People's Prayers: Prayers of the People: What HE Said ~ MLK/Primo Sunday, 2nd Sunday of Epiphany '19 Yr C

For Sunday, January 20, 2019, Sunday after the Epiphany, MLK/Primo Sunday, Year C, Readings: Isaiah 62:1-5, Psalm 36: 5-10,

The Making of a Black Bishop*/1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11

For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn...

[Isaiah 62:1]

For with you is the well of life. and in your light we see light, Continue your loving-kindness to those who know you, and favor for those who are true of heart. [Psalm 36:9-10]

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed... there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

[1 Corinthians 12:1,4-7]

The congregation is free and the Diocese is free. And being free, we are both free to be One. What binds us together now is our common loyalty to Jesus Christ and to this branch of His Church. [Bishop Quintin Primo from The Making of a Black Bishop*]

When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what concern is that to you or me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you"… Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim.
[John 2: 3-5, 7]

As with so many Biblical anecdotes and parables, the story of the wedding feast of Cana is so well known that people of many beliefs and cultures have heard it. They even sell really terrible wine on the streets of a town that might be Cana but no one really knows for certain. As we’re told in John's Gospel, Jesus turned water into wine ~ his first miracle ~ and he didn't think he was ready. While quite an accomplishment, the setting for this first sign may not appear to be auspicious enough for such a pivotal event or serve humanity in any important way. Yet his mother asked and he complied, if slightly less than willing. He took the first step in his ministry.
The volume of the wine changed from the water is significant; it is an abundant amount given how late in the celebration. It is a metaphor for the way the love and Presence of God fills us all, God's own created vessels, up to the brim, just as the new wine fills the stone jars. And, it matters not how late in our lives we change and recognize the fullness of God's love within. The moment made believers of his disciples: Jesus, Son of God, Worker of Miracles! Let's follow him everywhere!

Jesus was the embodiment of God's gifts as we each are, in our own individual ways. For us mere mortals, discerning our gifts is not easy and many of us ignore or disclaim them, hide under a mask of artificial humility, mistaking confidence for conceit. We may not all have the greatness to save the entire world but each one of us has abilities, knowledge, and talent that make us unique, useful, even admirable ~ if we accept them. Perhaps it is easier to hide from them as if the acceptance and claiming requires some responsibility for using them. Jesus accepted his gifts and used them for teaching, preaching, and healing. Dr. King and Bishop Primo used their gifts and did change the world and, often, especially as with Dr. King, at their own peril.

But of course Jesus, Dr. King, and Bishop Primo were special people, called by God to do great and memorable things that are written down and remembered. "For Zion's sake I will not keep silent..." says Isaiah, and Dr. King, and Bishop Primo. What is Zion for me? What will call me from just dreaming about what I might do someday to pushing myself to action now? Dr. King said, "Faith is taking the first step, even when you don't see the whole staircase." Our first step begins with the Gospels. Bishop Primo was very clear when he said, "What binds us together now is our common loyalty to Jesus Christ..." But not everyone agrees on how and what to believe. If the Gospel message is so clear why are so many Christians arguing with and disparaging each other? How can there be so many divisions, denominations, theological and ideological differences determining who's in and who's out and who's right and who's wrong, who should be condemned (or worse) and who should be accepted? If being fully loved by God, as we learn from the Gospels, doesn't brings us all together, it does beg the question, "So, really, What Would Jesus Do?" Well, in faith be true of heart and as Mary directed, do everything He tells us. (And, listen to your mother.)

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader: ~ O God Most Loving, give us ears to hear, hearts to feel, and souls to know the Spirit-charged words and voices of Your servants Martin and Quintin. Activate our own spiritual gifts, that we may change the substance of our lives from self-serving to full-service, to be true of heart and strong in faith, now more than ever.

O Righteous, Faithful Lord

RESPONSE: In You our souls are free at last

~ O God Most Loving, let us not keep silent but give our voices loudly and often for those who are lost and forsaken, in danger and despair in this life. Let us not rest until all governments and authorities, locally and globally, make The Dream into truth with peace, justice, and mercy for ALL of Your people everywhere. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

O Righteous, Faithful Lord