For Sunday, October
23, 2016, 23rd Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, Readings: Jeremiah
14:(1-6) 7-10, 19-22, Psalm 84:1-6, 2 Timothy4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14
Yet you, O LORD, are in the midst of us, and we are called by your name; do not forsake us...We set our hope on you... [Jeremiah 14:9b, 22b]
How lovely is your dwelling place...Happy are those whose strength is in you... [Ps 84:1, 5a]
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. [2 Timothy 4:7]
I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted. [Luke 18:14]
Jeremiah continues to ease the gloom and doom by reminding us that God is in our midst and calls us by name. I can imagine that voice all along the route of my life and, when I am finally at the Finish Line of my racing while human, cheering me on. Timothy assures us that the Lord stands by us even though others desert us, but he also asks that those who didn't come to his aid not have their rejection counted against them. Even in Luke, Jesus tells the disciples that those who put themselves above us in the pride of their spiritual accomplishment, will not be as justified as we who are humble in the recognition of our own sins. Sounds great but humility is difficult to achieve. Once you think you have it, you've lost it in that instant! The lovely dwelling place of God is our ultimate destination and the Psalmist reminds us that we who find our strength in God are happy. As I continue the race through life, I must relinquish marking milestones and simply keep putting one foot in front of the other, making each breath a prayer. When I listen for the still, small voice that calls my name, I can rest in the knowing that the Lord rescues me when I fall. I hope that I can find humility by not knowing if I have. It seems to me that Jesus doesn't want us to be proud of being humble.
LET US, GOD’S
PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ God Most
Merciful, expand our capacity to hear Your call and keep our faith strong all
along the race of human life, to the finish in Eternal Life. Free our minds
from earthly distraction as we strive to make each breath a prayer.
Lord
of our Souls
RESPONSE:
Our hope and strength are in You
~ God
Most Merciful, bolster our willingness to challenge the leaders of this world,
this nation, and this community, and all who would lead, to remove the causes
of violence, to conserve the resources of this planet, and to provide care for
all of Your people. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Lord
of our Souls
Our hope and strength are in You
~ God Most
Merciful, we implore You to feed all who are hungry, calm all who are in fear,
and heal all who are suffering in any part of life. Comfort and care for those
who serve. We pray especially for:
Lord
of our Souls
Our hope and strength are in You
~ God Most
Merciful, liberate those hearts bowed down in grief as our loved ones now glow in
the ultimate loveliness of life in Your eternal dwelling place. We pray
especially for:
Lord
of our Souls
Our hope and strength are in You
~ God Most
Merciful, we pause in this moment to offer You our other
heartfelt intentions and petitions, silently or aloud…
Lord
of our Souls
Our hope and strength are in You
~ God
Most Merciful, deepen the faith of those whose earthly intentions and endeavors
guide us to know You better, and encourage our own faithfulness on the pathway
to You. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Lord
of our Souls
Our hope and strength are in You
The Celebrant
adds: Loving Lord, sustain us in our struggle to live humbly in Your
sight, to free ourselves from the sin of self-promotion, and to unite ourselves
with You by the overflowing of Your love within us. We ask through Christ
Jesus, our Savior, and the Holy Spirit, our Advocate, who together with You are
One God in Glory, forever and ever. Amen.
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