within us: open our eyes to your wonders, that we may serve you with reverence and know your peace at our lives’ end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The Post Communion Prayer for this week
Almighty God, you have taught us through your Son that love is the fulfilling of the law: grant that we may love you with our whole heart and our neighbours as ourselves; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The Psalm for this Sunday is Psalm 105, verses 1 to 6 and 37 to 45
1 O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name, make known his deeds among the peoples. 2 Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wonderful works. 3 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. 4 Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually. 5 Remember the wonderful works he has done, his miracles, and the judgements he has uttered, 6 O offspring of his servant Abraham, children of Jacob, his chosen ones.
37Then he brought Israel out with silver and gold, and there was no one among their tribes who stumbled. 38 Egypt was glad when they departed, for dread of them had fallen upon it. 39 He spread a cloud for a covering, and fire to give light by night. 40 They asked, and he brought quails, and gave them food from heaven in abundance. 41 He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed through the desert like a river. 42 For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham, his servant. 43 So he brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing. 44 He gave them the lands of the nations, and they took possession of the wealth of the peoples, 45 that they might keep his statutes and observe his laws. Praise the Lord!
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now and shall be forever. Amen
The Old Testament reading for this Sunday is taken from the Book of Exodus Chapter 16, verses 2 to 15
2 The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. 3 The Israelites said to them, ‘If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.’
4 Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not. 5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days.’ 6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, ‘In the evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, 7 and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your complaining against the Lord. For what are we, that you complain against us?’ 8 And Moses said, ‘When the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning, because the Lord has heard the complaining that you utter against him—what are we? Your complaining is not against us but against the Lord.’
9 Then Moses said to Aaron, ‘Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, “Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.”’ 10 And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked towards the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. 11 The Lord spoke to Moses and said, 12 ‘I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, “At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.”’
13 In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. 14 When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. 15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, ‘What is it?’ For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, ‘It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat. 16 This is what the Lord has commanded: “Gather as much of it as each of you needs, an omer to a person according to the number of persons, all providing for those in their own tents.”’
This is the Word of the Lord Thanks be to God
The second reading for this Sunday is taken from the Letter of St Paul to the Philippians, Chapter 1, verses 21 to 30
21 For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labour for me; and I do not know which I prefer. 23 I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; 24 but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. 25 Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, 26 so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again.
27 Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, 28 and are in no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God’s doing. 29 For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well — 30 since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
The Gospel reading for this Sunday is taken from the Gospel of St Matthew, Chapter 20, verses 1 to 16
Hear the Gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ, according to Matthew Glory to You, o Lord
1 ‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the market-place; 4 and he said to them, “You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. 5 When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. 6 And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, “Why are you standing here idle all day?” 7 They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You also go into the vineyard.” 8 When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, “Call the labourers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.” 9 When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. 10 Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. 11 And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, 12 saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” 13 But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? 14 Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?” 16 So the last will be first, and the first will be last.’[f]
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to You, o Christ
Note :All readings are shared from the Church of England Lectionary App and are subject to copyright . © The Archbishop’s Council
The sermon this week is delivered by Pam Bateman
Over the past year we have had a number of talks, such as mine last year on forgiveness based on Laura's questions (August 2025) and about our priorities and what we think most about or Lorraine's talk two weeks ago asking what we love and or what is of most importance to us. Our readings today are really about choices and contentment or positive acceptance. Now most of us are reaching an age when life can become what we might call difficult. We might just be a bit achy,or have problems with our eyes or can't drive or just find life so hard. We might not have enough money, or family problems or be lonely, or profoundly depressed. All of us can find life unbelievably difficult at times.
I wonder, have you ever been camping under canvas or in a caravan​? Is it always wonderful and sunny? When I was young my mum used to pack a 2 person army surplus tent onto a carriage with various bits and pieces and we would go walking. We hiked across Salsbury Plain and Suffolk. When the evening came we would set up the tent, light a small fire,make tea in a field or wood and then sleep to morning, then wake up, make breakfast and head off. Do you that was a fair telling of our adventures? No, of course not. There were days when it rained, solidly. I remember sleeping in a bus shelter near the White Horse one stormy night. Another night it was so warm all day we didn't bother to put up the tent and slept in a field and watched the stars swing round the sky. Some nights farmers wouldn't let us sleep in the fields and we had to walk on. The caravan was usually less risky but storms could blow up under the awning and give way or get ripped. It wasn't always fair sailing! There came times when we would leave all this behind and return to Muswell Hill, School or work.
In Matthew Jesus talked about the dissatisfied full time workers who felt they should have been paid more than than the ones who worked part-time. Jesus response might have seemed a little harsh, I gave you what you agreed to and it is my business what I give to others surely. Be happy with what you have received, and concludes by saying “The last will be first and the first will be the last.” Now I know this passage is about accepting God's decisions or the situation we find ourselves and how that might seem a bit unfair, but it is also about our attitude and understanding of God's love, mercy and grace.
Paul however, though acknowledging what can seem to be unfair in life, chooses to say that what matters most is recognising and rejoicing in what God appears to be able to use most through what Paul is set to do, however unpalatable it may be. Paul is thought to be under house arrest in Rome at this time,about AD 61-63. Paul founded the church at Philippi on his second missionary journey and on his third missionary journey returned there a couple of times briefly between AD 51-53.
Let's look at What Paul thought what brought joy and what was challenging in this stage in his life.
In Life
Joy Challenge
Verse 13 In prison
v22 Fruitful Verse 22 Labour
Verse 30 Conflict and suffering
v26 Meet with friends Verse 27 Live a life worthy of the gospel
Verse 27 Stand firm
Verse 27 One mind/Unity
Verse 29 Suffer for Christ's sake
The prospect of death
Joy Challenge
Verse 21 To die is to gain Verse 24 Leave friends behind who might
Verse 23 Desire to depart to be with Christ, need your help and encouragement.
which is far 'better', shown by Jesus'
resurrection and transformed body.
All of us face various kinds of conundrums or choices. Do we share our testimony with someone, or spend time listening to another's troubles. Do we make or accept the hard choices? Do we recognise the love, mercy and grace we have experienced from God so far in our lives or do we envy or long for the the apparently easy way of those who seem to have it all? What are the challenges we face that could also be joy?
Paul recognises that he faces challenges and chooses to face whatever would come, looking positively for both challenges and joy wherever he is in order that he can live in Christ. He tells the Philippians that this is the way to live in Christ, “to stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened … by those who oppose you... a sign to them that they will be destroyed and you will be saved – and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him.”
Can we,like Paul, take joy in our lives even as we see and face the challenges in them or look for joy even as we face the prospect of death, whether physical or mental knowing that there can be joy in that as we walk with our Lord and Saviour? Can we suffer as He, Jesus, suffered? We have brothers and sisters around the world who have suffered and are suffering far more than we can dream of for their faith. Are we prepared to live a life for Christ that find joy as we face challenges today and every day in Jesus name?
Let us Pray God our Father, we thank you that you are with us wherever we are. We praise you that you are with us in life, life both before and after death. Strengthen us in the challenges we face day by day as we seek to honour you. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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