Sunday 28 August 2022 | The problem with humility.

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost Theme: Walk in the path of Christ; Inspired to show the Humility of Christ COLLECT God of majestic glory, your Son humbled himself and became one of us: call us to walk the path of Christ’s humility and inspire us to show Christ’s hospitality, that at the last we will feast with Christ in glory; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen READING Jeremiah 2: 4-13 7 I brought them into a fertile land, to enjoy its harvests and its other good things. But instead they ruined my land; they defiled the country I had given them. 8 The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the Lord?’ My own priests did not know me. The rulers rebelled against me; the prophets spoke in the name of Baal and worshiped useless idols. 9 “And so I, the Lord, will state my case against my people again. I will bring charges against their descendants. READING Hebrews 13: 1-8 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.” 6 Let us be bold, then, and say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?” GOSPEL according to Luke 14: 1, 7-14 1 On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely. 7 When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honour, he told them a parable. 8 "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honour, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; 9 and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, 'Give this person your place,' and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will be honoured in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. 11 For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." PRAYER for Africa God, refresh Africa and all the world, Protect and grow our children. Convict with justice and truth, all our leaders And fill all hearts with your peace. For Jesus Christ sake. Amen. BENEDICTION Go now and walk in all God’s ways. Keep your lives free from the love of money but let love between people continue and be honoured. Show hospitality to strangers. Pray for those who suffer torture and imprisonment and do not neglect to do good. We go in peace to love and serve the Lord, In the name of Christ. Amen.