The 16th Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 19C), Sept. 16, 2007

BCP: Exodus 32:1, 7-14; Psalm 51:1-18 or 51:1-11; 1 Tim. 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-10

RCL: Jer. 4:11-12, 22-28; Psalm 14 or Exodus 32:7-14; Psalm 51:1-11; 1 Tim. 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-10

It’s a rare thing indeed for God’s people consciously and deliberately to pursue a sinful course of action. To do so would require that we know and accept up front that what we’re about to do is wrong. It would also demand we understand from the start that we’ll thereby be estranging ourselves from God.

Thankfully, most of us are far too smart to embark on anything of the sort. Instead, believers’ separation from God usually takes place gradually through a process of “drift” — a series of small movements, inconsequential in and of themselves, which over time grow into a vast chasm.

Moses leads God’s chosen ones out of bondage in Egypt and into the desert. But then Moses disappears up a mountain while the people are camped at Mount Sinai. In need of security and hope, the people gradually look to themselves and create a deity in their own image. “Come, make gods for us, who shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him” (Exodus 32:1).

Similarly, Jesus tells a parable about sheep in the care of a shepherd. Nearly all are faithful and obedient. One, however, begins to wander off in its own way. And slowly and unintentionally, this lamb becomes separated from the shepherd and the flock.

Sin is that which leads people to separation from God. But sin is never the last word for God’s children, as far as today’s readings are concerned.

When the Israelites come to their senses and repent, the Lord enthusiastically welcomes their return. “I will multiply your descendants like the stars of heaven,” he says, “and all this land that I have promised I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.” “And the Lord changed his mind about the disaster that he planned to bring on his people” (Exodus 32:13-14).

And so it is with the one who has wandered off from the flock: “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7).

All of us drift into sin from time to time — it’s simply our nature to do that. We slowly construct for ourselves deities of our own design, and eventually we find ourselves serving them. And our egos make all of us prone to wander away from the Spirit-filled body of the Lord we love.

Today’s good news is that we’re always welcome to turn around and come home. And when we accept God’s invitation to repent and return, there’s always joy in heaven.

Look It Up

Ephesians 4:17-32 suggests a program of repentance for its original readers. From what particular sins are we to repent today?

Think About It

What are some of the consequences of separation from God in our lives? What can we do about them?

Next Sunday

The 17th Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 20C), Sept. 23, 2007

BCP: Amos 8:4-7(8-12); Psalm 138; 1 Tim. 2:1-8; Luke 16:1-13

RCL: Jer. 8:18–9:1; Psalm 79:1-9 or Amos 8:4-7; Psalm 113; 1 Tim. 2:1-7; Luke 16:1-13