People's Prayers: Prayers of the People: Unexpected Dinner Guest ~ 3rd Sunday of Easter '24 Yr B

For Sunday, April 14, 2024, Readings: Acts 3:12-19, Psalm 4, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36b-48

And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you. [Acts 3:16]

Many are saying, "Oh, that we might see better times!"...You have put gladness in my heart...for only you, Lord, make me dwell in safety. [Psalm 4, 6a, 7a, 8b]

You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him sins...Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. [1 John 3:5-6a, 7b]

...Jesus himself stood among the disciples and said to them, "Peace be with you"...Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things." [Luke 24: 36b, 45-48]

How much easier it was for the Disciples when Jesus returned fully alive again, and able to speak to and eat with them, answer their questions in person, and explain the plan. In those "simpler times" all they really had to deal with was fear for their lives in an adverse political climate, uncertainty in their futures, and the continuing disbelief and wonder of what they were actually experiencing.

So much for simpler times. There are so very many today, in this country and around the globe, who are facing daily violence and lethal persecution just for being who they are and what they believe, without having a visible Jesus in their midst. And who of us are certain about what the future holds; a future that could change dramatically and instantly?

We can only rely on the Scriptures to tell us how things were so that we also may try to believe as the original disciples did. Yet given our familiarity of the readings, how much do we hear and think about now? How can we bring those Scriptures alive and into our consciousness anytime, anywhere, any season?

The season of Eastertide, joy-filled as it is meant to be, abounds with reminders of our responsibility for ongoing repentance. Repent is such a bristle-y word ~ didn't we finish with that in Lent? Short answer, no! The word has been loaded with negative and fearful connotations for millennia. It quite simply means to turn toward, a change of mind. Anglican Bishop, Author, and New Testament/Early Christianity Scholar tells us that when we fail to reflect God’s image, “The technical term is sin, whose primary meaning is not “breaking the rules” but “missing the mark, failing to hit the target of complete, genuine humanness…the gospel…calls us to obedience, contains the remedy: forgiveness, unearned and freely given…” Metanoia is the word from the Greek for repentance but far richer. Rooted in metamorphosis or transformation, it calls us to stop, turn around and follow the path through the Light of Christ.

Whether we are complacent, distracted, or knowingly neglectful, we all turn away from the call of Jesus and the attention to our faith from time to time, briefly or for longer periods. After a while, something may trigger a tiny longing that may grow deeper into wanting to reconnect for the soul-fulfillment of faith and worship. Perhaps a death in the family or among friends, a personal diagnosis, or a sudden realization of our own aging and mortality, or something as lovely as Christmas or Easter through the eyes of a child. How then to turn toward Christ once more?

Here's a quick first step, an easy prayer-form. It may even sound trite but no one but you need know. Simply call out the name of Jesus and he's there, with you, immediately.

That's it ~ and, you can even sing it! Pick out a love song in rock, soul, rap, heavy metal ~ whatever suits you. Any love song can be directed to Jesus. Some of you might know the lyrics to that old James Taylor song: Just call out my name, and you know wherever I am, I'll come running, to see you again! Click here to sing your prayer: James Taylor - You've Got a Friend and he'll be there, yeah, he'll be there. And what you feel inside will show outside and that will be your witness and your proclamation that repentance is the key to the forgiveness of our sins, leading you to turn toward Christ with strengthened faith, trust, and a new spiritual lease on life. Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall! Invite Jesus to join you for a meal! You may, unexpectedly find He’s already with You. By the way ~ He likes broiled fish.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader: ~ Jesus, our Christ and our Peace, as You stood among the disciples then, You stand among us still calling us to the actions of hope and love that will purify our souls. Release us from the doubts and temptations that lure us from Your presence that, by our repentance and relationship, we may dwell in the spiritual safety of Your love and forgiveness.

O Lord of Wonders

RESPONSE: Strengthen our faith and trust

~ Jesus, our Christ and our Peace, as they chart the course of our lives on our Planet, in our Nation, and in our Community, infuse our elected, appointed, or self-declared leaders, with wisdom, compassion, and the ways of justice, truth, and mercy. Fill us with the courage and grace to know that You are in our hearts as we hold them accountable. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

O LORD of Wonders