The disruptive side of the Gospel
Prayer
Contemporary Lectionary Prayers
Based Upon Cycle C Lectionary Gospels
Gospel Theme: The disruptive side of the Gospel
Gospel Note:
In this passage, Luke has apparently tied together pieces from different sources. Unifying them is the urgent and dire apocalyptic tone: the Gospel entails a judgment (the "fire upon the earth" in v. 49) and will bring disruption and division even to families. In short, the sayings point to a radically new reign of God in sharp discontinuity with Luke's own age (if not Jesus'), and offer a corrective to the tendency to make the Gospel a message of "all sweetness and light."
Liturgical Color: Green
Suggested Hymns:
When In The Hour Of Deepest Need
How Blest Are They Who Hear God's Word
The Lord Will Come And Not Be Slow
God, The Father Be Our Stay
If You But Trust In God To Guide You
Fight The Good Fight
Prayer
We do not expect to hear about fire when we come
to this place, Lord.
We would rather not discuss houses where five are
divided, three against two and two against three.
All of this talk about fire and judgment and
division not only worries us but it makes us
feel downright uncomfortable.
We would prefer hearing about peace and love
and unity.
Would you consider telling us a little more of
what we want to hear?
Perhaps, you could soften your message and make
it sound more sophisticated and a little less
serious?
Perhaps you could keep it positive, Lord! The
people of today want everything kept positive.
Lord, we do not expect to hear about fire when
we come to this place.
However, we need to hear about fire if we are to
fully appreciate peace.
We need to hear about division if we are to
fully appreciate unity.
Lord, continue to tell us what we need to hear.
Amen.
Gospel Note:
In this passage, Luke has apparently tied together pieces from different sources. Unifying them is the urgent and dire apocalyptic tone: the Gospel entails a judgment (the "fire upon the earth" in v. 49) and will bring disruption and division even to families. In short, the sayings point to a radically new reign of God in sharp discontinuity with Luke's own age (if not Jesus'), and offer a corrective to the tendency to make the Gospel a message of "all sweetness and light."
Liturgical Color: Green
Suggested Hymns:
When In The Hour Of Deepest Need
How Blest Are They Who Hear God's Word
The Lord Will Come And Not Be Slow
God, The Father Be Our Stay
If You But Trust In God To Guide You
Fight The Good Fight
Prayer
We do not expect to hear about fire when we come
to this place, Lord.
We would rather not discuss houses where five are
divided, three against two and two against three.
All of this talk about fire and judgment and
division not only worries us but it makes us
feel downright uncomfortable.
We would prefer hearing about peace and love
and unity.
Would you consider telling us a little more of
what we want to hear?
Perhaps, you could soften your message and make
it sound more sophisticated and a little less
serious?
Perhaps you could keep it positive, Lord! The
people of today want everything kept positive.
Lord, we do not expect to hear about fire when
we come to this place.
However, we need to hear about fire if we are to
fully appreciate peace.
We need to hear about division if we are to
fully appreciate unity.
Lord, continue to tell us what we need to hear.
Amen.
