ICF - Professions of Faith

Sunday 27th July 2025 - 7th Sunday after Pentecost

Hosea 1:2-10; Psalm 85; Colossians 2:6-15, (16-19); Luke 11:1-13
(Alternatives: Genesis 18:20-32; Psalm 138)

The story of Hosea is one that clearly needs to be approached with sensitivity and care, but in the right circumstances might provide opportunity to consider the situation for sex workers in contemporary society, as well as touching on issues like human trafficking, modern day slavery etc. There are several Christian agencies and organisations that work in this area. Recognising the discomfort some might feel in encountering this story, there may be opportunity to reflect on other professions that might be difficult for a faith community to engage with and acknowledge, to consider the reasons for this and what God might be saying in the light of this.

Hosea's story makes sense when his life is recognised as an enactment of the relationship between God and the nation to which the prophet's message is addressed. Drawing on this broader perspective, a congregation might be invited to consider its calling to be proclaimers of Good News and how their own daily, working lives reflect and re-enact the message and values of the Gospel.

There are echoes of this broader narrative of God's relationship with and message to society in both of the Psalm readings. This also connects with Abram's intercessions on behalf of Sodom in the second Old Testament reading. Both New Testament readings express the breadth of God's concern for society and the world in general, offering a further opportunity to embrace all of life through our worship and gathering. Both through the classic lines of the Lord's Prayer and the narrative of the NT epistle, there is an invitation to seek God's perspectives on society and not simply be consumed by contemporary narratives.

Drawing all of these together, a congregation might be invited to consider and even share its own diversity of life working experience. What are the issues and concerns that this brings to light? What narratives need to be resisted? How might our working lives be different through seeking God's perspective and being open to the realities of God's message?