Preaches with Wolves – 18 June 2023

The proof of God's love, the apostle says, is that God sent Christ to die for those who were God's enemies. There are many opportunities to reflect on the hatred of enemies for one another in our world today, from terrorist threats to apparently random acts involving multiple killings in schools, shopping malls, and even places of worship. How can we even begin to comprehend what it would mean to die—willingly—for an enemy who intends such harm to us or to those we love? –– John P. Fairless

Matthew 9:35–10:8 [9–23]

The emphasis in Matthew on the apostles being sent to the house of Israel has no parallel in Mark or Luke. This underscores the idea that the twelve apostles correspond to the twelve tribes of Israel. This stands in contrast to the Great Commission at the end of the Gospel of Matthew (18:16–20) in which the disciples are sent to all the nations. The homilist might conclude from this that the church first practices its mission with those whom it presumably knows before going to those whom it does not know. If the list of the apostles (this is the only place in Matthew in which the Twelve are called “apostles,” those who are “sent”) is derived from Mark 3:16–19, Matthew has revised it slightly. Andrew is placed immediately after Simon Peter, and Mark's Matthew and Thomas are reversed. . .

The RCL provides the optional verses 9–23 that continue Jesus' directions to the Twelve. The reference to Sodom and Gomorrah in verse 15 has occasioned controversy over the interpretation of Genesis 18:16–33 in current debates on homosexual behavior. In Matthew 9, the issue is providing hospitality for Jesus' messengers, but a judgment on wickedness cannot be precluded. In verses 16–23 Jesus discusses the persecution of his disciples “because of my name” (v 22). This is a concrete example of the world's wickedness in that it rejects the messengers of the prince of peace. Verse 23 stresses the urgency of the disciples' mission, but no timetable is attached. –– Frank C. Senn

Romans 5:1–8

Just when was the last time you found yourself rejoicing in your sufferings? If you are like me, suffering is way down on the list of what I, and most Americans, want to rejoice in today. As one of my loyal church members used to say, “I'm really not into suffering, pastor.”

. . . I am not sure God is in the world simply to rescue us from death, nor as the antidote to our pain. The point is to know God, to love him and serve him, and enjoy him forever even in the midst of our suffering. Based on experience, suffering is a given. I do not know that it has to be there, but it is. How hopeful it is that God's presence is here too. That is what Paul and we proclaim. We can be alone in our suffering with only the suffering, or we can suffer with the benefit of God's goodness and comfort. –– John E. Smith

Exodus 19:2–8a

The germ of good news in this reading is about God’s proclamation through Moses that the people who God has liberated, lead through a trying wilderness journey, and given a place to make a new home are God’s “treasured possession.” Because of that covenantal relationship, the people are to live as a “holy nation.” They promise to do as the Lord has commanded.

Linking this relationship with the reading from Matthew shows us how God’s Son taught and commanded the apostles to carry on the same promise: to live as a holy people. Jesus sends them out as “sheep into the midst of wolves.” While the world continues to offer suffering, Jesus promises that they would have no need to worry for the Spirit would be speaking through them. This promise is the assurance that, like the Israelites, Jesus’ disciples are carried on eagles’ wings. –– Melinda A. Quivik

John E. Smith has served as a Methodist pastor for many years.

John P. Fairless is senior minister of the First Baptist Church of Gainesville, Florida.

Frank C. Senn, an ELCA pastor who served Immanuel Lutheran Church in Evanston, Illinois, from 1990-2013, has also taught liturgy courses at a number of seminaries and divinity schools and published thirteen books mostly on the history of the liturgy.

Melinda Quivik, an ordained ELCA pastor and former professor of worship and preaching, is the Editor-in-Chief of Liturgy, a writer, and a preaching mentor with Backstory Preaching at backstory-preaching.mn.co. Her latest book is Worship at a Crossroads: Racism and Segregated Sundays (Cascade, 2023).

Homily Service 41, no. 3 (2008): 54–62.