You are called and created to be stewards of transformation

By Deacon Timothy Siburg

Revised Common Lectionary reflection for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 16, Year A
August 23, 2026

Key verse: “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind…” – Romans 12:2

Depending on where you live or when you are reading this, there is a good chance that students and teachers are making last minute plans for the year ahead, or they have already started a new school year. Some questions that may have surfaced are, “Where has the summer gone?” Or perhaps students or parents alike have complained, “But it’s still August. It’s still summer…” Or maybe that’s just me?

In thinking about this week’s texts this reality comes to mind because of the Apostle Paul’s message to the Romans. Paul appeals to God’s mercy, writing to God’s beloved in Rome “on the basis of God’s mercy, (to) present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable act of worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God- what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:1-2). At first glance, this may not sound like stewardship teaching. But take a second look. Paul invites those who hear or read his message not to give into the whims of the world around them, but to be “transformed by the renewing of the mind.” We are called and invited to learn and grow, to care for and steward our minds. As we do this, through the work of the Spirit, we might just be transformed. And as we do this, we might just also be called to be stewards of that transformation. 

Transformation sounds exciting. It has on occasion been a “buzz word” in the church, as have most words that are related to ideas of change. But here in Paul’s writing, transformation is more about the work of God in and with God’s beloved. And when that happens, real change might just emerge. Change that is lasting. Change that will make people uncomfortable. Change that will be part of God’s kin-dom building work in and for the world. This sort of change is something that all beloved children of God are called and created to be a part of, as stewards of transformation. 

This transformation comes through grace as a gift from God (Rom 12:3). It shows up uniquely in and for each child of God. Paul explains, “For as in one body we have many members and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another” (Rom 12:4-5). Each person has a role to play. Each person has a unique vocation or vocations that God entrusts to them. Each person has gifts, strengths, skills, passions, questions, and imaginations. These are all gifts from God, which God invites us to use, steward and grow. Through them, transformation might just happen. This might show up in the particular gifts of teaching, encouraging, giving, diligence, compassion, and cheerfulness (Rom 12:6-8). Or in other ways that are not as explicit in Scripture. But when people are living out their lives fully in faith, using the gifts they have been given, caring for their neighbors, and even in the smallest ways joining in with some of God’s work here and now, amazing transformation is possible. God makes it so. 

In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus points to this work made possible first and foremost by what God is already up to. Jesus puts the disciples on the spot and asks, “But who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). Simon Peter gets the gold star for his strong response, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matt 16:16).  In inviting that response from Peter, Jesus is calling the disciples to name what they have learned, sensed, and seen so far. He is inviting them to point to the transformation that they have witnessed, and join the wonder and hope of God’s on-going work in the world. In inviting the disciples to answer, “who do you say that I am?” Jesus invites them to tell the story of God’s work among them. Jesus invites them to grow in their sense of relationship with God and each other, and to lean into the calling and commissioning that they will soon officially receive. To confess and profess their faith and to be sent. 

The gospel story this week is also a story about God’s transformation, highlighting the acts and experiences of transformation that might yet be in progress. It’s also a reminder that God’s beloved are called and created for this work. They will be sent out to point to God’s ongoing presence and activity, to do the holy work of being God’s beloved people together, just as Paul describes in Romans 12. 

You are called and created to be a steward of transformation. You have the gifts for this. And you are not alone, for God is with you. So steward this holy calling. Use what God entrusts to you for the sake of your neighbors. Commit to learning and growing each day and allowing yourself to be transformed. 

In Worship
During worship, many congregations will have a “Blessing of the Backpacks” at the start of the school year. During this time, students, teachers, and faculty are invited to bring their backpacks or briefcases to worship to be blessed and prayed over. Some might even receive a special blessing card or tag that they can put inside or hang on  their backpack. 

If you already do this practice, what might it look like to take it a step further? Paul names the various gifts through which all children of God might serve. What might it look like to bless congregants various vocations through which the faith of the community shows up in the larger community? Perhaps you might invite members of the congregation to bring a sign of the work they do or roles they play outside of worship to be blessed? This could be a holy moment to live out the words from Romans 12:1-8 in your community. 

Worship with Youth
Youth in your community might be wrestling with all the emotions that come this time of year as summer moves towards its close and the school year begins. Youth in high school in particular might be excited to be together, but also a bit stressed or nervous about all that the year ahead might bring, and especially those who might be looking towards what comes after high school. To give holy space for naming these emotions and feelings could be important and timely.

Whether in worship, Sunday School, or youth group gathering, you could acknowledge these fillings through the hymn, “One Bread, One Body”. There is a helpful reminder in the refrain that we are not alone, “One bread, one body, one Lord of all; one cup of blessing which we bless, and we, though many throughout the earth, we are one body in this one Lord.”¹ God is with us, and we’re in this together as all of God’s beloved. This is a needed message for anyone, especially youth facing all the joys and stresses of life. 

Worship with Children

If using the hymn, “One Bread, One Body,” as mentioned above, perhaps it could be incorporated into a children’s time or children’s message by reflecting on the second verse, “Many the gifts, many the works, one in the Lord of all.” The leader might ask the younger saints, “What sort of gifts do you think God gives us so that we might show our love to others?”, with a little steering, you can show or name that God comes near by showing up through us,for us and for each other. We all have gifts that can transform or change the world. After some conversation, you could offer a quick prayer giving thanks to God.

Previously published reflections for Proper 16, Year A:
2023 – Who do you say that I am? The body of Christ together
2020 – Who are you, Jesus?
2017 – Your life: Both offering and sermon
2014 – How to prevent an identity crisis
2011 – Preach it, people!

1.  John Foley, “One Bread, One Body,” 1978, as found in Evangelical Lutheran Worship, (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress, 2006), 496.
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