Isaiah brings us the
voice of the Servant in this autobiographical passage. Messages from Prophets
are not always welcomed and often met with significant and violent backlash. This
piece is often used in Christian interpretation to refer to Jesus, especially in
verses 5-6, I was not rebellious,
I did not turn backward. I gave my back to those who struck me…I did not hide
my face from insult and spitting…God has given this Servant’s tongue the ability to teach us to
awaken, to listen and be sustained, to know that we cannot be shamed or
disgraced by our faith and our faith-filled works with God helping us. The
Psalmist follows on with how God has heard the pleas and lifted those brought
low. We aren’t always aware of our supplications being heard but the last line
is a reminder to continue to walk in the presence of the Lord
in the land of the living.
James says, in truth, not many of you
should become teachers because teachers are held to a higher standard. He then
gives us a true tongue lashing that spares no detail in his descriptions of the
restless evil in our mouths, full of deadly poison within us! James is blunt
saying that out of our mouths come both blessing and cursing. [I humbly admit I am guilty as charged and will continue to work on
that with diligence.]
In this mid-point of his Gospel, Mark recounts a trip to Caesarea Philippi with
the disciples when Jesus asks them what they have heard others say about him.
Always an easier question to answer especially in a group: Who do THEY say...?
"They and them" are the best at giving opinions, making comments,
uninformed decisions, or judgments ~ hey, it's not me, it was "them"
~ they said, they did, they believe... But then comes the real question: "Who
do you say that I am?" Money on the table time and Peter
was right on it! "You are the Messiah." Easy-peasy until the
conversation went downhill.
Of course, no one wanted to hear what was coming next: suffering, rejection,
and death ~ did they hear the part about rising in three days? Peter ~ Dear
Peter ~ started to argue and was shut down by Jesus in the familiar
words: Get behind me, Satan! But this reality was not going to
be pleasant or easy and Jesus told the disciples and all the crowd around about
saving or losing one's life, then and now. Peter, the
disciples, and we, are told to get out of the mindset of human things and focus
on divine things. We must take up our cross and concern ourselves unashamedly
with the Gospel. Yes, there may be difficulties, rejection, and perhaps
suffering because of it. But here in this day, I take solace and strength and
am heartened by the words of Catholic social activist Dorothy Day* who said, If I have achieved anything in my life, it is because I have not
been embarrassed to talk about God.
The question hangs
heavy in the air: Who do I say Jesus is? Do I express my
answer well enough merely by wearing a cross, doing occasional good deeds, and attending
Church? Am I embarrassed to speak openly of my faith in the face of scoffers?
Is trying to keep my all-too-restless tongue tamed one way to take
up my cross? There are no easy outs or answers, just
truth between me and Jesus in my real time. There are no They and Them in this conversation,
just Him and me, and He will never let me face my walk in the land of the living
alone.
LET
US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ Gracious and Righteous Lord, You have helped us when we were
brought low, heard our supplications, and treated us well. Please energize our
souls with the courage to name Jesus as our Messiah and take up our cross
to follow Him, for the sake of the Gospel and life everlasting.
O God of Compassion
RESPONSE: Hear our prayer
~
Gracious and Righteous Lord, amplify the strength of our voices to implore and
persuade all political leaders in our World, in our Nation and in our
Community, to grant immediate aid and protection to all current and future
victims of war, tyranny, violence, and natural disaster. We pray
especially for: add your own petitions
O
God of Compassion
Hear
our prayer
~
Gracious and Righteous Lord, in Your generous heart, cradle all who are exhausted by the endless pain of
disease or depression, and fortify those whose work is to give comfort.
We now join our hearts together to pray for those in need… add your own petitions
O
God of Compassion
Hear
our prayer
~
Gracious and Righteous Lord, gladden our mournful hearts as those we love now live
forever in the splendor of Your Eternal Shores. We pray especially
for… add your own petitions
O
God of Compassion
Hear
our prayer
~
Gracious and Righteous Lord, we pause
in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions,
petitions, and memorials… add your own petitions
O
God of Compassion
Hear
our prayer
~
Gracious and Righteous Lord, anoint and sanctify again all who lead us in Your
Church, who teach us the ways of discipleship, and who journey with us toward
You in every phase of our lives. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
O
God of Compassion
Hear
our prayer
The Celebrant adds: O Lord God, guide the tongues of all who should
teach and awaken the ears of others to listen. Help our imperfect selves remain always
teachable, upright in the face of scorn, with our tongues more filled with
blessings than curses, and learning each day to turn from mere human things to
the divine Words of our Savior. We ask through Christ Jesus, our Messiah; and
the Holy Spirit, our Fount of Wisdom, who together with You reign as the
fullness of One God, now and forever. Amen
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