Fr. Guillermo A. Arboleda
- Sep 5, 2021
- 24 min read

Sunday Worship for September 5, 2021

The Holy Eucharist

15th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 18B, Track 2)

September 5, 2021

Watch the Livestream at www.Facebook.com/StMattSav/Live/

Sunday, September 5, at 9:30 a.m. (or anytime afterward)

The Holy Eucharist: Rite II

The Word of God

Hymn #371: Thou, Whose Almighty Word

[Verses 1-4]

1 Thou, whose almighty word

chaos and darkness heard,

and took their flight;

hear us, we humbly pray,

and, where the Gospel day

sheds not its glorious ray,

let there be light!

2 Thou who didst come to bring

on thy redeeming wing

healing and sight,

health to the sick in mind,

sight to the inly blind,

now to all humankind,

let there be light!

3 Spirit of truth and love,

life-giving holy Dove,

speed forth thy flight!

Move on the waters' face

bearing the gifts of grace,

and, in earth's darkest place,

let there be light!

4 Holy and blessèd Three,

glorious Trinity,

wisdom, love, might;

boundless as ocean's tide,

rolling in fullest pride,

through the world far and wide,

let there be light!

Words: John Marriott, alt., Public Domain.

Music: Moscow, Felice de Giardini; harm. The New Hymnal (1916) and Lowell Mason, Public Domain.

Opening Sentences

[BCP, p. 355]

Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

And blessed be God's kingdom, now and forever. Amen.

The Collect for Purity

[BCP, p. 355]

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hymn S-280: Glory to God (Gloria in Excelsis)

[BCP, p. 356]

Glory to God in the highest,

and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King,

almighty God and Father,

we worship you, we give you thanks,

we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,

Lord God, Lamb of God,

you take away the sin of the world:

have mercy on us;

you are seated at the right hand of the Father:

receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One,

you alone are the Lord,

you alone are the Most High,

Jesus Christ,

with the Holy Spirit,

in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Words: Public Domain.

The Collect of the Day

[BCP, p. 357, 233]

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us pray:

Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

A Reading from the Book of Isaiah (35:4-7a)

Say to those who are of a fearful heart, ‘Be strong, do not fear!

Here is your God. He will come with vengeance,

with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.’

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped;

then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.

For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert;

the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water;

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Psalm 146

[BCP, p. 803]

Read responsively by half-verse (at the asterisk).

1 Hallelujah! Praise the Lord, O my soul! * I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

2 Put not your trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth, * for there is no help in them.

3 When they breathe their last, they return to earth, * and in that day their thoughts perish.

4 Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help! * whose hope is in the Lord their God;

5 Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; * who keeps his promise for ever;

6 Who gives justice to those who are oppressed, * and food to those who hunger.

7 The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind; * the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;

8 The Lord loves the righteous; the Lord cares for the stranger; * he sustains the orphan and widow, but frustrates the way of the wicked.

9 The Lord shall reign for ever, * your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. Hallelujah!

A Reading from the Letter of St. James (2:1-17)

My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Have a seat here, please,” while to the one who is poor you say, “Stand there,” or, “Sit at my feet,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you?

You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. For the one who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery but if you murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

The People stand for the reading of the Gospel.

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ According to St. Mark (7:24-37)

Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Jesus set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” But she answered him, “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Then he said to her, “For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.” So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, “He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon

"Playing Favorites” by Fr. Guillermo A. Arboleda

The old saying goes, “The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.” This axiom has proven true over and over again in the United States economy. A series of 2020 studies from Pew Research show that over the last 30 years, the top 5% of Americans by wealth have gotten richer faster than any other wealth bracket (Horowitz, et al.). Income inequality in the USA has grown since 1980 and we are a more unequal economy than many of our international peers. While middle and lower income households have seen their wealth fall over time, upper income earners have seen dramatic gains in their net worth.

Those studies were based on data from before the pandemic, up to 2018. That was the direction we were already heading in before this major public health and economic crisis. Economists estimate that the pandemic has caused the wealth gap to grow. For instance, it is estimated that billionaires around the world saw their fortunes grow by 54% between March 2020 and March 2021 (Picchi). I don’t know about you, but I didn’t get 50% richer in the last year, and I’m guessing that most of you didn’t either. Many people are struggling to survive and hold on to the relatively little they have, all as the economy becomes less stable for many low-income jobs that we now often call “essential.” Those are the same kinds of jobs that often don’t even give you the day off tomorrow for Labor Day, which is supposed to be a holiday for workers.

Of course, this increased wealth inequality is no accident. It is the intentional and sometimes unintentional result of many economic policies that favor the wealthy and disadvantage poor, working-class, and middle class Americans. Rich people are rewarded for being rich and poor people are punished for being poor.

On top of it all, rich people are often given celebrity status. Wealthy people are idolized for the “hard work” and “ingenuity” that led to their fortunes, ignoring all the structural advantages that they have and others don’t. There are countless TV shows, movies, and other media that glorify lavish lifestyles while ignoring the harm this greed and hoarding might cause to others. Billionaires now compete with one another in egotistical ways to spend their money, like traveling into space for fun while millions of Americans and hundreds of millions of people around the world starve and suffer.

It turns out that this is not a new or modern problem. This favoritism for the rich is an ancient problem too. St. James addresses it in today’s New Testament reading: “My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, ‘Have a seat here, please,’ while to the one who is poor you say, ‘Stand there,’ or, ‘Sit at my feet,’ have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you? (James 2:1-7, emphasis added).”

St. James reminds us that God does not favor the wealthy and we shouldn’t treat them like they are better than anyone else. If God favors anyone, it is the poor and downtrodden, who are “rich in faith,” who depend on God for their daily bread and don’t systematically oppress others. The Apostle James calls out the ways that the rich hoard resources and help to keep the poor poor. And he reminds us that none of that favoritism for the rich or prejudice against the poor belongs in the church.

In the church, we believe that God created every human being and gave us all equal dignity and worth. We believe that God loves every human being, no matter their appearance, status, or net worth. We believe that God cares about social justice, that God wants us to treat each other well. We believe that everyone deserves basic needs like food, shelter, and health care. We believe that the way we love each other in this place should be a light to the world, modeling what is possible when we set aside our differences and division in the name of Jesus. We believe that God has made us “brothers and sisters,” siblings who look out for each other and won’t let the rich ones ignore or tramble on the poor ones.

Here, if nowhere else, we treat one another with dignity and respect. And we give special dignity and respect, not to wealthy, powerful, or privileged members, but to those who can’t find that respect anywhere else. Love your neighbor as yourself, no matter who your neighbor is. That simple shift in attitude may feel small, but it is powerful. That is the way of love and the way of Jesus, a spark that can light a fire to change the world. Because if all of us assembled here believe that God loves everyone, and if every church teaches that same way of love, then maybe we can find ways to make that love visible on earth.

The last year and half has been difficult, and dare I say traumatic, for all of us. Some have had it worse than others, but we’re all dealing with the fallout of this pandemic in one way or another. The easy thing to do would be to retreat, tread water, and just do what we can to survive. But Jesus is calling us to more. God knows we’re tired and weary, but everyone still needs love. The world needs to know a God who is merciful and compassionate, all-loving and kind. The world needs to know a God who cares for the poor and broken-hearted. But people will only know if we live it, if we do works of mercy, and show love to people, one at a time.

So during the pandemic we are working with other like-minded religious people to try to change our city. We are collaborating with Justice Unites Savannah Together to build a moral voice to speak to our civic leaders. We are supporting local ministries for people who are hungry and homeless. We are supporting racial justice ministries throughout the Diocese. We are reading life-giving books that inspire us to live Jesus’ Way of Love. We are worshipping together both in-person and online, both near and far.

We at St. Matthew’s are a church that strives to follow Jesus and therefore strives to love all our neighbors. And if you’re not involved in any of the many ministries I just named, you can be. You are invited into all this good work too. Whether you’re doing that good work here or in some other way, St. James reminds us that “faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead” (2:17). May God give us strength to do works of justice and mercy, loving the poor, the rich, and everyone in between alike. May we keep walking in Jesus’ way of love for the benefit of the whole world. Amen.

Bibliography

Horowitz, Juliana Menasce, Ruth Igielnik, and Rakesh Kochhar, “Trends in Income and Wealth Inequality.” Pew Research. Published 9 January 2020. Accessed 2 September 2021. https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2020/01/09/trends-in-income-and-wealth-inequality/.
Picchi, Aimee. “Billionaires got 54% richer during pandemic, sparking calls for "wealth tax." CBS News. Published 31 March 2021. Accessed 2 September 2021. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/billionaire-wealth-covid-pandemic-12-trillion-jeff-bezos-wealth-tax/.

Hymn #628: Help Us, O Lord, To Learn

[Verses 1-3]

1 Help us, O Lord, to learn

the truths your word imparts:

to study that your laws may be

inscribed upon our hearts.

2 Help us, O Lord, to live

the faith which we proclaim,

that all our thoughts and words and deeds

may glorify your name.

3 Help us, O Lord, to teach

the beauty of your ways,

that yearning souls may find the Christ,

and live a life of praise.

Music: St. Ethelwald, William Henry Monk, Public Domain.

The Nicene Creed

[BCP, p. 358]

We believe in one God,

the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,

the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father,

God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God,

begotten, not made,

of one Being with the Father.

Through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation

he came down from heaven:

by the power of the Holy Spirit

he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,

and was made man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;

he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again

in accordance with the Scriptures;

he ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,

and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father and the Son.

With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.

He has spoken through the Prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead,

and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Prayers of the People

[BCP, p. 392, Form VI]

In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.

Silence.

For all people in their daily life and work;

For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.

For Joseph, our president; Brian, our governor; Van, our mayor; Chester, the chair of our County Commission; Ann, the Superintendent of our Public Schools, and all other civic officials; For this community, the nation, and the world;

For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.

For the just and proper use of your creation;

For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.

For our neighbors experiencing homelessness, that they may find safety and shelter, and for all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;

For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.

For all the churches in Savannah, that we may be one as you are one with the Son, and the Holy Spirit; For the peace and unity of the Church of God;

For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.

For Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury; Michael, our Presiding Bishop; Frank, our Bishop; Guillermo our Priest; and for all bishops and other ministers;

For all who serve God in his Church.

For the special needs and concerns of this congregation, especially for our Day Care’s staff, students, and families, and for those on our Parish Prayer List: Susan Arena, Martha Avery, Christine Brown, Jacqueline Bryant, Lazola Cope, Federico Foster, Loretta Harmond, Marva Harris, Whitney Kennedy, George Layne, Sada Maxwell, Craig Maxwell, Helen Scroggins, Monica Gray Williams; and those we remember now…

Silence. The People may add their own petitions.

Hear us, Lord;

For your mercy is great.

We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life; for all visitors to this parish; for Kathy Robinson (9/6) and Liam Clemons (9/7), on their birthdays; for General & Lazola Cope (9/6) on their wedding anniversary; and for any other thanksgivings we remember now.

Silence. The People may add their own thanksgivings.

We will exalt you, O God our King;

And praise your Name for ever and ever.

We pray for all who have died, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom, especially those we remember now...

Silence. The People may add their own petitions.

Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them;

Who put their trust in you.

We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins.

Silence may be kept.

Leader and People:

Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; in your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things done and left undone; and so uphold us by your Spirit that we may live and serve you in newness of life, to the honor and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Celebrant concludes with an absolution:

Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through the grace of Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

The Peace

[BCP, p. 360]

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

And also with you.

The Offertory

[BCP, p. 377]

Giving to St. Matthew's: We know that many people are feeling the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis. The church is feeling it too. We still need your support to pay our staff, pay our bills, and provide for these online live streams. There are several ways to give, but the simplest are these:

Mail us a check or money order at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 1401 Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd, Savannah, GA 31415; OR
Make a secure online gift to St. Matthew’s and/or automate future gifts at: https://onrealm.org/StMattSav/-/give/now; OR
Text “stmattsav” to 73256 to make a secure online donation through your phone.

NOTE: Donations made online (#2 or #3) through Realm incur a processing fee of about 2.5%. Please consider adding an additional 2.5% to your online gift to cover these costs.

“Walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God.” [Ephesians 5:2; see BCP, p. 376]

Give online at: https://onrealm.org/StMattSav/-/give/now