For Sunday, February 21, 2016, 2nd Sunday in Lent, Year C, Readings: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18; Ps 27, Philippians 3:17-4:1, Luke 13:31-35
The LORD is my light and my salvation, whom then should I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life, of whom then should I be afraid? [Psalm 27:1]
Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me...For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ...Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven... stand firm in the Lord...
[Philippians 3:18a, 19-20a, 4:1b]
Jerusalem, Jerusalem...How often I have desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings and you were not willing! [Luke 13:34b]
The Psalmist reminds us of the confidence we can have in God and the comfort we can take in not being fearful in the ordinary moments of life or in the extraordinary, as God is the light in our darkness and our strength in all parts of life.
"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery," or so said Charles Caleb Colton [1780-1832], an Eton-educated
English cleric. And from that perspective, Paul's admonition to imitate him
certainly seems boastful and vain. Rather, Paul's true intention is for us to
follow his example and model our lives ~ as much as possible ~ on Christ.
Jesus speaks to the possibly well-intentioned Pharisees in a foreshadowing of the three days to come. He tells the city of Jerusalem that she has disappointed him in her unwillingness for her children to be gathered as a hen gathers her brood under his wings. These readings are a reminder for us, in this renewing season of Lent, to be less fearful in our everyday life and not be seeking God in the stuff of earth. Let us willingly gather under the wings of Christ, and be a holy brood awaiting the Blessed one who comes in the name of the Lord.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ O Lord,
our Light and our Strength, help us to release ourselves from the fears of
earthly concerns, and give witness in our human lives to You, in whom we place
our trust.
O
Christ, our Savior
RESPONSE: Conform our desire to stand firm in
You
~
O Lord, our Light and our
Strength, in these wearying times of worldly strife, help us temper our anxieties
and boldly speak of peace and justice before the leaders of this world, this nation,
and this community. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
O Christ, our Savior
Conform our desire to stand firm in You
~ O Lord,
our Light and our Strength, sustain the faith and hope of all who suffer from the
torment of chronic illness, severe addiction, or desperate life circumstance,
and fortify the energies of those who provide support. We now join our voices
to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions
O Christ, our Savior
Conform our desire to stand firm in You
~
O Lord, our Light and our
Strength, calm the waves of grief for all who are in mourning and fill their
hearts with ceaseless joy for those who have reached the shores of Heaven’s
eternal splendor. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
O Christ, our Savior
Conform our desire to stand firm in You
~
O Lord, our Light and our
Strength, we pause in this moment to
offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or silently… add your own petitions
O Christ, our Savior
Conform our desire to stand firm in You
~
O Lord, our Light and our
Strength, inspire and enliven the hearts and souls of all who bring us the
message and healing of Your Word and Sacraments. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
O Christ, our Savior
Conform our desire to stand firm in You
The Celebrant adds: O Lord our God, transform our willingness to be gathered as
Your brood under Your wings and let us be steadfast in claiming heavenly citizenship for everyone,
everywhere, in everyday life. We ask
through Jesus, Your Beloved Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Fire in our souls,
who together with You, are One God, now and beyond eternity. Amen.
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