Just as Samuel might have wished his sons had behaved better, and the elders of
Israel wanted a king to "be like other nations," even Jesus with his
storied ancestry arrives in his home territory with less than a happy welcome
from his family. Mary, his mother, and his brothers think he's crazy and
needs to be physically restrained. Perhaps Mary and her other sons were
embarrassed by Jesus, in the sight of others, for not following an expected
career path. Most families I know or know of have tales about embarrassing
or alienating relatives who have befouled the family tree and perhaps even been
disowned. It is no easy feat to understand, support, and accept a member of the
family who has gone in unexpected and inexplicable ways (much less feel
accepted if it is ourselves). And so a household divides.
The Psalmist and Paul acknowledge the ongoing
love of God whose grace and safe holding carry us forward and renews our inner
nature each day so that we may not lose heart or Spirit and continue to seek
God’s purpose for our lives.
Jesus defines family
for himself, and by extension for us, as those who do the will of God. And how are
we to determine what is the will of God, and what is the True Source and not
the earth-based gods and idols that create unquenchable wants, desires, and
addictions? How do we stand together when we understand things so differently
from others we hold dear. We won't know for sure that we've made the exact right
choices until ... And, until, whenever I feel I'm out on an uncertain limb of
Christ's family tree, I go back constantly to my favorite prayer by Thomas
Merton:
My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot
know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact
that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please You does in fact please You. And I hope
I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything
apart from that desire. And I know that, if I do this, You will lead me by the
right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust You
always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not
fear, for You are ever with me, and You will never leave me to face my perils
alone. ~ From: Thoughts in
Solitude¸ Thomas Merton
LET
US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ Lord God
Almighty, as by Your Will we were created, renew our inner nature each day
that we may seek Your purpose for our lives. Even among those who cannot
understand, grant us the fortitude to abandon the earthly gods and idols that
tempt us into wants and desires that lead us to forsaking You.
O God of Love
and Faithfulness
RESPONSE:
With our whole heart we praise and
thank You
~ Lord God
Almighty, as some seek to establish their own earthly kingdoms, let us
work to extend the knowledge of Your grace, justice, mercy, and tolerance to
all who would govern the peoples of this world, this nation, and this community, that we may abide
together in Your House, undivided, with no exclusions. We pray
especially for: add your own petitions
O
God of Love and Faithfulness
With
our whole heart we praise and thank You
~ Lord God
Almighty, heal
and comfort all who struggle with chronic pain, addiction, and recovery, and
heighten the stamina of those who give continuing support. We now
join our hearts to pray for those in need…add your own petitions
O God of Love and Faithfulness
With our whole heart we praise and thank You
~ Lord God
Almighty, we lift up, with our love, all who have exchanged this earthly life for
the glory, joy, and peace of eternity with You. We pray especially
for: add your own petitions
O God of Love and Faithfulness
With our whole heart we praise and thank You
~ Lord God
Almighty, we pause in this moment to offer You our other
heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or
silently…add your own petitions
O God of Love and Faithfulness
With our whole heart we praise and thank You
~ Lord God
Almighty, refresh the enthusiasm and vitality of those anointed to guide us, as
together we navigate the time and tides of this temporal life, connecting our
everyday lives and actions to You. We pray especially for: add
your own petitions
O
God of Love and Faithfulness
With
our whole heart we praise and thank You
The
Celebrant adds: O
God of Grace and Glory, develop in us a spiritual thirst that seeks to be
quenched only in Your service in the midst of being in earthly
kingdoms, even as we strive to not be of them. Through
Your enduring love and faithfulness, let us strive to become mother, father,
sister, or brother to everyone, each according to their need, on every limb in
the sacred family tree of Christ. We ask through the steadfastness of Jesus,
and the blessings of the Holy Spirit, who together with You, reign as One God,
now and forever. Amen.
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