Theme: We will serve the Lord

A reading from the Book of Joshua 24 : 1 - 2, 15 - 18
After their lengthy migration through the wilderness, Joshua, following Moses’ death has led the People of the Israel, into the Land of Promise. Now they are to make a choice, whether to be loyal to the Covenant with their one God, who despite all their grumbling on the journey, freed them from slavery in Egypt,and has fulfilled the promise of deliverance; or whether they will turn to the multiple pagan idols of this new land. The people answered, “We have no intention of deserting the Lord God, and serving other Gods!”

Letter of Paul to the Ephesians 5 : 21 - 32
Paul is writing in the context of the culture of his time. Women were treated like chattels by their menfolk! Somewhat in contrast to both the Christian exhortations that Paul makes in his letters, and in contrast to the mores of many cultures today. Put before us is the example of humility and loving service that Jesus displays, in obedience to the will of his Father. The passage has many layers, providing insight to behaviour and attitudes in family life, between husband and wife, and within the Church itself. All this follows from our Christian baptism. No longer Greek, or Jew, male or female,slave or free, we are now equally one in Christ.Our behaviours and the way we treat others are transformed.

The Gospel according to John 6 : 60 - 69
The invitation to serve the Lord and to be faithful to our Covenant opportunity is presented the the disciple by Jesus himself, “It is the Spirit that gives life, the flesh has nothing to offer. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” The choice is ours, whether to accept the words that Jesus teaches, or to say, as some did, “This is intolerable language. How could anyone accept it?’ But that is just the point, Jesus says, “there are some of you who do not believe...that is why I told you no one could come to me unless the Father allows it.”
© Peter Harrison 2000