Prayers of the People: Always the Right WORD ~ 1st Sunday after Christmas Day Yr A '19

For Sunday, December 29, 2019, Readings: Isaiah 61:10-62:3, Psalm 147, Galatians 3:23-25, 4:4-7; John 1:1-18

  For the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up...the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all nations. 

[Isaiah 61:11a; 62:1a]

    He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds...The LORD lifts up the lowly, but casts the wicked to the ground. [Psalm 147:3, 6]

     But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law...So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God. [Galatians 4:4, 7]

   In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God...What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it...The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. [John 1:1-2, 3b-5, 17]

He became what we are

that he might make us

what he is.

       In the familiar language of the opening to John’s Gospel, the Word he speaks of comes from the Greek, logos, and we understand that the Word is Jesus. As God’s self-expression, Jesus was with God from the beginning, and was sent to be among us with flesh, blood, breath, and beating heart. His mission was and is to make God known to us and to reconcile us to God so that we would know that no amount of our human sin could keep God from loving us. All we need to access that incomprehensible, all-encompassing love, is faith, even if imperfect and wavering. The disciplinarian God gave Moses the Law and now Abba sends us a Redeemer, full of grace and truth. Through and with Christ, we become heirs of God’s Kingdom, filled with the Light that even the deepest darkness cannot overcome.

      In the first few centuries following Christ’s Resurrection, the Patristics ~ early writers of the Church ~ with Bishops Irenaeus in the 2^nd century and Athanasius in the 4^th century among them, spoke of humans becoming divine through Christ saying, he became what we are that he might make us what he is. Paul tells us in Galatians that Jesus is faith revealed to us by God. Those who followed Jesus in his time and who influenced others who came after, have all tried to instruct us in ways to be more like him, our Christ, the Messiah.

    As the Church year unfolds, we will be led through the penitence of Lent and the woes of Holy Week, until the glorious Resurrection and beyond. In the meantime, let us savor this moment of Great Birth through all of the days to come. If we relinquish our resistance to seeking faith and open the eyes of our souls to see, we can experience the light in our hearts that is Jesus. When we consciously work to deepen our faith, more of God’s mysteries are revealed. It’s no easy task to set aside the temptations, desires, and expectations of our human sojourn. We trip, we slip, and sometimes we just dive right in. Yet the message is clear, we don’t have to wait for a penitential season to turn back to or begin to discover faith. That can happen any minute of any day. 

    This special celebration of Christ’s Birth, whether formally in a grand church service, at home alone, or with family and friends, is an opportunity to try faith again or for the first time. The mind will call up our most difficult times but, if we let it, we can also remember the moments of magic, whether as children or adults, when all our world was aglow with love and peace and happiness, even if they quickly disappear into the mist of time. Recapture those moments, difficult and lovely, and take them often in prayer to the God in Christ who comes at this time as a Child. Become a child of God again and feel loved in the darkest night. When we falter on our journey, as we will from time to time, we can know with certainty that with Jesus, then, now, and always, we are never at a loss for the right WORD to guide us on.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Abba! Father! You have sent us Your Word, made flesh and woman-borne, in the Person of Jesus, our Redeemer Christ. Hear us rejoice with our whole beings, as heirs of Your eternal Kingdom, proclaiming Christ’s grace and truth for all to know and share.

                                                       Holy Word of God

RESPONSE:                  Shine in us and through us

~ Abba! Father! In the Spirit of the Son sent into our hearts, keep our voices strong and unceasing. Grant us courage to speak the glory of Your Word to lawful governments and to vengeful despots until righteousness, peace, and mercy prevail across this Earth.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Holy Word of God

                                                       Shine in us and through us

~ Abba! Father! Heal the hearts and bind the wounds of those who are broken in body, mind, or spirit, and comfort all who give them care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…  add your own petitions

Holy Word of God

                                                       Shine in us and through us

          

~ Abba! Father! Pierce the darkness of our grief through the radiance and joy of all who now live again in the fullness of Your eternal life. We pray especially for…  add your own petitions

Holy Word of God

                                                          Shine in us and through us

~ Abba! Father! We pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently…  add your own petitions

Holy Word of God

                                                          Shine in us and through us

                       

~ Abba! Father! Gladden the souls and hearts of those entrusted to bring us Your Word and Sacraments and guide us on our walk together, as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. We pray especially for:  add your own petitions

Holy Word of God

                                                          Shine in us and through us

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds: O Lord our God, shine through the darkness of our own making and free us of the arrogance of spiritual independence. Till the fertile depths of our souls that we may sow and reap seeds of forgiveness and hope with righteousness and praise. Let us go forth to bear the fruit of the Gospel for ourselves and for all we meet. We ask through our Messiah, Jesus, the Light of All People; and the Holy Spirit, Your Sacred Breath; who, with You, reign as One God, now and forever. Amen. 

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

Prayers of the People: Good News of Great Joy! ~ Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Yr A '19

For December 24/25, 2019 , Readings: Year C, Readings: Christmas Eve ~ Luke 2:1-20 at Creche, Isaiah 9:2-7, Ps 96, Titus 2:11-14, John 1:1-14; 
Christmas Day ~ Isaiah 9:2-7, Ps 96, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-20

       The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light...For a child has been born for us, a son given to us...and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [Isaiah 9:2a, 6]

          Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the whole earth. Sing to the Lord and bless his Name; proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day. [Psalm 96:1-2]

        The grace of God appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce…worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly… [Titus 2:11-12]

       In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy...to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is the Messiah...and suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God... [Luke 2:8-11, 13]

        In the beginning was the Word…What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it…The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world…And the Word became flesh and lived among us… [John 1:1a, 3b-5, 9, 14a]

For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven:

by the power of the Holy Spirit,

he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,

and was made man.

[from The Nicene Creed] 

          There is something almost magical, perhaps mystical is a better word, that occurs within me when I hear the words from Luke 2, especially when we get to: In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night... I become expectant. I become my 6 year old self, hearing the resonant voice of a familiar narrator. I am hope-filled. All is calm and bright in the world...for this moment. 

        Every Christmas someone asks, "If only we could stay this way all year." The spell cast by the words and the music, the glitter of ornaments and lights, and the chatter of little ones and bigger ones ripping paper to reap the reward, breaks all too soon. Our precious Infant has a far and difficult road to travel in only the few months between now and Easter. What part of it will we travel with him as the moment spins into what we call reality? What part of the reality of others in our community and in the world at large ~ poverty, violence, war, greed, and disasters natural or human made ~ do we shun, dismiss, ignore or, throw money to, all while decrying the lack of Christ in Christmas?

         Most of the readings for this sacred season are so familiar that even non-Christians will know them. Yet what stands out for me is the short lesson from the Letter of Paul to Titus that often gets lost in the sparkle of the others. In particular, I was engaged by a phrase in the first of this only two-sentence reading: The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly… [emphasis added]. Jesus, our personal trainer, in our own time!

         We are trained by parents as children, by teachers in school, for the jobs we hold, the exercise we need, and even the volunteer work we do. How is it we – or at least I – forget to be “in training” every day with Jesus for the roles we are to play in our own and others’ lives?

         We are so often ~ in our own time ~ bedazzled by the glamor of this season, in stark contrast to the humble surroundings of the birth of our Redeemer and of so many in the world with us. It’s time to reawaken to the Gift we are given this day and all days. I am quite drawn to the concept of Jesus training us in the present age. The Gospels give us more than just advice, more than just reminders, more than just checklists of nice things to do, even more than teaching. Jesus is our trainer, if we accept Him and if we acknowledge our need for Him. He will keep us on track, pushing us to go well beyond the comfortable, to reach a potential of faith in action that we didn’t ever consider or, because we fear the risks, in renouncing all that is earthbound. No easy path, but with Christ as my trainer, my faith will begin to shape up, become toned, and strengthened. My conscious thoughts and actions as a CHRISTian will become more confident and natural. For me, now, the question isn’t “what is Christmas all about” but rather “what does Christmas begin in my life?”

         Christ is always in CHRISTmas...let's remember to keep Christ in Mondays, Thursdays, in February, and August. Let us truly Sing to the Lord and bless his name and proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day to ourselves first! Let us live out what we believe in. Feel the JOY! The Light shines again and always. Suit up, the training begins now! 

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O Holy Jesus, God’s True Light, You come at last, our Wonderful Counselor and Mighty God who shines upon us through the darkness. Let our joy be unbounded for the arrival of our Glorious Child, One in Being with God and the Holy Spirit, who redeems and claims us for the work of Heaven on Earth.

                                                   Glory to God in the Highest Heaven

                        Response:        Peace on Earth to All

~ O Holy Jesus, God’s True Light, remain within us and give us Your strength, as we give voice to Your Truth, Justice, and Righteousness in all places of Governing power throughout this World, this Nation, and this Community. We pray especially for: Donald, our President; Tom, Chris, and Lisa, our Members of Congress; John, our Governor; Matt, our County Executive; and Mike, our Mayor.

                                                   Glory to God in the Highest Heaven

                                                   Peace on Earth to All

~ O Holy Jesus, God’s True Light, we ask You, who were homeless as you entered this world, to enfold all who are homeless, hungry, sick, and downhearted, that they may know Your loving embrace on this Day of Days and always. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… 

   

                                                   Glory to God in the Highest Heaven

                                                   Peace on Earth to All

        

~  O Holy Jesus, God’s True Light, lift up our hearts in the joy and the hope of the Love that never ends, as we remember and celebrate all who now live forever with You in holy splendor.  We pray especially for…

                                                   Glory to God in the Highest Heaven

                                                   Peace on Earth to All

~ O Holy Jesus, God’s True Light, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently…

                                                   Glory to God in the Highest Heaven

                                                   Peace on Earth to All

                       

~ O Holy Jesus, God’s True Light, excite the hearts of all who lead us in Your church bringing the Good News of Salvation in the Word made Flesh, and training us for godly living. We pray especially for: Michael, our Presiding Bishop; Kevin our Bishop; David, our Rector; Lloyd, our Rector Emeritus; Emily and Peter, our Associate Priests.

                                                   Glory to God in the Highest Heaven

                                                   Peace on Earth to All

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds: Most High Lord Jesus, the Word, the Imprint, the Incarnate Grace of God sent to live among us, we sing to You a new song of rejoicing. Let each breath we take draw You into ourselves, that we may give out Your glory and praise in all that we are, and all that we do. Guide us, guard us, goad us to live by Your Divine Will. We ask through You, our Prince of Peace; and the Holy Spirit, the Fire of our Souls; who together with the Almighty Creator, live and reign as One God, now and forever.  Amen. 

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

Prayers of the People: Going and Coming ~ 4th Sunday of Advent Yr A '19

For Sunday, December 22, 2019, Readings: Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80: 1-7, 16-18; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25

       Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. [Isaiah 7:14]

      …stir up  your strength and come to help us. Restore us, O Lord God of Hosts; show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved…give us life, that we may call upon your Name. [Psalm 80:2b, 7, 17b]

       …Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace…to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles…including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ… 

[Romans 1:4b-6]

       ...an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to call him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." [Matthew 1:20b-22]

     The Season of Advent is nearly over once more, the 4^th and final candle, signifying Love, is lighted. As the waiting time is going, the activity level in many households frenetically escalates in anticipation of the Coming. For young children, the anticipation of the coming is about Santa/Father Christmas, presents, colorful lights, sparkling decorations, and sugary delights. For many of us adults, the preparatory time is about the planning, the shopping, the baking, the cooking, and the celebration with friends and family, the post-Christmas cleanup, and exhaustion. Again, and again, we hear and we think we know, what Christmas is all about. And year after year we, who are so privileged, fall into the same traps of cultural, familial, and commercial expectations. We know of, and many of us contribute money, time, and gifts for, those far less privileged as we continue on with our “traditions” of celebration.

      Perhaps surprisingly, the appointed readings from Isaiah and the Psalm are not happy or merry. God tells Ahaz of Judah, the signs are all there, all he has to do is ask God for them. But the ever-Kingly Ahaz says "Oh-No-I-don't-want-to-test-God" with the false humility of a leader who is really saying, "I can't be bothered." Isaiah's frustration is palpable when he says, in effect, "OH PLEASE!  The Lord Himself is telling you that there's a young woman with child from the House of David, and you'll be out of here before he's old enough to know good from evil.” Isaiah foreshadows what later came to pass, the exile and scattering of the tribe of Judah.

      The Psalmist’s lament gives a clear plea to God to give us life and Restore us…and we shall be saved. Paul’s opening in the Letter to the Romans is definitively setting up Christ’s important Davidic lineage, and that both his and our call is to belong to Christ and spread the Gospel message.
       But I return to What is Christmas about – merely a birthday celebration?

       Quite a few years ago, a gentleman playwright, as an Artist in Residence, wrote a Christmas musical play for the parochial elementary school my daughters attended - sort of Our Town [the classic small town America play by Thornton Wilder] meets the True Meaning of Christmas - and all of the several hundred students were in the play, with a few having key roles, of course. I regret to say that I cannot recall the exact name of the play, or the playwright's name, but the message remains clear to me. For the moment we'll call the play Emily's Birthday [Emily is the central character in Our Town. Here’s a very quick summary by clicking here: "Our Town" summary]. The premise is that Emily's Birthday is a huge annual event. Emily, who has died, arrives not realizing that she has died, to participate in the celebration of the anniversary of her birth. She finds a grand occasion in the entire town, with glittering decorations, large scale family meals, and many gifts being exchanged, all because it's Emily's Birthday! As we see her in her own family home with each family member happily greeting each other and everyone with "Happy Emily's Birthday," Emily realizes that no one is thinking of her at all, there is no gift for her, nor is there a place at the table for her. While I'm convinced that this message was directed more to us adults, the kids - without any blatant or obvious statement in the script - GOT IT: What is this Birth Day celebration really all about? It's time for all of us to "get it" again. 

      Joseph got quite a message in his dream in Matthew’s Gospel about who was coming into his life. With but a few days left, let our going concern be more about the Coming. Emmanu-el, whose name means "God (El) is with us," who is our Christ - anointed one/Messiah - Jesus, will shine His light upon us and we shall be saved. Let us revel in the Hope, the Peace, the Joy, and the Love that these four Sundays of Advent represent. And then let us truly celebrate by preparing ourselves for and remembering the significance, especially in these times, of the Birth of Jesus, the only true GIFT, God's Love Incarnate for our salvation. CHRISTmas is Coming! Then we must be going about His business in the life we have been given to live.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

~ Lord our God, restore our souls with fresh anticipation for the birth of the Holy Child, our Messiah, Christ. Release us from the frantic activity that distracts us from this waiting time to savor the last few moments in child-like anticipation, opening us to receive the only Gift we will ever need.

                                                       O Come, O Come Emmanuel

RESPONSE:                  O Come, let us adore You

~ Lord our God, shine forth upon those who govern in this World, in this Nation, and in this Community, that we all shall be saved. Stir up Your strength and help them to seek Divine truth and pursue justice with compassion, tolerance, and mercy. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Come, O Come Emmanuel

                                                       O Come, let us adore You

~ Lord our God, relieve all who suffer from pain, loneliness, and fear, and renew the energy of those who attend to their needs. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                       O Come, O Come Emmanuel

                                                       O Come, let us adore You

           

~ Lord our God, walk with those weighed down with sorrow as You joyously welcome all who live again with You, where suffering and grief are no more. We pray especially for… add your own petitions

                                                       O Come, O Come Emmanuel

                                                       O Come, let us adore You

~ Lord our 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 Come, O Come Emmanuel

                                                       O Come, let us adore You

                     

~ O Lord God of Hosts, grant special grace to those who are anointed in Your Name to lead us in Your Church. With their help and together may we re-dedicate ourselves to the obedience of faith and accept the call to belong to Jesus Christ. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Come, O Come Emmanuel

                                                       O Come, let us adore You

                                                                                                       

The Celebrant adds: Lord our God, as we quietly breathe into the present moment, prepare us again to be Christ-Bearers of the One with us and within us, as through His Life we are given life to share His love and light to all we meet. We ask through Jesus, the Incarnation of Love; the Holy Spirit, our Divine Wisdom; who together with You are One God, now and forever. Amen. 

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

Prayers of the People: The Safe and Holy Way ~ 3rd Sunday of Advent, Yr A '19

For Sunday, December 15, 2019, Readings: Isaiah 35:1-10, Canticle 15, The Song of Mary, Magnificat/Luke 1:46-55; James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11

      

The wilderness and dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice...like the crocus it will blossom abundantly...He will come and save you...A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way...the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return...and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. [Isaiah 35: 1-2a, 4b, 8a, 9b, 10a-b]

      My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant...he has remembered his promise of mercy... [Luke 1:46-48, 54b]

      Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. Strengthen your hearts for the coming of the Lord is near. [James 5:7a, 8b]

      Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: "What did you go out to the wilderness to see? A prophet?...Yes, I tell you...This is the one about whom it is written, 'See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you'...among those born of women no one has risen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." [Matthew 11:7a, 9, 11]

 Oh, come, our Wisdom from on high,

Who ordered all things mightily,

To us the path of knowledge show,

And teach us in her ways to go.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to you, O Israel!

       We light the 3^rd candle in the Advent Wreath as our anticipation and expectation of the birth of Jesus accelerates. However, there's a notable change. This week, instead of a penitential purple candle or a blue candle of hope, some Traditions use a rose colored (or pink) candle and perhaps even rose vestments and hangings. Why change color in the middle of the season? Advent has traditionally been a penitential season, as is Lent, with somber readings and admonishments to fast and pray to be ready and worthy for Christ's coming. Yet, historically, the Latin name for this Sunday is Gaudete (gow-day-tay), which translates as “REJOICE!”  It comes from an Introit (opening) of the Liturgy. We hear the Joy, the Rejoicing, the Hope and the excitement in the readings. We’ll be ransomed from sorrow and sadness, lifted up, healed, beloved, and blessed. When our God in Christ comes, we who are redeemed will walk on the Holy Way, safe from lions and ravenous beasts.

      Within the aspect of a strictly penitential season, all the candles, hangings, and vestments were Lenten purple, and but on this Sunday, the rose color was a symbol of a respite in the midst of serious repentance. (There is, apparently, no truth to the rumor that the rose candle indicates that Mary was secretly hoping for a girl.)

      With the Revised Common Lectionary and newer scholarship, there has been more of an emphasis placed on remembering the Joy that is to come – which isn’t to say we should not also be prayerful or penitent as we wait. 

       So let us, in the midst of the solemn and sedate, stop, breathe, and experience JOY for the coming Nativity. Let our souls proclaim the greatness of the Lord and our spirits rejoice. We still have to be patient, there’s still some time before THE DAY, but we can smile as we wait to walk on that Heavenly Highway with singing and everlasting joy upon our heads.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Holy and Almighty God, grant us strength of heart and prayerful patience as we discover that the voice in the wilderness is our own. Keep us without fear as we await the everlasting joy of Christ’s coming.

                                                       Lord of the Holy Way    

RESPONSE:                    Look with favor upon us

~ Holy and Almighty God, as You scatter the proud in their conceit, guide the hearts of all who govern on this Earth, in this Nation, and in our Community, that they may rule with equity, mercy, and justice. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Lord of the Holy Way

                                                       Look with favor upon us

~ Holy and Almighty God, lift up all who suffer with chronic illness, addiction, or severe life circumstance, and energize all who give them care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                       Lord of the Holy Way

                                                       Look with favor upon us

           

~ Holy and Almighty God, may the sorrow and sighs flee away from those who mourn, as Heaven is ablaze in joy and gladness for the arrival of all we hold so dear. We pray especially for… add your own petitions

                                                       Lord of the Holy Way

                                                       Look with favor upon us

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

                                                       Lord of the Holy Way

                                                       Look with favor upon us

                       

~ Holy and Almighty God, refresh and invigorate those who endeavor in Your Church to prepare us for the coming of Christ through Your Word and Sacraments. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Lord of the Holy Way

                                                       Look with favor upon us

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds: God of Glory and Majesty, as we await the Messiah who ransoms us from sin and death, fill us with rejoicing that our souls may also magnify and proclaim the greatness of Your love. We ask through Jesus, our Redeemer Christ, and the Holy Spirit of Truth, who together with You are One God, forever and ever. Amen. 

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