We are
truly all in "this" together ~ this
life, on this planet, right now. In this world from its beginnings,
through all epochs, eons, and ages, and in reviewing our lives in current times,
we look at "others" as different from ourselves by
skin color, nationality, religion, political views, sexual orientation, life
circumstance, or, merely, because someone lives in comes “here” from a
different part of the world, the country, or the community. How easily we
dismiss and worse, completely reject those whom we designate as not one
of us. Suddenly "they" become one of them, not
to be trusted or valued as the full human person God created in God's own
image.
How very sad and tragic it is that we set
ourselves, within our self-limited chosen circles, as above another individual
or group as if our opinions, our neighborhood, our economic circumstance, or our
political views are the only ones that matter.
Alice Walker minces no words describing the enormity of (their) crimes
against humanity bringing such crimes from the global history of white
colonization and the destructive privilege of wealth, to her people, her
family, and her own experiences in our own times. Yet while outlining specifics
for venting her justified rage, she suddenly turns us all to the stark
necessities of saving our planet when she says So let me tell you: I
intend to protect my home. Praying – not a curse – on the hope that my courage
will not fail my love…only justice to every living thing (and everything is
alive) will save humankind…Only justice can stop a curse.
In addition to the uplifting reminders of
all the reasons the God of Creation deserves our continuous praise, the
Psalmist also tells us quite frankly that we are not to put our trust
in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no help. When
his breath departs he returns to his earth; on that very day his plans perish. [Psalm
146:3-4]
We humans find struggle with understanding
and applying what Paul speaks of his wish for us to be of the same mind as
Christ. In this portion of his letter to the Philippians, we are to be without
selfish ambition and empty conceit, and to have humility and see to the needs
of others, regarding them as better than ourselves. Struggle indeed! Humans,
especially, it seems to me, western world humans, even with little or no
economic, political, or other power-based standing, have much difficulty accepting
that we are all ~ each and every ~ created by God and equal in God’s
eyes. Those differences take on universal proportions that cause wars globally
and locally, within neighborhoods and families, creating enemies antithetically
to God’s intent and the mind of Christ.
Matthew’s Gospel reminds of us the words we
think we know so well and utter easily and without deep examination of how we
are to apply them in our everyday moments, especially in the most difficult
circumstances: You shall love the Lord Your God with all your heart,
and with all your soul, and with all your mind…You shall love your neighbor as
yourself. Love God with ALL YOUR/MY heart, soul, mind, and
YOUR/MY Neighbor as myself. Too many of us, it seems actually DO love God and
our neighbors as we really do love ourselves: badly. Judgment,
criticism, anger, mockery, even hatred, is often much more of a mirror than we
would like to recognize, let alone admit.
The
ways in which we care for each other ~ all others ~ and
ourselves, with the love for God and our Human Family that Jesus has exhorted
us to give, is a measure of the depth (or shallowness) of our own love for God.
To prosper only ourselves and our us, may carry us in this
short temporal existence but it is not the way of Jesus nor does it turn us
toward the ultimate reward of eternal life.
The humility that Jesus exemplified
is difficult to achieve and uncomfortable in an environment of excessive greed,
selfishness, and disdain for the life of others and this planet. I am/We
are called to seek to become united with God through prayer, which is
the germinating power for our words and actions to be works of
true charity, in the overflow of our love for God from within
ourselves. It is time to relinquish marking my
personal achievements and live more simply, putting one foot in front of
the other, making each and every breath a prayer and every step in love
and with love and toward the justice that will make our
Human Family Whole.
LET
US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ Gracious Lord,
our God, quicken our desire to actively live our faith by consciously loving
and serving You with our whole hearts, souls, and minds with intention. Guide
us to dare to follow Your command to love all humankind as if they are our selves,
as we
are loved by You.
Lord of Loving-Kindness
Response: Prosper the work of our hearts and hands
~
Gracious Lord, our God, guide
those of us who have a choice for our political leaders, to responsibly choose
as stewards of all humanity and of this entire planet, those who will lead,
legislate, and personally act with sincerity and integrity. We pray especially
for: add your own petitions
Lord
of Loving-Kindness
Prosper the work of our hearts and
hands
~
Gracious Lord, our God, embrace all
with Your tender care those who are burdened with serious illness, addiction,
or emotional distress, and refresh all who provide support. We now join our
hearts to pray for those in need… add
your own petitions
Lord of Loving-Kindness
Prosper the work of our hearts and hands
~
Gracious Lord, our God, receive in
joy and splendor, all those we commend with thanksgiving to live again in
Christ’s enduring love. We pray especially for… add your own petitions
Lord of Loving-Kindness
Prosper the work of our hearts and hands
~
Gracious Lord, our God, we pause in this moment to offer You our
other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials… add your own petitions
Lord
of Loving-Kindness
Prosper the work of our hearts and
hands
~
Gracious Lord, our God, we praise
You and we thank you for those who answered the calling, anointing, and
commitment to lead us in worship, in prayer, and companionship on our constant
pilgrimage toward eternal life. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Lord of Loving-Kindness
Prosper the work of our hearts and hands
The
Celebrant adds:
O God our Refuge, grant us the humility to delight in Your Law, to seek the way
of the righteous in all that we do, and to be courageous in faith, sharing the
Gospel in, for, and by the strength of Your Love. We ask through Jesus, our
Savior Messiah; and the Holy Spirit, our Wisdom within; who together with You,
live and reign as One God, every day, always, and forever. Amen.
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