People's Prayers: Prayers of the People: Truth and Consciences, 6th Sunday of Easter, Yr A '17

For Sunday, May 21, 2017, 6th Sunday of Easter, Year A, Readings: Acts 17:22-31, Psalm 66:7-18, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21

The God who made the world and everything in it...gives to all mortals life and breath...From one ancestor he made all nations to inhabit the whole earth...so that they would search for God...though indeed he is not far from each one of us. [Acts 17:24a, 25b-26a, 27]

Bless our God...who holds our souls in life...who has not rejected my prayer, nor withheld his love from me. [Psalm 66:7a, 8b, 18b]

Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear...And Baptism...now saves you - not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ... [1 Peter 3:13-14a, 21]

Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments and I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of Truth...You know him because he abides with you, and he will be in you. I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you." [John 14:15-18]

This week's readings begin with reminders of the work of God in Creation, who, in addition to making the world, gave us life and breath and holds our souls in life. God is known to us and although life is often difficult, God is with us throughout it all. God doesn't need anything as he made everything but part of God's plan, Paul tells the Athenians, and now us, is that we are to search for God and find him. And if for no other reason, God's gift of life to us seems reason enough to seek a living with good conscience, yet Peter takes us farther to say that our Baptism saves us as an appeal for a good conscience thanks to the resurrection of Jesus.
The words Jesus speaks in John's Gospel this week are from the Last Supper after Jesus has washed the disciples' feet and tells of his coming betrayal and Peter's denial. In last week's passage, just before this one, Jesus says Do not let your hearts be troubled and this week he tells of asking God, on our behalf, for another Advocate who is within us, the Spirit of Truth. He reassures the disciples, who don't yet understand at this point - and us who now know what was to come - that he will not leave us orphaned; we will see him again.
When we combine these passages, we find another powerful reminder - the constancy of our ever-present God in Three Persons, Creator, Savior, Advocate. And the truth is, when we actively work to build and keep a good conscience, recognize and call upon the Trinity within us, we are more and more able to relinquish the strong hold of earthly distractions, fears, and griefs as we walk through our human existence on our Way to eternal life with our Living Christ.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader: ~ Lord Creator of Heaven and Earth, we live and move and have our being in You, who gave us life and breath. You have overlooked our ignorance and never withheld Your love. Quicken our desire to search and find You, repent, and pledge our love and obedience to Your commandments.

Blessed be our God

RESPONSE: Who heeds our every prayer

~ Lord Creator of Heaven and Earth, grant us the words and wisdom to urge an accounting of actions from the political leaders of our world, our country, and our community, in the service of mercy and justice for all Your peoples and the health of this planet, our earthly home. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Blessed be our God