Prayers of the People: Facial Recognition ~ 20th Sunday after Pentecost Yr A

For Sunday, October 18, 2020, Readings: Exodus 33:12-23, Psalm 99, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22

The LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing that you have asked; for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name. [Exodus 33:17]

      O LORD our God, you answered them indeed; you were a God who forgave them, yet punished them for their evil deeds. [Psalm 99:8]

     For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you...in every place your faith in God has become known...how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God... [1 Thess 1:8a, 9b]

     The Pharisees went and plotted to entrap Jesus in what he said...But Jesus, aware of their malice said, "Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax." ...Then he said to them, "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." [Matthew 22:15,18-21]

    Is this the same Moses who pleaded with God not to send him to Pharaoh and said: …I have never been eloquent…I am slow of speech and slow of tongue…? [Exodus 4:10] As a model of trust and experience, Moses certainly has a lot to say to God again this week and even more intensely than last week. With an insistent tone, in a startling lesson in courage, he perseveres in his demands that require God to listen and respond ~ but, Moses also knows when to take a breath and wait for God's voice. Among other things, this is a reminder that each one of us can speak to God in our own voices with our own words and tell, ask, and even demand, and then quietly, patiently, and with an open heart, listen for ~ and accept ~ how and when God chooses to answer.
       We are shown by Moses and then Paul reminds us to recognize and live into our deep relationship with God as we build our trust and faith, to feel the power of the Holy Spirit within us. Each breath we take comes from God and that awareness gives us the willingness, however tentative at times, to begin to act upon it. The more we are conscious of living our faith, the more faith grows, and our prayer and action become a truer reflection of the image of God that we already are. 
       The subtle twist in the Gospel lesson of Jesus and Caesar's money is often lost, much like the obscurity of an inside joke that only works when everyone "gets it." Remembering that this is just after the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem to cheers and high excitement, provides a heightened sense of tension in this week of weeks in Christ’s brief human experience. We know what is ahead in only a few short days.
       On the surface, this seemingly casual exchange appears as a teaching on the separation of Church and State but wait. As so very often happens, Jesus is turning the tables on those almost-smart-enough Pharisees. Instead of falling into their trap, he caught them in his. The coin with the Emperor Caesar's image also contained an inscription that proclaimed the divinity of Caesar. While the coin was the mandatory currency by the occupying Romans, for the Jews the image alone was clearly as blasphemous as the inscription regarding divinity. All Pharisees would know that from the prohibitions in both Genesis and Exodus against graven images and proclamations of divinity other than the God of Abraham. While the coins were required in everyday life, especially for paying Roman taxes, anyone on Temple grounds with such a coin in his pocket would be guilty of the very serious offense of blasphemy. That's why there were money changers at the Temple to exchange Roman money for an acceptable coin for Jewish offerings, coins that contained no human or animal images. The Pharisees' disciples were expecting Jesus to uphold the coin, perhaps even on Temple grounds, and then they could proclaim him as a blasphemer. No such luck. When Jesus tosses off the "Give therefore to the Emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's," the Pharisees' disciples were amazed because they suddenly knew the joke was on them. It has been suggested that perhaps, in his quietly subversive way, Jesus was hinting about a payback to Caesar as in "Give to Caesar what he deserves?"  
        We are created in the image of God and we are called to give the currency of ourselves to God's purpose. Although Moses was denied seeing the Face of God, seeking and finding God in Christ in one another is the only facial recognition we need. 

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O Lord, our God, because Moses asked, You gave Your presence and favor through him to us. We ask that You awaken our faith through each breath You give us, that we may serve You with joy, in the hope of Christ, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

                                                       Holy God, Living and True
                                                       Strengthen our faith and conviction

~ O Lord, our God, no matter what coin we render to political power, our greatest currency is ourselves, who are made in Your image. Guide our actions, voices, and words in the houses of government in this Nation, in this World, and on the local streets and roads of our lives, to always reflect Your graciousness and mercy. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Holy God, Living and True
                                                       Strengthen our faith and conviction

~ O Lord, our God, soothe and heal all who live in chronic pain, worry, and hopelessness, and rejuvenate those who give love and care. We now join our hearts together to pray for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                       Holy God, Living and True
                                                       Strengthen our faith and conviction

~ O Lord, our God, our hearts are full of love and thanksgiving for those You have called home to glory and rejoicing in new life through Christ. We pray especially for… add your own petitions

                                                       Holy God, Living and True
                                                       Strengthen our faith and conviction

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

                                                       Holy God, Living and True
                                                       Strengthen our faith and conviction

~ O Lord, our God, magnify Your presence in and through all who teach us Your Word, guide our Worship,
hear our needs, and whose life work is to walk with us toward You. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                              

                                                       Holy God, Living and True
                                                       Strengthen our faith and conviction

The Celebrant adds: O God Most High, keep us close in Your holy heart that we are reminded often of Your constancy, to ask often for Your favor, and to be conscious of how to serve You in every moment of this brief and mortal life. We ask this through our Savior, Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit, who together with You, reign as One God now and forever.  Amen.

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