September 20, 2026 Trinity XVII

September 20, 2026

Trinity XVII

“What a really great book. I loved it. I hated for it to end.”

Maybe you’ve said the same thing about a favorite book. Or a movie. Or a meal. Or a sporting event. Or a vacation.

When we experience genuinely great things, we hate for them to end.

But guess what? Research is revealing that we need for things to end. When faced with an ending, we become stronger, more focused, more productive, and more positive.

According to The Atlantic magazine (November 2019), a study was done of more than 3,000 professional soccer games. It revealed that 23 percent of goals came in the final 15 minutes of the 90-minute match. The end of the game has a focusing effect, motivating players to summon their strength for a final push.

In a similar manner, deadlines inspire deal-making. An analysis of bargaining experiences found that 41 percent of deals are struck in the final 30 seconds.

Endings are important. Real life is not like the contest that pitted two pen-and-ink artists against each other. Did you hear about it? It ended in a draw.

And what about the end of life? Blog posts by terminally ill patients use language that is much more positive than the language used by people who are farther from death. The same is true for the last words of death-row inmates.

Another study looked at hospice workers and other end-of-life professionals. For these people, exposure to death causes them to “live in the present, cultivate a spiritual life and reflect deeply on the continuity of life.” In a similar manner, people who have near-death experiences report an increased sense of spiritual well-being.

So, as we come to the end of life, we might think that we will hate for it to end.

But the reality is that we need for it to end.

In his letter to the Philippians, the St. Paul offers a surprising perspective on the end of his earthly life. “For to me,” he says, “living is Christ and dying is gain.” He knows that his ongoing life on earth means “fruitful labor” for the Philippians and for him, but at the same time he admits that his “desire is to depart and be with Christ.”  Paul is writing from prison in Rome as he awaits trial for the work he has done as a Christian missionary, so it is clear that Paul is feeling that the end is near. Part of him wants his life on earth to end, so that he can be with Christ and share his resurrection life.

Like a prisoner on death row, Paul uses remarkably positive language to describe his situation. Because Paul is in prison, the good news of Jesus has actually spread throughout the Roman establishment. Paul’s courage and confidence are actually inspiring others to speak with courage and confidence.

Paul is not being misunderstood, like the poor man who died because his family couldn’t remember his blood type. “As he died, dad kept telling us, ‘Be Positive,’” said his son. “But it’s hard to be positive without him.”

There is no similar misunderstanding between Paul and the Christians of Philippi. If Paul is allowed to live, he wants to be useful to the churches in their work of spreading the good news of Jesus. At the same time, he is not afraid for his life to end.

When Paul looks death in the face, he sees new life.

Knowing that the end may be near, Paul offers some advice to the Christians in Philippi, advice that is equally valuable to us. Live your life “in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ,” he writes, “so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the Gospel.”

Paul wants us to live in a manner worthy of the Gospel, always showing the grace and love of Jesus Christ. He wants us to become stronger and more focused, standing firm in one spirit and striving side by side with one mind. Such strength and unity doesn’t often happen in good times. In fact, it usually happens in difficult times.

Paul also reminds the Philippians that God “has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well — since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had.” For most of us, the privilege of believing in Christ is easy to accept, and we are happy to receive his forgiveness and new life. But “suffering for him as well”? That’s a bit tougher to swallow. For many of us, believing and having faith seems quite easy until it brings us to a point of voluntary suffering.

For Paul, however, believing and suffering always go together. While it is true that Christ died for us, it is also true that Christians need to die with Christ. Our Christian faith challenges us to look death in the face.

Throughout his life, Jesus was willing to suffer as he showed love and grace to the people around him. He held nothing back, but emptied himself completely. In the same way, we are challenged to give of ourselves to show the love of Jesus to others. This is a challenge for anyone who wants to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world. Fortunately, such sacrificial service not only benefits our neighbors, as we feed the hungry, house the homeless, visit prisoners and welcome strangers. It also benefits us, as it brings us into the presence of the one who suffered and died for all.

The St. Paul was not afraid of death. While happy to serve the church in this life, he was equally willing to depart and be with Christ. When we accept that life must end, we join Paul in becoming stronger and more focused, as well as closer to Jesus Christ.

Let us pray.

In today’s gospel, Jesus reminds us of the generosity of God the Father.   We pray that all men and women recognize that we have a loving God who will reward us generously no matter how late in our lives we come to Him. We pray to the Lord.               

We pray that we ourselves be inspired to show true Christian love and generosity to all men and women and particularly to the hungry, the homeless, the refugee, the sick and the outcasts of our society. We pray to the Lord.          

We pray for employers that they may be fair and just towards all who work for them. We pray to the Lord.            

We pray for the unemployed and those seeking work that they may not be dispirited by their plight and that the Lord bless their efforts to provide for their own needs and the needs of their loved ones. We pray to the Lord.                                    

We pray for all those who work on the land to provide us with food and drink.  We pray that all farms be places of safety for the workers, the families and children who live there. We pray to the Lord.            

During this month, when we mark the Season of Creation, we pray that we protect the world and not prey on it, that we sow beauty and not pollution and destruction. We pray to the Lord.                                    

We pray for all those who work and volunteer with the various organizations and charities which support the young, the homeless, the refugee and all who struggle in these difficult economic times. We pray to the Lord.    

We pray to God for an increase of priests, deacons, and religious for our denomination to bring the Good News to all peoples without prejudice. We pray to the Lord.

We pray that those with generous means may be led to our small church and give generously to our mission so that we may continue to be a church open to all peoples. We pray to the Lord.

For those on our parish prayer list, that they may receive swift answers to their needs and that they may find consolation through Christ’s healing presence. We pray to the Lord.

We bow our heads and remember in silence our own personal intentions and the intentions of those who have asked for our prayers (pause). We pray to the Lord.

Gracious Lord Jesus,

Today we lift up those in need of your presence. And so, we pray …

Prayers of peace for those who are passing through waters that would seem to overcome them;

Prayers of strength for those who are passing through rivers, beset by the raging currents of life;

Prayers of protection for those who are passing through fires of tribulation, that they will not be burned;

Prayers of faith for the one who is venturing into uncharted waters;

Prayers of wisdom for the one who is making some major decisions;

Prayers of love for the one who is feeling rejected and unloved;

Prayers of comfort for the one who is grieving; and

Prayers of contentment for the one who wants to let go of material things and walk with you.

Bless these prayers, and may we all find all we need as we seek to do Your will, O God, in every situation. For You are the image of the invisible God, at the head of all creation. In You all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through You and for You. You are before all things, and in You all things hold together. And You are the head of the body, the church. Nothing is impossible with You. And therefore, we come to You, and we pray, and we pray in Your name. Amen

God Love You +++

The Most Rev. Robert Winzens

Pastor – St. Francis Chapel

San Diego, CA.

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