For Sunday, November 13, 2016,
Our Role as Stewards, Season of Creation** ‘16, Readings:
Haudenosaunee of the Six Nations*, Psalm 100, James 1:17-18, 21-27; Matthew
6:25-34
*A reading from Haudenosaunee of the Six Nations [from Wisdomkeepers by Steve Wall and Harvey Arden]
**for more information on the Season of Creation and the Earth Charter see: http://prayersofthepeople.blogspot.com/2016/10/prayers-of-people-very-beginning-1st.html
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.
We were instructed to carry a love for one another and to show a great respect for all beings of this earth...In our ways, spiritual consciousness is the highest form of politics...
[from: Haudenosaunee of the Six Nations*]
Be joyful in the LORD, all you lands; serve the LORD with gladness and come before his presence with a song. [Psalm 100:1]
But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves...those who look into the perfect law...of liberty, and persevere, being...doers who act - they will be blessed in their doing. [James 1:22,25]
Jesus said, "I tell you, do not worry about your life...Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing...But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you...So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today. [Matthew 6:25,33-34]
I am writing this the night before the 2016 U.S. Presidential official Election Day. These readings were chosen months ago and while their timing was probably lightly thought of in the context of this event, the serendipity of these words could not be more appropriate. Stewardship IS a great deal more than money. We can be financially generous for personal gain but we cannot truly respect another, serve the LORD with gladness, be doers who act or keep ourselves unstained by the world without a generous heart. Truly generous acts of giving, James tells us, come directly from God. And the more we strive to be generous of spirit, to be good Stewards of Creation in all of its forms, the more God will strengthen us. No truer words were ever more applicable than: So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today. I don't know what tomorrow will bring for my community, my country, or this world, but I will pray without ceasing for the energy and mindset to work to be a continuously generous person.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ Lord of Everlasting Mercy, strengthen
us to begin again within ourselves, to be faithful stewards of the sacred trust You have
placed within us, to restore harmony and to respect all others, especially in difference
and disagreement. Guide our thoughts and empower our hearts to serve You with
gladness and keep ourselves unstained by the world.
O
God of Great Peace
RESPONSE: Turn us from earthly
worries to generous action
~ Lord of
Everlasting Mercy, we offer our prayers for those who lead this World, this
Country, or this Community whether by fair election, fiat, or inheritance. Inscribe
on their souls a yearning for peace, good will, justice, and tenderness for all
the people in their charge. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
O
God of Great Peace
Turn us from earthly worries to generous
action
~ Lord of Everlasting Mercy, nestle the aching, the
fearful, and the desperate in Your loving embrace, and revitalize all who
support their needs. We pray especially for:
O
God of Great Peace
Turn us from earthly worries to generous
action
~ Lord of Everlasting Mercy, console those stricken by
grief with a foretaste of the joy for all who are alive again in the eternal
grandeur of Heaven. We pray especially for:
O
God of Great Peace
Turn us from earthly worries to generous
action
~ Lord of Everlasting Mercy, we pause in
this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, silently
or aloud…
O
God of Great Peace
Turn us from earthly worries to generous
action
~ Lord of Everlasting Mercy, quicken the spirits of those
called and ordained to speak Your Words and celebrate Your Sacraments, inspiring us to live into Your Holy Purpose while in this earthly life. We pray especially
for:
O
God of Great Peace
Turn us from earthly worries to generous
action
The Celebrant adds: O LORD our God, dissolve our
reluctance and embolden our willingness to move beyond faithful hearing of Your
Word into conscientious doers, with generosity of spirit, striving first and
always for Your Kingdom and righteousness. We ask through Christ Jesus, our
Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit our Advocate, who together with You are our One,
Holy and Mighty God, now and forever. Amen.
*A reading from Haudenosaunee of the Six Nations [from Wisdomkeepers by Steve Wall and Harvey Arden]
Brothers,
listen to the words of the Creator given to the first United Nations, the
Haudenosaunee, over one thousand years ago. The Chiefs of the Haudenosaunee
shall be mentors of the people for all time. The thickness of their skin shall
be seven spans; which is to say that they shall be proof against anger,
offensive action, and criticism. Their hearts shall be full of peace and good
will and their minds filled with a yearning for the welfare of the people. With
endless patience, they shall carry out their duty. Their firmness shall be
tempered with a tenderness for their people. Neither anger nor fury shall find
lodging in their minds, and all their words and actions shall be marked by calm
deliberation. In every Nation there are wise and good men. These should be
appointed Chiefs. They should be the advisers of their people and work for the
good of all people, and all their power comes from the “Great Peace”. A chief
must never forget the Creator of mankind, never forget to ask Him for help. The
Creator will guide our thoughts and strengthen us as we work to be faithful to
our sacred trust and restore harmony among all peoples, all living creatures,
and Mother Earth…We were instructed to carry a love for one another and to show
a great respect for all beings of this earth…In our ways, spiritual
consciousness is the highest form of politics…When people cease to respect and
express gratitude for these many things, then all life will be destroyed, and
human life on this planet will come to an end These are our times and our
responsibilities. Every human being has a sacred duty to protect the welfare of
our Mother Earth from whom all life comes. In order to do this we must recognize
the enemy – the one within us. We must begin with ourselves.
**for more information on the Season of Creation and the Earth Charter see: http://prayersofthepeople.blogspot.com/2016/10/prayers-of-people-very-beginning-1st.html
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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