Prayers of the People, What's in Your Pocket? 19th Sunday after Pentecost?

for October 19, 2014, 18th Sunday after Pentecost, Readings: Exodus 33:12-23, Ps 99, 1 Thess 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22

         Moses has a lot to say to God this week.  He perseveres in an insistent tone requiring God to listen and respond - but, Moses also knows when to take a breath and listen for God's voice. We need to learn to speak to God in our own voices with our own words and say, ask, even demand and then, quietly, patiently, and, with an open heart, listen for how and when God chooses to answer.  

       Paul reminds us to live into our deep relationship with God with trust and faith, to feel the power of the Holy Spirit within us and begin to act upon it. When we experience the depth of faith, we will begin to be more of what God is asking of us. Instead of looking for excuses of time or other commitments, we will be readily available to give our attention to and reflect the Glory of God in all of our relationships and actions.

      Jesus and Caesar's money is used in a variety of ways - separation of Church and State is one example. And as so very often happens, Jesus is turning the tables on those almost smart enough Pharisees - instead of falling into their trap, he caught them in his.  The coin in question with Caesar's image also contained an inscription that referred to the divinity of Caesar. So here's a Pharisee, on Temple grounds, with a blasphemous coin in his pocket - the image is clearly a blaspheme as is the inscription regarding divinity - as any good Pharisee would know from the prohibitions against graven images and divinity other than our God's in both Genesis and Exodus. Jesus is more cryptic than we realize when he tosses off the "Give therefore to the Emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's."  It has been suggested that perhaps, in his quietly subversive way, Jesus was hinting about a payback to Caesar - "Give Caesar what he deserves"? Clearly, we owe all to our Emperor, God.  God knows what's in your pocket and to whom it is owed.  Do you? 

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ God of Glory and Goodness, Moses asked and You gave Your presence and favor through him to us. You forgave the Israelites their transgressions as they journeyed from Egypt; forgive us our own as we also turn again today, tomorrow, and beyond, toward Your graciousness and mercy.

                                   Holy LORD, Living and True

RESPONSE:      Let us proclaim Your Greatness through our faith, trust, and hope

                                    

~ God of Glory and Goodness, No matter what coin we render to the political powers of the world, our country and our community, our greatest currency bears the likeness of us, who are made in Your image. Let us always give first and most to You, O Lord, and let our actions, voices, and words in the houses of government and on the streets and roads of our lives, always reflect Your perfect truth and justice.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                            Holy LORD, Living and True

Let us proclaim Your Greatness through our faith, trust, and hope

~ God of Glory and Goodness, Heal those who live with pain, fear, and hopelessness in everyday life and reinvigorate all those who care for them We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                            Holy LORD, Living and True

Let us proclaim Your Greatness through our faith, trust, and hope

~ God of Glory and Goodness, As we hold dear those who mourn and weep this day, we give thanks for the earthly lives of those You have called home with rejoicing for a new life in Christ.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                            Holy LORD, Living and True

Let us proclaim Your Greatness through our faith, trust, and hope

~ God of Glory and Goodness, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, silently or aloud…

                            Holy LORD, Living and True

Let us proclaim Your Greatness through our faith, trust, and hope

~ God of Glory and Goodness, For all those who serve You in Your Church, who see to our pastoral and prayer needs, who preside at the Vestry and the Eucharist, who strive to bring You closer to us and walk with us toward You, we give special thanks. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                            Holy LORD, Living and True

Let us proclaim Your Greatness through our faith, trust, and hope

The Celebrant adds: Unwavering, Transcendent God, we Your sometimes wavering people, bow our heads and bend our knees in praise and thanksgiving for Your constancy. Keep us close in Your holy heart and help us to be as conscious of You in our daily lives as You are always of us. We ask this through our Savior, Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, who together with You, reign as One God now and forever.  Amen.

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