I
think a case could be made that all the positive and threatening
narratives of outcomes and events currently around the world seem to be written
into this Gospel, indeed in all of these readings. The political vitriol,
derisiveness, and divisiveness swirling around in all manner of media has
families and friends turning against each other, or at the very least, avoiding
interactions. There are earthquakes, fires, hurricanes, famines, terrorist
acts, random acts of and intentional “official” violence, personal tragedies,
and somewhere there are lions, and tigers, and bears, Oh My, and things that explode
in the night. And yet neighborhoods and organizations and state
governments, and churches, and synagogues, and mosques are joining together to
help others.
Difficult
it will be, yet we must take a breath and stop living with the paralyzing fear
that more terrible things will happen even though, of course they will. They
ALWAYS HAVE, from the beginning of time, not a day goes by on this earth
without something dreadful happening to someone, or to many. The instant access
to muddied headlines, regardless of their sources, confirms the fear we are
conditioned to have, to keep us from moving forward in faith and life. Yes, it
sounds hollow and trite to say that life is still filled with many wonderful
and life-giving moments if we look deeply for and turn to the light to find,
see, and appreciate them, yet it’s also true.
Jesus
tells us not to fear wars and insurrections, betrayals, natural disasters, and
not to be led astray by those who falsely claim to know when the end time is
near. Whether or not we each and every are living in a difficult time at
this moment, Jesus told us: I will give you words and a wisdom...By
your endurance you will gain your souls. And no, it doesn’t fill
hungry stomachs or protect individuals or targeted groups, or any place on the
planet against all the terrors of life enumerated in this passage. And some political
and/or “religious” opportunists use these kinds of threats and torments to blame
every extreme weather occurrence or human tragedy as God’s judgement on humanity,
further stoking panic and dread. Are the End Times approaching? Paul
thought so in his day. There are people in every generation who “see the signs”
and pronounce their certainty that THIS IS IT! Oh it will be, sometime, but, as
Matthew 25:13 tells us: Keep awake, therefore, for you know neither the day
nor the hour. In other more current language this translates to Stay Woke!
Whatever
our individual fears, we know that the fears of others are the same. Let
our enduring work begin with prayer for confidence in God's sun of
righteousness to rise. Let us shake ourselves out of idleness borne of
the paralysis of fear that masks itself as hate and anger. Let us move out of
living in grief to finding grace-filled purpose in our brief earthly time
together. Let us never, ever, weary of doing what is
right. Whatever is to come, let us take heart in the assurance
that God remains present with us. Walking together, in faith on this homeward
path, even with a slip or a fall now and then, Jesus has assured us that through
our overall endurance, our souls will not perish through any evil doing now nor
in any time to come. Jesus, is the Cornerstone
of our faith, from all that has gone before, is now, and will be forever. Let
us Sing to the Lord a new song, each and every day, for he
has done marvelous things.
LET US,
GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ O Lord of Hosts, strengthen us to begin, within ourselves,
to sing a new song of Your marvelous works in our midst. Free us from idle
faith and empower our hearts to serve You with joy, even in the midst of fearful
and difficult times, never wearying of doing all that is right in Your name.
O God of Righteousness
RESPONSE:
In joy we revere Your Name
~ O Lord of Hosts, we lift up our
prayers for all who lead this World, this Country, and this Community by
election, fiat, or inheritance. Implant in their souls a deepening hunger for
unquestionable integrity, global and local peace, and justice tempered with
mercy for all people everywhere. We pray especially for: add your
own petitions
O God of Righteousness
In
joy we revere Your Name
~ O Lord of Hosts, nestle the
aching, the fearful, and the desperate in Your loving embrace, and revitalize
all who support their needs. We now join our voices to pray aloud for
those in need… add your own petitions
O God of Righteousness
In joy we revere Your Name
~ O Lord of Hosts, we give You
thanks for lives well led as the Heavenly gates open for our beloved, who now
live again in glory of life everlasting in Christ. We pray especially for…add
your own petitions
O God of Righteousness
In joy we revere Your Name
~ O Lord of Hosts, 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 Righteousness
In joy we revere Your Name
~ O Lord of Hosts, quicken the
spirits of those called and ordained to speak Your Words and celebrate Your
Sacraments, inspiring us all to live lives of selfless intent in this earthly
life. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
O God of Righteousness
In joy we revere Your Name
The
Celebrant adds: O Lord our God, dissolve reluctance
and embolden our generosity of spirit as stewards of the sacred trust for Your
Earth and each other. Grant us Your Words and Wisdom to strive in faith-filled
endurance to gain eternity for our souls. We ask through Jesus, our Redeemer
Christ, and the Holy Spirit our Advocate, who together with You are our One,
Holy and Mighty God, now and forever. Amen.
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