Above: An Abandoned Barn Overwhelmed by Kudzu, 1980
Photographer = Carol M. Highsmith
Image Source = Library of Congress
Reproduction Number = LC-DIG-highsm-17546
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The Collect:
Holy God, our strength and our redeemer,
by your Spirit hold us forever, that through your grace we may
worship you and faithfully serve you,
follow you and joyfully find you,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
–Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), page 22
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The Assigned Readings:
Isaiah 22:15-25 (Thursday)
Genesis 27:30-38 (Friday)
Psalm 40:1-11 (both days)
Galatians 1:6-12 (Thursday)
Acts 1:1-5 (Friday)
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Blessed are those who have put their trust in the Lord:
who have not turned to the proud,
or to those who stray after false gods.
–A New Zealand Prayer Book (1989)
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Shebna was a high-ranking official in the court of the King of Judah. This royal steward, according to Isaiah, was unworthy of the position he held and of the elaborate tomb he had had built for himself. The prophet predicted Shebna’s demotion and the promotion of Eliakim to the post of steward. As the notes on page 826 of The Jewish Study Bible tell me, Isaiah 36:3; Isaiah 37:2; and 2 Kings 18:18 refer to Eliakim as royal steward. Isaiah also predicted the downfall of Eliakim, who was also vulnerable to human weaknesses and failings.
Human weaknesses and failings were on full display in Genesis 27:30-38. Certainly Rebecca and Jacob did not emerge from the story pristine in reputation. And St. Paul the Apostle, a great man of history and of Christianity, struggled with his ego. He knew many of his weaknesses and failings well.
Fortunately, the success of God’s work on the planet does not depend upon we mere mortals. Yes, it is better if we cooperate with God, but the Kingdom of God, in one of our Lord and Savior’s parables, is like a mustard tree–a large, generally pesky weed which spreads where it will. Whenever I ponder that parable I think about the kudzu just an short drive from my home. The Kingdom of God is like kudzu. The divine message of Jesus is like kudzu. I take comfort in that.
Yet we humans, despite our weaknesses and failings, can cooperate with God. It is better that way. It is better for us, certainly. And it is better for those whom God will reach through us. The transforming experience of cooperating with God will prove worth whatever price it costs us.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
SEPTEMBER 5, 2013 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF MOTHER TERESA OF CALCUTTA, ROMAN CATHOLIC NUN
THE FEAST OF GREGORIO AGLIPAY, PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENT BISHOP
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Adapted from this post:
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BLOGA THEOLOGICA 
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