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St. Stephen's Episcopal Church

215 N. 7th, Terre Haute, Indiana

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A Word: Actual Love

Uncategorized · October 15, 2023

The dark parable Jesus tells challenges us, not to learn what to do, but to recall and do what we’ve already learned from him.


he work we already know to do
Proper 23A  | Matthew 22:1-14, Exodus 32:1-14

Jesus is at the Temple in Jerusalem. He had only, the day before, entered the city on a donkey and flipped the tables of the money-changers. A visual parable of God’s humility in the seat of human power and order. He came back the next day to be confronted by some of the Temple’s leaders.

And again, Jesus challenges them to rise to the challenge Jesus is giving us all. To see the dream God has for all of creation. To not only do the right thing, but the good thing. That we might bring the Kin-dom of God Jesus is revealing into the kingdoms of Earth.

To them, Jesus may as well be speaking another language.

For the last three weeks, we have gone through this grave moment in order. From the initial confrontation, to the parable of the wicked tenants, and now, to this second parable.

Now, there’s something fueling this misunderstanding. Fear.

These people confronted Jesus because he messed up the Temple. The Temple they are responsible for. This feels wrong to them.

But these are the same people who have called Jesus a heretic and sought his death for half of the book of Matthew at this point…

The full text may be found here.

For a limited time, you may find the audio here.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

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CONTACT

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
215 N. 7th St
Terre Haute, IN 47807

812-232-5165

officeadmin@ststephensth.org

ABOUT

St. Stephen’s is a sacramental community following Jesus’s Way of Love.

We worship on Sundays at 8 & 10.

AFFILIATIONS

St. Stephen’s is a member of The Episcopal Church and congregation of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis.

St. Stephen’s is a member of the Homeless Council of the Wabash Valley

PARKING

St. Stephen’s is across from Indiana State University. Nearby parking lots are run by ISU and are free after 5pm weekdays and are free all weekend long. 

Five marked spots in the lot directly behind the church are available during the week.

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