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 30, 2021

Prayers of the People: Openings ~ 15th Sunday after Pentecost '21 Yr B

For Sunday, September 5, 2021, Readings: Isaiah 35:4-7a, Psalm 146, James 2:1-10, [11-13], 14-17;
 Mark 7:24-37

Say to those who are of a fearful heart, 'Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God…He will come and save you.' 
[Isaiah 35:4a,c]

Put not your trust in rulers, nor of any child of earth…Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help…The Lord sets prisoners free…opens the eyes of the blind…lifts up those who are bowed down…loves the righteous…cares for the stranger…sustains the orphan and widow, but frustrates the way of the wicked. 
[Psalm 146:2a, 7-8] 

My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ…What good is it…if you say you have faith but do not have works? [James 2:1, 14] 

But she answered [Jesus], 'Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs.' Then he said to her, 'For saying that, you may go ~ the demon has left your daughter'...Then looking up to heaven, [Jesus] sighed and said to him, 'Ephphatha,' that is, 'Be opened.' And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. [Mark 7:28-29, 34-35] 

 In the midst of all that is happening in our world at this moment, come the appointed readings for this week filled with hope, warnings, instruction, and questions. We are emphatically reminded that awareness, attentiveness, and good works are keys to how we live into the faith we claim, and we ignore them at our eternal peril. In taking easier ~ even unconscious/habitual ~ paths in giving favor to ourselves and only certain others, by not working on behalf of all our sisters and brothers, in following the laws we like and not the ones we don't, we are in sin and our faith will slowly falter and die.
     Isaiah opens us with the hopeful message to all who are of a fearful heart by encouraging us to be strong and not fear, and then comes an immediate warning of God’s vengeance and recompense yet what follows is the comforting He will come and save you.
    The Psalmist instructs us not to put trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth and then parallels the comforting words of Isaiah about the healings of the blind, the deaf, the lame, and others.  
     James then asks if I really believe....well, sure, when I'm consciously aware, attentively faithful, and when in church, more or less. I have to think about what I believe, sometimes. Yet at other times I'm absolutely certain. I suddenly realize how rarely aware of how unaware of God I am in the rush of the day, the list to be completed, life whipping by at warp speed. I am all-too-often lax in the action specified in the Royal Law of scripture to love your neighbor as yourself.
     And then here is Jesus saying, "Ephphatha" ~ "Be opened." This miraculous phrase gives me a pause, a moment to breathe, an opening of my own to release me from the self-imposed binding of mindless selfishness. The writer of James is trying to open us all to act on what we say we believe; after all, aren’t actions borne out of consciousness, mindfulness, and faithfulness the keys to living out our faith in God?
     Even the Syrophoenician woman opened herself ~ in an unexpected way for a woman of her time ~ to talk back to Jesus with quite a stunning retort. Jesus was in the middle of his ministry, and he was becoming well known for his healing and preaching, sought after by his Jewish followers. Being confronted by a non-Jewish [Gentile] woman asking for her child to be healed he told her, in effect, that Jewish people [the "children"] should be fed [healed] first as it wasn't fair to throw their food [healing] to the dogs [Gentiles]. Was he merely testing her or was he in turn also opened by her candor when she replied, Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs? Jesus replied, For saying that you may go, and her child was released from the demon.
      As Jesus healed the man who was deaf and couldn't speak clearly, he also heals us. By these words we can open up to new insight, new awareness. We were created to live and act in faith, to reap the harvest of eternal life, to love and treat all our neighbors as if they were our own selves. Let us explore and re-discover the faith that becomes more conscious with every thought, with every kindness, and every action centered in ChristIt is true that the promises in Scripture of retribution for evil or an easy life for goodness aren't always seen or heard, yet even the tiniest crumbs of faith paired with good acts and obedience to God's law, will live and thrive and grow. A sentence from one of the post-Communion Prayers in the Episcopal Book of Common [page 365] sums it up quite beautifully: Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart. Ephphatha!

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O Lord our God, rouse us from the distractions of our own time, that we may turn crumbs of neglect into seeds of generosity that blossom into love for our neighbors and ourselves. Guide us to fulfill the royal law according to Scripture and use our work in this earthly life as a reflection of our abiding belief in You.  

God of Hope and Compassion
RESPONSE:        Transform our Faith into Action          

~ O Lord our God, empower our voices to disquiet the satisfaction of those who profit from injustice, and help us turn aside such rulers of earth. Let us call for those who wield power in the halls of government on our Planet, in our Nation, and in our Community, to be true of heart, turn their trust to You, and work to ensure the dignity and humanity of all. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                God of Hope and Compassion
                                                Transform our Faith into Action

~ O Lord our God, lift up those who are bowed down through serious illness, despair, or natural disaster, and energize all who give them loving support. We now join our hearts together to pray for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                God of Hope and Compassion
                                                Transform our Faith into Action

~ O Lord our God, grant peace and comfort to those who grieve in knowing that their beloved has risen into the eternal bliss of life everlasting with You. We pray especially for… add your own petitions

                                                God of Hope and Compassion
                                                Transform our Faith into Action

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

  

                                                God of Hope and Compassion
                                                Transform our Faith into Action                

~ O Lord our God, continually renew and excite the spirits of our earthly Shepherds as they guide, inspire, and walk with us on our journey in faith. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                God of Hope and Compassion
                                                Transform our Faith into Action

The Celebrant adds: Eternal God, open our ears to hear Your Word and release our tongues to speak our faith plainly as we seek to honor Your ways in every thought, word, and deed of our daily lives. We ask in the name of Jesus, our Glorious Christ; and the Holy Spirit, the Breath of our Souls; who together with You reign as one God from before all time and for evermore.  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 23, 2021

Prayers of the People: The Heart is the Matter ~ 14th Sunday after Pentecost '21 Yr B

For Sunday, August 29, 2021, Readings: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9; Psalm 15, James 1:17-27, 
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

 …keep the commandments of the Lord your God…observe them diligently for this will show your wisdom and discernment….Take care and watch yourselves closely, so as neither to forget the things that your eyes have seen nor to let them slip from your minds all the days of your life; make them known to your children and your children’s children. [Deuteronomy 4:2b, 6a, 9]

   Lord, who may dwell in your tabernacle? Who may abide upon your holy hill? Whoever leads a blameless life and does what is right, who speaks the truth from his heart. [Psalm 15:1-2]

    Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above...let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God's righteousness...be doers of the word, and not merely hearers...care for orphans and widows in their distress...keep...unstained by the world. [James 1:17a, 19b-20, 22a, 27b]

    "Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites...You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition"...For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come... [Mark 7:6a, 8,21a]

     Our first reading this week is from Deuteronomy. The name comes from a compound word with the prefix deutero which means second, and the suffix -nomy­ which means a system of laws or rules, or a body of knowledge of a particular subject. The full word in this context means the second pronouncement of the Law¸ meaning God’s Commandments. The first appearance of the Ten Commandments is in Exodus 20:3-17, and the second is in Deuteronomy 5:6-21. In this reading, Moses is admonishing the Israelites, who like us, need continuing reminders to live in accordance with these commandments. They and we are neither to add to or subtract from them based on a human idea that this or that is no longer valid. Of course, we know that Jesus distilled them in Matthew 22:37-39: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” If you think about the Ten and all they say ~ loving God with all that is in you turns into loving the God within you and therefore loving yourself, and then, the not stealing, killing, coveting, etc. ~ truly means loving your neighbor given that we won’t steal, kill, or covet anything of a beloved neighbor. So, nothing is added or subtracted, all we need to do is observe them diligently.
     The Psalmist asks God who can live in the Tabernacle upon God’s holy hill? Those who lead a blameless life and does what is right, who speaks the truth from his heart. Again, we are given all that we need to know to do what is right.
     The writer of James tells us that it is through God's generous act of giving that we are brought to birth by the word of truth and are directed to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger...we are to be doers of the word, and not merely hearers [James 1:17a, 18a, 19, 22a]. But, as always, it is Jesus who, in quoting Isaiah, speaks bluntly to the Pharisees who make human tradition and precepts into idolatrous doctrine, as they abandon the commandments of God. He tells the rest of us by way of addressing "the crowd" that it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come... [Mark 7:14]
      This Gospel jolts me into awareness that my commitment to God has become more shallow than I am willing to admit to myself and I hearken back to Psalm 51, verses 2 and 10 in particular: Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin...Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 
      In our own time and "religious practice" when the "tradition" and ritual are the ends rather than the means to holiness, when purpose and origin are unknown or forgotten, when the music is more entertainment than worshipful, and the "why" of it is no longer mindfully considered, we have lost the integrity and intention of the worship of God  especially in daily living. We have ceased to be conscious, and have become merely hearers, not doers of God’s Word. We are desensitized, sterilized, and removed from receiving and giving the deep, abiding love of and for God, the God who gazes through the windows of our souls.   
     We are to consciously seek to deepen our relationship with God. James reminds us that our God-given purpose is to act on behalf of those in distress, and to keep ourselves unstained by the world. Committing ourselves again to God's commandments, let us welcome with meekness the implanted word that will save our souls as it goes straight to our hearts, wherein lies the voice of our Beloved. In accepting and returning the lyrics of love from, to, in, and through God, we gladly become the doers of God's Word, grace filled and soul-full. The Heart IS the matter that, when undeceived by human forgetfulness, greed, and selfishness, brings blessings, wisdom, and salvation to ourselves and to all we meet.  

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY 

Leader:  ~ O God, our God, stir our hearts with urgent generosity to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slower to anger. Awaken in us Your perfect gifts to live as doers of Your word and truth, caring for all in distress, and remaining unstained by this world.

                                                     O Lord, Most Beloved                                                        
RESPONSE:               Cleanse our hearts of evil intent

~ O God, our God, grant all who govern Your people everywhere in this Earthly realm, purity of motive and principled determination to stay free of hypocrisy and greed, while eager for justice and mercy. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord, Most Beloved
                                                       Cleanse our hearts of evil intent                                                      

~ O God, our God, release from pain those who suffer through life-threatening illness, depression, or addiction, and give strength to all who provide for their daily needs. We now join our hearts together to pray for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord, Most Beloved
                                                       Cleanse our hearts of evil intent                                                               

~ O God, our God, soothe the wounds of those who grieve, as our loved ones live again with heavenly rejoicing in the Tabernacle of Your Holy Hill. We pray especially for… add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord, Most Beloved
                                                       Cleanse our hearts of evil intent 

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

                                                       O Lord, Most Beloved
                                                       Cleanse our hearts of evil intent 
                  

~ O God, our God, quicken the spirits of all who bring us Your Word and Sacraments, that together we may move from the idolatry of mere human tradition, to the honoring of Your commandments with each thought and action of our lives. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord, Most Beloved
                                                       Cleanse our hearts of evil intent 

The Celebrant adds: Holy and Righteous Lord, so draw our hearts, so guide our wills that we always think, pray, speak, and act only through Your implanted Word that holds the power to save our souls. We ask through the perfection of Jesus, our Christ and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, who together with You, reign as One God, now and forever. 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 16, 2021

Prayers of the People: Choosing the Right Road ~ Pentecost 13 ~ '21 Yr B

For Sunday, August 22, 2021; Readings: Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18; Psalm 34:15-22, Ephesians 6:10-20, John 6:56-69

Now therefore revere the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. [Joshua 24:14]

    The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and will save those whose spirits are crushed. [Psalm 34:18]

    Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God…stand firm…and fasten the belt of truth around your waist…Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication.  [Ephesians 6:10-11a, 13c, 14a…18]

    Jesus said, "Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them..." When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?"...[But Jesus said to them] "It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life." [John 6:56, 60, 63]

     We begin the readings this week with Joshua calling the twelve tribes of Israel together at Shechem. The location is centrally located and signifies its importance in the history of religion and politics of Israel. Joshua already had an altar at Shechem and this gathering was a Covenant Ceremony of sorts. Joshua is testing the tribes' loyalty to God which is an important stipulation in the Covenant. Telling them if they’re unwilling to serve God they are to choose that very day the gods they will serve. They answer, Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods. Interestingly, in Genesis 35:2-4, Jacob tells his household to put away the foreign gods that are among you. Then Jacob took all the gods and hid them under the oak that was near Shechem.
     The Psalmist reminds us of the Lord’s care and attentiveness to us, especially saying that, The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and will save those whose spirits are crushed and none will be punished who trust in him. As long as we trust God and do not choose to hate the righteous we will be ransomed.
     Paul exhorts us to shield ourselves from all that could turn us away, and to Put on the whole armor of God for strength and to pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer. The description of the various articles of the armor gives us a clear depiction of the many ways we can fight against the forces of evil, but it also serves as a reminder that the armor gives us strength within ourselves to choose faithfulness and serve Jesus. 
      This week we also come to the end of the discourses of Jesus telling his followers to "eat my body and drink my blood." This piece of the paschal mystery is so difficult to comprehend that many of those who were following Jesus in his time walked away because of the seeming literalness of it. Yet many stayed and struggled and today we each reconcile ourselves to this idea in various ways. Some Christians believe in Transubstantiation at the time of the consecration, that the bread and wine on the altar become, mysteriously and mystically, the True and Actual Body and Blood of Christ. Others accept the consecration as metaphor, or, a Holy yet symbolic representation. Some denominations have no "communion" service at all but rely solely on preaching the Word. Yet the question remains, why is there so very much about BREAD over these last several weeks?
       Bread would have been understood in his time, as often in ours, as basic to everyday life. The graphic language is what is most confounding but hear it in plain and simple terms: when we consume the bread and the water, they are in us, feeding our bodies. When we consume the bread and wine as the body and blood of Christ ~  however one accepts the form as actual or symbolic ~ it represents Christ abiding within us as he tells us we are abiding in him. It is our spiritual sustenance, our soul’s food, to nourish us on our earthly journey, that culminates in eternal life through salvation. For many of us, consuming the small piece of consecrated bread and wine in the Eucharist is a physical connection to an abiding spiritual Presence. Yet when the consecrated bread is not available, as a prayer during the Consecration says in the Book of Common Prayer [pg 365], we can feed on him in our hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
      Another slightly troubling piece is when Jesus says no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father. Yet if we refer back to the Psalm above, it states clearly that God will not punish or abandon those who put their trust in him. It may be that God has the final say, but we are all invited, and we must choose to accept the invitation by loyal and faithful service.
     And, finally, Jesus asks the Twelve if they wish to go away as did Joshua with the tribes of Israel. Peter says, Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God. From those times to our times, we are still seeking to understand, to strengthen our faith, to travel the path to God in our own way and with each other. We struggle with questions and doubts and confidence in our faith. Let us strengthen ourselves to come to believe and know again and again that Jesus is our Redeemer Christ, the Holy one of God. Let us make the saving choice.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Jesus, Holy One of God, keep us sure in the strength of your power through your words of spirit and life. Fill our souls with your Bread of Heaven that we may live for eternity beyond this temporal journey.

O Lord our God
         RESPONSE:         We put our faith and trust in You          

~ Jesus, Holy One of God, guide us to fasten the belt of truth around our waists, expect and require integrity, and stand firm to proclaim the Gospel of peace and justice to all who lead the governments of this World, this Country, and this Community. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                O Lord our God
                                                We put our faith and trust in You

~ Jesus, Holy One of God, we pray in the Spirit in supplication that you breathe fresh hope into all who struggle with serious illness, desperation, or addiction, and lift the hearts of those who give them care. We now join our hearts together to pray for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                O Lord our God
                                                We put our faith and trust in You          

~ Jesus, Holy One of God, stay near and lift up the brokenhearted as those we mourn live again and forever in  Your glorious Kingdom. We pray especially for… add your own petitions

                                                O Lord our God
                                                We put our faith and trust in You

~ Jesus, Holy One of God, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials… add your own petitions

                                                O Lord our God
                                                We put our faith and trust in You         

~ Jesus, Holy One of God, You have gifted us with disciples who do not turn away but serve You in sincerity and faithfulness, guiding us by Word and Sacrament. As Christ abides in us and we in Him, we join and journey together toward the threshold of Your Eternal House. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                O Lord our God
                                                We put our faith and trust in You

The Celebrant adds: Eternal God, draw us together to clothe ourselves in Your whole armor, nourished by the holy food and drink of Christ. With Your helmet of salvation and shield of faith, we can resist all evil, as we seek to live forever in You. We ask through Christ Jesus, the Son of Man; and the Live-Giving Spirit, who together with You, reign as One God, now and forever.    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 9, 2021

Prayers of the People: A New Manna of Life ~ 12th Sunday after Pentecost '21 Yr B

For Sunday, August 15, 2021; Readings: Proverbs 9:1-6, Psalm 34:9-14, Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58

            Wisdom has built her house…she has also set her table…she calls…To those without sense…Lay aside immaturity, and live, and walk in the way of insight. [Proverbs 9:1a, 2b, 3b, 4b, 6]

               Fear the Lord, you that are his saints…Turn from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it. [Psalm 34:1a, 14]

             Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time...So do not be foolish but understand what the will of the Lord is... [Ephesians, 5:15-16a, 17] 

            Jesus said, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever...This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever." [John 6:51a, 58]

      This week we have a reading from Proverbs as our primary Hebrew Testament lesson. It is continuing a poetic narrative about Wisdom. In these verses, Lady Wisdom has built her house, prepared a feast and issues an open invitation to the simple to enter and to those without sense she says…Lay aside immaturity and walk in the way of insight.
     The psalmist tells us to Fear the Lord you that are his saintsThere are a couple of things to unpack in this short phrase. First, "Fear" isn't meant the way we use it today as "to be afraid or frightened." Rather, in Biblical context it meant to have respect for, reverence, or to be in awe. Second, you that are his saints isn’t intended for us regular folk to be excluded. From the Greek meaning "to set apart, " "sanctify, " or "make holy," in ancient times it was about separating God’s presence from the everyday worshiper, as only certain consecrated men were permitted access to the holy spaces. Later, in early Christian times, a saint was a martyr and down the centuries sainthood has become something more formally designated for those who are dead by some denominations and not especially recognized by others. But in general, all who dedicate themselves to life in God through Christ as lay, ordained, or in a vowed religious order are living saints, with flaws and imperfections, and sometimes in need of reconciliation, confession, and re-dedication! We are to turn from evil and do good… which is certainly a wise way to walk.
       Paul urges caution in this life and is quite direct in telling us to live wisely. He reminds us to "make the most of the time" we have and not "be foolish” and caught up in mere earth-bound pleasure. Anyone who has watched a child grow or sees how quickly the pages of the calendar turn, understands the increasing speed of years passing in this human time. As my grandmother used to say, "The days are long, but the years are short." We are to recognize and accept the opportunity to be filled with the Spirit, giving thanks for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
       Our redemption is from God through Christ who is the new manna from heaven that revives and saves our souls from the mortal wounds we often inflict upon ourselves. Jesus is not only the true food and true drink for eternal life, this Living Bread also fills us with divine purpose in this life, as preparation for the next.
        It is time to remember to be in awe of God again, to discover our own beginning of wisdom and even our saintliness. Once we wise up and follow on the path that Christ leads, then our faith, especially in a community of believers, will help keep us on track. When we stop on the path or turn in a different direction, we can become lost and spiritually hungry. Seek and then answer the call for wisdom for our souls to live on and be nourished forever.  
       The Living Bread from Heaven, Jesus, is our spiritual sustenance, our new manna of life. We can begin with Him anywhere, anytime, and a good time to begin and to begin again is always now.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Holy and Living God, open our hearts to sing with the melody of gratitude for Your gift of Jesus as our Bread of Eternal Life. Guide our every action to be in service to Your Will and in the name of our Lord Christ, the Son of Man.

                                            Gracious, Loving Lord                                         
RESPONSE:                  Your Wisdom invites us to faith

~ Holy and Living God, awaken the souls of those who govern to work for the good of our Planet, our Nation, and our Community. Grant us all the maturity of thought to live and walk the way of insight, turning aside from evil to do good, and to seek and pursue peace for all. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Gracious, Loving Lord
                                                Your Wisdom invites us to faith

~ Holy and Living God, deliver hopeful relief to all who suffer in body, in spirit, or in life circumstance, and to all entrusted with their care. We now join our hearts together to pray for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                Gracious, Loving Lord
                                                Your Wisdom invites us to faith   

~ Holy and Living God, gladden the hearts of those who mourn, as by Your redemption, those we love have awakened in the joyful courts of heaven to new life now and forever.  We pray especially for… add your own petitions

                                                Gracious, Loving Lord
                                                Your Wisdom invites us to faith

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

                                                Gracious, Loving Lord
                                                Your Wisdom invites us to faith           

~ Holy and Living God, we offer our whole-hearted thanksgiving for those You have chosen to inspire us through Your Word and Sacraments and who guide us in the work You have given us to do. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Gracious, Loving Lord
                                                Your Wisdom invites us to faith

The Celebrant adds: Almighty and Eternal God, fill us with the Spirit to live wisely now with Divine purpose, that in our brief time on this earth, we will continually abide in Christ and prepare to be raised to eternal life. We ask through Jesus, our new Manna from Heaven; and the Holy Spirit, our unending Source of Wisdom; who together with You reign as One God, for all time, now and forever.  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