THE 14TH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

INTROIT. Protector noster. Ps. 84.BEHOLD, O God, our defender, and look upon the face of thine Anointed: for one day in thy courts is better than a thousand. Ps. ibid. O how amiable are thy dwellings, thou Lord of hosts; my soul hath a desire, and longing to enter into the courts of the Lord. V. Glory be.

COLLECT.ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, give unto us the increase of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain that which thou dost promise, make us to love that which thou dost command; through Jesus Christ our Lord. [Who.]

First Lesson:  II Kings 5:14-17

[14] So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
[15] Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and he came and stood before him; and he said, "Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel; so accept now a present from your servant."

[16] But he said, "As the LORD lives, whom I serve, I will receive none." And he urged him to take it, but he refused.
[17] Then Na'aman said, "If not, I pray you, let there be given to your servant two mules' burden of earth; for henceforth your servant will not offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god but the LORD.

Psalm 98

[1] O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory.
[2] The LORD has made known his victory, he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.
[3] He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
[4] Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
[5] Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody!
[6] With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD!
[7] Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it!
[8] Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together
[9] before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.  Glory be to the Father…………

EPISTLE. Galatians 5: 16-24 16 BRETHREN: I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,10 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

GRADUAL. Ps. 118. It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put any confidence in man. V. It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put any confidence in princes. Alleluia, alleluia. V. Ps. 95 O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation. Alleluia.

GOSPELSt. Luke 17:11-19 11 AT that time: And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

OFFERTORY Ps. 34 The Angel of the Lord tarrieth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them: O taste, and see, how gracious is the Lord.

 

Jesus stands on the road between Samaria and Galilee as a healed Samaritan kneels in gratitude at His feet while nine other healed men walk away in the distance, illustrating Luke 17:11-19.

Thankfulness and Saving Faith: A Trinity 14 Reflection

Why did only one leper return to Jesus? In Luke 17:11-19, all ten lepers received physical healing, but only one returned to thank Christ. Fr. Dan explains that gratitude is more than good manners. It is the response of a heart that recognizes God’s mercy and seeks relationship with the Giver rather than simply enjoying the gift. Through thanksgiving, the Samaritan received not only cleansing but true spiritual wholeness.

A compassionate traveler helps an injured man along a roadside while a cross shines in the background, symbolizing Christ's love and the call to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Love That Crosses the Road: The Good Samaritan and Grace

The Good Samaritan teaches us that Christian love is more than feeling sympathy or performing respectable religious duties. Because Christ has first shown mercy to us, we are called to cross the road, draw near to those in need, and make His love visible through acts of compassion.

Jesus heals the deaf man in Mark 7 and says "Ephphatha, Be Opened," symbolizing the opening of spiritual ears to hear God's voice.

Ephphatha: Hearing God’s Voice Above Life’s Noise

In this Trinity 12 sermon on Mark 7:31-37, Fr. Dan reflects on Jesus healing the deaf man and connects the miracle to modern spiritual deafness caused by constant noise, distraction, and technology. Christ’s command, “Ephphatha” (“Be opened”), becomes a call for Christians to seek silence, hear God’s voice, and be transformed by His grace.