Prayers of the People: Our Living Planet ~ 2nd Sunday in the Season of Creation

For Sunday, October 17, 2021, Readings: Paradise Now*, Psalm 8**, Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45

What do you want? To make the world glow with creation…to feed all the people…To remove the causes of violence…To get rid of material greed…To make the destination clear… [Paradise Now, The Living Theatre*]

Lord, our God…Your glory reaches beyond the stars…What is humankind that you remember them…You give them charge of the earth, laying all at their feet… [Psalm 8**]

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]

...but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant...For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many. [Mark 10:43b-44]

*1st Reading, from Paradise Now: "What do you want?" To make the world glow with creation. To make life irresistible. To feed all the people. To change the demonic forces into the celestial. To remove the causes of violence. To do useful work. To work for the love of it and not for the money. To live without the police. To change myself. To get rid of the class system. To re-invent love. To make each moment creative. To be free of the force of the State. To be free to create. To get rid of a life of material greed. To free all the energy wasted in financial transaction. To cut all the bureaucratic wasted time out of life. To free humanity from armies. To stop distorting the mind of the people. To stop crippling the human body with frustration. To learn how to breath. To live longer than we do. To be free of the system. To get rid of central control. To supply what we need. To seek what we desire. To stop wasting the planet. To stop dying of competition. To break down the walls that alienate. To get to know God. To make the destination clear.  [From The Living Theatre, Judith Malina and Julian Beck]

** Psalm 8

-Lord, our God, the whole world tells the greatness of your name. Your glory reaches beyond the stars. 

-Even the babble of infants declares your strength, your power to halt the enemy and avenger.
-I see your handiwork in the heavens: The moon and the stars you set in place.

-What is humankind that you remember them, the human race that you care for them?
-You treat them like gods, dressing them in glory and splendor. You give them charge of the earth,

   laying all at their feet: cattle and sheep, wild beasts, birds of the sky, fish of the sea, every 

     swimming creature.

-Lord our God, the whole world tells the greatness of your name.   [From The Psalter: A faithful

  and inclusive rendering, Liturgy Training Publications (International Committee on English in the

   Liturgy, Inc.), 1994]

    Every day we read, hear, and see the terrible news about the condition of our planet from disastrous environmental events such as poisoned water systems and food supplies, climate disasters of hurricanes, tsunamis, enormous wildfires, and earthquakes that devastate huge areas and millions of people, to the effects of war and disease on human existence, and so much more. All of this requires our continuous attention and purposeful action as our obedience to God-ordered stewardship of the Creation we inhabit.

   Today we are to re-awaken our consciousness to our earthly surroundings close by and well beyond our mere location to learn and more deeply know this great gift of our Creator ~ planet Earth. We re-examine its lushness, its highest peaks and deepest depths, the fragrances and the freshness; re-discover our companion creatures and the extraordinary interconnections of life among the plants and organisms that support us. We marvel at the vastness of the oceans, the rhythm of the tides, the flow of rivers. We must look and see what has gone before, where we are now, and discover again our world's potential. Most importantly, we are discover ways to maintain and expand protections against industrial waste, general pollution, the loss of precious water resources, and especially the vast impact of our own everyday thoughtless actions individually, collectively, and globally. This Earth and her resources feed our bodies and provides oxygen for our breath, and breath-taking beauty in which we know the wonder of God.

    We are called to be a servant to humanity as in Christ’s teaching and example, and God has given us charge over all Creation. Let us protect and prosper the gift we have been given.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Living, Loving Creator of all that is, seen and unseen, grant us the humility to understand our true place in, and responsibilities for Your Creation, to learn from every living creature and life form, and to be voice and champion for the protection and preservation of this Earth that you lay at our feet.

 

                                                       O Lord, Breath of our Being

RESPONSE:                We bless You by our faith and action

 

~ Living, Loving Creator, instill within us and all who lead the governments of our Planet, our Nation, and our Community, the urgency to feed all people, remove causes of violence, be rid of material greed, and to stop wasting this planet, through assuring the well-being of eco-systems and environments that sustain the life and existence of Your whole world.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

 

                                                       O Lord, Breath of our Being

                                                       We bless You by our faith and action

 

~ Living, Loving Creator, surround the hearts of all who live with chronic illness, or critical need, with Your peace and healing; and 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, Breath of our Being

                                                       We bless You by our faith and action

           

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

 

                                                       O Lord, Breath of our Being

                                                       We bless You by our faith and action

 

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

 

                                                       O Lord, Breath of our Being

                                                       We bless You by our faith and action

                       

~ Living, Loving Creator, set alight the spirits of those called by You to lead us in Your Church, who guide us to make our destination clear, and join us to love, honor, and serve as Christ has taught and shown us by His example. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

 

                                                       O Lord, Breath of our Being
                                                       We bless You by our faith and action

 

The Celebrant adds: O God of Glory, awaken us each day with the renewed desire to restore and cherish Your precious gift of this living, breathing planet, the literal ground that supports our earthly being. Kindle our fervor to actively engage in and assure its health and wholeness for all who live and breathe on this planet, now and always. We ask through Jesus, our Teacher and Redeemer; and the Holy Spirit, the Divine and Limitless Energy of our souls; who together with You are One God, forever and ever.  Amen.

** Click here for more information about: Season of Creation ~ In The Beginning

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