2 July 2006
The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Celebrations in observance of
the Independence Day of the United States17. Propers "For the Nation" Psalm 47; Isaiah 26:1-8; Romans 13:1-10; Mark 12:13-17 Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Psalm 47, BCP 650
Omnes gentes, plaudite 1 Clap your hands, all you peoples; *
shout to God with a cry of joy. 2 For the Lord Most High is to be feared; *
he is the great King over all the earth. 3 He subdues the peoples under us, *
and the nations under our feet. 4 He chooses our inheritance for us, *
the pride of Jacob whom he loves. 5 God has gone up with a shout, *
the Lord with the sound of the ram’s-horn. 6 Sing praises to God, sing praises; *
sing praises to our King, sing praises. 7 For God is King of all the earth; *
sing praises with all your skill. 8 God reigns over the nations; *
God sits upon his holy throne. 9 The nobles of the peoples have gathered together *
with the people of the God of Abraham. 10 The rulers of the earth belong to God, *
and he is highly exalted. Isaiah 26:1-8 On that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city; he sets up victory like walls and bulwarks. Open the gates, so that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in. Those of steadfast mind you keep in peace— in peace because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord God you have an everlasting rock.
For he has brought low the inhabitants of the height; the lofty city he lays low. He lays it low to the ground, casts it to the dust. The foot tramples it, the feet of the poor, the steps of the needy. The way of the righteous is level; O Just One, you make smooth the path of the righteous. In the path of your judgments, O Lord, we wait for you; your name and your renown are the soul's desire. Romans 13:1-10 (The Message) Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it's God's order. So live responsibly as a citizen. If you're irresponsible to the state, then you're irresponsible with God, and God will hold you responsible. Duly constituted authorities are only a threat if you're trying to get by with something. Decent citizens should have nothing to fear. the government working to your advantage. But if you're breaking the rules right and left, watch out. The police aren't there just to be admired in their uniforms. God also has an interest in keeping order, and he uses them to do it. That's why you must live responsibly - not just to avoid punishment but also because it's the right way to live. That's also why you pay taxes - so that an orderly way of life can be maintained.
Fulfill your obligations as a citizen. Pay your taxes, pay your bills, respect your leaders. Don't run up debts, except for the huge debt of love you owe each other. When you love others, you complete what the law has been after all along. The law code - don't sleep with another person's spouse, don't take someone's life, don't take what isn't yours, don't always be wanting what you don't have, and any other "don't" you can think of - finally adds up to this: Love other people as well as you do yourself. You can't go wrong when you love others. When you add up everything in the law code, the sum total is love. Mark 12:13-17 When they realized that he had told this parable against them, they wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowd. So they left him and went away.
Then they sent to him some Pharisees and some Herodians to trap him in what he said. And they came and said to him, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?" But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, "Why are you putting me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me see it." And they brought one. Then he said to them, "Whose head is this, and whose title?" They answered, "The emperor's." Jesus said to them, "Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." And they were utterly amazed at him. | 