A moment of contemplation for yourself or on behalf of others on everything from the life-altering to the mundane.


Prayer: A conversation with The Higher Other who lives within each of us. An invitation to vent, to re-think, to ask, and to rest.

Monday, March 28, 2016

Prayers of the People: Hard data? 2nd Sunday of Easter, Yr C

For Sunday, April 3, 2016, Easter 2, Year C, Readings: Acts 5:27-32, Ps 150, Revelation 1:4-8, John 20:19-31 

    "I am the Alpha and Omega," says the Lord God, who is, and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. [Revelation 1:8]

    Then [Jesus] said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said "...Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." [John 20:28-29]

     In this age of instant communication, "viral" posts on numerous kinds of social media, every TV networks' "exclusive breaking news", and those constantly updating [and correcting] internet headlines, it's easy to know immediately what the truth of whatever the matter is, what is safe to believe - or, not. Like Thomas, we all want the hard data, the analysis that gives us the answers, and the summaries that explain things so we don't have to think through all the confusing information. It's also easier when the people we like and trust [broadcasters, politicians, doctors, teachers, clergy, brothers-in-law, etc.] tell us what we want to hear. Yet, how do we distinguish between oft-repeated gossip and rumor that begins to sound true after the eleventeenth hearing and actual truth? In Thomas' case, he had the benefit of seeing and touching the Resurrected Christ, wounds and all, for himself. For us, we often must go on faith. Trust your source, if you will in our day and time, but keep an open mind, at least in the ways of the world. In the ways of Christ, our hard data comes from the legacy of the Apostles, the writings of the New Testament: "[These] are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name." [John 20:31]  What Source of hard data do you trust?

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Jesus, our Lord and our God, through the Apostles’ witness, especially Thomas, grant us the courage to live our faith sincerely, preserving and affirming Your message of peace, repentance, and reconciliation.

Holy and Risen Christ
RESPONSE:           Strengthen our faith against tests and trials      

~ Jesus, our Lord and our God, empower us to reject the rumor and gossip of political soundbites to stand firm in the truth of Your Gospel before all who hold governing or frightening power in this world, near and far. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Holy and Risen Christ
Strengthen our faith against tests and trials

~ Jesus, our Lord and our God, comfort and heal all who are afflicted with pain and suffering, and fill those who give them support with fresh and sustaining vitality. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

Holy and Risen Christ
Strengthen our faith against tests and trials

~ Jesus, our Lord and our God, surround the mournful with the glorious Light of Your Resurrection that destroyed death for all time. Let us now rejoice for all who now live again eternally with You. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Holy and Risen Christ
Strengthen our faith against tests and trials

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

Holy and Risen Christ
Strengthen our faith against tests and trials

~ Jesus, our Lord and our God, we give thanksgiving for the life-long dedication of the leaders of Your Church. Overwhelm them with special grace that they many continue to guide and inspire us through their own faithfulness. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Holy and Risen Christ
Strengthen our faith against tests and trials
                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds:  Lord God in Christ, erase the doubts of the earth-bound minds of we who have breath, and free our souls to seek our sustenance in You, our Alpha and Omega, our Beginning and our End. We ask through the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, and the unwavering love of our Almighty Creator, who together with You reign as One God, in glory and dominion, forever and ever. Amen.




Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to Leeosophy@gmail.com. All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way.

No comments:

Post a Comment