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Breaking the Rules

by Pr. Lisa Rygiel

You may recall our Gospel reading from last Sunday. Jesus heals a woman on the sabbath, offering her a new beginning for her life. When challenged by a narrow reading of the sabbath command, Jesus responds by expanding “sabbath work” to include setting people free from bondage.

Have you ever encountered a rule or regulation that just didn’t make any sense to you? What did you do? Did you follow the rule, or did you break it? And if you broke it, did you tell anyone that you did? Or did you quietly chafe against the norm?

In the reading from Luke for today, we find Jesus preaching in the temple on the day of rest and, seemingly on a whim, deciding to break the rules in front of everyone. The outrage of some people in the crowd might have come honestly, of course. Practicing their faith was a serious matter, and for many that meant carefully following the rules.

For many people today in our own communities of faith, following the rules is still a serious matter. But what if the rules prevent God’s love from being shared or prevent grace from being shown? What if the rules effectively exclude rather than include?

God’s loving grace is wild and free, overcoming obstacles and breaking through boundaries. Death cannot stop God’s resurrecting love. Locked doors cannot stop the risen Christ. And today we see that not even religious rules can or should limit God’s freeing grace.

Our gospel reading for today doesn’t invite us to break the rules per se, but it does invite us to look at the rules, especially those related to our faith, and to think critically about them. How do the ways we organize ourselves and our communities extend God’s grace and love, and in what ways might they prevent God’s love from being shown and shared?

The God seen in Jesus intends to free humanity from the things that bind us. We see that clearly in Christ, who not only preaches God’s grace but publicly reaches out with that same grace to heal and help and love. Even if it means breaking some rules.

--Devotional message based on the readings for August 24, 2025, reprinted from Sundays and Seasons.

Aug. 31, 12th Sunday After Pentecost
10 a.m. Sunday Worship

Announcements

  • Fellowship: Join us after worship for coffee and conversation.
  • God’s Work Our Hands Worship: We will have our traditional outdoors GWOH worship at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 7, at Round Up Park (near the fairgrounds – see attached map). A potluck picnic also at the park will immediately follow worship, so bring your favorite picnic food and join the fellowship and fun. A sign-up sheet is in the Fellowship Hall.
  • GWOH Projects: Thank you to Becky McNeil who had the idea to prepare “period packs” for the local homeless and a big thank you to everyone who helped assemble them. Thanks to Terri Watson and John Rygiel who are using their construction skills to build a wheelchair ramp this week. Also, thank you to T.M. Garner and her team who volunteered to help Richard Stewart get packed for his move.
  • 5-Loaves Reminder: Next Saturday, Aug. 30, we will deliver 5-Loaves meals. If you can help with preparation or deliveries, please let Norine Hazen, Terri Watson, or Jo Moss know.
  • Flower Chart: There are several Sundays remaining in 2025 for flower sponsors. Take a look at the flower chart and consider signing up for special dates, a gift of $35 is suggested for flower donations. The sign-up chart and donation envelopes are in the back of the sanctuary. Donations can be placed in the offering plate or given online using the Tithe-ly app (follow the link on Zion’s homepage at org to give online.)

 E-formation – 12th Sunday After Pentecost, Aug. 31

If you are hosting a wedding reception or a grand dinner party, would you gladly seat at your table some stranger who knocks at the door? Well, we do this every Sunday. Come and join whoever shows up, at the table of the word and the meal.

Luke 14:1, 7-14

Christ’s call is to countercultural behavior: the society is hierarchical, but the church is to enact a surprising acceptance of the poor, to give to others with no expectation of return. Jesus is the model, who gave himself all the way to death, and who was indeed repaid in his resurrection.

Proverbs 25:6-7

The short reading places the advice to humility centuries before Christ. Jesus is our monarch, and he says to us, “Come up here,” and up to the table we go.

Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

This, the lectionary’s last semi-continuous selection from the book of Hebrews is a collection of directives to the church, many of which are countercultural. Those with faith are now a community of care. The beliefs that God will never leave us and that Jesus Christ is always the same contrast with the temple and its sacrifices, which pass away. Although close congruence of the second reading and the gospel during post-Pentecost is not intended, on this Sunday the call for hospitality to strangers and for sharing with others fits well with the gospel reading.

Zion's Lutheran Church

A Reconciling in Christ Community
zionsluth@gmail.com
719-846-7785