People's Prayers: Prayers of the People: Two Daughters ~ 5th Sunday after Pentecost '21 Yr B

For Sunday, June 27, 2021; Readings: Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-34; Psalm 30, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15,

Mark 5:21-43

God did not make death, and he does not delight in the death of the living…for God created us for incorruption and made us in the image of his eternity…but through the devil’s envy death entered the world… [Wisdom of Solomon 1:13, 2:23-34]

For his wrath endures but the twinkling of an eye, his favor for a lifetime. Weeping may spend the night, but joy comes in the morning…O Lord my God, I will give you thanks for ever. [Psalm 30:5-6, 13b]

...I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others...For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has – not according to what one does not have...it is a question of fair balance between your present abundance and their need… [2 Cor 8:8b, 12, 13b-14a]

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea...Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, 'Do not fear, only believe.' [Mark 5: 21, 36b]

In these chaotic times our attention is divided among so many issues as we begin to re-emerge from over a year of pandemic fears and quarantines, humanitarian crises in our own land and across the world, as well as political angst and anger. It feels much like the storm in the Sea of Galilee that so frightened experienced sailors that they woke the sleeping Jesus to calm the seas and still the winds. When the sea was quieted, Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to cross over to the other side.

We continue to cross a churning sea of unknown depth and limit to seek to re-establish our footing on solid ground – and from the disarray, the anger, and the fear, some of us move into new consciousness, some of us retreat into the old.

Paul enters testy waters as he asks the Corinthians to cross over from the previous idea of financial support for the poor in Jerusalem, to acting on finishing the plan and giving the funds. He tells us all that if we are eager to help, any gift is acceptable, given according to what we have and not given from what we do not have. I especially like when he says in verses 13 and 14, I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of fair balance between your present abundance and their need… What is too much; what is too little? Our own eagerness – or lack of – will determine how we give. How we are judged later is not open to any earthly discussion or decision.

Mark gives us Jesus and the Disciples after the storm we read last week, landing on the other shore where Jesus is met by a frightened father, a leader of the synagogue, in fear of his daughter's serious illness. Jesus agrees to go to see the child. On the way, a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for 12 years reached for and touched his cloak and was suddenly healed. Then Jesus goes on to the home of Jairus and is told that the child has died – but of course, we know how this story ends.

In this week’s readings, two more crossings have occurred as two daughters are healed – a woman suffering for 12 years crosses back into full health, and a girl of 12 years, seemingly dead, crosses back into life. Perhaps those witnessing also crossed over into a new or greater level of faith as Jesus tells the woman, Daughter, your faith has made you well. Also, it was the faith of Jairus that Jesus responded to in the raising of his daughter.

It is in the working through faith that we are healed of the ailments of our souls. It is in a determined community of faith, crossing various angry seas at times and floating along in the moments of tranquil waters, that we find our eagerness of purpose. With all hands on deck pulling together in all the sea changes we face, giving time, talent, and money according to what we each have, in principle and with the genuineness of our love, we will bring ourselves and each other safely to that heavenly shore, where there is no death, or chaos, or strife, but only life everlasting. Through our conscious faith in Christ and the actions of our hearts and hands, many more of God’s daughters and sons will be lifted up out of nights spent weeping, into the dawn of the joy that comes through restoration in God.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader: ~ O God of Mercy and Healing, hear our cries to lift us each day and restore us to Your favor and spiritual health, that through Your help we may be clothed with the joy of Your immortal righteousness.

O Lord our God

RESPONSE: We will give You thanks forever

~ O God of Mercy and Healing, awaken the gifts of compassion, virtue, and morality within us and all who govern in our World, in our Country, and in our Community, to ensure that a fair balance be struck between the abundance of the few and the needs of the many. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

O Lord our God