The Grace of Seeing One Another
The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost | June 28, 2026
Opening Thought
It can be easy to overcomplicate our call as Christians. We often think that serving God requires grand gestures or monumental sacrifices. Yet, in our Gospel reading this Sunday, Jesus brings the focus back to the beautiful, radical simplicity of hospitality.
In Paul's letter to the Romans this week, he urges us not to let sin exercise dominion over us, but rather to present ourselves to God as instruments of righteousness. As we celebrate Pride month, it is a profound time to reflect on what this truly means. For many, there was a time when the very essence of who they were was labeled an unforgivable sin. The phrase "love the sinner, hate the sin" has often been used as a judgment by those who may not fully grasp the radical, inclusive Love of God. But if we are perfectly made in God's image, then we are all beautiful children of God.
While not everyone always agrees, the truth is that we are all children of God with our own flawed, sinful lives—and that is exactly what makes us worthy of righteousness. This imperfect life is why we need Christ, who came to save us simply because He loves us.
Jesus assures us that even the smallest act of grace—offering just a cup of cold water to a little one—is seen, valued, and rewarded by God. But giving back to our neighbors doesn't just mean a literal glass of cold water (although that is certainly important in this Georgia heat!). It is also about looking at our neighbor, seeing their authentic self, and saying, "I see you," and hoping they look back and say, "and I see YOU."
Engaging the Word
Our readings today center on God’s enduring faithfulness and our call to respond with lives of righteousness and welcoming grace.
Jeremiah 28:5-9: We hear the prophet Jeremiah speaking to Hananiah in the presence of the priests and the people. He speaks of the ancient prophets and notes that a prophet of peace is truly known as sent by the Lord only when their words come true.
Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18: We will speak this psalm responsively by half verse, singing of the Lord's love and faithfulness that is established forever. It reminds us that happy are the people who walk in the light of God's presence.
Romans 6:12-23: Paul urges us not to let sin exercise dominion over our mortal bodies. Instead, having been brought from death to life, we are to present ourselves to God as instruments of righteousness. He powerfully reminds us that while the wages of sin is death, the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 10:40-42: Jesus provides a profound lesson on hospitality and identification with His messengers. He declares that whoever receives a prophet or a righteous man will receive their respective rewards. Furthermore, whoever gives even a cup of cold water to a disciple will surely not lose their reward.
A Journey in Song: Our Musical Guides
Our music today gathers us in joyful praise, grounds us in the call to serve, and sends us forth wrapped in divine love.
Opening Voluntary: We are welcomed into worship with George Shearing's Prelude on 'Land of Rest'. Though celebrated globally as a true jazz genius, Shearing also composed deeply moving sacred music. In this prelude, he brings his signature harmonic warmth and sophisticated chord voicings to a traditional American folk hymn. This beautiful, jazz-infused arrangement sets a centering, reflective tone as we prepare our hearts for the liturgy.
Entrance Hymn: We stand to sing the majestic hymn Praise to the Lord, the Almighty. This robust hymn launches our worship with a unified voice of adoration.
Sequence Hymn: As we prepare for the Gospel reading, we sing Lord, make us servants of your peace. This text acts as a perfect bridge to Matthew's Gospel, praying for the grace to extend Christ's welcoming love to others.
Communion Hymns: As we gather at the altar, we are nourished by two beautiful hymns: I come with joy to meet my Lord and Let us break bread together on our knees.
Post-Communion Hymn: Having been fed, we stand to sing Love divine, all loves excelling. This stirring hymn acts as a prayer for God's love to perfect and guide us as we go out into the world.
Closing Voluntary: We conclude with Gordon Young's magnificent Prelude in Classic Style. Its stately and joyous energy brilliantly evokes a confident send-off into the mission field of our daily lives.
A Closing Note on our Journey
The transition from the altar to the world is the very heartbeat of our liturgy, and it is a transition rooted entirely in love.
"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them." — 1 John 4:16
As I sit here and write this blog late, I am humbled by the love I have experienced throughout my life. I was born in this month in 1981, and today, I am an out and proud member of society who deeply loves The Episcopal Church. But I haven't always been. I used to hide. I used to think what I was experiencing was an unforgivable sin for which there was no redemption. I was often told, "we love the sinner, not the sin"—a phrase I later realized was a judgment by those who did not fully know the radical, inclusive Love of God. I realized that if I am perfectly made in God's image, that makes me a beautiful child of God.
I share this because Pride isn't just about one group of people. Pride is for all! Pride is about loving yourself and being exactly who you were made to be. I am not saying I have been loved by everyone, and I am not saying that I have always found it in my heart to love everyone perfectly either (though I certainly try!). But I know I am loved by God.
As we reflect on this, let us think about those today who do not know love—those who have never experienced it, and those who fear they never will.
Let us pray these words together:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy.
Let us be a beacon of hope, light, and joy for all the people of the world, because truthfully, we all need it now more than ever. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16).
Let us step boldly into this new week, freely offering the grace we have so freely received. As you carry this message into your daily life, I invite you to reflect:
This week, how can you offer a metaphorical "cup of cold water" to someone who needs to be seen? * What does it look like for you to practice radical hospitality in your daily life?A Prayer for the Week Ahead
Let us pray for the grace to be instruments of God's welcoming love.
For the countless blessings and grace we have already freely received from God's hand, that our hearts may overflow with thanksgiving.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
hear our prayer.
For the Church, that we may boldly present ourselves as instruments of righteousness, bringing healing, inclusion, and hope to the broken places in our city.
hear our prayer.
For all who govern and hold authority, that they may be guided by justice and lead in the ways of peace.
hear our prayer.
Collect for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost:
Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
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