People's Prayers: Prayers of the People: If only...16th Sunday after Pentecost Yr A

For Sunday, 24, 2017, 16^th Sunday after Pentecost, Year A, Readings: Exodus 16:2-15, Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45, Philippians 1:21-30, Matthew 20:1-16

The Israelites said to [Moses and Aaron], "If only we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we...ate our fill of bread..." [Exodus 16:3a]

Glory in his holy Name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Search for the LORD and his strength; continually seek his face. [Psalm 105:3-4]

Only, live your life in a manner worth of the gospel of Christ...standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, and are in no way intimidated by your opponents. [Philippians 1:27-28]

When the first came, they thought they'd receive more...they grumbled against the landowner. But he replied to one of them..."Take what belongs to you..I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you..." So the last will be first, and the first will be last.

[Matthew 20:10a, 11b, 13a, 14, 16]

The Israelites were rescued from generations of horrific slavery and tortuous lives. After sending plague upon plague to dazzle Pharaoh and persuade him to Let God's People GO - God parted The Red (aka Reed) Sea so they could escape from the Egyptians again when Pharaoh changed his mind. The escape was no picnic given the initial lack of food and water yet given what they'd left it seems, to us looking back, that things were better on the whole. But the unknown road became more frightening than the known hardships they had fled, even with the proven leadership of Moses and Aaron and their demonstrated relationship with God. And so the whole congregation complained against Moses and Aaron, saying, "If only we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt..." [Exodus 16:2-3, emphasis added] And God followed through on another promise and generously provided the meat and bread to fill them. It wouldn't be the last time they grumbled. Perhaps they didn't feel that they had gotten what they deserved. In any case, even after meals delivered by wing and frost, they hadn't learned to trust in God.

The vineyard laborers in the parable of Jesus aren't happy that the Landowner is simply using his prerogative to be generous. Same pay for an hour's work as for a full day - who wouldn't get upset about that? Don't those who worked longer and did more work deserve more? How many of us Good Christian People would grumble about that Landowner in the parking lot? If only we could feel - and stop - the creeping envy, greed, and judgment filling us, and allow for simple generosity. Do we ever learn?

It's a difficult balance to fight for equity and fairness for ourselves and others in our temporal life, while relinquishing jealousy and anger at not getting what we perceive is deserved. God isn't leading us by clouds and pillars of fire these days, but by the Word of Christ. Am I seeking it? Am I hearing it? Am I listening? Am I following? My prayer is to try to find that balance, to not leave to the last the cutting back on my envy and grumbling; and, oh yes: Dear Lord, please save me from all that I actually deserve. If only...

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader: ~ Most Generous God, if only we could remember that Your love for us is limitless as we grumble and complain about fairness in this life. Fill us with the Living Bread that we may stand firm with one spirit, striving together with one mind, for the faith of Christ’s Gospel now, and for the Life to come.

O LORD, our God

RESPONSE: Urge our hearts to seek Your Strength

~ Most Generous God, especially in these times of ongoing natural disasters, humanitarian crises, and destructive wars, equip us with the ability to sway the leaders of our World, our Nation, and our Community toward thoughtful, reasoned decisions based in justice, mercy, and peace. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

O LORD, our God