Prayers of the People: Chosen For The Mission ~ Sunday after the Ascension, 7th Sunday of Easter '24 Yr B

For Sunday, May 12, 2024; Readings: Acts 1:15-17, 21-26; Psalm 1, 1 John 5:9-13, 

John 17:6-19

  In those days Peter stood up…and said…one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection…Then they prayed and said, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen…And they cast lots…and the lot fell on Matthias… [Acts 1:15a, 22b, 24, 26a]

   Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked…Their delight is in the law of the Lord…they are like trees planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither... [Psalm 1: 1a, 2a, 3a]

   God gave us eternal live, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life…I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. [1 John 5: 11b-12a, 13]

   Looking up to heaven, Jesus prayed, "I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world...When I was with them, I protected them in your name...I ask you to protect them from the evil one...Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world."  [John 17:6,12a,15b,17-18]

    We have arrived at the last Sunday of the Easter Season with a gathering of non-sequential readings that speak to us from after the Resurrection, before the Crucifixion, and sometime after Pentecost. And, this past Thursday, the Church Calendar points us to the Ascension of Jesus. But there's no reference to that on this day.

    After the Resurrection, in the lesson from Acts, the beginnings of organizing the Church as a body for the expression of faith emerges. Peter tells the crowd of believers that it is time to call a replacement for Judas and there are two worthy candidates who have traveled with them all along. It is imperative that the empty slot be filled with another who can also be an official witness to the resurrection, with the Eleven chosen by Jesus. They pray and ask God to choose, lots are cast, and the lot fell on Matthias.

    The reading from the Epistle of 1st John was written perhaps 10-15 years after the Book of Acts but set in a time probably after Pentecost. It’s uncertain as to whether or not the author is the same John who wrote the Gospel, but this Letter, or perhaps a sermon, is to remind us that belief in Jesus is at the same time belief in God, and it is through our faith that we are given eternal life. 

    With the Gospel, we move backwards in time to before the crucifixion. This reading is in the middle of what is known as the "Farewell Discourse" of Jesus that takes place just after the Last Supper has been finished. In this moment, Jesus is praying for the Apostles, updating God on the progress of the mission so far. He says, While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. [John 17:12] The one lost, of course, refers to Judas. And in this prayer, also for us, Jesus asks God to protect us not just for our own sake but for the sake of the whole world. In that way, God's love will live in us and be given out to the world through us, as we carry on with Christ's mission, the work we have been given to do. The disciples were, and we are, sent into the world sheltered in love, by love, and for the love of God through Jesus. As he looks up to heaven, Jesus asks God to make his own joy complete in us and to sanctify ~ or hallow ~ us in the truth of God's Word. 

    We have come to know Jesus through these and other words of the Christian Testament. The beginning of the Gospel of John tells us that In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [John 1:1] We know that the Word is Jesus, our Christ, our Messiah, our Savior. We've learned about Jesus after his birth, and before his death, resurrection, and ascension. Through these writings, we are given the instructions of how we are to follow Christ in this world, in our time, knowing that through Christ’s prayer we are also sanctified in the truth.

    What will be your prayer to God after these readings? What part of Christ's mission now calls to you before you venture into the world again? As God knows our hearts, I pray to continually seek to love and serve Christ during all my living days, and to love and serve others in Christ’s name. As the original 12 were chosen by Jesus, and Matthias was chosen by God, we, too, are empowered to fulfill the Mission and Ministry of our Redeemer. We, now, are The Chosen to carry on Christ’s mission here and now.

 LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Jesus, our Savior Christ, by prayer, the casting of lots, and through Divine Will, Matthias was chosen to join in Your ministry and apostleship. Guide us on our walk, chosen in our time, to seek the joy and challenge of discipleship with You, striving to be living examples of Your ministry and mission.

                                                      Living, Loving God

         RESPONSE:      Sanctify us in Your Truth             

~ Jesus, our Savior Christ, fill us with the spiritual substance and stamina to stand together, in continual witness, to all who govern on this Earth, in this Nation, and in this Community, seeking justice, mercy, and freedom for all of God’s people. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                     Living Loving God

                                                     Sanctify us in Your Truth

~ Jesus, our Savior Christ, raise the hope and the spirits of all who suffer with severe illness, depression, or serious life circumstance, and give strength to all who give them care.   We now join our hearts together to pray for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                     Living Loving God

                                                     Sanctify us in Your Truth  

~ Jesus, our Savior Christ, happy are we who, with drying tears, celebrate our loved ones now arrived, to live again in the glory of eternity with You.  We pray especially for… add your own petitions

                                                     Living Loving God

                                                     Sanctify us in Your Truth

~ Jesus, our Savior Christ, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials… add your own petitions

                                                     Living Loving God

                                                     Sanctify us in Your Truth

~ Jesus, our Savior Christ, refresh and renew the spiritual tools of all who lead us in Your church, as they guide and inspire us to find delight in Your Word, and walk with us in faith-building and faith-in-action. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                     Living Loving God

                                                     Sanctify us in Your Truth

The Celebrant adds: Glorious and Almighty Lord, who knows our hearts and minds, protect our souls from evil in and of the world, that we in turn, may offer Your love, shelter, and eternal life to all we meet in the righteous work You have given us to do. We ask through Your Son our Savior, Jesus Christ; and the Comfort of the Holy Spirit; who together with You, reign as One God, now and forever. Amen.

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