“Go from Strength to Strength . . .”

Fr Michael Rasicci’s homily for the 13th Sunday after Pentecost, 08/27/2023, Calvary Episcopal Church, Batavia, IL I

n Rite I of the Burial Service for the Dead in the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, part of the blessing has these words, “. . . Go from strength to strength in the life of perfect service in thy heavenly kingdom.”

In the second lesson today, Paul reminds us to “present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.”

In the first lesson we learn how Moses was chosen by God for his mission to the Israelites. Through our baptism, we, too, are on a mission for God and are forever growing into it. After we depart this world, we are still growing in the kingdom of God, “going from strength to strength in a life of perfect service to the Lord.”

(Readings: Exodus 1:8-2:10; Psalm 124; Romans 12:1-8; Matthew 16:13-20)

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