Prayers of the People: O Mother Who Art Thou? 2nd Sunday of Pentecost Yr B

for Sunday, June 7, 2015, 2nd Sunday of Pentecost, Year B, Readings: 1 Samuel 8:4-11, (12-15), 16-20, (11:14-15), Ps 138, 2 Cor 4:13-5:1, Mark 3:20-35    

   

   All the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel...and said to him, "You are old and your sons do not follow in your ways; appoint for us, then, a king to govern us, like other nations"... Samuel prayed to the LORD, and the LORD said to Samuel, "Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them...forsaking me and serving other gods, so also they are doing to you. Now then, listen to their voice; only-- you shall solemnly warn them, and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them." [1 Samuel 8:4-5,6b-7,8b-9]

       Then [Jesus] went home, and the crowd came together again, so that Jesus and his disciples could not even eat. When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, "He has gone out of his mind."... A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, "Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you." And he replied, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" And looking at those who sat around him, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother." [Mark 3:20-21,32-35]

       Dysfunctional families. Where would life's ever-unfolding drama be without them. Some children are their parents' treasure while others are their worst nightmare. Some children can do no wrong in their parents' sight, others can do nothing right. Samuel's sons are an embarrassment, a source of grief. While Mary, his mother, and the brothers of Jesus think he's crazy and needs to be physically restrained.
       Just as Samuel might have wished his sons had behaved better, and the elders of Israel wanted a king to "be like other nations," so perhaps Mary and her other sons were upset or embarrassed by Jesus not "being like other" sons. It seems to come down to: how do we define "family?" Jesus looked around and defined family for himself as: "Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother." Who is family for you?
     

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ God of Greatness, LORD of Glory, grant us the fortitude to abandon the faithless gods of no good purpose that tempt our souls and lead us into forsaking You. Let us find the courage to stand with and in Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit, even when those closest to us do not understand.

God Almighty, Highest King of Creation

RESPONSE: Let us seek Your word above all things

~ God of Greatness, LORD of Glory, as some seek to establish their own earthly kingdoms, let us work to extend the knowledge of grace, justice, mercy, and tolerance to all who would govern the peoples of this world, our nation, and our community.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

God Almighty, Highest King of Creation

                                    Let us seek Your word above all things

~ God of Greatness, LORD of Glory, increase the strength within those who are weakened by the pain of illness or despair, and give new energy to all who give them comfort. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…

God Almighty, Highest King of Creation

                                    Let us seek Your word above all things

~ God of Greatness, LORD of Glory, give deep consolation to those whose grief yet knows no bounds and keep us all from losing heart through sorrow. Shine the light of eternal glory for those who live again and always in the Kingdom of Heaven. We pray especially for: Delaware's own Beau Biden and the Biden Family, add your own petitions

God Almighty, Highest King of Creation

                                    Let us seek Your word above all things

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

God Almighty, Highest King of Creation

                                    Let us seek Your word above all things

~ God of Greatness, LORD of Glory, enhance the gifts of those chosen to lead us in Your Church, so that through their example, inspiration, and discipleship, our community of faith will grow in spirit and in grace.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions.

God Almighty, Highest King of Creation

                                    Let us seek Your word above all things

The Celebrant adds:  Sovereign of All that is, Seen and Unseen, grant us the courage to discern and follow Your will in the midst of being in earthly kingdoms, even as we strive to not be of them. We look to Your enduring love to become mother, father, sister, and brother to each and everyone around us. We ask through the steadfastness of Jesus and the blessings of the Holy Spirit, who together with You, reign as One God, now and throughout eternity.  Amen.

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