Prayers of the People: Christ the King ~ Proper 29, 27th and Last Sunday of Pentecost '24 Yr B

For Sunday, November 24, 2024; Readings: 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Psalm 132:1-13, 14-19; Revelation 1:4b-8, 

John 18:33-37

   The God of Israel has spoken, the Rock of Israel has said to me: One who rules over people justly…is like the Light of the morning…But the godless are all like thorns that are thrown away. [2 Samuel 23:3a, 6a]

    Let your priests be clothed with righteousness; let your faithful people sing with joy. [Psalm 132:9]

 

    Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come..."I am the Alpha and the Omega"... [Revelation 1:4b, 8]

      Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice. [John 18:37b]

    We have arrived at the Last Sunday after Pentecost, celebrating the feast of Christ the King. Coming next week we begin the Season of Advent, a time of anticipation as we prepare our hearts and souls for the birth of the Child in whom the fullness of God is pleased to dwell and the One who becomes our Redeemer.

    The first reading, from 2^nd Samuel, contains the last words of another King, David. The contrast of the just ruler with the godless is stark, explicit, and worthy of pondering the comparison with our own times. The just ruler, God has told David, is like the Light of the morning, like the sun rising on a cloudless morning…Is not my house like this with God? God will help us all be secure and prosper. But the godless are all like thorns that are thrown away…entirely consumed in fire…

   The Psalm appointed for today is considered a “royal” psalm in dramatic liturgical form. It was likely sung during the annual festival of enthroning the Lord when the Ark was carried into the temple. It gives an historical and theological justification for the close relationship of the temple in Jerusalem and David’s monarchy, as David was the first King of a united Israel. The psalmist’s recounting of the history of David’s seeking and planning to find a site for a Temple, in which God would have a resting place, has strong resonance with the reading in 2^nd Samuel.

    The Book of Revelation is always filled with mysterious and almost abstract descriptions that are difficult to comprehend for most modern, western minds. The sacred number 7 is introduced, the symbol of wholeness and perfection that is important to the structure of the Book itself. The phrase the seven spirits may be a reference to the 7 archangels in later Judaism. The word witness is often used to denote martyrs and verse 7 draws on the imagery of Daniel’s vision in 7:13 that says I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven, now applied to Christ’s Second Coming. Some of these words and phrases may seem irrelevant in the scheme of daily living in today’s world. How does one concretely grasp God, the Almighty who is and was and is to come, the Alpha and the Omega, from everlasting? Or, Jesus Christ, the image of the invisible God, the faithful witness, firstborn of all creation and also of the dead, ruler of the kings of the earth? Yet we, who would be counted as faithful Christians, should be attentive and examine more closely. It is in this daily life in this time that we may easily lose track of our allegiances and settle in with acceptance or fear of the temporary earthly powers than in the everlasting divine Kingship of Christ. Although Jesus says his kingdom is not from here, it is here, and in this time and place, where we encounter him, if we seek him, and if we choose to follow.

      For me, the crux of this Sunday’s lessons is the moment in John’s Gospel when Jesus tells Pilate that everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice [John 18:37b]. Are we listening? Do we hear it? Even more interestingly to me, is that what comes next is not in our appointed reading and I wish it was. Perhaps because, especially in these fraught times, it is even more difficult for us to understand. In verse 38: Pilate asked him, "What is truth?" How do we answer? For we who endeavor to follow, Christ is our only King who shows us the way to the true and everlasting Kingdom. The question for each of us is: to what truth do we listen and choose to belong? The “easy” answer is: Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to [Christ’s] voice. How then do we live it?

 LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Mighty God, our Rock and our Light, keep us from collapsing in fear whenever we, Your restless multitude, tremble at earthly tumult from both human behavior and natural disasters. In our fleeting mortality, turn us always to Christ in whose Kingdom we are forgiven and saved.

                                                     O Christ, our Forever King         

             RESPONSE:             Keep us in Your Truth

~ Mighty God, our Rock and our Light, for all who are governed by power or throne, by force or dominion, on our planet, in our country, and in our community, we implore You to infuse the wisdom, sanity, and humanity of Jesus into all who lead Your people everywhere. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Christ, our Forever King        

                                                       Keep us in Your Truth

~ Mighty God, our Rock and our Light, send healing grace to all who suffer in spirit, mind, or body, and compassion to all who give them care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                       O Christ, our Forever King        

                                                       Keep us in Your Truth

~ Mighty God, our Rock and our Light, ease the grief of those who mourn, as the souls of our cherished departed arise from earthly death into the ceaseless joy of Your Eternal Kingdom. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Christ, our Forever King        

                                                       Keep us in Your Truth

~ Mighty God, our Rock and our Light, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently… add your own petitions

                                                       O Christ, our Forever King        

                                                       Keep us in Your Truth

         

~ Mighty God, our Rock and our Light, empower the spirits of those who lead us in Your Church, through Your Word and Sacraments, with the peace, unity, and truth of Christ’s all-encompassing love. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Christ, our Forever King        

                                                       Keep us in Your Truth

The Celebrant adds:  Christ of All Peoples, rescue us from the power of darkness and transform our anxieties into fruitful action. Keep us striving toward Your purpose by offering our labor to soothe the sufferings of humanity near and far. We ask through Jesus our Christ, the Faithful Witness, and the Holy Spirit, the very Breath of Love, who together with You are our One God, the Alpha and Omega, now and forever. Amen.

All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com

Prayers of the People: Christ the King ~ 7th Sunday in the Season of Creation '24

For Sunday, November 24, 2024, Readings: Daniel 7:7-9, 13-14; Psalm 93, Matthew Fox*, John 18:33-37

    After this I saw in the visions by night a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth and was devouring, breaking in pieces, and stamping what was left with its feet…As I watched, thrones were set in place, and an Ancient One took his throne… I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One…To him was given dominion and glory and kingship… His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed. [Daniel 7:7a,9a,13-14b]

  Your testimonies are very sure, and holiness adorns your house, O Lord, for ever and for evermore. [Psalm 93:6]

  Listen to the Cosmic Christ, to Cosmic Wisdom calling all the children of God together…I am tired of your religious wars, your sectarian divisions, your crusading spirits that arise from disharmony. I long for harmony. If there must be competition, let it take place at the level of shared gifts and bountiful outpouring of wisdom. Pray together. Create harmony and healing together. [A Reading from Matthew Fox*]

    Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world…I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” [John 18:36a, 37b]

   The Season of Creation originated in the Anglican Church of South Africa and was formalized in 2008. It is designed for us to explore our faith from a Creation perspective. For more information see:

https://prayersofthepeople.blogspot.com/2018/10/prayers-of-people-in-beginning-1st.html We use Biblical and other readings that pertain to the specific theme of each of the 7 weeks of the Season. Alternate readings used are posted with asterisks.

Week VI's Theme is:

Christ the King

    We have arrived at the final Sunday in the Season of Creation which is also the Last Sunday after Pentecost in the Revised Common Lectionary, both of which celebrate Christ the King. Coming next week, we begin the Season of Advent, a time of anticipation mixed with the preparation of heart and soul for the birth of the Child in whom the fullness of God is pleased to dwell.

    This week our first reading is from the Book of Daniel. It is an often strange and apocalyptic book. Many of us know the story of Daniel in the Lion’s Den but we don’t often hear readings from Daniel in our regular Lectionary schedule. Michael I. Chan, writing for Working Preacher, says that Chapter 7 is a significant shift in the book…In contrast…the previous chapter where dangerous animals posed a threat to an individual, the beasts in Chapter 7 represent a cosmic and political menace. Would that I had time and space to say more but perhaps those words are enough for these current days! For this moment, I’m struck by the appearance of one like a human being coming to the Ancient One [also known in other translations as the Ancient of Days] and given dominion and glory and kingship…one that will not pass away…one that shall not be destroyed. Although interpreted primarily by and for a Jewish understanding, it speaks to me here of Jesus in John’s Gospel saying My kingdom is not of this world.

    For its original audience, today’s Psalm, also from the Hebrew [Old] Testament, proclaimed the power and eternity of the Creator, yet in our Christian sense of it, the language, The Lord is King, applies equally to Christ as King. And, as in the piece from Daniel, in verse 6, the Psalm parallels John’s Gospel when again by declaring Your testimonies are very sure, and holiness adorns your house, O Lord, for ever and for evermore.

    Our next reading is from Matthew Fox, a prolific writer who is now an Episcopal priest. He was expelled from his Roman Catholic Dominican Order in 1991, after multiple clashings with the then Cardinal Ratzinger who was the Prefect for the Doctrine of the Congregation of the Faith, before he became Pope Benedict XVI. Fox’s book, The Coming of the Cosmic Christ, was written in 1988 and his expulsion for a variety of given reasons essentially deemed much of his work, especially in Creation Theology, as not conforming to the Doctrinal mandates of the official “Congregation.” Yet for Episcopal and other readers, including many who are Catholic, Fox’s writing has illuminated a sense of spirituality and connectedness to Creation and in this particular sense, The Cosmic Christ. His words calling all the children of God together speak deeply to me. Drink of my wisdom from your own unique well… Cease using religion to divide… I personally recoil from absolutism and certainty in faith matters when it shuts out only new understandings in personal spiritual growth, it too often allows sanctions and even violence for those not in lock step. Who am I to know how God in Christ is revealed in another culture, in another faith tradition that is one of love and accepting of differing paths that will lead us each to the God of All beyond this world?

    For me, the crux of this Sunday’s lessons is the moment in John’s Gospel when Jesus tells Pilate that My kingdom is not of this world…Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice [John 18:37b]. Are we listening? Do we hear it? Even more interestingly to me, is that what comes next is not in our appointed reading and I wish it was. Perhaps because, especially in these fraught times, it is even more difficult for us to understand and answer. In verse 38 ~ Pilate asked him What is truth? We are not given the answer from Jesus here. How do we answer? How do we live it?

 

* A reading from the writings of Matthew Fox: “Listen to the Cosmic Christ, to Cosmic Wisdom calling all the children of God together: "Come children, drink of my waters which are all common waters. They are free and available to all my children. Drink of my wisdom from your own unique well. Let the Taoists drink and the Muslims drink; let the Jews drink and the Buddhists drink; let the Christians drink and let the native peoples drink. And then tell me: What have you drunk? How deeply have you imbibed my refreshment? What wet and running wisdom drips from inside you to the outside? What have you to share with others of my wisdom and harmonious living, of the dripping of the oils of compassion and the lubricants of your common anointings as my images, my other "Christs," my co-creators of wisdom on earth? I am tired of your religious wars, your sectarian divisions, your crusading spirits that arise from disharmony. I long for harmony. If there must be competition, let it take place at the level of shared gifts and bountiful outpouring of wisdom. Pray together. Create harmony and healing together. Celebrate, praise, and thank together. Cease using religion to divide. Use it for its purpose, to reconnect to Mother Earth, to blessings, to the underground river that I am and that you all share. And cease scandalizing the young by your indifference to these awesome blessings, by your competition, and your boredom. Praise one another. Praise the earth. In doing so, you praise me." [Matthew Fox, The Coming of the Cosmic Christ, Harper and Row, San Francisco, 1988]

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY 

Leader:  ~ O Lord Forever and Forevermore, fill us daily with the wonders of this Universe and turn us always toward Christ in whose Kingdom we are forgiven and saved. Teach our hearts again, to make Your love visible in all that we are, through all the blessings we share in You.

 

                                                      O Christ of the Cosmos

RESPONSE:              Keep us in Your Truth

 ~ O Lord Forever and for Evermore, for all who are governed by political power or throne, by force or dominion, on our planet, in our country, and in our community, we implore You to infuse the wisdom, sanity, and humanity of Christ Jesus into all who lead Your people. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                        O Christ of the Cosmos

                                                       Keep us in Your Truth

~ O Lord Forever and for Evermore, send healing grace to all who suffer in spirit, mind, or body, and compassion to all who give them care. We now join our hearts to pray for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                       O Christ of the Cosmos

                                                       Keep us in Your Truth   

~ O Lord Forever and for Evermore, ease the grief of those who mourn, as the souls of our cherished departed arise from earthly death into the ceaseless joy of Your Kingdom beyond This World. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Christ of the Cosmos

                                                       Keep us in Your Truth   

~ O Lord Forever and for Evermore, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently… add your own petitions

                                                       O Christ of the Cosmos

                                                       Keep us in Your Truth           

~ O Lord Forever and for Evermore, empower the spirits of those who lead us in Your Church through Your Word and Sacraments, with the peace, unity, and truth of Christ’s all-encompassing love. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Christ of the Cosmos

                                                       Keep us in Your Truth             

The Celebrant adds: Christ of All Peoples, our Alpha and Omega, rescue us from the power of darkness and transform our anxieties into fruitful action. Keep us striving toward Your purpose as we offer our labors to soothe the sufferings of humanity near and far. We ask through Jesus our Christ, the Faithful Witness; and the Holy Spirit, the very Breath of Love; who together with You are our One God, “for ever and for evermore.” Amen.

 

 

 

 

All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com

Prayers of the People: Until... ~ Proper 28, 26th Sunday after Pentecost '24 Yr B

For Sunday, November 17, 2024, Readings: 1 Samuel 1:4-20, 1 Samuel 2:1-10, Hebrews 10:11-14, 15-18, 19-25; Mark 13:1-8

[Hannah] said, “Let your servant find favor in your sight.” [1 Samuel 1:18a]

 …there is no Rock like our God…for the Lord is a God of knowledge and by him actions are weighed. [1 Samuel 2:2b, 3b]

 Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together...but encouraging one another... [Hebrews:10:24-25]

Many will come in my name…and they will lead many astray…When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place…This is but the beginning of the birth pangs. [Mark 13:6, 7a, 8c] 

   Hannah’s pain was deep over many years at the inability to bear a child. Yet she continued to faithfully pray through her tears and distress and was finally given a son by God. Perhaps our prayers will seem to be unanswered when we don’t get what we most desire ~ the health of a loved one, or peace in the family. Yet Hannah’s words Let your servant find favor in your sight are the words of faith for us to embrace. We cannot know the mind of God, but we can be assured that our minds and our hearts are not hidden for the Lord is a God of knowledge and by him actions are weighed. And though we are judged, God grants us forgiveness and salvation though Christ.

  The Christian life is not intended to be a solitary journey. Jesus had his companions along the way and has told us he’s in our midst whenever two or three – or more – are gathered [Mt 18:20]. We, too, are to be companions in, with, and through Christ, sometimes following, sometimes leading, but often together in a supportive, encouraging, spiritually renewing community. It is through such a community of prayer, worship, and relationship, that we stay connected and are reminded of the faithfulness of God to those who are faithful to God.

  The path of Christ is no easy walk. He tells us to beware of those who claim to be him as they will lead us astray. There will be hardships, rumors of wars and wars, earthquakes and famines. It’s all too easy to be fearful with the speed of news of disasters nearby and around the world. But such times are the beginning of the birth pangs, birth of the coming again of the glory of Christ. It is all in God’s time, beyond our comprehension. Do not be alarmed, Jesus says and the writer of Hebrews tells us to have the confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us…by our faith we are cleansed in body and in heart so Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. Let us keep faith in practice and in hope. Birth pangs are just the beginning of the fresh, new life that awaits. But as we are told in many many Gospels and Epistles, we do not know the time or the hour of Christ’s return. People have thought for more than 2,000 years with disasters and wars and cataclysmic events that “This is IT, the end times are beginning!” Someday, but in the meantime, let us continue to walk in faith one.day.at.a.time with love and good deeds…encouraging one another as we are called to do by our Christ until…

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O Lord Most High, You call us in every time and place to encourage one another with generous hearts, true and wise, in the full assurance of our faith, awakened to the brightness of the everlasting life to come.

                                                       O God our Rock and our Strength           

RESPONSE:                May we find favor in Your sight 

~ O Lord Most High, we offer our prayers for all who lead this World, this Country, and this Community by election, fiat, or inheritance to know that You are a God of knowledge who weighs all actions. Inscribe their souls with a yearning for integrity, global and local peace, and justice tempered with mercy for all the people in their charge. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O God our Rock and our Strength

                                                       May we find favor in Your sight

~ O Lord Most High, nestle the aching, the fearful, and the desperate in Your loving embrace, and revitalize all who support their needs. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…add your own petitions

                                                       O God our Rock and our Strength

                                                       May we find favor in Your sight

~ O Lord Most High, grant us a foretaste of the joy and glory of Your Heavenly Kingdom as the gates open wide to receive our beloved who now live in the newness of Christ forevermore. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O God our Rock and our Strength

                                                       May we find favor in Your sight

~  O Lord Most High, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently…add your own petitions

                                                       O God our Rock and our Strength

                                                       May we find favor in Your sight   

~ O Lord Most High, quicken the spirits of those called and ordained to speak Your Words and celebrate Your Sacraments, inspiring us all to live lives of holy and selfless intention in this earthly life. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O God our Rock and our Strength

                                                       May we find favor in Your sight        

The Celebrant adds:  Loving, Patient God, grant us unashamed confidence in the Gospel to take on the mantle of servanthood in Your Name in unwavering hope. Show us the righteous path of life, as we strive to set the needs of others above our own, un-swayed and undeterred by false prophets who would lead us astray. We ask though Christ, our Great High Priest; the Holy Spirit, our Counselor; and our Creator Lord, who together are One God, now and through all Eternity. Amen.

All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com

Prayers of the People: Our Role as Stewards ~ 6th Sunday in the Season of Creation '24

For Sunday, November 17, 2024, Readings: Deuteronomy 26:1a, 2, 4, 8-11; Psalm 16; 

Haudenosaunee of the Six Nations*, Mark 12:38-44

So now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground, that you, O Lord, have given me…set it down before the Lord your God and bow before the Lord… [Deuteronomy 26:10] 

Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge…As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble, in whom is all my delight. Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names upon my lips. The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot…I bless the Lord who gives me counsel.  [Psalm 16:1, 3-5, 7a]

 The Chiefs of the Haudenosaunee shall be mentors of the people for all time. The thickness of their skin shall be seven spans; which is to say that they shall be proof against anger, offensive action, and criticism…Neither anger nor fury shall find lodging in their minds, and all their words and actions shall be marked by calm deliberation.*

[Jesus] called his disciples and said to them, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” [Mark 12:43-44]

The Season of Creation originated in the Anglican Church of South Africa and was formalized in 2008. It is designed for us to explore our faith from a Creation perspective. For more information see:  

https://prayersofthepeople.blogspot.com/2018/10/prayers-of-people-in-beginning-1st.html 

    We use Biblical and other readings that pertain to the specific theme of each of the 7 weeks of the Season. Alternate readings used are posted with an asterisk.

Week VI's Theme is:

Our Role as Stewards

     Any of us who attend a church regularly and considers themself as a “member” or a “parishioner” or a “congregant” has heard and understands what is meant by Stewardship. The dictionary defines it as: the responsible overseeing and protection of something considered worth caring for and preserving. Inside the building where the Church is housed, much is needed to support the staff, the worship, the physical plant, with all the elements of church (small “c”) that we Episcopals call time, talent, and treasure. Of course money is an integral part of the running and maintenance of any organization, not least of all the Church. Your seat in a pew has a weekly price tag, whether or not you are sitting in it or supporting it financially or otherwise, yet there is much more to being Church than its residence. Outside the walls, the needs are exponentially greater. All and each of us are called by Our Lord to give of our selves significantly from what God has given us. Money, or treasure, of course, is what we hear as foremost on the list of needs and wants for inside and outside. Yet there is much more to our role as stewards within the Body of Christ.

     The Rev. Eric Law, in his book Holy Currencies: 6 Blessings for Sustainable Missional Ministries, shows us a different way to think about the flow of currencies in our lives. Within the usual offerings of time, talent, and treasure is contained a breadth and depth of re-imagining and discovering our personal gifts for ministry that take us well beyond the scope of a seasonal directive. Stewardship ~ Missional Ministry ~ is not merely a specific program for a specific time of year, but rather it is a way of life through which we continue to fulfill our Baptismal, Confirmation, and/or less formal vows to be faithful to God.

     As John Wesley said, "Not, how much money will I give to God, but how much of God's money will I keep for myself?" And that equation works equally well with the other two elements of the stewardship trio: time and talent. A faith community needs our help as it builds us up and sends us out to do the work of Christ we called to do. The CHURCH is not a building, it is whatever we do together and on our own to be true, faithful witnesses as part of the Body of Christ by every thought, word, and action. That said, the physical space of a Church is where we gather to be spiritually refueled to take on all that is outside. It does require ongoing sources of funding as well as other resources for all of the seen and unseen support it provides.

      The more we strive to be generous of spirit, to be good Stewards of Creation in all of its forms and faces, the more God will strengthen us.  I don't know what tomorrow will bring for my Church, my community, my country, or this world, but I will pray without ceasing for the faith, the energy, the mindset, to be a continuously generous person, to be the Church [capital "C"] as a Christian in the world with many stewarding roles. Jesus reminds us, that this widow gave all she had. The story is known widely as the widow’s mite, mite being a word once frequently used to describe a very small contribution or amount of money.

     We, in the Episcopal Church USA, and other denominations elsewhere, generally use the word steward with regard to our relationship with our planet, its creatures, its vegetation, its water resources, etc., and of course, we human beings. One definition of steward is: “a person who manages another's property or financial affairs; one who administers anything as the agent of another or others.” Stewardship can be defined as: the responsible overseeing and protection of something considered worth caring for and preserving. Our Role as Stewards IS exactly THIS: overseeing, protecting, caring, and preserving God’s gifts in and of Creation, as we give our Time, Talent, and Treasure in mite-y and various ways. We, who ARE the Church, will be spiritually and continually fed through all we are called to be as the ministers Christ has called.

*A reading from Haudenosaunee of the Six Nations [from “Wisdomkeepers” by Steve Wall and Harvey Arden]: Brothers, listen to the words of the Creator given to the first United Nations, the Haudenosaunee, over one thousand years ago. The Chiefs of the Haudenosaunee shall be mentors of the people for all time. The thickness of their skin shall be seven spans; which is to say that they shall be proof against anger, offensive action, and criticism. Their hearts shall be full of peace and good will and their minds filled with a yearning for the welfare of the people. With endless patience, they shall carry out their duty. Their firmness shall be tempered with a tenderness for their people. Neither anger nor fury shall find lodging in their minds, and all their words and actions shall be marked by calm deliberation. In every Nation there are wise and good men. These should be appointed Chiefs. They should be the advisers of their people and work for the good of all people, and all their power comes from the “Great Peace”. A chief must never forget the Creator of mankind, never forget to ask Him for help. The Creator will guide our thoughts and strengthen us as we work to be faithful to our sacred trust and restore harmony among all peoples, all living creatures, and Mother Earth…We were instructed to carry a love for one another and to show a great respect for all beings of this earth…In our ways, spiritual consciousness is the highest form of politics…When people cease to respect and express gratitude for these many things, then all life will be destroyed, and human life on this planet will come to an end These are our times and our responsibilities. Every human being has a sacred duty to protect the welfare of our Mother Earth from whom all life comes. In order to do this we must recognize the enemy – the one within us. We must begin with ourselves.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O Lord our God, re-awaken us to the bounty of Your Creation, the miracle of this earth and the lives we have been given to live. Let us, and all who reside among us, celebrate and offer ourselves as Your grateful stewards giving as we are able in times of plenty and in times of hardship.

                                                  O God of Refuge and Counsel           

    RESPONSE:                    We bow with glad hearts and rejoicing souls          

~ O Lord our God, we lift up our prayers for all who lead this World, this Country, and this Community by election, fiat, or inheritance. Implant in their souls a spiritual consciousness and faithful commitment to their sacred trust, for undeniable integrity, and for the restoration of harmony for all peoples everywhere. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                O God of Refuge and Counsel

                                                We bow with glad hearts and rejoicing souls

~ O Lord our God, nestle the aching, the fearful, and the desperate in Your loving embrace, and revitalize all who support their needs. We now join our hearts to pray for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                O God of Refuge and Counsel

                                                We bow with glad hearts and rejoicing souls      

~ O Lord our God, console those stricken by grief with a foretaste of the goodly heritage for all who are alive again, in the glory of Your Eternal Land with fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore. We pray especially for… add your own petitions

                                                O God of Refuge and Counsel

                                                We bow with glad hearts and rejoicing souls

~ O Lord our God, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials… add your own petitions

                                                O God of Refuge and Counsel

                                                We bow with glad hearts and rejoicing souls                      

~ O Lord, our God, quicken the spirits of those called and ordained to speak Your Words and celebrate Your Sacraments, inspiring us all to live lives of selfless patience and tenderness for others in this earthly life. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                O God of Refuge and Counsel

                                                We bow with glad hearts and rejoicing souls

The Celebrant adds: O Lord our chosen Portion and our Cup, dissolve our reluctance and embolden us to go from faithful hearing of Your Word into generous action, striving first and always, for the good in every part of Your Kingdom, and forever blessing Your holy Name. We ask through Christ Jesus, our Redeemer; and the Holy Spirit our Advocate; who together with You are our One, Holy, and Mighty God, now and forever. Amen.

All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com

Prayers of the People: How We Mite ~ Proper 27, 25th Sunday after Pentecost '24 Yr B

For Sunday, November 10, 2024,  Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17, Psalm 127, Hebrews 9:24-28, 

Mark 12:38-44

I need to seek some security for you, so that it may be well with you. [Ruth 3:1b] 

Children are a heritage from the Lord, and the fruit of the womb is a gift. [Psalm 127:4]

Christ…will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those eagerly waiting for him. [Hebrews 9:28]

 Jesus said, "Beware of the scribes who like to...be greeted with respect in the marketplaces ...They devour widows' houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation... Truly I tell you, this poor widow...has put in more than...all of them contributing out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had... [Mark 12:38-40, 43-44]

   The Gospel appointed for this week is the story of the impoverished widow who gives her last two coins to the local treasury, in what we’ve come to know as “the widow’s mite.” A mite is a very small contribution. When I was a kid in Catholic school we were given “mite boxes” in Lent to give our coins to one cause or another. The contrast here is made between this widow giving her very last two coins and those who give large sums out of their wealth with plenty to spare. The wealthy, of course, ran no risk of hunger or homelessness as this piece implies about the unnamed widow. Whatever became of her ~ was she cared for by neighbors, did she truly lose everything in a last moment of supreme generosity? We don’t know. But, perhaps trusting it would be for good, she gave all she had.

   This small slice of Mark’s Gospel comes on the heels of Jesus warning about those who cannot be trusted, those who seek only honor for themselves and devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. Jesus is quick to say in effect, that God knows what we carry in our hearts and minds and the mere appearance of faithfulness will not help in the end.

    In the letter to the Hebrews, the writer is clear that Christ will come again ~ not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him as, we are told, Jesus is faithful to those who live in faith and trust.

    As part of the collection of writings for this week, the first sets the stage for the others as often happens. Ruth was a widow with no children to carry on their family lineage.  Because of Ruth’s faithfulness to Naomi, her loving mother-in-law, Naomi saw to it that Ruth found a new husband, conceived a child, and through her love Naomi becomes baby nurse and surrogate grandmother. Ruth trusted Naomi and was rewarded in many ways. Her child became the grandfather of King David, in the lineage of Jesus.

   The Psalm tells us plainly that Children are a heritage from the Lord, and the fruit of the womb is a gift. While not all wombs give birth to children, all of us are the children of parents present or not, good or bad, and of the always-present God who created us. We each are a gift from God called to live in faithfulness and to care for one another. It is not we who determine our lineage, who will become great, who will not. It is not up to us to decide which child, young or old, is worthy, as God lives within us all. We are to seek, expect, and honor the spark of God in everyone.

   Monday, November 11, 2024, is the 106^th Anniversary of the Armistice that formally ended WWI, the momentary peace in the world that has never lasted long because we humans deny God’s lineage in ourselves and in others. Abundance of wealth and privilege is not an antidote to the poverty of self-importance. When we fail to embrace the fullness of the Gospel message in how we live our lives, we may discover too late that very much is not enough. How we mite or much from what we don’t or do have and why, only we and God can know.     

 LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O Lord our God, children are our heritage from You, the fruit of those wombs where hope blossoms in every birth and Your light shines through every tiny face. Guide us to live in ways that honor the You who lives deeply within all the children in this world, in each other, and especially in ourselves as the children of You that we are.

                                                    Holy and Faithful God

RESPONSE:               We put our trust in You 

~ O Lord our God, keep our hearts fearless to carry the words and actions of peace and equity to the halls of government in our World, our Nation, and our Community, to establish for all time that the rights and privileges of some are the rights and privileges of all. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Holy and Faithful God

                                                       We put our trust in You

~ O Lord our God, lay Your healing hand upon those weary of the pain, anguish, or fears of this life, and hold fast to those who offer caring help. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…add your own petitions

                                                       Holy and Faithful God

                                                       We put our trust in You

~ O Lord our God, may our grief be calmed as we send our loved ones Home to the eternal splendor of new life in Christ. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Holy and Faithful God

                                                       We put our trust in You

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

                                                       Holy and Faithful God

                                                       We put our trust in You    

~ O Lord our God, ease the path of all who are anointed to call us to Your Word and Sacraments and who inspire us to serve in this world together in Christ’s holy name, until His return. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Holy and Faithful God

                                                       We put our trust in You

The Celebrant adds: Creator Lord, Spirit of Hope, 106 years ago tomorrow, Your people breathed a collective sigh of peace and promise for the future, as the misery of World War I was signed, sealed, and finished. But restive humans, never satisfied, keep destroying one another through wars on battlefields and wars of racial, religious, and economic divisiveness and violence. Release us from the poverty of self-importance and complacence, to joyfully accept the abundance of and openly embracing Christ’s Gospel of peace, truth, and justice for all, with all, every day, and everywhere. We ask through Jesus, our Divine Teacher; and through the Holy Spirit, our Wisdom Guide; who together with You are One, Infinite, Eternal God, now and forever.  Amen.   

All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com