For Sunday October 18, 2015, 2nd Sunday in the Season of Creation**, Readings: Job 38:1-11, Ps 104 (1-5, 14-15, 24-27, 31-33), The Canticle of the Sun [St. Francis of Assisi*], Matthew 6:25-34
Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind: ...Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements ~ surely you know! Or stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone when the morning stars sang together and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy? [Job 38: 1a,4-7]
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these...Strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. [Matthew 6:28b-29, 33]
At your command all things came to be: the vast expanse of interstellar space, galaxies, suns, the planets in their courses, and this fragile earth, our island home. [Eucharistic Prayer C, Book of Common Prayer]
It is easy enough to discover the bad news about the condition of our planet, from devastating weather to disastrous environmental events, to war and disease and it all needs our awareness, action, and God-ordered stewardship. But today, we celebrate. This is a moment to learn more and know this great gift of God, our Earth, more deeply. We re-examine its lushness, its highest peaks and deepest depths, the fragrances and the freshness; re-discover our companion creatures and the extraordinary life among the plants and organisms that support us. Marvel at the vastness of the oceans, the rhythm of the tides, the flow of rivers. We see what has gone before, where we are, and, all of our world's potential and what we are called to do about it. This Earth and her resources feeds our bodies and provides oxygen for our breath, and breath-taking beauty. How magnificent is Our Living Planet?! Let us behold our God's gracious hand and safeguard all of it for posterity.
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.
Bless the LORD, O my soul [Ps 104:1a]
We praise and bless You, Lord, and give you thanks, and serve You in all humility. [Canticle of the Sun]Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these...Strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. [Matthew 6:28b-29, 33]
At your command all things came to be: the vast expanse of interstellar space, galaxies, suns, the planets in their courses, and this fragile earth, our island home. [Eucharistic Prayer C, Book of Common Prayer]
It is easy enough to discover the bad news about the condition of our planet, from devastating weather to disastrous environmental events, to war and disease and it all needs our awareness, action, and God-ordered stewardship. But today, we celebrate. This is a moment to learn more and know this great gift of God, our Earth, more deeply. We re-examine its lushness, its highest peaks and deepest depths, the fragrances and the freshness; re-discover our companion creatures and the extraordinary life among the plants and organisms that support us. Marvel at the vastness of the oceans, the rhythm of the tides, the flow of rivers. We see what has gone before, where we are, and, all of our world's potential and what we are called to do about it. This Earth and her resources feeds our bodies and provides oxygen for our breath, and breath-taking beauty. How magnificent is Our Living Planet?! Let us behold our God's gracious hand and safeguard all of it for posterity.
LET US, GOD’S
PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ Living God
of all Creation, excite us each new day with the abundance in Your precious
gift of this living, breathing planet; the literal ground that supports our earthly
being. Kindle our desire to actively participate in the care of and for this
fragile Earth, our island home.
O LORD, our
God
RESPONSE: We bless You with our souls, our faith, and our
action
~ Living
God of all Creation, counsel the leaders of our Planet, our Nation, and our Community,
so that their words and actions may be enlightened and merciful, knowledgeable
and just, and not darkened by willful personal or political power. We pray
especially for: add your own petitions
O LORD, our
God
We
bless You with our souls, our faith, and our action
~ Living God
of all Creation, grant peace and healing to all who live in the grip of chronic
illness, fear and physical danger, or critical life circumstance; and bestow
endurance on all who give them care. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
O LORD, our
God
We
bless You with our souls, our faith, and our action
~ Living God
of all Creation, console the grieving with the knowledge that love never dies,
and that those we have sent ahead are with You now in the resplendent grandeur of
Eternal Life. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
O LORD, our
God
We
bless You with our souls, our faith, and our action
~ Living God
of all Creation, we pause in this moment to offer You our
other heartfelt intentions and petitions, silently or aloud…add your own petitions
O LORD, our
God
We
bless You with our souls, our faith, and our action
~ Living
God of all Creation, energize our spirits and those who lead us in Your church that we may walk together as
caring and careful stewards of this treasured world. We
pray especially for: add your own petitions
O LORD, our
God
We
bless You with our souls, our faith, and our action
The Celebrant
adds: God of Glory and Majesty, re-fresh our hearts, our ears, and our minds, to receive, listen, and
know again, the splendor of Your word, Your works, and Your gifts of all
Creation. We ask through Jesus, our
Great High Priest, and the Holy Spirit, our Comforter and Advocate, who
together with You are One God, now and forever. Amen.
*A reading from St Francis of Assisi’s The Canticle of the Sun (originally titled The
Canticle of the Creatures), read responsively:
Leader:
Most High,
all-powerful, all-good Lord,
All praise is Yours, all glory, honor and blessings.
To you alone, Most High, do they belong;
no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name.
All praise is Yours, all glory, honor and blessings.
To you alone, Most High, do they belong;
no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name.
Response:
We praise You, Lord, for all Your creatures,
especially for Brother Sun,
who is the day through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor,
of You Most High, he bears your likeness.
especially for Brother Sun,
who is the day through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor,
of You Most High, he bears your likeness.
We praise You, Lord, for Sister Moon and the
stars,
in the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair.
in the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair.
We praise You, Lord, for Brothers Wind and Air,
fair and stormy, all weather's moods,
by which You cherish all that You have made.
fair and stormy, all weather's moods,
by which You cherish all that You have made.
We praise You, Lord,
for Sister Water,
so useful, humble, precious and pure.
so useful, humble, precious and pure.
We praise You, Lord, for Brother Fire,
through whom You light the night.
He is beautiful, playful, robust, and strong.
through whom You light the night.
He is beautiful, playful, robust, and strong.
We praise You, Lord,
for Sister Earth,
who sustains us with her fruits, colored flowers, and herbs.
who sustains us with her fruits, colored flowers, and herbs.
We praise You, Lord, for those who pardon,
those who, for love of You, bear sickness and trial.
Blessed are those who endure in peace,
by You Most High, they will be crowned.
those who, for love of You, bear sickness and trial.
Blessed are those who endure in peace,
by You Most High, they will be crowned.
We praise You, Lord,
for Sister Death,
from whom no one living can escape.
Woe to those who die in their sins!
Blessed are those that She finds doing Your Will.
No second death can do them harm.
from whom no one living can escape.
Woe to those who die in their sins!
Blessed are those that She finds doing Your Will.
No second death can do them harm.
We praise and bless You, Lord, and give You
thanks,
and serve You in all humility.
St.Francis of Assisi [1182-1226] was born into a
wealthy Italian merchant family as Giovanni
di Pietro di Bernardone with the nickname of Francesco. While heading off to war in 1204, he turned back to Assisi after a vision directed him. Later he was moved to live in poverty after a pilgrimage to Rome. He founded the Order of the Friars Minor (known today as Fransicans), The Order of Poor Clares (for women) and The Third Order for men and women not able to live as itinerant preachers.and serve You in all humility.
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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