Prayers of the People: Testing, Testing, 19th Sunday after Pentecost

for Sunday, October 4, 2015, Year B, 19th Sunday after Pentecost, Readings: Job 1:1, 2:1-10; Ps 126, Hebrews 1:1-2:12, Mark 10:2-16

          The Lord said to Satan, "Very well, he is in your power; only spare his life."...In all this Job did not sin... [Job 2:6, 10b]

          Prove me, O Lord and try me; test my heart and mind. For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in faithfulness to you. [Ps 26:2-3]

          Therefore we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. [Hebrews 2:1]

          Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it. [Mark 10:15]

          The Book of Job is far from easy to read, let alone to understand and receive direction. It is at once a debate or dialogue - between God and Satan*, Job and his wife, Job and his friends - it contains poetry, it is partly folk-tale. From the opening of this Book, we can hear the music of doom playing in the background; things will only get worse yet even now we are told In all this Job did not sin... How would we fare against such tribulation? 

          The Psalmist has us asking for the trouble that I have always been advised not to borrow! Do I really want to be tried and tested? I'm not sure that I am ready to be the next Job. If I succeed, how do I refrain from the sin of boasting? If I fail, how do I keep my faith?

          In the reading from the Letter to the Hebrews, we are given some help by the instruction to pay more attention to what God is telling us through all he has done and especially through Jesus - who is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being. 

          And, even as Jesus is tested by the Pharisees, Jesus teaches the disciples, once again, this time as indignant, to let the children come forward and be welcomed fully and completely and with blessing. He teaches us all to be as these, feeling the peace and security of a child beloved of a parent so that we may receive the kingdom of God as a little child. Let us not drift away and lose the ability to love unconditionally as a child does. To hear and know the love and presence of God, through Jesus and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, will help us to accept and thrive within all that life provides. Whatever the tests may be, the difficult and the good (sometimes, it's easier to blame God when things go wrong; sometimes it's easier to forget God when things go well), whatever the twists and turns in the trials of faith, God is faithful to us, let us be faithful to God.

 *I find that an interesting aside is the concept of Satan, who appears in the texts of Abrahamic traditions (primarily, but not limited to, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) variously translated as "The Adversary", the "Devil", or "The Accuser". [click highlighted terms for more information]

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God, our Majesty on High, through Job’s trials and tragedies he stayed faithful and did not sin. Grant us the willingness to have even a small portion of the faith of Job, to pay greater attention to all we know of Your presence and love, and to live each day as Your true and beloved children.

Glorious LORD, through Whom all things exist

RESPONSE: Help us to walk in faithfulness to you

~ O God, our Majesty on High, release all leaders of this Earth, our country, and our community, from any hardness of heart or wicked intent, that through actions of integrity, equity, and generosity, they may find their own power in the well-being of all people. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Glorious LORD, through Whom all things exist

Help us to walk in faithfulness to You

~ O God, our Majesty on High, give peace and respite to those who try to cope with persistent illness, homelessness, hunger, or fear, and reinvigorate those who provide them with care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…add your own petitions

Glorious LORD, through Whom all things exist

Help us to walk in faithfulness to You

~ O God, our Majesty on High, let the hearts of the sorrowful know, that even as Jesus, those we love who experienced earthly death, are now crowned with Your celestial glory and honor, forever. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Glorious LORD, through Whom all things exist

Help us to walk in faithfulness to You

~ O God, our Majesty on High, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or silently…add your own petitions

Glorious LORD, through Whom all things exist

Help us to walk in faithfulness to You

~ O God, our Majesty on High, give extra grace to our anointed leaders in this congregation, and everywhere in Your Church, as they bring us Your precious Word, tell us of the signs and wonders of Christ, and help us find our own gifts from the Holy Spirit. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Glorious LORD, through Whom all things exist

Help us to walk in faithfulness to You

The Celebrant adds:  Holy and Sovereign LORD, with Your steadfast love ever before us, kindle and strengthen our hearts to accept all the tests that come to us in life, and remain faith-filled, thankful, and purified of sin,  We ask, with child-like love, through Christ Jesus, the imprint of Your Being, and the Holy Spirit, bestower of gifts great and small, who together with You, are One God, eternal, infinite, and limitless. Amen.

Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to 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.

Prayers of the People: Shake, Shake, Shake, 18th Sunday after Pentecost

for Sunday, September 27, 2015, 18 the Sunday after Pentecost , Year B, Readings: Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22; Ps 124, James 5:13-20, Mark 9: 38-50

image from tinychapel.blogspot.com

      Our help is in the name of the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. [Ps 124:8]

      The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has sins will be forgiven...pray for one another so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. [James 5:13-15, 16b]

      For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another. [Mark 9:49-50]

      As always there is much that can be said about today's readings, including the one from Esther for which I provided no quote. Esther is a wonderful, romantic story - one of my favorites as I was growing up and one of the few books of the Bible I ever read all the way through until I was an adult. There are fascinating and significant historical and theological differences between its Jewish/Hebrew origins (it is the basis for the feast of Purim) and the later Greek/Christian translations with which we are most familiar. But for me it was a disconnect with the other appointed readings (not an unusual occurrence with the lectionary). 
      There are an array of commentaries, interpretations, explanations, contextual considerations, and perspectives for any part of the Bible that we are given to think about each week. Of course those are the basis for study, discussion, and sermonizing. I am always interested in the thoughts and ideas of others and how I can synthesize and clarify for myself and others. This week was no different and there was much to ponder and reflect upon and yet there was something simpler calling to me from the collective words of the Psalm, James, and Mark.  I found it in the image above: Serve. Act. Love. Teach. And, from James, Pray. Let's just go with the basics this week, shall we? We can shake up our faith, shake up our intentions and shake our prayers over all that we do for, with, and in the Name of the LORD.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Holy LORD, Maker of Heaven and Earth, we use Your Name many times in each day in ways great, small, indifferent, irreverent, and in vain. Open our minds and hearts to feel the power of Your presence each time we speak of You, or to You, for ourselves and for the well-being of all Your people.

O God, our Help and our Hope

RESPONSE: Strengthen us to be at peace in You and with one another

~ Holy LORD, Maker of Heaven and Earth, in a world fraught with anger, violence, suspicion, and fear, guide us to seek out and encourage leaders, with earthly political authority, to end war, intolerance, and injustice for all people, from the youngest to the oldest, in every part of this Earth. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

O God, our Help and our Hope

Strengthen us to be at peace in You and with one another

~ Holy LORD, Maker of Heaven and Earth, whisper Your love into the hearts of those longing for release from sickness, injury, or the struggles of life, and give them comfort from the prayers we lift together. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…add your own petitions

O God, our Help and our Hope

Strengthen us to be at peace in You and with one another

~ Holy LORD, Maker of Heaven and Earth, calm the pain of grief for those whose loved ones have departed this life as You celebrate the arrival of those who will live forever in Your joy-filled eternity. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

O God, our Help and our Hope

Strengthen us to be at peace in You and with one another

~ Holy LORD, Maker of Heaven and Earth, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or silently…add your own petitions

O God, our Help and our Hope

Strengthen us to be at peace in You and with one another

~ Holy LORD, Maker of Heaven and Earth, we give You thanks for those who have been chosen and who have accepted the challenge of leading us in Your church. Bless them for praying with us and for us, and guiding our spiritual journey in our community of faith.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

O God, our Help and our Hope

Strengthen us to be at peace in You and with one another

The Celebrant adds: Abiding, Everlasting LORD, salt our souls with the fire of love that we may live and act through the power of Your name, and one day enter, and bring each other into, Your heavenly kingdom. We ask through Jesus, our Teacher and Redeemer, and through the Holy Spirit, Your Sacred Breath, who together with You, are our One God, forever and ever.  Amen.

Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to 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.

Prayers of the People: The Question Is..., 17th Sunday after Pentecost

for Sunday, September 20, 2015, 17th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B, Readings: Proverbs 31:10-31, Ps 1, James 3:13-4:3, Mark 9: 30-37

          For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked is doomed. [Ps 1:6]
          But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth...But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy...And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace. [James 3:14, 17-18]
          ...for [Jesus] was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again." But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him...Then they came to Capernaum; and...on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. [Jesus]...said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." Then he...said to them, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me." [Mark 9:31-32, 33a, 34b, 35b, 37]

          In a culture that teaches that one must strive to thrive through success, achievement, wealth, power and position, it is exceedingly difficult to avoid the traps of envy, ambition, conflict, distrust, and so on. Fear of asking questions is also prevalent - one learns early in school to be fearful of being labeled stupid if one asks a seemingly dumb question. Surely one only wants to ask the "right questions" and not give too much information away to those with whom one competes. As the writer of Mark tells us this week, even the chosen disciples were afraid to ask Jesus to explain what he meant by all the talk about being betrayed and killed and rising again. But then, there they were asking and arguing among themselves about which one of them was the greatest of them all. 
          Righteousness is one of those words we hear a great deal of from the Bible - we can guess by its sound that it means to be "right" with God and in truth it does mean that, to lead a life that is pleasing to God, someone whose actions God would find to be justified and ethical. We are told very specifically what happens to those who sit in the seats of the scornful [Ps 1:1]  and are boastful and false to the truth [James 3:14b] . And Jesus gives the disciples, and us, the terms of a righteous life: Be last, not first, a servant of all, and those they welcome in the name of Jesus will be welcoming God into their midst, thereby drawing themselves closer to God. So, the question is, what am I waiting for? 

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ LORD of Truth and Righteousness, refresh our souls in the human struggle to balance our earthly needs, wants, and promises with our yearning to live in faithful closeness to You, our God.  

Holy God, Just and Merciful

RESPONSE: Keep us from envy and selfishness; draw us to You

~ LORD of Truth and Righteousness, enliven our spirits to stand together as we intentionally seek ethical and principled governing by the leaders of our world, our country, and our community. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Holy God, Just and Merciful

Keep us from envy and selfishness; draw us to You

~ LORD of Truth and Righteousness, especially cherish those who suffer debilitating pain in body, mind, and spirit and envelop the stalwart hearts of those who give them care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…add your own petitions

Holy God, Just and Merciful

Keep us from envy and selfishness; draw us to You

~ LORD of Truth and Righteousness, illuminate the dark corners of this earthly life for those who are grieving, as You gather those newly departed from us, into the gleaming expanse of eternal life with You. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Holy God, Just and Merciful

Keep us from envy and selfishness; draw us to You

~ LORD of Truth and Righteousness, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or silently…add your own petitions

Holy God, Just and Merciful

Keep us from envy and selfishness; draw us to You

~ LORD of Truth and Righteousness, quicken the minds and hearts of those who share Your wisdom with us, who free us from the fear of asking questions about our faith, and delight with us in the building of a diverse worshiping community dedicated to Your never-ending glory. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Holy God, Just and Merciful

Keep us from envy and selfishness; draw us to You

The Celebrant adds:  Benevolent LORD, Infinite and Immanent, quell our pridefulness that we may come to You as selfless, loving, and welcoming servants of all Your people, all Your children. We ask through the glory and sacrifice of our Savior Christ Jesus and the splendor of the Spirit Most Holy, who together with You, are our boundless and eternal God, forever and ever. Amen.

Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to 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.

Prayers of the People: Fill in the Blank, 16th Sunday after Pentecost

for Sunday September 6, 2015, Year B, 16th Sunday after Pentecost, Readings: Proverbs 1:20-33; Ps 19, James 3:1-12, Mark 8: 27-38

        For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle...From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. [James 3:2, 10]

       Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" And they answered him, "John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" [Mark 8:27-29a]

          "Who do you say that I am?" An easy enough question to answer in the safety of my prayers, or in conversation with my priest. But how do I respond "in public"? Is wearing a cross enough? What about attending church, pledging, and doing good deeds? As James calls us out for blessing and cursing with the same mouth, I think oh, that, well, I do make mistakes... Farther on in Mark, Jesus speaks of those who are ashamed of him and his words - is it shame that keeps me so quiet? Or am I just embarrassed to be seen as one of those proclaimers that seems, to me, to be less interested in Jesus, and more interested in themselves...oh, wait, am I blessing and cursing?...Catholic social activist Dorothy Day said, If I have achieved anything in my life, it is because I have not been embarrassed to talk about God.
          Ok, stop, breathe, and fill in the blank: JESUS IS the MESSIAH. Now all I need to do is set my mind on divine things, take up my cross, follow Jesus, and let others do as they will. Ok, that should be easy, sort of...

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ God Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, rather than forfeit our souls for mere earthly profit, grant us the courage to know, name, and proclaim Jesus as our Messiah with joy and delight, with praise and confidence.

O LORD, our Strength and our Redeemer

RESPONSE: May the meditations of our hearts help turn our lives to You

~ God Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, help us to use our strong voices to implore all of the world’s leaders, and those in our nation and our community, to grant immediate and compassionate aid to all who struggle amidst the tragedy and life-threatening circumstance of war. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

O LORD, our Strength and our Redeemer

                                    May the meditations of our hearts help turn our lives to You

~ God Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, cradle those exhausted by the endless pain of disease, depression, or homelessness, and fortify those who work hard to fulfill all earthly needs. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…add your own petitions

O LORD, our Strength and our Redeemer

                                    May the meditations of our hearts help turn our lives to You

~ God Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, brighten the hearts of those who have shrouded themselves in sorrow, so they may know that the ones they love live once more in the splendor of Your holy eternity. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

O LORD, our Strength and our Redeemer

                                    May the meditations of our hearts help turn our lives to You

~ God Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or silently…add your own petitions

O LORD, our Strength and our Redeemer

                                    May the meditations of our hearts help turn our lives to You

~ God Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, sanctify again all who lead us in Your Church, who teach us the ways of discipleship, and who, while also only human, journey with us in all phases of our lives. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

O LORD, our Strength and our Redeemer

                                    May the meditations of our hearts help turn our lives to You

The Celebrant adds:  Glorious, Life-Giving, Creator, in the midst of our many mistakes in this life, help us to rejoice in Your commandments and re-dedicate our minds to follow the path of Your divine and eternal glory. We ask through Jesus, our Christ and our Messiah, and the Holy Spirit, our fount of Pure Wisdom, who together with You reign as the fullness of One God, now and forever. Amen.

Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to 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.