July 24, 2011 is the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost. OK — perhaps if I get these up on Monday, the process may be a bit easier. A little improvement each week . . . .
Note the difference of the ending of the two collects. Since the readings are the same, I’ll end each passage with the Free Church book. For Revised Common Lectionary users, the 1 Peter lesson is used on Easter 6, year A and Lent 1, year B; the Luke lesson is used on Epiphany 5, year C.
Free Church Book of Common Prayer (1929)
Collect:
Grant, O Lord, we beseech thee, that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by thy governance, that thy Church may joyfully serve thee in all godly quietness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
- Epistle: I Pet. iii, 8-15;
- Gospel: Luke v, 1-11
A book of prayer for the church and the home (Universalist, 1866)
Collect:
Grant, O Lord, we beseech thee, that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by thy governance that thy Church may joyfully serve thee in all godly quietness, and the kingdom of thy Son may prosper in all lands. Amen.
- Epistle: I St. Pet. iii, 8.
- Gospel: St. Luke v, 1.
The Petrine text has some tremendous potential with its theme of not repaying evil with evil (a very Adin Ballou Universalist theme). Sounds easy in theory, but difficult in practice.
The trick in preaching may be to take seriously the difficulty of repaying evil with a blessing; and the power of doing so.