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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