Prayers of Approach
Generous God, giver of all that is good, we are surrounded by your blessings. We gather to worship you with body, mind and spirit.
Lord, fill us with expectation that: as we worship, you will meet us; as we worship, you will speak your words into our hearts; as we worship, you will challenge us and change us. Lord, we are here and we worship you.
God almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you have given us far more than we ever could have imagined. We trace the history of your people through the Scriptures, learning from the devotion of prophets, priests and kings; disciples, apostles and followers, and readers, writers and companions on the way. You help us see our purpose in your creation: to love and care for the earth that feeds us, to cherish the gifts we have and to love those we live alongside. With joy and with gladness we worship you. Amen.
Hymn God is love; his the care (R&S 274)
Readings: Genesis 45:3-15
Luke 6:27-38
Introduction
As a boy Joseph was almost murdered by his jealous brothers. Then he was sold into slavery and separated from his beloved father, Jacob. Yet Joseph does not want revenge but reaches into a deeper vision of blessing. It might not look like a blessing to us, but in the face of famine and death, survival is a blessing. It offers the promise of a new beginning. Out of the trauma of the violence he experiences, new life will arise.
In the gospel reading Jesus is talking to a large number of disciples on how to behave as God’s children. He is challenging them to behave differently to the way they have been brought up, to not only love those who treat them well but to go beyond this and to love their enemies. It is as radical and uncomfortable to hear this teaching today as it was for Jesus’ first disciples. The Old Testament call to love our neighbours as ourselves referred only to fellow Israelites, whereas Jesus is clearly advocating love and merciful treatment for everyone – neighbours, friends, enemies and ourselves.
Within a culture that upheld the law as a way of life, Jesus presents a new way to live. Not a set of dos and don’ts – it is about the attitude of the heart. How can we love our enemies today?
Hymn O Lord all the world belongs to you (R&S 90)
Sermon
If asked to recall the Joseph story, many of us would probably think of the shiny glamour of the Tim Rice/Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. But behind the glamour lies a profoundly human story of which, in today’s reading from Genesis 45, we hear the last part as Joseph is reunited with his brothers. They arrive in Egypt to ask Pharoah for help and meet Joseph who is now Pharoah’s right-hand man. So many years after selling him into slavery Joseph’s brothers no doubt believed him to be dead and do not recognise him. We can only imagine their fear and then amazed relief when Joseph reveals who he is and then forgives them for their treatment of him.
I recently read a story of a man who was celebrating his 100th birthday and was being interviewed by a reporter for a local newspaper. The reporter asked ’What are you most proud of?’ The man thought deeply for a moment, then answered, ‘I don’t have an enemy in the world.’ The reporter was startled by his response and said, ‘That is impressive – how did you do it? How did you live your life having no enemies?’ The man answered, ’I outlived them all.’
We have all been hurt by someone. Maybe like the 100-year-old man you ignore them and hope to outlive them. Or maybe you try to seek revenge. Often, we can feel our response to our enemies is justified. Imagine how difficult it must have been for Joseph. He had been rejected and left for dead by his brothers. When many years later, during a famine, he encountered his brothers again he had the opportunity to repay
them for their wrongdoings: he could have declined their request for food. Yet, he didn’t; he chose to forgive. He chose a better way. He chose the way of love.
Love your enemies appears twice in the gospel passage (vv27 and 35) but it is far from being the only extraordinary teaching there. Others include, Give your shirt to someone who takes your coat (v29); Bless those who curse you (v28); Expect no credit for loving those who love us or doing good to those who do good to us for ‘even sinners do the same’ (v33); Above all expect nothing in return for loving your enemies (v35).
Living up to such extraordinary teaching is an enormous challenge. Few of us do live up to that challenge but even if we often fail we surely should aspire to do so. Last Monday (17 February) was Random Acts of Kindness Day, when people are encouraged to perform simple acts of kindness to spread love to those we know, and perhaps even to those we don’t. There are lots of stories of things people got up to, spreading love and kindness to friends, family, teachers and even strangers. What random acts of kindness have you been the recipient of? What random acts of kindness have you performed for others? Even your enemies?
Hymn Let there be love shared among us (R&S 477) or A new commandment I give unto you (R&S 745)
Prayers of Intercession
We bring before you, Father, a broken world full of broken people.
We pray for all who suffer this day, especially those who are seriously ill and those who mourn. We bring before you the homeless who have no place to lay their heads, and the hungry who have no means to feed themselves. We pray for all who struggle to keep body and soul together.
We pray for your church. For all people under oppression today because of their faith. For Christians being persecuted and imprisoned around the world.
We pray for all around the world living amid conflict; the innocent victims fearing for their survival. We pray also for those who seek to conquer others. We think particularly of Russia and Ukraine, of Israel and Palestine and especially the situation in Gaza.
Loving Lord, release the captives. Soften the hearts of the persecutors. Overcome the enemy with your love. Bring peace and unity. Lord, fill all with the measure of your love.
Lord, we pray for people at war with enemies within. We pray for people today fighting inner turmoil. Those riddled with self-loathing, doubts or regrets. Those struggling with anger issues. We pray for others fuelled by the enemies of drink, gambling, drugs.
Loving Lord, release all who suffer, all who are stuck fast in addiction. And strengthen those who fight to remain free of such enemies. Lord, fill all with the measure of your love.
Lord, we pray for all those in the clutches of debt and all those fearing the spiralling cost of living. We pray for our communities as shops and other amenities struggle to survive.
We pray for the sick. For those we know of our own families and community, and for those who have little or no access to medicines or medical care.
Loving Lord, release all from their worries and fears. Heal, strengthen and provide. Lord, fill all with the measure of your love.
Loving Lord, you bid us love one another; fill us all with the measure of your love. Amen.
Hymn Lord the light of your love is shining (MP 445)
Blessing
Lord, we know we are loved and forgiven by you. It is hard to love those who have hurt us. Give us your strength. Help us to love our enemies. Help us to do good to those who have hurt us. And help us to know when we have hurt others, to repent, and to seek only to do good,
that we may bless others as you have blessed us,
in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Prayers and other material (adapted) © Roots for Churches Ltd. Used by permission.
