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Monday Morning Mail (The M3) for
The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
August 3, 2025 - Proper 13
Sermon Text - Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12–14; 2:18–26
Hymn of the Day - 790 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
“What are you Worth”
I began the sermon yesterday with some general comments about the Bible, which gives us the story of everything--an account of everything. It's not an historical book that records every detail (obviously), but it provides an account of life that makes sense of it. It speaks sometimes in grandiose themes (like beginnings and endings) and at other times more down-to-earth matters (like marriage). I indicated that today's sermon would fall under the former, dealing with the value of life and in particular your worth.
The first two images were of President Gerald Ford's lying in state in The United States Capitol. The first was from an angle that captures both the rotundra and the assembled guests, with President Ford's casket dramatically enligthened with a United States Flag covering it. The second image was up-close and from the side, isolating the casket to remind us of the solitary nature of death--even for a former president. I asked the question how many of us could say much of anything about President Ford. Of course, he came into office dramtically, assuming its role after the impeachment and resignation of President Nixon. There is a lot to remember, but just over fifty years later most of us can't say much about him–a person who held what some have called the most powerful office in the world. Certainly, we will not be remembered either!
The next three slides drove this point home: an image of wind blowing through a wheat field, and two images of my grandparents' graves. The things of this world are like the wind–here one moment and gone the next. The purpose of showing my grandparents tombstones was to highlight that I've only been back there four times–once for each grandparent–and when I've walked through the cemetery looking at the other tombstones, I know nothing of the lives behind the names of on them.
Next, I showed an image of a sequoia tree and highlighted its massiveness not only in terms of size but also age. Estimates of the largest trees indicate they may be 3500 years-old. The point of this slide was to contrast it with the previous ones. Sequoias represent long-lasting, strong life. Our lives are blowing in the wind: hear for a bit and then lost to history.
I concluded the sermon by saying that Jesus's cross is like a Sequoia tree. His cross roots us. His cross gives us life forever. I reshowed the verse from Colossians 2:6-7 from last week's sermon which says that we are rooted and built up in him. That the Savior of the World dies for everyone gives you worth, as the Apostle Peter says in 1 Peter 1:18-19. Your worth equals the precious blood of Christ–priceless!