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Keeping the holy in our lives

Commentary
Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
Amos 8:1-12
Colossians 1:15-28
Luke 10:38-42
Sandra Herrmann
From Amos, we learn that the problems of our society are nothing new in the vast scope of humankind’s relationship with God. When we value money above all, we wind up alienated completely from the holy, and from God. The reading from Colossians directs our attention to the work that God has done in Jesus Christ, reconciling us to the love that binds the universe together. To lose that relationship with God is to lose everything, Amos agrees. And last, our reading from Luke 10 reminds us that we have choices to make in our daily lives.
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Jesus warned against with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God. Through our worship today let us pledge ourselves to seek our treasure only in God.

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Jesus, sometimes we envy others because of all they possess.
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Jesus, sometimes we desire all that money can buy.
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For he satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things.... Let those who are wise give heed to these things, and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.
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This story begins with gift -- with blessed gift -- with miraculous, blessed giftedness. And I will even tell you now the theme of the story: if you keep your eye on the giftedness of everything, then you yourself can be a gift, you can be a giver, rather than a hoarder.
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