People's Prayers: Prayers of the People: The Weight of Faith ~ 2nd Sunday of Easter WLWC* ‘25 Yr C

For Sunday, April 27, 2025; Readings: Acts 1-3, 12-14; Psalm 6:1-10, Romans 8:31-39, Luke 18:18-30

Jesus presented himself to them, living, after his suffering through many convincing proofs, by appearing to them forty days and speaking about the reign of God. And staying with them, Jesus commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, rather to wait there for the promise of the Faithful One: “What you heard from me. For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from this one.” [Acts 1:3-5]

Have mercy on me, Faithful One, for I am fragile…for my bones are terrified…Turn, Healing One, save my soul; deliver me for the sake of your faithful love. [Psalm 6:2, 4]

If God is for us, who can be against us?...For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor powers-that-be, not things that are, nor things that will be, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Redeemer. [Romans 8:31b, 38-39]

…Jesus…said to the ruler…“Indeed it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is wealthy to enter the majesty of God!”…and the women and the men who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” But Jesus said, “What is impossible for the woman-born is possible for God.” [Luke 18:25-27]

The Revised Common Lectionary’s [RCL] first reading for this Sunday begins with a passage from the 5^th chapter of the Book of Acts verses 27-32 which took place in about the Year 35 AD/CE, while the Crucifixion, Resurrection, Pentecost, and Ascension took place in about the year 33. In this reading, the disciples were standing before the council of the High Priests, who had given them strict orders not to teach in the name of Jesus. Dr. Gafney give us, in the WLWC,* a reading from the 1^st chapter of the book of Acts, of the newly risen Jesus appearing to the disciples and telling them about what was to come, that is, the Holy Spirit not many days from this one. In our time, the descent of the Holy Spirit, Pentecost, arrives this year of 2025 on Sunday June 8. The way time seems to move that is not many days from now!

For the Gospel, the RCL uses John 20:29-31 to recount the appearance of Jesus to the disciples after the Resurrection through the locked doors of their room. Previously when they had told Thomas that they had seen the risen Jesus, he said he wouldn’t believe until he touched the wounds…we know how that goes. In contrast, Dr. Gafney brings us the Gospel of Luke and the story of the rich young ruler which occurred prior to the Crucifixion.

In all the readings separately and combined every Sunday, and indeed every day, from this Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church [WLWC] the RCL, and all other sources of weekly and daily readings, and for Lent and Holy Week in particular—especially with the betrayal of Judas for his 30 pieces of silver and Peter’s 3 denials—we are always confronted with how God through the Hebrew Testament and Jesus through the Christian Testament spoke, taught, and worked through the flawed people chosen to do the work they were given to do. What we may not hear, or (like me too often) don’t want to hear is how those tasks are given to each of us, in our times, today, now. All too often I hear but I’m not actually listening as my head is busy building to-do lists for the wants and musts of daily life.

Yet here we are and hear we must. We, too, are to seek and to recognize the call for each of us, now, today, in whatever ways we are able. It may be volunteering for a ministry within the Church or with an outside organization. Perhaps donating food, clothing, or a few dollars according to our means. It might also be a civic action on behalf of pending legislation locally and/or beyond. And no matter our age, time or physical constraints, prayer is always useful and can be done anywhere, anytime, silently or otherwise.

Often, when we are reminded of the oughts, shoulds, or coulds of everyday life and especially with life of and in faith, we can be overwhelmed. The weight of faith for the Rich Young Ruler was a financial step too far. The weight of financial reward of leaving faith behind was the right step in the moment for Judas. The weight of fear in faith and its other costs loomed too large for Peter at first. All of us have our limits of time, money, our fears and our doubts as to the many and varied costs of faith. Am I called to be a literal martyr for my faith ~ oh I hope not! ~ but I know there are ways I can be a more active participant in the faith I claim, even in times of doubt and wondering. We are Created by God and each breath we take is a testament to another God-Given moment of life. To bear the weight of faith is a sacred task and holy duty and we live it one moment at a time, breath by breath, prayer by prayer, with hope in hope. Somedays faith feels heavier than others. So, whose life is it anyway ~ mine or God’s?

I saw a post today recalling a story about the Vatican Conclave that elected Pope Francis. The then Cardinal Bergoglio offered a reflection on the famous image of Jesus standing and knocking at the door “to be admitted, to come into our hearts, the enter our lives. “But what, he said, if Jesus is knocking for us to come out instead, to join him in the world outside?”

Now there’s a weighty question.

Requiescat in Pace, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, El Papa Francisco, 1936- 2025

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader: ~ O Living Redeemer Christ, in Your grace and with Your love we seek Your constant Presence through the willing eyes of our souls. Grant us such fullness of faith and courage, that even in affliction and distress, we will seek and strive to follow Your Word and Witness to everlasting life in Your Name.

Risen Lord, Divine Messiah

RESPONSE: In You is our Faith, our Hope, and our Peace

~ O Living Redeemer Christ, fill the rulers of our Earth, our Country, and our Community with the personal courage and humility to triumph over the injustice of ruthless authority and govern with equity, integrity, and reverence for all of Creation and its Inhabitants. We pray especially for: the President, the Vice-President, our Members of Congress, our Governor, our County Executive, our City Council, and our Mayor.

Risen Lord, Divine Messiah