for November 23, 2014, Final Sunday after
Pentecost, Readings: [RCL] Ezekiel
34:11-16, 20-24; Ps 95:1-7a, Ephesians 1:15-23, Matthew 25:31-46
We sometimes forget that Christ has always been but Jesus is just over 2,000 years old. Jesus became the human face of God, God's own divine self on earth. Earlier in Ephesians we are told: God has made known to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of the divine will, according to the divine purpose which God set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth. [Eph 1:9-10] It is a bit much to take it all in at times. And not a little inconvenient to follow as a sheep and remember to look for Christ in strangers, and the sick, the imprisoned, and the poor - not to mention even those who seem better off in life than we. We are, after all, admonished to: seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves, and, to strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being [Baptismal Covenant, US Book of Common Prayer]. Most days it's much easier to be a goat and seek the more comfy Jesus of the Christmas glitter and bright colors of Easter eggs. But as we are at the end of one liturgical season and as we begin another, it's time to shake off the dust, the indifference, and the complacency, and walk again with the Christ who is Jesus with intention and consciousness, for we are the blessed inheritors of the Kingdom, and life as we know it is truly a gift from God.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ Glorious Lord, Creator of All Wisdom, we come into
Your presence today especially, to offer deep thanksgiving for seeking us when
we are lost and strayed, and helping us to awaken from our daily indifferences
to You. Let us give offerings of praise by all of our actions toward one
another and by seeking and finding Christ in every face.
Holy God, Our Lord of Heaven and
Earth
RESPONSE: We
are the people of Your pasture and the sheep of Your hand
~ Glorious Lord, Creator of
All Wisdom, let us call upon the leaders of this world, our country, and our
community to cease using religion and the politics of power and greed to divide
and threaten. Let us not be imprisoned together as strangers, but rather live
peacefully together as members of Your One Family. We pray especially for:
Holy God, Our Lord of Heaven and
Earth
We are the people of Your pasture and the sheep of Your hand
~ Glorious Lord, Creator of
All Wisdom, let us create harmony and healing together for all who suffer in
spirit, soul, or body. We pray especially for:
Holy God, Our Lord of Heaven and
Earth
We are the people of Your pasture and the sheep of Your hand
~ Glorious Lord, Creator of
All Wisdom, anoint the grieving with Your oil of compassion as You joyously
receive and bless those now entering Your gracious eternal kingdom. We pray especially for:
Holy God, Our Lord of Heaven and
Earth
We are the people of Your pasture and the sheep of Your hand
~ Glorious Lord, Creator of
All Wisdom, we pause in this moment
to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, silently or aloud…
Holy God, Our Lord of Heaven and
Earth
We are the people of Your pasture and the sheep of Your hand
~ Glorious Lord, Creator of
All Wisdom, we ask Your special blessings upon those whose lives we depend upon
for guidance and inspiration as we make our way to You through the gifts and
trials of earthly life. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Holy God, Our Lord of Heaven and
Earth
We are the people of Your pasture and the sheep of Your hand
The Celebrant adds: Son of Man, the Incarnation of Love, let us come before You, sheep
and goats as we are, to receive and to give the blessing of Your hands,
welcomed and welcoming as inheritors of the holy and sacred Kingdom. We offer
our praise to You as Jesus our Christ, the Holy Spirit as the breath of the
Trinity, and the Creator, who together before time, live and reign as one God,
then, now, and into forever. 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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