Prayers of the People: Grounded! 2nd Sunday after Christmas, Yr C

For Sunday, January 3, 2016 , 2nd Sunday after Christmas, Year C, Readings: Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ps 84, Eph 1:3-6, 15-19a; Luke 2:41-52

       Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. [Jeremiah 31:13]

       For the LORD God is both sun and shield; he will give grace and glory; no good thing will the LORD withhold from those who walk with integrity. O LORD of Hosts, happy are they who put their trust in you. [Ps 84:10-12]

       I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ...may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation...so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know...the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance...the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe. [Ephesians 1:17-19a]

       After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers..."Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"...And Jesus increased in wisdom, and in years, and in divine favor. [Luke 2:46a, 49, 52]

       "His mother treasured all these things in her heart." [Luke 2:51b]  So very many times I have heard this story and imagined the scene, especially when my own children arrived at the precocious age of 12. If that had been our experience, those kids of mine would have been so GROUNDED! And, of course it, too, would have been part of the thousand million moments I do treasure in my heart - the wonderful, the delightful, the terrifying, the angry-making...the stuff of parenting. 
       And so we have a glimpse of the Jesus to come as the Hope and Promise of God. We don't really know what this young boy knows about himself or who he is to become. But his intelligence has him eager to learn, to listen and ask questions. The teachers were amazed at his understanding and his answers. He speaks cryptically to his earthly parents about being in his Father's house - does he already know what he means by this or is it a spiritual quest of early adolescence not yet matured?  Whatever this moment was, clearly, Jesus at this young age was already invested in the love and knowledge of God, and, very well grounded. May each of our own lives be well grounded in God so that we, too, may increase in wisdom, and divine and human favor throughout all of our years.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God, our Sun and our Shield, enlighten the eyes of our hearts to know the hope of life in You; to live in the eternal happiness beyond mortal pleasure.

O Lord of Grace and Glory

RESPONSE:           Bring us to Christ’s wisdom and divine favor

~ O God, our Sun and our Shield, with our strength in You, let us be about the work of Your House to urge the leaders of this Earth, this Country, and this Community, to walk and act with integrity, to prosper and enhance the well-being and respect of all Your children.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

O Lord of Grace and Glory

Bring us to Christ’s wisdom and divine favor

~ O God, our Sun and our Shield, ease the distress of all who suffer from serious illness, addiction, or homelessness, and lighten the hearts of all who offer care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

O Lord of Grace and Glory

Bring us to Christ’s wisdom and divine favor

~ O God, our Sun and our Shield, turn our mourning into joy and change our sorrow into gladness, for those we love now light up the canopies of heaven, rejoicing with You in life everlasting. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

O Lord of Grace and Glory

Bring us to Christ’s wisdom and divine favor

~ O God, our Sun and our Shield, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or silently… add your own petitions

O Lord of Grace and Glory

Bring us to Christ’s wisdom and divine favor

~ O God, our Sun and our Shield, sustain the leaders of Your Church and grant them courage and tenacity of spirit. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

O Lord of Grace and Glory

Bring us to Christ’s wisdom and divine favor

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds:  Lord God of Hosts, You call us to the optimism of our faith inheritance. Heighten our desire to know and reflect the immeasurable greatness of Your Power and Presence in every facet of life. We ask through Jesus, our Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit, our Advocate, who reign together with You as One God, now and forever. Amen.



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