I note the obvious differences In the human family…the variety of our skin tones Can confuse, bemuse, delight…I’ve seen the wonders of the world yet not one common man…I’ve seen ten thousand women…But I’ve not seen any two who really were the same…We are more alike my friends, Than we are unalike. [Human Family, by Maya Angelou]*
Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help! Whose hope is in the Lord their God…who keeps his promise for ever…Who gives justice to the oppressed…opens the eyes of the blind, lifts up those who are bowed down… [Psalm 146:5, 6b, 7a, 8b]
Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me…Truly I tell you, that just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me. [Matthew 25:40, 45]
The Season of Creation originated in the Anglican Church of South Africa and was formalized in 2008. It is designed for us to explore our faith from a Creation perspective. For more information see: https://prayersofthepeople.blogspot.com/2018/10/prayers-of-people-in-beginning-1st.html.
We use Biblical and other readings that pertain to the specific theme of each of the 7 weeks of the Season. *Alternate readings used are posted with an asterisk and follow the prayers below.
Week III's
Theme is:
Our Common Humanity
We are truly all in "this" together ~
this multiverse, this planet, this life, right in the now that is all we
ever have. Yet all too often, especially in these fraught times, we look at
others and others look at us as different because of skin
color, regional accent, nationality, religion, political views, sexual
orientation, life circumstance, or merely because someone lives in a different
part of the world, the country, or the city. We too easily dismiss, and worse ~
completely and immediately reject ~ those who aren't like us. Suddenly they become
one of them, not to be trusted or valued as the full human
person God created, and in God's own image. When we ignore, avoid, or dismiss
an other person for such reasons, we damage ourselves and our
souls by de-valuing a child of God’s making.
Maya Angelou’s poem Human Family breaks
through the self-imposed shields and barriers and says quite starkly,
truthfully, unequivocally, with necessary repetition: We are more
alike, my friend, than we are unalike.
The Psalmist calls us to celebrate our God, the God of
Jacob, as our hope, as one whose promise is kept forever, who gives justice to
the oppressed, and opens the eyes of the blind. This phrasing also bears
repeating, to be written down and available to our eyes and hearts at waking,
mid-day, and in the approach to sleep as a mantra in prayer to be embedded in
our life’s purpose as God’s agents in Creation.
The writer of Philippians reminds us to do nothing from
selfish ambitions and, in humility regard others as better than
yourselves…look not to your own interests, but to the interest of others. And
most importantly, we are to Let the same mind be in you that was in
Christ. This, too, gives us a charge, a mindset, our primary mission in
this life.
Jesus is quite specific when he tells his story in
his time through this part of Matthew’s Gospel that comes now to us, that
whatever we do to another we do to him; and, whatever we do not do to another,
we do not do to him. It is always the perfect time to work with each
other to discover how we can, together, be in the same mind that was in
Christ for the benefit, betterment, and salvation of our common
humanity, and never more perfect than today, even when we disagree
about many things. If we cannot find common ground with some, then we
must redouble our efforts with those with whom we can, for the sake of Jesus,
our Christ, and for all of humankind that each of our God-Given lives touch.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ Blessed are You, Lord of and in our Souls, Creator of Our Entire Human Family, fill us with delight in discovering the wonder and joy 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 each of us are 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 that we are more alike than unalike in Christ.
~ Blessed are You, Lord of and in our Souls, 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
~ Blessed are You, Lord of and in our Souls, 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
~ Blessed are You, Lord of and in our Souls, 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
~ Blessed are You, Lord of and in our Souls, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials… add your own petitions
~ Blessed are You, Lord of and in our Souls, 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
The Celebrant adds: Most
Gracious 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 have breath, for You who brought our common
humanity and all else in the heavens and on Earth into being, for You who 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.
"I note the obvious differences
In the human family. Some of us are serious,
Some thrive on comedy. Some declare their lives are lived
As true profundity,
And others claim they really live
The real reality. The variety of our skin tones
Can confuse, bemuse, delight,
Brown and pink and beige and purple,
Tan and blue and white.
I've sailed upon the seven seas
And stopped in every land,
I've seen the wonders of the world
Not yet one common man.
I know ten thousand women
Called Jane and Mary Jane,
But I've not seen any two
Who really were the same.
Mirror twins are different
Although their features jibe,
And lovers think quite different thoughts
While lying side by side.
We love and lose in China,
We weep on England's moors,
And laugh and moan in Guinea,
And thrive on Spanish shores.
We seek success in Finland,
Are born and die in Maine.
In minor ways we differ, In major we're the same.
I note the obvious differences
Between each sort and type,
But we are more alike, my friends,
Than we are unalike.
We are more alike, my friends,
Than we are unalike.
We are more alike, my friends,
Than we are unalike."
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