Prayers of the People: Persistence ~ 6th Sunday of Easter WLWC* ‘25 Yr C

For Sunday, May 25, 2025; Readings: Acts 17:1-4, 10-12; Psalm 9: 1-11, 13-14, 18-20; Titus 3:1-8, Luke 18:1-10

  Paul and Silas…came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue…Paul…on three sabbaths presented to them from the scriptures… “This is the Messiah, Jesus who I proclaim to you all…” Now some of [those Jews] were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many devout Greeks and not a few of the prominent women. [Acts 17:1-2, 3b, 4]

  I will give thanks to the God Who Saves with my whole heart…She Who is Faithful is a stronghold for the oppressed. A stronghold in times of trouble…For the needs shall not always be forgotten, nor the hope of those oppressed by poverty perish for all time…Put them in fear…let the nations know that they are mortal.  [Psalm 9:1a, 9, 18, 20b]

  Now remind the sisters and brothers with regard to rulers and persons in authority, to be submissive, to be obedient…When the graciousness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, God saved us through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, not because of any works of righteousness we had done, but according to God’s mercy. This Spirit God poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that having been justified by God’s grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of life eternal. [Titus 3:1a, 4-6]

  Jesus told the disciples a parable about the need to pray continually and not be discouraged. He said, “There was a judge in a certain city who neither feared God nor respected people. There was a widow in that city and she came to him continually and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my accuser.’ And he was not willing for sometime; but later said to himself… ‘yet because this widow persists in troubling me, I will grant her justice…’” And the Messiah said, “…And will not God grant justice to the elect of God who cry to God day and night…God will quickly grant just to them. And yet, when the Son of Woman comes, will he find faith on the earth? [Luke 18:1-4a, 5a, 6-8]

   I have been persistently persistent in putting all of the pieces of this puzzle of readings together! As usual, Dr. Gafney brings readings that are not in the usual Revised Common Lectionary, and, as I have said previously, she does not change the texts themselves except through nuance of her own translations and to highlight women’s roles and pronouns with enhanced titles of God. I would encourage you to read these in whatever translation is your customary, and to explore them in at least one or two other translation (or more) not usual in your own experience.

   What has come through to me in all of these readings as they are for this week is persistence. Dr. Gafney says, “In these lessons, God shows up as a transforming and liberating power changing external circumstances and internal realities.” She also notes that, “The contexts for each of these readings are complex and sometimes contradictory…” Paul and Silas, for example are using their interpretations of Scripture according to their culture and their times ~ and don’t we all? The art of proof texting by some often tries to make a particular point with one or two verses taken out of the whole, and often fails when read with several verses above and below, or a whole chapter, can completely change one’s understanding. One glaring example of contradiction for me this week is the beginning of the reading from Titus especially in contrast with the Gospel reading. Submissive? Obedient to rulers and persons in authority? Am I back in parochial school? Also it doesn’t seem to fit with the balance of the passage of God saving us, not because of righteous behavior but because of God’s mercy and justifying grace. And then Jesus gives us the unjust judge up against the persistent widow. Not so submissive is she and to her benefit. The judge was concerned that she might do violence to him if he didn’t grant her “justice.”

   Paul was indeed persistent in all that he did, preaching and teaching, and walking thousands upon thousands of miles to do so. Some of us may not be quite so diligent in our faith walk! The Psalm coupled with Jesus’s admonition in Luke to pray continually and not be discouraged certainly requires regular attention to not lose heart. For me, this Psalm and the Widow together offer me a way of thought for continual prayer in and for hope even in those times of a crisis of, or at the very least, a moment of weakness in faith.

   Finally, Jesus leaves us with the question for and of all time: When he returns, will he find faith on the earth?  Hmmm…

   

    There is one aside to these readings that I’d like to offer from a personal experience. Many years ago, 1994 to be exact, I was on a three week pilgrimage with my then Bishop and 25 or so others to Israel, specifically through the auspices of St. George’s College in Jerusalem, that ended with Holy Week and Easter. I can’t begin to describe or detail all that we experienced. It was then, not nearly as now, but certainly a very troubled place. One of our trips was to Israel’s Occupied Syria, a portion of Syria just over Israel’s border. We were there to see the remains of a first-century synagogue dig, thoroughly studied by archaeologists. There were piles of broken and leftover pieces that we were allowed to take with us. I have a few pottery sherds that my now adult daughters will no doubt discard one day! We learned that in the time of Paul and before, a synagogue was more of a gathering place for the community. There was some  preparation for Jewish rituals, and Sabbath worship, but mostly a place to go and visit with others, whereas in today’s time it is primarily a worship space and with religious teaching as in our churches with children’s and adult classes. But I asked the guide, saying I realized that while synagogue is a Greek word, I wondered what is the Hebrew word for synagogue. He replied "Knesset" (kuhness-et) which shocked me and still does. If you wonder where you may have heard that word before ~ look it up. If you want to know what I find shocking, feel free to ask!

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O Redeeming God, as you do not forsake those know your name, enjoin our hearts to be vigilant yet calm, allow the Spirit to lift us in times of trouble and fear, to pray continually, to rejoice in your salvation and not be discouraged.

                                             She Who is Faithful

RESPONSE:      Be our Stronghold in times of struggle 

~ O Redeeming God, transform the souls of the leaders of this Earth, this Nation, and this Community to remember they, too, are mortal. Imbue them with an unsatiable desire to govern in ways that end oppression of all people: especially children and adults in poverty, those in fear for their lives, those unfairly imprisoned, and those dying from lack of basic needs. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                               She Who is Faithful

                                               Be our Stronghold in times of struggle

~ O Redeeming God, grant Your saving health to all beset by physical, emotional, or spiritual illness, and infuse their caregivers with gentleness and love. We now join our hearts to pray for those in need… add your own petitions

                                               She Who is Faithful

                                               Be our Stronghold in times of struggle

~ O Redeeming God, those we love who have reached the end of earthly life, have been  justified by your grace. Turn our mourning into joy, as they have entered into their inheritance of your limitless light and life, forever blessed according to your mercy. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                               She Who is Faithful

                                               Be our Stronghold in times of struggle

~  O Redeeming God, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently… add your own petitions

                                               She Who is Faithful

                                               Be our Stronghold in times of struggle         

~ O Redeeming God, refresh all those who are anointed to lead and inspire us in your church, with the continuing renewal of the fire and depth of your call, guiding us all toward You. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                               She Who is Faithful O Redeeming God
                                               Be our Stronghold in times of struggle

The Celebrant adds: O Gracious One, you judge the world in righteousness and with equity, and grant justice to those who cry to you day and night. Let us give thanks to you with our whole hearts, in the times we sing your praises and in the times we are downhearted. We ask for your constant help in the name of Jesus, our Messiah; the Holy Spirit, Renewer of our Hope and Faith; who together with you are One God, forever and ever. Amen.

*Readings for our Parish in this Year C are from The Rev. Dr. Wilda [Wil] Gafney, Womanist biblical scholar, and the Right Rev. Sam B. Hulsey Professor of Hebrew Bible at Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, Texas. She is the author of A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church Yr C, and others in her series, and translator of its biblical selections. I definitely commend her book for the complete readings, to Clergy and Laity, for her Text Notes, and “Preaching Prompts” whether or not you will use them in your Liturgies/Services/Preaching. There is much to learn from her work to inform every facet of our lives in Christ.  To learn more about her and her work, see her website: 

https://www.wilgafney.com/ 

All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com