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, October 11, 2021

Prayers of the People: Drink Deeply ~ 22nd Sunday after Pentecost '21 Yr B

For Sunday, October 17, 2021; Readings: Isaiah 53:4-12, Psalm 91:9-16, Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45

    By a perversion of justice he was taken away…Out of his anguish he shall see light; he shall find satisfaction through his knowledge. The righteous one, my servant, shall make many righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. [Isaiah 53:8 a, 11]

        Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your habitation…he shall give his angels charge over you…He shall call upon me and I will answer him; I am with him in trouble… [Psalm 91:9, 15a]

       Every high priest is chosen from among mortals…Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, “You are my Son…”  [Hebrews 5:1a, 5]

      So Jesus called them and said...whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you but be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. [Mark 10:42a, 43b-45]

    The reading from Isaiah, much of Isaiah in fact, and many of the prophetic writings of the Hebrew [Old] Testament are written in the style of poetry as it seems to have more impact than simple statements. Still, the precise meaning of it all was and is difficult to grasp, even by the prophets. There’s SO very much to unpack in the Book of Isaiah as the writing spans three centuries and three ancient empires and exiles of the Israelites. It’s very easy to fall into the trap of thinking this is a pre-biography of Jesus, but let’s widen the lens. When this was written, the birth of Jesus was far in the future and so these writings were sacred texts in their own time and place, as they are today to the followers of Judaism. These are the Scriptures, the Bible, of Jesus, and it helps us to understand his teachings better if we listen more deeply and look for keys to his own understanding of them. Of course, these writings also influenced Paul, and other writers of the Christian [New] Testament as well as Christ’s disciples in their day. And we can see the parallels between the unknown Servant spoken of in Isaiah and the suffering of Jesus, perhaps the authorities of that time also drew on these passages for punishing him in hopes of derailing his movement. Let us take care in our reading of this and all we are given each week. Let us search for more information about context of time and culture and the interpretations of various translations. What is the lesson to be gleaned? Don’t worry if you are unsure! There are millions of words written by scholars attempting to understand it, too!
   The Psalm is a favorite of many, especially in hymn form of On Eagles Wings. And although we only have a part of it, it is comforting and hopeful with the thought of angels bearing us safely in their hands, with the promise of God answering our call in our time of trouble and rescue us.
     The writer of Hebrews reminds us that high priests were chosen from among mortals to be in charge of things pertaining to God, among other duties. In no way a "high priest," I am nonetheless very mortal and especially subject to weakness in many ways. Therefore, created as a conscious being, I am called by God to actively discover in what ways I am to offer sacrifice for my own sins and on behalf of others. In the passage from Mark, Jesus explains to his ambitious disciples that the cost of being great is not so glamorous as it might seem. Coming back to the theme of the last shall be first and the first last, we are to be servants of Christ for one another, not seeking personal power or status, but rather to put the needs of others ahead of our own. That news may be disappointing for some on days when the temptations of earthly delight seem particularly appealing.
       I am far from being a major change-agent for the entire world, but I can work to remember my place and responsibility as an active part of God's Creation. Through continuous prayer for renewal of my faith, and the willingness to listen, be present, and help the people of God however I am able, I can redirect my own desires of being the one served to the choice of being the servant. We are warned that the Cup of Christ will taste bitter at times, and I pray for the strength in my soul to be the blessing that God is calling me to be. May I discover each day the courage to drink deeply of the Cup that is prepared for me. And may I always know, through all the whirlwinds of this mortal life, that God is present wherever I am, and we are bound together in love.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God Most High, fill us with the comfort and peace to live in the knowledge of Your constant presence, that we can call on You in times of trouble and in times of calm, for rescue and for love, as we strive to honor and serve Christ our Savior for the length of our earthly time.

                                                     O Lord, our Refuge                                                
RESPONSE:                          Hear our prayer

~ O God Most High, impart insight and prudence to the leaders of our Planet, our Nation, and our Community, that their words and actions may be enlightened and merciful, knowledgeable and just, not darkened by willful personal or political power.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                            O Lord, our Refuge
                                                            Hear our prayer

~ O God Most High, surround the hearts of all who live in the grip of chronic illness, or critical life circumstance, with Your peace and healing; and extend endurance for those who give them care.  We now join our hearts together to pray for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                            O Lord, our Refuge
                                                            Hear our prayer 

~  O God Most High, keep us in the knowledge that love never dies and that those we have sent ahead, have new life in the resplendent and holy grandeur of Your Eternal Kingdom. We pray especially for… add your own petitions

                                                            O Lord, our Refuge
                                                            Hear our prayer

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

                                                            O Lord, our Refuge
                                                            Hear our prayer                 

~ O God Most High, renew and energize all who lead us in Your church, to guide us as we walk together in service and sacrifice, in prayer and supplication, willing to drink of the cup You have prepared for us. We pray especially for:  add your own petitions

                                                             
                                                            O Lord, our Refuge
                                                            Hear our prayer

The Celebrant adds: God of Glory and Majesty, re-fresh our hearts, our ears, and our minds, to receive, listen, and know again, the splendor of Your word and Your works. Kindle the desire within us to offer ourselves in reverent submission, serving all Creation in Your name. We ask through Jesus, our Great High Priest; and the Holy Spirit, our Comforter and Advocate; who together with You are One God, now and forever. Amen.





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