For Sunday,
January 31, 2016, 4th Sunday after Epiphany, Year C, Readings: Jeremiah
1:4-10, Ps 71:1-6, 1 Cor 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30
The word of the LORD came to me saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you...Now I have put my words in your mouth." [Jeremiah 1:4-5a, 9b]
In you, O LORD, have I taken refuge; let me never be ashamed...you are my crag and my stronghold. [Psalm 71:1, 3b]
If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal...And now faith, hope, and love abide...and the greatest of these is love. [1 Cor 13:1, 13]
And [Jesus] said, "Truly no prophet is accepted in the prophet's hometown...there were many widows...a severe famine...yet Elijah was sent to none...there were many lepers...and none of them was cleansed except Naaman, the Syrian." When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. [Luke 4:24-28]
1st Corinthians 13: 1-13 is so very much more than a pretty thing to recite at a wedding. In the context of all the readings for this Sunday, it brings the Word to now, to our time, to our space. There is dissension, hatred, intolerance, and rage in seemingly every facet of human life today through war, famine, and disease. There is a cacophony of clanging voices of politicos and power mongers disparaging everyone who is not one of them.
Let us take a breath and discover a more excellent way to live, how to exploit, express, and experience LOVE, acceptance, understanding, and support from within ourselves to all others whom God has created. God is our refuge and our strength. Let me not be ashamed of my function as part of the Body of Christ but rather to grow and to act consciously in faith, in hope, and especially, to grow, live, and act consciously, and intentionally, in, with, and through love.
In you, O LORD, have I taken refuge; let me never be ashamed...you are my crag and my stronghold. [Psalm 71:1, 3b]
If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal...And now faith, hope, and love abide...and the greatest of these is love. [1 Cor 13:1, 13]
And [Jesus] said, "Truly no prophet is accepted in the prophet's hometown...there were many widows...a severe famine...yet Elijah was sent to none...there were many lepers...and none of them was cleansed except Naaman, the Syrian." When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. [Luke 4:24-28]
1st Corinthians 13: 1-13 is so very much more than a pretty thing to recite at a wedding. In the context of all the readings for this Sunday, it brings the Word to now, to our time, to our space. There is dissension, hatred, intolerance, and rage in seemingly every facet of human life today through war, famine, and disease. There is a cacophony of clanging voices of politicos and power mongers disparaging everyone who is not one of them.
Let us take a breath and discover a more excellent way to live, how to exploit, express, and experience LOVE, acceptance, understanding, and support from within ourselves to all others whom God has created. God is our refuge and our strength. Let me not be ashamed of my function as part of the Body of Christ but rather to grow and to act consciously in faith, in hope, and especially, to grow, live, and act consciously, and intentionally, in, with, and through love.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ O God, our Refuge and our Stronghold, You knew
us, and formed us, and consecrated us before our earthly birthing. Calm our
fears, defuse all rage, teach us a more excellent way to feel and reveal Your Love
in all that we say and do.
O Lord of Hope
RESPONSE: Deliver us from evil and apathy
~
O God, our Refuge and our Stronghold, give our mortal tongues the words of
justice, mercy, tolerance, and compassion to touch and fill the hearts and
souls of all who hold power in countries and communities across this planet. We
pray especially for: add your own petitions
O Lord of Hope
Deliver us from evil and apathy
~ O God, our Refuge and our Stronghold, sustain
the faith of all who suffer with chronic pain, depression, or disease, and refresh
the energy of those who assist with their care. We now join our voices to pray
aloud for those in need…
O Lord of Hope
Deliver us
from evil and apathy
~
O God, our Refuge and our Stronghold, soothe the hearts of those who grieve as
the heavens erupt with rejoicing for our loved ones now arriving. We pray
especially for:
O Lord of Hope
Deliver us
from evil and apathy
~
O God, our Refuge and our Stronghold, we pause
in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud
or silently…
O Lord of Hope
Deliver us
from evil and apathy
~
O God, our Refuge and our Stronghold, nourish the gifts of our pastors who connect
with us in community and inspire us to seek our life’s fulfillment in Christ.
We pray especially for:
O Lord of Hope
Deliver us
from evil and apathy
The Celebrant adds: Steadfast God of Truth,
embolden our Faith, invigorate our Hope, and permeate our cells with Your
purest Love that we may be a living,
conscious reflection of Your Word. We ask through Jesus, the Incarnation of
Love, and the Holy Spirit, the Breath of Faith, who together with You reign as
One Holy and Eternal God of Hope. Amen.
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