Dr. Gafney’s choice of readings once again seems to
parallel themes of our own time, when held up against the backdrop of our current
national and international news.
Jeremiah is
reminding his followers that the promise of the return of Israel to their
homeland is still strong, even if not imminent. Dr. Gafney tells us that Rachel, Israel’s
figurative mother, appears as a reminder to acknowledge and lament the losses
suffered by Israel’s people, as a subjugated nation in exile. The acknowledgement
and lamentation of such subjugation is appropriate for all times of history
including our own, for entire nations as well as for ethnic, racial, LGBTQ+, and
other communities exiled from the mainstream and considered separate from the “acceptable”
population in a given political climate.
The Psalm
continues the promise of restoration across the journeying of history as the
Epistle from James is severely unsubtle in its scathing indictment of “wealthy
people.” In his time, and our own, Rachel’s weeping is for all who are inhumanely
marginalized and abused by traffickers, profiteering, violence, and more. We,
who are far from the top echelons of power and enormous wealth, must still take
stock of our attitudes and understanding of the realities of those to whom we
are part of “the rich.” As we decry the lack of empathy and compassion in
various public and private sectors of our life and times, to what actions—large
or small—are we each committed and involved? No matter the translation you
choose, it is completely clear that James has pulled no punches.
And Luke shows us a side of those we have
been, seemingly, taught to scorn: Pharisees! Here, some are actively attempting
to save Jesus’s life. They have heard Jesus preach, seen or at least heard of
his miracles and healings and teachings. Perhaps, then, it is only the ones who
are jealous, who jump up and down for attention, and then turn to those they
delegate to impose state-sanctioned violence and murder to prove their power to
themselves and their small-minded yet heavy-handed group of bullies. But that
never happens now…does it?
The promise of
restoration remains and if we look for them, we can find moments of gladness, comfort
and joy, in and around the moments of mourning and sorrow that occur in
everyone’s lifetime. Full restoration ahead! Remember: There is hope for
your future…
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE,
PRAY
Leader: ~ EVER-LIVING
GOD, you are our strength and our salvation. Gather us under your wings
as we gather and care for all who are in need. Open us to the knowledge of Your
will through Your word already within us, that our acts of love and kindness are
a true measure of our full faith in Christ.
O MERCIFUL GOD, FOUNT OF JUSTICE
RESPONSE: Our Grace in
the wilderness
~ EVER-LIVING GOD, grant enduring patience
and support for the souls of those honorable people, with the principles of
integrity, compassion, and mercy, now serving in national and local governments
across your Earth. Turn the hearts of others with selfish intent toward righteous,
moral, and upright governance everywhere. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
O MERCIFUL GOD, FOUNT OF JUSTICE
Our Grace in the wilderness
~ EVER-LIVING GOD, rescue and give hope to
the poor, the weak, and the sick, and give strength to all who assist them. We
now join our hearts to pray for those in need… add your own petitions
O MERCIFUL GOD, FOUNT OF JUSTICE
Our Grace in the wilderness
~ EVER-LIVING GOD, comfort the hearts of
those who mourn, as your children who have left this life are now returned to
their everlasting country, where you give them joy for sorrow. We pray
especially for: add your own petitions
O MERCIFUL GOD, FOUNT OF JUSTICE
Our Grace in the wilderness
~ EVER-LIVING GOD, we pause in
this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions,
petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently… add your own petitions
O MERCIFUL GOD, FOUNT OF JUSTICE
Our Grace in the wilderness
~ EVER-LIVING GOD, we look to our faithful
ministers of Your Word and Sacraments as our guides of truth in action.
Endow them with the steadfast faith to urge and accompany us along right
pathways. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
O MERCIFUL GOD, FOUNT OF JUSTICE
Our Grace in the wilderness
The Celebrant adds: O MIGHTY GOD, awaken us to rejoice and be glad in every
day you have given us, with hope for our future. Fill us with the spiritual
understanding and faithfulness to lead lives worthy of the gifts within us
all. Help us to live by the fruit of the Gospel, bearing it to and for all with
whom we share this life. We ask through Jesus, our Chief Cornerstone; and the Holy
Spirit, the MOTHER OF WISDOM, who together with You are One God, now and
forever. 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:
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