For Sunday, October
24, 2021, Readings:
Jeremiah 31:7-9, Psalm 126, Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 10:46-52
Thus says the Lord…See, I am going to…gather them from
the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with
child and those in labor…and with consolations I will lead them back, I will
let them walk by a…straight path in which they shall not stumble…
Jeremiah 31:8b, 9b-c]
The Lord has done great things for us and we are glad indeed…Restore our fortunes, O Lord…those who sowed with tears will reap with songs of joy… [Psalm 126: 4, 5a, 6]
…Jesus holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him since he always lives to make intercession for them. [Hebrews 7:24-25]
And they called the blind man, saying to him, take heart, he is
calling you...Then Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for
you?" [Mark 10:49b, 51a]
The prophet Jeremiah, not
usually known for his bubbly personality and proclamations, seems almost buoyant
as he reports the words that God gave him, that the people are to sing aloud
with gladness. The Lord is gathering
those in exile from all over the earth, the remnant of Israel, who come home
weeping. God will lead them by a scenic route on a straight path in which
they shall not stumble.
The Psalmist proclaims that the Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad indeed. And the message is clear that those who sowed with tears in this life, will reap with songs of joy. While hopeful, the days of tears can be very long and wearying causing our faith to wane and wither.
The writer of Philippians gives a very hopeful message to all of us downtrodden by life and otherwise, that no matter who we are or what we have done, Jesus is our absolute and eternal Intercessor! He is our permanent priest who continues forever and if we ask God through him, he will save us for all time.
Bartimaeus is an unlikely but important role-model for those of us not ready to humble ourselves to Christ, or show our weaknesses in order to ask for his help. This blind beggar withstood lifelong blindness and poverty, and then the scorn of the crowds and yet he persevered in getting the attention of Jesus. Jesus asked of him, as he asks of us, What do you want me to do for you? Of course, Jesus already knew, as God knows us always. But Bartimaeus needed to ask specifically for the healing he sought. And his sight was restored because his faith made him well.
Do I seek the Lord first when I'm in need? Sometimes. Do I ask for what I think I need or only what I think I want? A bit of both, and for me the lesson is to know I can ask even if I'm unsure. We all will receive an answer though perhaps not as eye-opening or swift as the healing of Bartimaeus. Through our questions, through our fears, God is with us and knows our hearts. Our faith will make us well in many ways if we learn first to look for the great things God has already done for us, and to be glad indeed. We can take our tears and our songs of joy to God through Christ, seek the forgiveness we know we need, and we can always just ask for help with our humility and our humanity. Even better, we can ask for help to know and overcome our own blindspots that keep us off that straight path where we will not stumble. My new ask: Please release me from my inner blindness, O Christ, to see Your light clearly and follow Your way.
The Psalmist proclaims that the Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad indeed. And the message is clear that those who sowed with tears in this life, will reap with songs of joy. While hopeful, the days of tears can be very long and wearying causing our faith to wane and wither.
The writer of Philippians gives a very hopeful message to all of us downtrodden by life and otherwise, that no matter who we are or what we have done, Jesus is our absolute and eternal Intercessor! He is our permanent priest who continues forever and if we ask God through him, he will save us for all time.
Bartimaeus is an unlikely but important role-model for those of us not ready to humble ourselves to Christ, or show our weaknesses in order to ask for his help. This blind beggar withstood lifelong blindness and poverty, and then the scorn of the crowds and yet he persevered in getting the attention of Jesus. Jesus asked of him, as he asks of us, What do you want me to do for you? Of course, Jesus already knew, as God knows us always. But Bartimaeus needed to ask specifically for the healing he sought. And his sight was restored because his faith made him well.
Do I seek the Lord first when I'm in need? Sometimes. Do I ask for what I think I need or only what I think I want? A bit of both, and for me the lesson is to know I can ask even if I'm unsure. We all will receive an answer though perhaps not as eye-opening or swift as the healing of Bartimaeus. Through our questions, through our fears, God is with us and knows our hearts. Our faith will make us well in many ways if we learn first to look for the great things God has already done for us, and to be glad indeed. We can take our tears and our songs of joy to God through Christ, seek the forgiveness we know we need, and we can always just ask for help with our humility and our humanity. Even better, we can ask for help to know and overcome our own blindspots that keep us off that straight path where we will not stumble. My new ask: Please release me from my inner blindness, O Christ, to see Your light clearly and follow Your way.
LET
US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ Blessed are You, O Lord our God, Master of the Universe, Creator of Our Entire Human Family, fill us with delight in discovering the wonder of our many colors, the array of all our shapes, sizes, and ages, the personhood of us all that is the Christ within. Keep us ever mindful and respectful, that we are each the other to someone, when we step out of our own and into another’s comfort zone. May Your Light radiate from our eyes, and our everyday words and actions reflect always that we are more alike than unalike.
O Lord, our God
RESPONSE: Our Help, Hope, and Faith is in You
~ Blessed are You, O Lord our God, empower us to hold fast, to not lose heart, to stand strong for truth, mercy, and justice before the leaders of our World, our Country, and our Community. Strengthen us to prod open the hearts of those blinded by selfish ambition, political machinations, and all oppressive actions that do not reflect the mind of Christ in them or in ourselves. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
O Lord, our God
Our Help, Hope, and Faith is in You
~ Blessed are You, O Lord our God, comfort all who are burdened with serious illness, addiction, and/or emotional distress, and grant energy and peace to 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
Our Help, Hope, and Faith is in You
~ Blessed are You, O Lord our God, in the midst of sorrow for our temporary loss, we find love and consolation in Your glorious welcome for those we cherish, now at peace in Your eternal kingdom. We pray especially for… add your own petitions
O Lord, our God
Our Help, Hope, and Faith is in You
~ Blessed are You, O Lord our 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
Our Help, Hope, and Faith is in You
~ Blessed are You, O Lord our God, we ask Your special blessings for all who are chosen and anointed to show us by example of prayer, preaching, and humble compassion, how to share in the Spirit in this life, and discover the Word that will lead us to You in the next. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
O Lord, our God
Our Help, Hope, and Faith is in You
The Celebrant adds: O Blessed God of the Hungry and the Privileged, Lord of those Raised High and those Laid Low, grant us the joyful yet solemn awareness that we bear within us the very substance of Your Incarnate Son. Open our souls to sing your praise as long as we live, for You who brought our common humanity and all else in the heavens and on Earth into being, and keeps Your promise forever. We ask through the Compassion of Jesus our Christ, and the Wisdom of the Holy Spirit, who live and reign with You as One God, every day, every way, always, and forever. Amen.
Leader: ~ Blessed are You, O Lord our God, Master of the Universe, Creator of Our Entire Human Family, fill us with delight in discovering the wonder of our many colors, the array of all our shapes, sizes, and ages, the personhood of us all that is the Christ within. Keep us ever mindful and respectful, that we are each the other to someone, when we step out of our own and into another’s comfort zone. May Your Light radiate from our eyes, and our everyday words and actions reflect always that we are more alike than unalike.
O Lord, our God
RESPONSE: Our Help, Hope, and Faith is in You
~ Blessed are You, O Lord our God, empower us to hold fast, to not lose heart, to stand strong for truth, mercy, and justice before the leaders of our World, our Country, and our Community. Strengthen us to prod open the hearts of those blinded by selfish ambition, political machinations, and all oppressive actions that do not reflect the mind of Christ in them or in ourselves. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
O Lord, our God
Our Help, Hope, and Faith is in You
~ Blessed are You, O Lord our God, comfort all who are burdened with serious illness, addiction, and/or emotional distress, and grant energy and peace to 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
Our Help, Hope, and Faith is in You
~ Blessed are You, O Lord our God, in the midst of sorrow for our temporary loss, we find love and consolation in Your glorious welcome for those we cherish, now at peace in Your eternal kingdom. We pray especially for… add your own petitions
O Lord, our God
Our Help, Hope, and Faith is in You
~ Blessed are You, O Lord our 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
Our Help, Hope, and Faith is in You
~ Blessed are You, O Lord our God, we ask Your special blessings for all who are chosen and anointed to show us by example of prayer, preaching, and humble compassion, how to share in the Spirit in this life, and discover the Word that will lead us to You in the next. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
O Lord, our God
Our Help, Hope, and Faith is in You
The Celebrant adds: O Blessed God of the Hungry and the Privileged, Lord of those Raised High and those Laid Low, grant us the joyful yet solemn awareness that we bear within us the very substance of Your Incarnate Son. Open our souls to sing your praise as long as we live, for You who brought our common humanity and all else in the heavens and on Earth into being, and keeps Your promise forever. We ask through the Compassion of Jesus our Christ, and the Wisdom of the Holy Spirit, who live and reign with You as One God, every day, every way, always, and forever. Amen.
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