There is
nothing new happening in the world. The world is and has always been a fearsome
place. Wars, threats of war, battles for power, hate mongering, violence,
poverty and desperation, bad governance, extreme weather, and multiple other
catastrophes destroy lives daily everywhere around the globe. We truly are but
sheep among wolves in the fields of ancient and new history and humanity. But
there are more of us now than ever before and we think that we "know"
more given the increasing rapidity of the broken "breaking news,"
misinformation, disinformation, “viral” and manipulated Us vs Them social media
posts, wearying ourselves into the anxiety of alternating chaos and paralyzing
ambivalence. Yet Isaiah provides a glimmer of our consoling God who comforts
us, nurtures us, and, as the Psalmist says, who holds our souls in
life. All we need to do is know that, accept it, live it.
Paul slows us down by reminding us that we who have received the Spirit are
to do our best to bring back into the community, in a spirit of
gentleness, those who have transgressed in some way. As
Jesus tells the disciples, enter a house in peace. If we are not welcomed, we
are free, through Jesus, to shake off the dust and move along, without
accepting the taunts, threats, or disbelief. Each of us must take
responsibility for ourselves yet bear one another’s burdens. We
can’t make an unbeliever believe by argument, but perhaps through observing our
sincerity and faithfulness, a fearful soul will begin to open.
We reap
what we sow, says this part of letter to the Galatians, and we are not to grow
weary in showing others helpful care according to the teachings of Christ. We
are to find joy in the humility of serving God in the Jesus that lives in
everyone. In faith, with prayer, and in community we can let go of fearing the
wolves who will mock us - or worse - and embrace the commitment to live the
life we are called to live. Let us walk together, in the Family of Faith, to
follow the Gospel path, offer Peace to all, and accept what returns. Let us
shake the dust of complacency from ourselves as Christ's lambs, and labor among
the wolves in the fields of God. Even the strongest most vicious wolf among us
will fall eventually; let us always live with and offer the welcome of Jesus’
saving power and love. Whether accepted or refused, the offer transforms the
bite.
LET
US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ Loving Lord, who holds our souls in life, arouse us in heart
and mind to bear one another’s burdens as we labor in Your fields. Help us sow
to the Spirit to reap a plentiful harvest for the good of all, especially for
the family of faith.
O God of All and Everywhere
RESPONSE:
We find our strength in You
~ Loving Lord, spare the lambs of Your pasture from the
wolves of unbridled self-interest that lurk in many global and local
governments now and in the ones to come. We pray especially for: add
your own petitions
O God of All and Everywhere
We find our strength in You
~ Loving Lord, comfort all who are trapped in chronic
sickness, poverty, or depression, and lighten the hearts of all who give
support. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add
your own petitions
O God of All and Everywhere
We find our strength in You
~ Loving Lord, as You console hearts in the depths of
grief, infuse a spark of joy that grows into rejoicing, to know that those we
have sent to You are a new creation of life, love, and peace for all eternity.
We pray especially for…add your own petitions
O
God of All and Everywhere
We find our strength in You
~ Loving Lord, we pause in this moment to offer
You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or silently…add your
own petitions
O God of All
and Everywhere
We find our strength in You
~ Loving Lord, grant infectious energy and contagious
inspiration to those You have appointed to lead us on the Path to everlasting
life in You. We pray especially for: add
your own petitions
O God of All and Everywhere
We find our strength in You
The Celebrant adds: Nurturing, Knowing God,
excite our desire to shake off the dust of our own complacency and to immerse
ourselves in Your service. Grant special Grace to the country of our birth and
the one we call home, that Your Presence will be known in how our lives bless
You by all that we do in the spirit of gentleness, and in the name of Christ.
We ask through Jesus, our Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit, our Sustainer, who
together with You are One God, infinite and eternal. Amen.
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