A moment of contemplation for yourself or on behalf of others on everything from the life-altering to the mundane.


Prayer: A conversation with The Higher Other who lives within each of us. An invitation to vent, to re-think, to ask, and to rest.

Monday, August 31, 2020

Prayers of the People: Here and There ~ 14th Sunday after Pentecost '20 Yr A

For Sunday, September 6, 2020, Readings: Exodus 12:1-14, Psalm 149, Romans 13:8-14, Matthew 18:15-20

       The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: This month shall mark for you the beginning of months...I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. [Exodus 12:1-2b, 13b]

           Hallelujah! Sing to the Lord a new song; sing his praise in the congregation of the faithful. [Psalm 149:1]

         The commandments...are summed up in this word, "Love your neighbor as yourself"...love is the fulfilling of the law...now is the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers...Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light... [Romans 13:9b,11b, 12b]

      "Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven...For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them." [Matthew 18:18, 20]


        Five-year-olds have an often startling grasp of reality and a blessedly unrestrained capacity to speak to it. At a 90th birthday party for her Great-Great Aunt, Miss Rebecca, calculating and noticeably pondering the meaning of so many blazing candles, suddenly exclaimed to her with genuine dismay, "OH NO! You're almost died!" Our Aunt, taking it all in stride, replied with a broad smile and very natural tone, "Well, I'm a lot closer than I used to be."  And so, as Paul says, are we all a lot closer than we used to be, especially in these times of pandemic, natural disasters, and escalating rage.
        This week we are given the details of the tricky, and likely nervous-making, preparation for the Lord’s pass over that was fatal for most and spared only the families who were given, and accurately followed, the instructions. Jesus lays out a plan for conflict resolution in the Church, which if followed without a sense of sincere discretion, care, and responsibility, may have a similarly fatal effect for many individuals and the community itself. He tells us again, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven, which should have a chilling and sobering effect on how we decide to act. Conflict resolution is tenuous in the best of times; a huge responsibility for all parties. The pointing out of faults is always easier when you think you have none. Such a thought is itself, fault-y reasoning. We must each consider, how would I want to be approached if my behavior or attitude or personality is a problem for someone else?
        Paul reminds us, because we need to hear again and again, Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as yourself." I used to hear that as "love your neighbor as you love yourself" and, of course, if one has difficulty loving oneself it would be apparent in the way they treat others. Yet in the fuller sense, I now read it as written - love your neighbor as your self. THAT person is YOU. Loving him/her/themis to love yourself, to seek and discover a mirror image in another and love that part of them, however miniscule, that is you. Jesus promises that in unity and community, when two or three or more gather in his name, we bring Him into our midst. How, then, do I speak to and with another knowing Christ is present? That may not make it easier for us, yet it gives us a place to start; a new song to sing. "Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law." 
[Romans 13:10] [and also see Mt 22:35-40, Mk 12:28-34, Lk 10:25-28, Jn 13:31-35]
      But of course the world seems over-run with fanatics, psychotics, and sociopaths, and also just plain disagreeable people, who don't understand that MY opinion is the correct one! And I'd paint my doorpost with whatever God wants if that would protect those I love, but it appears that is no longer an option. I must admit that I have trouble liking some people let alone loving them, especially people who intentionally do serious harm physically, emotionally, and spiritually to others. Yet try as I might, the reality is that I cannot change what anyone else does; I can only change my response to it. No easy task, no easy solution, but one certainty exists: Salvation is nearer to us now, and every passing moment brings it closer. The time is NOW to turn to Christ, to act for Christ, to love in, through, and as Christ - whew, hard work when there are no guarantees that our efforts will be successful or appreciated in this life. If only I could just wait a little longer to get in there and do all that I should. But, time's a-wastin', and for those of us who believe in, or at the very least want, eternal Salvation, Jesus lets us know that what we do HERE is directly applied to what we get THERE. But the LIGHT of Christ is always with us whether we are 1s, 2s, 3s or more, together in faith.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Most High Lord, Your Love, through Christ, will pass over our sins in the moment we seek and live into our true calling. Guide us to forgive the unforgivable, to live honorably and honestly, and to continue the work to love everyone we meet as if they are ourselves.

                                                       O Creator God                            
RESPONSE:                  We sing You a new song by our lives

~ Most High Lord, with the Radiance of Christ on the doorposts and lintels of and in our lives, we give witness of Your Unconditional Love to all who lead this World, this Country, and this Community, with express expectations that they will act for the safety, wholeness, and health of all Your people. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Creator God
                                                       We sing You a new song by our lives
                                                      
~ Most High Lord, comfort and heal all who are chronically ill, live in the relentless demand of addiction, or have lost their sense of home, and refresh all who give them care. We now join our hearts together to pray for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                       O Creator God
                                                       We You a new song by our lives
             
~ Most High Lord, grant us peace in knowing that our loved ones now blossom in the eternal sunshine of Life everlasting with You. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Creator God
                                                       We sing You a new song by our lives

~ Most High Lord, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials… add your own petitions

                                                       O Creator God
                                                       We You a new song by our lives

~ Most High Lord, prepare a special place in Your eternal Kingdom for those who lead us in Your Church, who pray with us and for us, preach Your word to us, and shepherd us to spiritual growth in this Community of Faith in ever changing ways. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Creator God
                                                       We sing You a new song by our lives
                                                                                            
The Celebrant adds:  O God, Holy and Mighty, awaken our hearts that in this short life, we may see ourselves as You see us, with love, compassion, and understanding for ourselves and all others. Illuminate our path with the Light of Christ, the armor that binds us against the darkness of sinful action and evil intent. We ask through Jesus, our Redeemer and Messiah, and the Holy Spirit, our Fount of Wisdom, who live and reign together with You, One God, Timeless, Immortal, and Infinite. Amen.





All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com


Monday, August 24, 2020

Prayers of the People: Stumbling Blocks ~ 13th Sunday after Pentecost '20 Yr A

For Sunday, August 30, 2020, Readings: Exodus 3:1-15, Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c; Romans 12:9-21, Matthew 16:21-28

        Moses...came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush...the bush was blazing but not consumed...God called to him..."Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am." Then he said, "Come no closer...for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." [Exodus 3:1b-2, 4b-5]

            Glory in his holy Name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. [Psalm 105:3]

          Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;...outdo one another in showing honor...never avenge yourselves...for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."...overcome evil with good. [Romans 12:9, 10b, 19, 21b]

          Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem...and be killed and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him saying, "God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you." But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things." [Matthew 16:21a,b-23]

          From out of the flaming bush, God called Moses to lead the Israelites out from the torture and horrors of their existence as slaves in the ancient world. Moses, probably still trying to grasp that God is speaking to him from a burning shrub, gives a most human response, "Who am I" to do this unimaginable task? Moses had just been minding the sheep in his everyday, ordinary life and suddenly he's called to save a nation - reluctance is the mildest emotion I would have felt! Of course this is a great story worthy of the many dramatic renderings in films and other media that it has inspired. And perhaps because of the magnitude of this command, the primary message seems obscured.
      The world of today is not so far away in attitude from the times of Moses. Around the world and in each of our own countries, as many of us go through our days just minding our sheep, there are ever-growing outbursts of racial and ethnic hatred, senseless mass killings, and unchecked and imposed power grabs creating enslavement through poverty, robust greed, oppression, suppression, proactive and reactive violence ~ all elements that have never left the human realm.
       But God, through Moses, reminds us that, however reluctant, we are each called to step up to Holy Ground and find our own ways to save nations, if only by one sheep at a time.
      It is much easier to wander in the wilderness of apathy or cling to the false gods of power and profit as if to save us from ourselves and each other. But last week Paul reminded us of our individual gifts that work in concert with the gifts of others so that we are one body, with many members, charged to live in and through Christ. This week, Paul, gives us a rapid-fire list of how to begin to be the Living Sacrifice that Jesus calls us to be:  Let love be genuine, hate evil, hold fast to good, love one another, outdo, don't lag, rejoice, be patient, persevere, contribute, extend, bless, rejoice, weep, live, associate, and don't claim to be wiser than you are, etc., etc., etc. 
      I'm nearly exhausted at the thought of it all yet Jesus reminds us that all that has been done will be repaid in kind by God. If we only Follow him, Jesus says, not setting our minds on human things but on the divine, we will gain the life we were created to live. We must take care to suspend our natural impulse to argue with Jesus out of doubt, fear, or unwillingness that turns us into stumbling blocks obstructing the path of others. We must come back from hiding behind the devilish desires for human treasure and move to the front of the line, as did Peter, seeking to overcome evil with good. One day, one small act, one prayer at a time leading to another and another and another...opens the Way forward.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY 

Leader:  ~ Glorious Creator, Your Sacred Fire sanctifies our faith, transforms our souls, and guides us to find our footing on holy ground in this earthly life. Help us to continually seek Your Strength and Your Face, that we may not be consumed by human things, but set our minds on all that is divine. 

                                              Constant and Forever God                                                  
RESPONSE:                         Grant us Your Strength 

~ Glorious Creator, enflame Your Spirit within us to persist and prevail upon the leaders of this Country, this Community, and this World, to reject repaying evil with evil, to hold fast to what is good, legislating only for the honor, dignity, and humanity for all Your people everywhere. We pray especially for:add your own petitions

Constant and Forever God 
Grant us Your Strength 

~ Glorious Creator, grant us wisdom as listening ears and helping hands to care for those with physical or mental illness or desperate life circumstance, and for those who struggle to meet those needs. We now join our hearts together to pray for those in need… add your own petitions

Constant and Forever God 
Grant us Your Strength 

~ Glorious Creator, may our hearts know the joy that celebrates all who have now risen into the Splendor of Eternity, free of misery and tears. We pray especially for: add your own petitions 

Constant and Forever God 
Grant us Your Strength 

~  Glorious Creator, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials… add your own petitions

Constant and Forever God 
Grant us Your Strength 

~ Glorious Creator, enhance and extend your enduring grace and faith-filled energy for those among us who are anointed to take on Your mantle of ministry on our behalf. We pray especially for:add your own petitions

Constant and Forever God 
Grant us Your Strength 


The Celebrant adds: O God of Yesterday, Today, and Forever, release us from desire for the superficial milk and honey of this life, the spiritual stumbling blocks of faith. Ignite our passion toFollow, not obstruct, the Way of Christ toward our Salvation. We ask in the name of Jesus, Son of Man, and the Holy Spirit, our Divine Fervor, who reign together with You as One, Living, and Eternal God. Amen. 



All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com


Monday, August 17, 2020

Prayers of the People: Papyrus, Rock, Keys ~ 12th Sunday after Pentecost '20 Yr A

For Sunday, August 23, 2020, Readings: Exodus 1:8-2:10, Psalm 124, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20

    Now a new king arose over Egypt...[who] commanded all his people "Every boy that is born to the Hebrews you shall throw into the Nile...[When the Levite] woman...bore a son...she got a papyrus basket...she put the child in it among the reeds on the bank of the river...The daughter of Pharoah...took pity on him...she took him as her son. She named him Moses, "because," she said, "I drew him out of the water." 
[Exodus 1:8a, 22a, 2:2a, 3a,b; 5a, 6b, 10b]

      Our help is in the Name of the Lord, the maker of Heaven and Earth. [Psalm 124:8]

      ...by the mercies of God...present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship...Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed...that you may discern what is the will of God...We have gifts that differ according to the grace given us... [Romans 12:1b, 2, 6a]

      [Jesus] said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him..."I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
 [Matthew 16:15-16, 17a, 19]

                 Just as the well-worn literary device of "It was a dark and stormy night" alerts us to trouble ahead, so do the opening words of this passage of Exodus, "Now a new king arose over Egypt who did not know Joseph." Of course we know the story of Moses and what is to come, we've seen the movies. Our ease with the story, however, can give way to distraction especially when the church service is online and we're sitting with coffee in hand, letting the reading roll on while we check an incoming Facebook post or a text message on our mobile phones. But the re-telling, of this and each of the other specifically appointed readings every week (as well as in the Daily Office), gives us a chance to find a new focus, or hear something we hadn't noticed before, or had forgotten. This is a the perfect time and opportunity to seek and discover the keys to unlocking the connections between the Hebrew and Christian Testaments.* By setting aside earthly distractions for at least the length of the Liturgy, and if we intentionally listen, hear, and consciously permit, ways to inform and shape our every-day-lives here and now will be more easily recognized. Reading them again for ourselves later will also add depth and possibly raise interesting thoughts and questions to encourage further contemplation.  
           Paul reminds us, in a most timely way, that we are one body in Christ with God-given, grace-filled gifts that we are to identify within ourselves and offer in service to God and each other. He says, Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God. He both admonishes and encourages us to look beyond ourselves to work together for God's purpose as the welcoming all-inclusive community of the many members in Christ. 
         When Jesus asks who others think he is, perhaps the disciples were wondering themselves if Jesus was some sort of re-incarnation of the prophets. But Simon Peter, gets the prize for getting the answer correct. Peter - a name meaning rock in Greek - is then awarded the keys of the kingdom of heaven to bind and loose on earth and in heaven. Did Peter, in that moment, feel the enormous weight of the responsibility? Binding and loosing is a rabbinical concept that, as Jews, the disciples - and Matthew - understood. In very simplistic terms it means as a communal judgment to bind as in obligation or to loosen that requirement. How does that apply to us in our lives today?  
        Many of us feel a strong obligation, or at least a commitment, to present ourselves in Church each Sunday - if only online as currently until again in person - but of course we are free to not view or attend. So what does a true obligation to the work of Christ actually mean? Ah, that's where discernment applies. Discovering what are and how to use our particular gifts, as well as offering them in the sincere attempt to follow God's will, is the work of a lifetime, our spiritual worship, our living sacrifice. Our human gifts are the keys to unlocking our spiritual gifts when used in preparation for the true life that is to come. All that was, is now, and all that is now, will come again. It is up to us, individually and collectively, to recognize the connections we share with the past and the future that help us to decipher the signs that we are on the right path or diverging from it. To paraphrase mystic/monk Thomas Merton's helpful and hopeful prayer that begins, "My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going...," the fact that I think I'm following God's will does not mean that I truly am doing so, BUT, I do believe that God knows when I am sincere in my desire to please and fulfill my calling. * * 
        Sincerity of purpose is one key to the loosening of apprehension and the binding of trust. Connecting the lessons of the past and present is the key to the future of life everlasting. 

*(As for a couple of biblical connections, the word for basket - as in the basket that Moses was placed in - is the same word as ark in Hebrew; ark is not just a vessel for water travel, it is a sanctuary, a safe place such as a box or a chest as with the ark of the covenant. In Exodus, all Hebrew boy babies were ordered to be killed by Pharaoh to prevent them growing up and revolting against him. Earlier in Matthew, Herod ordered all boys under 2 years old to be killed to prevent a Messiah from undermining his reign. Go forth and discover more each week.) 

**for the full text click here: Thomas Merton's Prayer


LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY 

Leader:  ~ O Living God, our Maker and our Help, through the waters that birth us, and Moses was drawn from, that nourish the Earth and sometimes drown it, we struggle to navigate our lives between the raging and the calm. Let us not drift aimlessly through tide and torrent, but point ourselves toward the Light of Christ, the Incarnation of Your Holy Will for us. 

O Lord, our God                                                  
RESPONSE:                                   Transform and Renew us 

~ O Living God, our Maker and our Help, empower us to be vigorous in the pursuit of re-forming the attitudes, agenda, and actions from callous to compassionate on the part of the political leaders of this World, this Country, and this Community.  We pray especially for:  add your own petitions

O Lord, our God 
Transform and Renew us 

~  O Living God, our Maker and our Help, infuse hope, healing, and comfort in all who are lost in the grip of serious or life-threatening illness, and all who give of their strength in support.  We now join our hearts together to pray for those in need… add your own petitions
     
O Lord, our God 
Transform and Renew us  
        
~  O Living God, our Maker and our Help, open wide the gates of heaven as You receive in joy, those we now commend to the bliss of eternal life. We pray especially for… add your own petitions

O Lord, our God 
Transform and Renew us 

Living God, our Maker and our Help, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials… add your own petitions
   
O Lord, our God 
Transform and Renew us  
                      
~ O Living God, our Maker and our Help, we offer our special thanksgivings for those who guide, us by their teaching, preaching, and prayers, to discern our own gifts and discover our path to all that is good and acceptable to You. We pray especially for:  add your own petitions
 
O Lord, our God 
Transform and Renew us  
                                                                                                        
The Celebrant adds:  Holy and Immortal God, awaken us each morning with eagerness to offer ourselves in service to Your Supreme Will, to escape the snares of conforming to what is of this world, and bind ourselves to Your Kingdom. We ask through Jesus, Son of Man, our Blessed Messiah; and the Holy Spirit, our Counselor and Advocate, who together with You are one God, eternal, and everlasting.   Amen. 





All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com