16th Sunday after Pentecost 2024

Welcome to St. John the Divine Episcopal Church! On September 8, 2024, we will gather to celebrate the 16th Sunday after Pentecost 2024 with a Rite 2 Mass. This service offers a time to come together in worship, reflect on God’s Word, and renew our commitment to living out our faith daily.

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Readings for the 16th Sunday after Pentecost 2024

Old Testament: 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.

Psalm: Psalm 146

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God all my life long. Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help. When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that very day their plans perish. Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord!

Epistle: James 2:1-10, [11-13], 14-17

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.

Gospel: Mark 7:24-37

From there he 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.”

Reflection on the Readings

This Sunday’s readings invite us to consider the themes of healing, mercy, and the power of faith in action. In Isaiah, we are given a vision of God’s promise to bring healing and renewal to His people. This prophetic message offers hope and encouragement, especially in times of fear and uncertainty.

Psalm 146 reminds us of God’s enduring faithfulness and His care for the vulnerable—those who are oppressed, hungry, imprisoned, or suffering. It is a call to trust in God alone rather than in earthly powers and to live out our faith in a way that reflects His compassion and justice.

In his letter, James challenges us to examine how we treat others, particularly those who are marginalized or in need. He clarifies that genuine faith is demonstrated through our actions—through the love, mercy, and care we show others. Faith without works, James tells us, is dead.

The Gospel of Mark presents two powerful stories of healing: the Syrophoenician woman’s daughter and the deaf man with a speech impediment. These stories highlight Jesus’ compassion and His willingness to respond to the needs of those who come to Him in faith, regardless of their background or status. They remind us that God’s grace and mercy are available to all who seek Him with humble hearts.

Hymns for the Service

The singing of these hymns will enrich our worship:

• Opening Hymn: “On this day, the first of days” (47)
• Sequence: Take me life and let it be (707)
• Closing Hymn: “O for a thousand tongues to sing” (493)

These hymns will lead us to praise God for His creation and celebrate the gift of His Son, who brings healing and salvation to the world.

Join Us in Worship

We invite you to attend Rite 2 Mass at 9 a.m. in person at 116 E Chandler Blvd or through our live stream. As we gather, let us open our hearts to God’s Word, seeking to be transformed by His teachings and inspired to live lives of true righteousness. Whether you are a regular attendee or new to our community, you are welcome at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church.

Let us unite to worship, learn, and grow in our faith, walking humbly with God. See you on Sunday!