For Sunday, November 13, 2016, 26th
Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, Readings: Isaiah
65:17-25, Psalm 98, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19
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.
For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered...Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox; but the serpent - its food shall be dust. [Isaiah 65:17, 24-25a]
O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things...Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth...He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity. [Psalm 98:1a, 4a, 9b]
For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work...Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right. [2 Thessalonians 3:11,13]
When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately...By your endurance you will gain your souls. [Luke 21:9,19]
It is Election Day morning in the U.S. as I write and all the potential narratives of this day's outcomes and events around the world seem to be written into this Gospel. The vitriol, derisiveness, and divisiveness of the electioneering with even families and friends turning against each other. There are earthquakes, famines, and plagues, terrorist acts and random violence, personal tragedies, and somewhere there are lions, and tigers, and bears, Oh My, and things that go bump in the night. Let us take a breath and stop living in the fear that terrible things will happen. Yes, of course they will, they ALWAYS HAVE, from the beginning of time not a day goes by on this earth without something terrible happening to someone, or to many, and the instant access to muddied headlines confirms the fear we want to have. But there are just as many wonderful - marvelous - things also, follow the light and see them. If you are living in a terrible time and even if you are not, seek Christ's words: I will give you words and a wisdom...By your endurance you will gain your souls. Whatever your fears the others' fears are the same. Let our enduring work begin with prayer for confidence in God's new heavens and new earth. Let us shake ourselves out of idleness borne of the paralysis of fear that masks as hate and anger. Let us move out of living in grief to finding purpose in our earthly time. Let us find the lambs in wolf guise in ourselves and others, feed on faith together, and never, ever, weary of doing what is right.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ Lord of Everlasting Mercy, strengthen
us to begin again within ourselves, to sing a new song of Your marvelous works
in our midst. Guide our thoughts and empower our hearts to serve You with
joyful noise and never weary of doing all that is right in Your name.
Great
God of All Creation
RESPONSE:
Turn earthly worries to enduring 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, and justice for all
the people in their charge. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Great
God of All Creation
Turn
earthly worries to enduring 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:
Great
God of All Creation
Turn
earthly worries to enduring 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:
Great
God of All Creation
Turn
earthly worries to enduring generous action
~ Lord of Everlasting Mercy, we pause in
this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, silently
or aloud…
Great
God of All Creation
Turn
earthly worries to enduring 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: add your own petitions
Great
God of All Creation
Turn
earthly worries to enduring generous action
The Celebrant adds: O LORD our God, dissolve our
reluctance and embolden our willingness with generosity of spirit, to strive for
righteousness and equity for all people. Let us be faithful stewards of the
sacred trust You have placed within us to care for our Earth, to restore
harmony, and to respect all others, especially in difference and disagreement. 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.
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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