People's Prayers: Prayers of the People: Making Change 3rd Sunday in Lent '18 Yr B

For Sunday, March 4, 2018, 3^rd Sunday in Lent, Year B, Readings: Exodus 20:1-7, Psalm 19, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25,

John 2:13-22

I am the LORD your God...you shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth...Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy...But the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God... [Exodus 20:2a, 4, 8, 10a]

The law of the Lord is perfect and revives the soul...The statutes of the Lord are just and rejoice the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear and gives light to the eyes... Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight... [Psalm 19:7a, 8, 14]

For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength.

[1 Corinthians 1:25]

In the temple [Jesus] found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables…Making a whip of cords he drove all of them out of the temple...poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables..."Stop making my Father's house a marketplace!"...Jesus answered [the Jews], "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up"...But he was speaking of the temple of his body. [John 2:14-15, 16b, 19, 21]

Here we are at about the halfway point in this Lent, and the first of the appointed readings for this week presents us with the Ten Commandments. While we all think we know them, and perhaps even memorized them as children, it's a good opportunity to look at the list again and re-think our relationship with them. By digging through some archaic vocabulary and translating it into current expressions, we may very well discover a fresh perspective. Jesus later gave us what seems to be a simplified version when answering a question by saying that we are to love God with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Yet to me, there is nothing simplistic in the words of Jesus when we consider the entire list - that is, if I truly Love God, and Love my neighbor as myself, then presumably I won't create idols, misuse God's name or covet anything of anyone, as well as all the other dictates including sabbath. But it's always useful to revisit the original and consider how ~ or if ~ they are informing our thoughts and actions. We may not use the term generally, but a question to explore for myself might be, "what are the idols that get in my way of an active and conscious commitment to God?" Electronic devices, streaming services, social networking? When does wanting something become coveting? Why is my sabbath time not spent resting with God?
I'm quite taken with the Psalmist's language this time - not unusual as they often speak to me - I could put every word down in this space and just bathe in the imagery of a day and a night telling tales and imparting knowledge to one another without words but yet sounds that travel to all lands. The law of the Lord revives the soul and gives light to the eyes; cleanse me from my secret faults. Just sliding into a sabbath reverie with these words is resting with God and keeping a holy time.
As Paul is writing to the Corinthians in this first letter I was struck by the ending note of this small piece that God's foolishness is wiser that human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength. It's an unusual construct to think of God with foolishness and weakness but Paul makes it clear that we are definitely not in God's league! Yet Christ is the power and the wisdom of God.
But the real surprise is Jesus with a whip - wow - turning the tables in more ways than one! Bad day at the Temple for those livestock sellers and money changers. Such activity was forbidden in the temple and the authorities who were present were clearly looking the other way as this was, no doubt, a convenience for worshipers, and financially viable for maintaining the temple. Surely the Jews who approached him were confused when Jesus said if the temple was destroyed he would raise it in three days! But wait, "he was speaking of the temple of his body." I remember my grandmother telling me that my body is a temple of God and I should treat it with holiness. When was the last time I thought of that? A conscious relationship with my body and my mind might just be a way to consciously live into those pesky Commandments. A regular attempt at a holy Sabbath could well do more than expected, especially in these days of violence, hate-mongering, and distress as well as the idols of human (ok, my) excess. I might find that I need God for more than just a dashed off prayer when the thought occurs. Yes, it's time for making change.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader: ~ O God of Power and Wisdom, from the covenant given to us through Moses, Your Divine Commands give us each clear direction for our daily lives. Embolden us to change our unfaithful ways, choose our desire to love You above all else in this life, and actively seek to fulfill our spiritual destiny in the next.

Most Holy Lord

RESPONSE: Revive and Strengthen our Souls

~ O God of Power and Wisdom, quicken our determination to be heard by every political leader on this Earth, in this Nation, and throughout this Community. Grant us the words and vitality to inspire and require positive, life-giving action on behalf of all Your people, especially those beset and beleaguered by poverty, violence, and discrimination. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Most Holy Lord