For Sunday, May
29, 2nd Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, Readings: 1 Kings
18:20-21 (22-29), 30-39; Ps 96, Galatians 1:1-12, Luke 7:1-10
Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of Jacob...with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord...Elijah came near and said, "Answer me, O Lord, answer me..." [1 Kings 18:31a-32, 37a]
Sing to the Lord a new song...ascribe to the Lord honor and power...Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness...
[Psalm 96:1a, 7a, 9a]
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - not that there is a different gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. [Galatians 1:6-7]
...the centurion sent friends to say to [Jesus], "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed..." When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him and... he said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." [Luke 7:6b-7, 9]
Elijah, the Psalmist, Paul, and the Centurion in Luke, all display amazing faith. Even Jesus is amazed at the depth of belief of the humble, non-Jewish Centurion. Imagine having the ability to amaze Jesus!
Sing to the Lord a new song...ascribe to the Lord honor and power...Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness...
[Psalm 96:1a, 7a, 9a]
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - not that there is a different gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. [Galatians 1:6-7]
...the centurion sent friends to say to [Jesus], "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed..." When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him and... he said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." [Luke 7:6b-7, 9]
Elijah, the Psalmist, Paul, and the Centurion in Luke, all display amazing faith. Even Jesus is amazed at the depth of belief of the humble, non-Jewish Centurion. Imagine having the ability to amaze Jesus!
Yet for all the ritual acts of Elijah with his 12 stones, trenches, and water; despite the lyrical expression of the Psalm and the crankiness of Paul's admonishment, and even the story of the Centurion's faith and humility, the essence of this set of readings, for me, isn't the miracles of God's consuming fire, or Jesus healing at a distance. It is the prayers spoken in earnest and with hope, with the strength or even the faltering of belief that God is present and God will answer.
Prayer, in its many forms, is available to us all in every moment of living. We can set a sacred space with stones, carry a small cross in a pocket, have a dancing Jesus on the dashboard, or a sticky note on a mirror to remind us that prayer can come always and any time from the depths of our souls, spoken, whispered, thought, dreamed, in chaos and in calm, in scattered phrases or a simple word. Our prayers are as the winged seeds of a dandelion that flutter through a breeze to discover a landing and rooting. Let us presume to bring ourselves before Jesus with our prayer. In the deepest despair, in the heights of happiness, or in the monotony of a routine day, our prayers will seek the breath of God to travel on to reach the Source of Life itself, and in that moment of connection, faith becomes amazing. Pray without ceasing! [1 Thessalonians 5:17]
Prayer, in its many forms, is available to us all in every moment of living. We can set a sacred space with stones, carry a small cross in a pocket, have a dancing Jesus on the dashboard, or a sticky note on a mirror to remind us that prayer can come always and any time from the depths of our souls, spoken, whispered, thought, dreamed, in chaos and in calm, in scattered phrases or a simple word. Our prayers are as the winged seeds of a dandelion that flutter through a breeze to discover a landing and rooting. Let us presume to bring ourselves before Jesus with our prayer. In the deepest despair, in the heights of happiness, or in the monotony of a routine day, our prayers will seek the breath of God to travel on to reach the Source of Life itself, and in that moment of connection, faith becomes amazing. Pray without ceasing! [1 Thessalonians 5:17]
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ God of Greatness, Honor, and Power, guide
us away from the false gospels of earthly intentions, as we search our hearts
to find a new song of love and dedication to the Gospel of our Divine Christ.
Oh Lord, our God indeed
RESPONSE:
Our Grace and our Peace
~
God of Greatness, Honor, and Power, transform the souls of those who wield human
authority in governments everywhere across this World into communities and
countries of equity, integrity, and hope. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Oh Lord, our God indeed
Our
Grace and our Peace
~ God of Greatness, Honor, and Power, speak
Your healing words to all who suffer in body or spirit, and fill all who
support their needs with compassion and empathy. We
now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions
Oh Lord, our God indeed
Our Grace and our Peace
~
God of Greatness, Honor, and Power, remove the veil of tears and sorrow from
those who live in grief and lift their eyes to the joy of heaven, where those
we love now enter Your Holy and Eternal Courts. We
pray especially for: add your own petitions
Oh
Lord, our God indeed
Our Grace and our Peace
~
God of Greatness, Honor, and Power, we pause
in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud
or silently… add your own petitions
Oh Lord, our God indeed
Our Grace and our Peace
~
God of Greatness, Honor, and Power, send the wisdom of Your ancient prophets
and sages to those who lead us today, as we journey together to discover and
live into our Faith. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Oh Lord, our God indeed
Our Grace and our Peace
The Celebrant
adds: Lord of Glory and Righteousness, amaze and awaken
us to the beauty of our own holiness, that in the surety of our beliefs, our worship
and prayers ascend to the highest heaven with each and every breath. We ask
through Christ Jesus, our Holy Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit, our Sacred
Sanctifier, who together with You, reign as One God, now, always, and forever. Amen.
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