for Sunday, September 21, 2014, 15th Sunday after Pentecost, Readings: Exodus 16:2-15; Ps 105:1-6, 37-45; Philippians 1:20-30; Matthew 20:1-16
Jesus doesn't do fair, or so it seems to us in this parable of the laborers in the vineyard. Same pay for an hour's work as for a full day - who doesn't get upset about that? Don't those who worked longer and did more work deserve more? No wonder they're grumbling.
It seems an especially harsh scenario now in these long-awaited days for fast-food workers and others employed in low-wage service industry jobs to be recognized as needing to make a living wage. And yet how many Good Christian People grumble about that possibility?
Then there are those Israelites having been rescued from generations of horrific slavery. The Red Sea is parted by God so they could escape the Egyptians and now they're all "gimme gimme grumble grumble" to Moses and Aaron, saying "If only we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt..." [Exodus 16:3, emphasis added] But when we look through a different lens, one that isn't relying on what one deserves or what is fair it is generosity that shines through. God is generous to the Israelites, providing for their every need, but in their case the unknown is more frightening than the known and so they haven't learned to trust that God will provide. The laborers in Jesus' story aren't happy that the Landowner is simply using his prerogative to be generous. Envy, greed, and judgment loom and things will get worse. Do we ever learn?
It's a difficult balance to fight for equity and fairness in our temporal life while relinquishing jealousy and anger at not getting what is perceived by ourselves to be deserved. God isn't leading us by clouds and pillars of fire these days, only by the Word of Christ. My prayer is to try to find that balance, to cut back on my grumbling, and, oh yes: Dear Lord, please save me from all that I deserve. (P.S. News Flash: you're still not getting that rose garden)
Please feel free to request a prayer or meditation to be composed for a particular person, concern, or topic for posting in this space. You may leave your request in the comments section or contact me directly at 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. If you would like the weekly Prayers of the People prior to its appearance on the blog, please send me an email. Personal prayer requestors will remain anonymous.
Jesus doesn't do fair, or so it seems to us in this parable of the laborers in the vineyard. Same pay for an hour's work as for a full day - who doesn't get upset about that? Don't those who worked longer and did more work deserve more? No wonder they're grumbling.It seems an especially harsh scenario now in these long-awaited days for fast-food workers and others employed in low-wage service industry jobs to be recognized as needing to make a living wage. And yet how many Good Christian People grumble about that possibility?
Then there are those Israelites having been rescued from generations of horrific slavery. The Red Sea is parted by God so they could escape the Egyptians and now they're all "gimme gimme grumble grumble" to Moses and Aaron, saying "If only we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt..." [Exodus 16:3, emphasis added] But when we look through a different lens, one that isn't relying on what one deserves or what is fair it is generosity that shines through. God is generous to the Israelites, providing for their every need, but in their case the unknown is more frightening than the known and so they haven't learned to trust that God will provide. The laborers in Jesus' story aren't happy that the Landowner is simply using his prerogative to be generous. Envy, greed, and judgment loom and things will get worse. Do we ever learn?
It's a difficult balance to fight for equity and fairness in our temporal life while relinquishing jealousy and anger at not getting what is perceived by ourselves to be deserved. God isn't leading us by clouds and pillars of fire these days, only by the Word of Christ. My prayer is to try to find that balance, to cut back on my grumbling, and, oh yes: Dear Lord, please save me from all that I deserve. (P.S. News Flash: you're still not getting that rose garden)
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE,
PRAY
Leader: ~ O God Most Generous, If only we could remember that Your love
for us is limitless even when we grumble about what is fair, who has more than
we do, and when we are more interested in judging the faults of others than
recognizing our own.
Guide us to seek Your strength
and presence in every day
RESPONSE: Teach us again to stand firm in Your Spirit
~ O God Most Generous, especially in times of war, disease,
and great poverty, it is essential for us to remember our own responsibility
for the care of ALL of Your people. In the life You have given us to live, we
are also charged to engage the leaders in our world, our country, and our
community, and require them to temper justice with mercy. We pray especially
for: add your own petitions
Guide us to seek Your strength and presence in every day
Teach us again to stand firm in
Your Spirit
~ O God Most Generous, as You opened the rock in the desert
to provide life-giving waters to Your people; let those suffering in body,
mind, or spirit feel the gush of hope and comfort from Your holy embrace.
Surround and support also those who give love and care unselfishly in times
of great need. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Guide us to seek Your strength and presence in every day
Teach us again to stand firm in
Your Spirit
~ O God Most Generous, we lift up the grief of those who are
in mourning to Your gracious care. Help us all feel the pain of loss begin to
ease, knowing that our loved ones live on not only in our hearts and memories,
but beyond forever in Your eternal home. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Guide us to seek Your strength and presence in every day
Teach us again to stand firm in
Your Spirit
~ O God Most Generous, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions
and petitions, silently or aloud…
Guide us to seek Your strength and presence in every day
Teach us again to stand firm in
Your Spirit
~ O God Most Generous, as the burdens of Moses and Aaron, in
leading a sometimes unruly flock, have been passed down to their successors, so
to have the joys of fulfilling Your call and worshiping You within a vibrant community
of faith. We pray especially for:
add your own petitions
Guide us to seek Your strength and presence in every day
Teach us again to stand firm in
Your Spirit
The Celebrant adds:
O God of Permanence in Eternity, help
us who live in the temporal realm, see to the fair and equitable treatment of all of Your people, and yet look
within ourselves for the release of judgment, greed, and envy. Help us to live our lives with Christ exalted
in all of our thoughts and actions. We ask this grace through Jesus our
Redeemer who with the Holy Spirit our Sanctifier, live and reign with You in
the enduring, immortal, and infinite expanse of Your holy kingdom. Amen.
Please feel free to request a prayer or meditation to be composed for a particular person, concern, or topic for posting in this space. You may leave your request in the comments section or contact me directly at 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. If you would like the weekly Prayers of the People prior to its appearance on the blog, please send me an email. Personal prayer requestors will remain anonymous.
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