By Deacon Timothy Siburg
Revised Common Lectionary reflection for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 8, Year A
June 28, 2026
Key Verse: “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace” -Romans 6:14
My youngest daughter recently “graduated” from preschool. She was asked what she wanted to be when she grew up. She said, “I want to be a rock star and a mom.” A few years earlier, my oldest daughter’s response to the same question was “I want to be a pastor, just like my mom.” I love both of their answers, just as I love both of my daughters and the freedom they have to dream boldly and become whoever God calls them to be. As a dad, I love this. As a pastor’s husband, I love this. As a deacon, I love this. But, most of all, as a child of God liberated by God’s grace, I give thanks for this freedom.
There’s something about freedom in this week’s lectionary which captivates me. Perhaps it’s the close proximity to the 250th anniversary of the United States’ independence. Or perhaps, it’s the hope that comes with summer’s longer days to wonder, imagine, and enjoy God’s creation. Either way, Paul’s words to the Romans seem to grab hold of my imagination as I think about stewardship.
Paul writes, “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace” (Romans 6:14). This is freeing. To be given God’s grace, as a gift, is to receive true freedom. We are freed to live, love, and serve. We are forever changed by this freedom, and as stewards, we are set loose to care for all that God has entrusted to us.
In light of this freedom, stewardship invites us to ask: What will we do? How will we respond? How will we live, love, and serve, knowing that we have been made free through Christ Jesus?
Paul surmises, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). This freedom is a gift we could never earn or deserve on our own. This freedom can, and is, only given by God in Christ. We are invited into this free gift of freedom through grace, and this invitation invites our response.
So, what shall our response be? Jesus points to a few possibilities. We are invited to embody welcome. For when we welcome our neighbor we welcome God (Matthew 10:40). We are invited to provide a “cup of cold water” to those who are in need and thirsty for God’s love (Matthew 10:42). These acts of love, service, and life provide the basic needs for abundant life to take hold and be made real. This is the act of meeting our neighbor’s needs by coming alongside them. This is the kin-dom building work of God’s love and God’s life-giving freedom breaking into our world.
The psalmist also provides words for our response. The psalmist says, “I will sing of your steadfast love… I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.” (Psalm 89:1). Part of our response as stewards is to live, love, and serve with gratitude, offering thanks and praise to God, who gives the gifts of freedom, life, and love. We respond and connect to God’s ongoing story by not only proclaiming the freedom God provides but in helping God’s people from taking this gift for granted.
In Worship
With this larger theme of freedom, consider the possibilities of using the South African song of resistance, “Freedom is Coming” as a hymn or worship song. While it might seem more appropriate for Advent or Palm Sunday, this hymn could be just as powerful this week. The repetitive lyrics and rhythm make it easy to learn particularly when following a leader.
The first verse repeats the phrase:
“Oh, freedom, freedom is coming. Freedom is coming… Oh, oh, yes, I know. Oh, oh, yes, I know.”
The second verse simply replaces the word “Freedom” with “Jesus”:
“Oh, Jesus. Jesus is coming. Oh, yes, I know.”
In simple words and rhythmic energy, the song can further emphasize the preaching theme that freedom comes through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Worship with Youth
In worship, during fellowship hour, in a youth group meeting, or at Bible Study, the theme in this week’s texts might be connected with Martin Luther’s words from The Freedom of a Christian. In the 1520 treatise, the Reformer is famous for writing that, “The Christian individual is a completely free lord of all, subject to none. The Christian individual is a completely dutiful servant of all, subject to all.”
Thinking about freedom through a stewardship lens might invite us to ponder what Martin Luther sensed as the result of identity, vocation, and purpose through the freedom of a Christian. If Christ makes us free, we are free indeed. But to what end? To the end of being in relationship with our neighbors, to care and love them, because they, like us, are God’s own beloved. This perspective challenges much of the cultural and social understandings of the world around us. This might also encourage youth and God’s children of all ages, to dive deeper into our response as stewards of God’s love today.
Worship with Children
Knowing that these texts will occur the Sunday before Independence Day (in the United States) and Canada Day (in Canada), this might be an invitation to talk about the word freedom and what that might mean. For the younger saints among the faithful, you could warm up to this bigger question by starting with, “Hi Friends! How are you today? Is there anything you are looking forward to this week?” Chances are, you’ll hear about playing at the pool, eating ice-cream, or maybe watching fireworks. From those answers, ask, “why do you think we get to enjoy these awesome things this week?”
Such questions might provide an opportunity for the preacher or ministry leader to talk about the idea of freedom as a gift from God, not as something (or at least not only something) that is tied to national or political ideas. Depending on your context, this might even offer a child-like perspective countering the sins of Christian nationalism. After some good conversation, end with some affirmation and a prayer. A repeat after me prayer might be as follows:
Dear God, Dear God,
thank you for today. thank you for today.
Thank you for your gift of love Thank you for your gift of love
and freedom through Jesus. and freedom through Jesus.
Help us share your love Help us share your love
with everyone we might meet. with everyone we might meet.
And help us And help us
be your hands and feet be your hands and feet
in the world today. in the world today.
In Jesus’ name we pray In Jesus’ name we pray
Amen. Amen.
Previously published reflections for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Year A:
2020 – Practice radical hospitality
2017 – Trust, Obey, and Get Going!
2014 – A Living Wage in God’s Economy
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