for Sunday, October 11, 2015, Yr B, Readings: Job 23:1-9, 16-17; Ps 22:1-15, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31
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.
Oh that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his dwelling!...he would give heed to me. There an upright person could reason with him, and I should be acquitted forever by my judge.
[Job 23:3, 6b-7]
The word of God is living and active... able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart...Let us...approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. [Hebrews 4:12, 16]
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God...[but] for God all things are possible...many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.
[Mark 10:25, 27b, 31]
Poor Job! We're 23 chapters into his story and things are as grim as ever, or worse. And yet, he keeps trying, keeps wondering, keeps asking God, WHY?! But he answers for God as he knows deep in his faithful heart, that God would listen to reason and acquit him of these terrible trials, if only he could find God, if only he didn't feel forsaken. Yet, he doesn't give up; he perseveres. Would I?
The writer of Hebrews confirms what Job believes, that God does know our thoughts and intentions and further, because of Jesus, we are to be bold and ask God for what we need.
And this week in the Gospel, a man grieves as he walks away from Jesus because he follows the commandments but doesn't want to let go of his earthly possessions. How many in this world this week have lost so much because of winds, floods, fires, war, and the everyday tragedies and tempests of life? How many of us say "I believe"and go about our every-day lives as if there was nothing we have to do differently, assured of our place in the front of the line. But will we cry "Where is God?" when the winds, floods, and tempests hit our lives?
Job never stops asking for God to be present because hope keeps him going, as it does for us all even in the times when faith is weakest. And whether we wonder how many angels can dance on the head of a pin, or whether Jesus meant literally that a camel would have to go through that needle, Jesus tells us plainly, with God all things are possible. It's all in the eye of a believer.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ Holy God, Living and Active, keep us mindful of
our thoughts and the intentions of our hearts that we may measure our wealth
each day by how well we live out our love for You.
O God,
Omnipotent and Everlasting
RESPONSE: Grant us the courage to trust and follow You
~ Holy God,
Living and Active, strengthen our voices to reach all
those who govern on this Planet, in our nation, and in our community, to implore
them to show mercy, provide justice, and enable peace for all those in great
need. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
O God, Omnipotent and Everlasting
Grant
us the courage to trust and follow You
~
Holy God, Living and Active, cast the light of Your
presence into the shadows of those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit as the
love of Christ brings comfort, peace, and rest. We now join our voices
to pray aloud for those in need…
O God, Omnipotent and Everlasting
Grant
us the courage to trust and follow You
~ Holy God,
Living and Active, ease the hearts of all who mourn
by knowing that those who have gone ahead now enter the glorious Kingdom of new
life in Christ. We pray especially
for:
O God, Omnipotent and Everlasting
Grant
us the courage to trust and follow You
~ Holy God,
Living and Active, we pause in this
moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or
silently…
O God, Omnipotent and Everlasting
Grant
us the courage to trust and follow You
~ Holy God,
Living and Active, inspire the souls of those chosen to lead us in Your Church,
that they may impart Your wisdom and instill Your spirit in our hearts to feed
us in our every day lives. We pray especially for:
O God, Omnipotent and Everlasting
Grant
us the courage to trust and follow You
The Celebrant adds: Holy God, Sovereign and Eternal, help us to truly believe that even in the darkest times of life, You will never forsake us, and through You all things are possible. We ask through Jesus our Christ, and the Holy Spirit, who together with You, reign as One God through all time, forever and ever. Amen.
The Celebrant adds: Holy God, Sovereign and Eternal, help us to truly believe that even in the darkest times of life, You will never forsake us, and through You all things are possible. We ask through Jesus our Christ, and the Holy Spirit, who together with You, reign as One God through all time, 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.
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