Deus Misereatur

Icons Mark 10.17-31 [I presented this to over 600 teenagers at Casady School on 13 October 2015, and the 25 adults at the Capitol Bible Study on 28 October 2015] Most Protestants don’t get into Icons much, for lots and lots of reasons – some of which I think are correct, and some of which are a bit fishy. Icons are about imaging someone or something, putting it before your mind and eyes and hearts. There’s something of a close connection between the Icon and the person being imaged. One of my favorites is an Icon of Michael the Archangel. I don’t burn incense to it, or kiss it. But because of the name connection I do like having it. This set of true stories is very much about image, about iconing. So let’s quickly work our way through each section. False Image (10.17-22): This young, wealthy fellow has an image he is portraying, a self-image. "I’m well-to-do, I’m upright because I’m right-up-there with the affluent and famed." And so he asked Jesus, “What must ...

Sunday Morning: We praise and thank you, O Christ, for the communion we have with you by the bread and wine, and the communion we have with one another because of you. We thank you that you gladly draw near to us, renew us, and graciously fill us. As we have imbibed in the outward and ordinary means of Word, Sacrament and prayer, may our homes and hearts and hopes be full of you, and restocked with your goodness. High King of Heaven, we implore you to save our country from self-inflicted catastrophes and commotions; and rouse the hearts and hands of the people of this land to compassionately and industriously help those who have lost everything in wildfires or wild floods. And we remember that we are not the only nation in need of your help, and so we pray that all the realms of this round earth may be preserved in fairness and fortune. Lord God, Mighty God, Compassionate God; “Pity the nations, O our God, constrain the earth to come; send your victorious Word abroad, a...