2nd Sunday after Pentecost 2026/Confirmation

Sermon: 2nd Sunday after Pentecost 2026/Confirmation

Texts: Hosea 5:15-6:6; Romans 4:13-25; Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

Grace, Peace, and Mercy from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

As we begin our post-Pentecost season, it is good to remind ourselves the journey we have taken since the liturgical year began in Advent. Jesus is Risen, we have, alongside the witnesses to the resurrection, become witnesses in faith. God the Holy Spirit has descended upon the church, and has inspired and empowered us to live a life in the pattern of our Lord Jesus Christ. And just this past Sunday, we glimpsed into the fullness of God’s own life, revealing His dynamic triune presence in whose name we are brought to new life. Now, in this green season after the outpouring of the Spirit on Pentecost, where is the Church to go next? The green reminds us of the spring and verdancy of life, that the seed that was sown now grows, and thus we, right in this moment, are part of this growth that God is doing in our midst. God is a God of Life, so we might ask in what places is God restoring to new life in our own time and place? Even in challenging times, the shoot of the seed of the Kingdom grows hiddenly and silently, and we have been tasked to witness to their growth. And we must not forget, we are also called to be part of this growth! I can testify today, for example, to the new life that is ushered by the witnessing of our confirmands! Today we affirm alongside Jensen our baptismal promises. One more voice is added unto the chorus of life that God is leading. Jensen with his unique God-given gifts, will bless others wherever he goes, and that is another sign of God’s work in the world.

That said, this leads me to the center of our Scripture texts today. Alongside the flourishing of God’s Kingdom, there is also a calling. Our Gospel text today begins with the calling of Matthew, the tax collector. This little introduction is so powerful

beloved. In it we have the expanse of God’s call. If people ask you, who is included in God’s Kingdom? We are driven to respond “everyone”. Tax-collectors in Jesus’ time were considered social outcasts for many reasons. It’s like holding a position of ill-repute. Tax-collectors, first and foremost, did not work for their own people. They worked for the Roman Empire. They collected taxes that kept Roman oppression and colonization in power. Many felt justified in their hatred of such an imperial enabler, leaving his own destitute; a traitor to his own people. And yet, Jesus calls this unreputable Matthew: “Follow me”. Jesus calls Matthew out from betrayal, out from service to empire, out from being subservient to the powers of death and oppression into serving the Kingdom of God. As we approach this green season in the church, I think it is helpful to think about this call of Jesus. From what other places of death and destruction does Jesus calls us away from, to enter into the mission of true life? From what other allegiances and betrayals does God call us to leave behind? How graceful is God, that even when we are sitting on the side of darkness, He does not hesitate to call us into the light. It goes to show, that being the church is not about being squeaky clean when we come through these doors. This is the place, where we are washed clean. This is the place, where God reforms us. This is the place, where we can learn to love and have mercy with each other. That is the reason why God calls, because He loves us. For those Star Wars fans out there, I can’t help but think about Darth Vader. How even being the very embodiment of evil, Luke calls out to the good within him, that even in the abyss of the dark side that he was in, the light was able to reach him, for the love of his son, and ultimately save him.

And what did Matthew do? He got up, and followed Jesus. This came with its own sacrifices, as Matthew left his own line of work! His source of wealth, he cut off for the sake of Jesus’ call. No longer would he live for the empire, but for the Kingdom that allowed him to repent and become new, to belong to the One who did not see him as a traitor or a bandit, but as someone God was calling to new paths. And this therefore brought other “sinners and tax-collectors”! Jesus and the disciples opened a dinner table for many, not many who were worthy, rather many who needed grace, love and mercy. For the need for this hope and this new life is plenty, but this world does not offer it freely. Our Lord Jesus, however, does. He had a simple yet difficult ask that no money could buy: “Follow me” into the path of redemptive love and mercy, serve God. I do not know how many of the ones that were at that dinner table do as Matthew did, but how great that our Father in Heaven calls us all back into our true selves in Him.

Evidently, not everyone was happy with this turn of events. The pharisees asked: “why does he eat with sinners and tax-collectors” What madness would prompt him to do such a thing in the name of God? This “why” is so pervasive in our society. It is difficult to overcome prejudice. It is difficult also to see beyond what we see on the outside, and to see everyone as God sees them. In Christ and through Him we have the grace to see in this deep way. We can overcome the gate-keeping that is so prevalent in our society, of who is worthy and not.

“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous but sinners.” The grace of the Gospel is that God calls sinners, and sinners

means all of us. It doesn’t matter how deep in the pit you may think you are in. God still calls you to love according to his heart. It doesn’t matter how much you think you are unworthy, God still calls you for the works of mercy. God’s grace is an unmerited gift through Christ Jesus, that in Him and by the Spirit we are enabled to live a life according to God’s will. If today you think you are in the muck of sin, then Jesus’ “follow me” is your invitation to take a step into repentance. Jesus wants us to know, that God is not through with you just yet. Your brokenness only makes Him call you more and more, He seeks you out in the pit wherever you may find yourself. Indeed, for God does not desire for us to shoo Him away with ritual devoid of meaning. God does not desire performance or superficial piety. God desires real mercy. God desires that we come to Him fully ourselves. God wants to mend and renew us as we are. He gives mercy, and wants us to gift the same mercy forward. This liturgy, this Word that is preached to you, this meal that is served for you, is so that you may get well. This place is the field hospital, as Pope Francis used to call the church, for you to bandage the wounds of sin and get up, and live again in love in Jesus’ name.

Indeed, after Jesus ‘call, we see the aftereffects. Healing, restoration, resurrection. What death has wrought, what human brokenness and folly had marred, what the world takes away, Jesus renews, replenishes. In Him, there is a new world rising. In us in this moment, through Christ, this same world that brings life is also alive and well. This is one of the beautiful things of being the church, that here we are a community of people that are anchored in a hope against the powers of death and despair. Here we have a living hope, a powerful promise that enlivens us to a different kind of life.

Here we are touching the cloak of the one that can heal us. Even better, the one that can heal comes to us, giving to us a glimpse of the new world, of our new life in Him.

Beloved, hear that old prophetic vision in Hosea that Jesus echoes in His calling: “What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes away early. Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets… For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” In our brokenness, we can become great wounders. Our love can wither quickly. When it is rooted in the wrong places, our attention is diffuse and fickle. And then we think we can buy God with offerings that He has not desired, perhaps by showing how great we are, or how much money we make, or how powerful and beautiful we make His name upon the land. But if we seek God as He desires, if we plant our trust in Christ’s way, perhaps we can give of the love that God desires, perhaps if our love is rooted in Christ’s way, we can be steadfast in the face of oppression. Perhaps if we trust Christ’s words, we can then do what He says, to give mercy and steadfast love. The true offering pleasing to God. Indeed, I can hear God say the same thing in today’s world. What shall I do with you, O America? What shall I do with you, O nations of the World? What shall I do with you, the mighty and powerful? I only desire mercy, and steadfast love. I desire healing for the sick and oppressed. I desire justice for those brought low. I desire a love and mercy that is the atmosphere of my house. Indeed, beloved, we sinners are in the right place. This is the right time. In here, in the sacraments, in the Word, God delivers to us new life rooted in love and mercy. Let us never forget, this God of ours is persistent in love for us,

although we stray. Let us seek to offer the good offering He seeks: mercy, not sacrifice. Let us pray: