Prayers of the People: Lifting the Veil ~ Last Sunday after the Epiphany '22 Yr C

For Sunday, February 27, 2022, Readings: Exodus 34:29-35, Psalm 99, 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2, 

Luke 9:28-36, [37-43a]

Earl Mott, Artist

       As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. [Exodus 34:29]

     Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God and worship him upon his holy hill; for the Lord our God, is the Holy One. [Psalm 99:9]

    And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit…we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. [2 Corinthians 3:18, 4:2b]

   And while [Jesus] was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish in Jerusalem... Then from a cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" [Luke 9:29-31, 35]

          We have arrived at the Last Sunday after the Epiphany and we end nearly as we began. All the way back on January 6^th, Isaiah told us to Arise, shine; for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. [Isaiah 60:1] and the Gospel reminded us of the Wise men from the East following a shining star leading them to newly born king of the Jews [Matthew 2:2]. This Sunday Moses has talked with God and comes down from the Mountain with the two tablets and the skin of this face was shining. [Exodus 34:30] The Gospel of Luke is telling us of the Transfiguration of Jesus as his face changed and his clothes became dazzling white.
        The season of Epiphany can last anywhere from 4-9 weeks depending on how Easter falls on the lunar calendar guided by the timing of Vernal Equinox (Autumnal in the Southern Hemisphere). This year, we are finishing on the 8^th Sunday with Ash Wednesday following immediately. Whatever the number of Sundays, the final one is always known as The Last Sunday after the Epiphany and includes one of the three Gospel accounts of the Transfiguration.
         As we hear this week, Moses brought the tablets down to those waiting at the base of the Mountain in the time of the Exodus with the Israelites in the desert after fleeing slavery in Egypt. Having spoken with God, his face is shining so brightly it frightens everyone. So, after revealing the Commandments that God spoken to him, Moses veiled his face to hide the brilliance but removed the veil whenever he went in before the Lord.    
        But Paul gives us a different perspective by saying that in the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only in Christ is it set aside. In turning to Christ we are as with unveiled faces. Through the Spirit of Christ there is freedom and, in that freedom with our unveiled faces we, too, are being transformed.
         As Jesus takes Peter, John, and James to another mountain to pray, he knows his destiny. This was the chance to reveal himself in such a way to give them the strength to go through what was to come.
         In the midst of the stunning change in his appearance, who appears in the blaze of glory but Moses and Elijah and they discuss with Jesus his coming departure, his own exodus. The disciples were too overwhelmed in that moment to consciously understand that the presence of these others connects Jesus to the breadth of the history of Salvation. In that moment, Jesus completes the teachings of the Law and the Prophets. As the voice of God appears from a cloud – as through the pillar of cloud along the trek of the Exodus – the command is to listen to him, the one who is chosen as the Son of God.
        As we leave the season of Epiphany let us carry the dazzling glory of the Transfiguration with us to not lose heart during the weeks of Lent ahead. As we reflect on our faith, our lives, our repentance, we seek the new radiance of Christ’s Resurrection. As Paul says through Christ, we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth, we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God.
        Verse 9 of today’s Psalm 99 says: Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God and worship him upon his holy hill; for the Lord our God, is the Holy One. Our whole Earth, this island home, is God’s holy hill as are the sanctuaries of our houses of worship that serve the same special purpose, to proclaim God’s greatness.
        To paraphrase Julia Ward Howe’s poem that became the Battle Hymn of the Republic: “In the beauty of the lilies, Christ was born across the sea, with a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me. As He died to make us holy, let us live to make all free, with Christ we’re marching on.”  Let us lift the veil that we use to hide Christ's shining glory within us and light up the world we live in!

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
 
Leader:  ~ Great and Holy Lord unveil our hearts to know Your Glory within us that it may shine upon all we meet. Transform our faith from passive to active, reflecting Your mercy and love in all our thoughts, words, and actions.
 
                                                Jesus, our Christ
         RESPONSE:            We turn again to You
 
~ Great and Holy Lord, inspire the wills of all who govern on this Planet, in this Nation, and in this Community, to commend themselves in Your sight and in good conscience to renounce all forms of racism, injustice, and all legislative acts that deprive basic human rights to our brothers and sisters everywhere. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
 
                                                Jesus, our Christ
                                                We turn again to You
 
~ Great and Holy Lord, release all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, and grant resilience to those who offer support. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…add your own petitions
 
                                                Jesus, our Christ
                                                We turn again to You
 
~ Great and Holy Lord, brighten the shadows for all who grieve through the radiance of those we love, who now share in the bliss of new and unending life in Christ.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions
 
                                                Jesus, our Christ
                                                We turn again to You
 
~  Great and Holy Lord, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently…add your own petitions
 
                                                Jesus, our Christ
                                                We turn again to You
           
~ Great and Holy Lord, uplift and continually energize all who are chosen and anointed as our earthly Shepherds of Your Word and Will, the guiding beacons on our sacred path to You. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
 
                                                Jesus, our Christ
                                                We turn again to You
 
The Celebrant adds: O Christ, Transfigured, draw us by Your Light and Love to obey God’s command to listen and heed the words of Your Gospel. Strengthen our hearts to feel Your constant presence, and to faithfully embrace the call to Your ministry as our purpose, to light the way for us all in this life. We ask this of You, God’s Chosen Son; and the Holy Spirit, our Wisdom Source; who together with our Creator, live and reign as one God, in Glory, now and for ever. Amen.

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

Prayers of the People: Long Road/Short Path ~ 7th Sunday after the Epiphany Yr C '22

For Sunday, February 20, 2022; Readings: Genesis 45:3-11, 15; Psalm 37:1-12, 41-42; 

1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50; Luke 6:27-38

      Then Joseph said to his brothers…do not be distressed , or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here…And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them… [Genesis 45:5a, 15]

     Commit your way to the Lord and put your trust in him…Do not fret…over the one who prospers…Refrain from anger, leave rage alone…the Lord…is their stronghold…because they seek refuge in him. [Psalm 37:5a, 8a, 9a, 41b, 42b]

          So it is with the resurrection of the dead…What is sown…is sown in dishonor…it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. [1 Corinthians 15:42a, 43-44a]

      Jesus said, “…Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also…Do to others as you would have them do to you…for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” [Luke 6:27-29a, 31, 38b]

        On the face of the readings, the theme is pretty simple: Do this, don’t do that. Do to others as you would have them do to you, do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned, says Jesus*, and all we have to do is love the unlovable and forgive the unforgivable. Sure, we’ve heard it all before but not so easy to practice, at least for me.

        The beginning point for this week’s lesson is Joseph forgiving his brothers. It is quite a dramatic story especially if you know the history that came before [Genesis 37, 39-50]. Joseph is the youngest, the favorite and best-loved of his father, the tattletale, the dreamer of grandiose dreams, an all-around annoying little brother which caused the older brothers to successfully plot to be rid of him. It is a compelling account of the stuff of novels, films, and Broadway musicals. But perhaps in the abstract, we only consider it as a nice piece of holy fiction that doesn’t have much impact on our life and times. Yet, imagine being Joseph, could I/could you Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you...

        A priest friend recounted a TV interview he saw with a man who had committed his life to working with young offenders. The man’s son had been recently murdered by such a person and the interviewer asked if he had forgiven the murderer. He said that he had forgiven him because the killer was just the kind of young person he was trying to help. Is that within or beyond my capacity to do, especially if that was my child? I seriously wonder, and question my faith, and my commitment.

          It isn’t that Jesus is promoting a dismissal of appropriate blame and its consequences. Rather, as we simply do not and will not know what transpires between God and the one who offended, we cannot, should not, must not assume the final verdict of God who knows what changes of heart and soul occur. It’s God’s job, not mine, to sort out the truly wicked evildoers and the truly righteous and faithful, and all in-between, and to judge, punish/reward accordingly. Earthly legal systems do what they must and mostly should; in the Earthly realm of Christ, we are called to love and forgive especially those who are the most difficult.

         Yet before we can approach and attempt this challenging kind of love and forgiveness, we have to do some internal, self-directed work to believe – and accept – that God truly loves and forgives us, you, me. That is the hardest work of all, and it is where we must begin. For when we let go of judging ourselves, or at least begin to want to reduce and redirect it, knowing and believing how God loves and forgives us, we can be opened to love and forgive others more easily. 

        In other words, I try to always remember that the measure I give out in this life is the measure I’ll get back in the next. Remember the Lord’s Prayer. Spend some time with it this week to read what it says, and go beyond the familiar syllables in recitation to clearer understanding. Look especially at: forgive us our trespasses (sins), AS We forgive those who trespass against Us. Hear and feel deeply what it is we are truly asking for. Rephrasing might change the perspective a bit and perhaps bring some discomfort if we say: forgive me my trespasses in the same way that I forgive them. It's a radical departure to how we generally think and feel about loving and forgiving those we usually want nothing to do with. Or, honestly, those we secretly love to hate. Be one to love first, forgive next. Oh, and the extra hard part: don't expect any gratitude or appreciation in return. The practice of radical love and forgiveness feels like a long road in this life, but it is the shortest path to receiving immeasurable love and forgiveness in the next.

*Jesus also said this week: If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also.  Walter Wink, [1935-2012] was a theologian and Professor Emeritus of Biblical Interpretation at Auburn Theological Seminary in New York City. His easily-read article explains much more about this in a useful context. He said, in part:

    "If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also."  Why the right cheek?  A blow by the right fist in that right-handed world would land on the left cheek of the opponent.  An open-handed slap would also strike the left cheek.  To hit the right cheek with a fist would require using the left hand, but in that society the left hand was used only for unclean tasks. Even to gesture with the left hand at Qumran carried the penalty of ten days' penance. The only way one could naturally strike the right cheek with the right hand would be with the back of the hand.  We are dealing here with insult, not a fistfight. The intention is clearly not to injure but to humiliate, to put someone in his or her place...A backhand slap was the usual way of admonishing inferiors.  Masters backhanded slaves; husbands, wives; parents, children; men, women; Romans, Jews. We have here a set of unequal relations, in each of which retaliation would be suicidal. The only normal response would be cowering submission. Click here for: Walter Wink on Turn the Other Cheek and beyond.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
 
Leader:  ~ O God, our Stronghold and our Refuge, grant us the courage and the strength of faith to trust in, and accept as true, Your all-encompassing love for ourselves. Release us from judgment and anger that we may grant the same love, mercy, and compassion to all others as we receive from You.
 
                                                       O Lord, Most High       
           RESPONSE:                  Urge our hearts to love and forgive
 
~ O God, our Stronghold and our Refuge, impel the hearts, minds, and souls of all who govern across every location on this Earth, to act always with the highest ethical, moral, and spiritual intent for those they lead. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
 
                                                       O Lord, Most High       
                                                       Urge our hearts to love and forgive
 
~ O God, our Stronghold and our Refuge, ease the distress for those who are poor in health, in spirit, or in the basic needs of life, and for those who selflessly aid and comfort them. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions
 
                                                       O Lord, Most High       
                                                       Urge our hearts to love and forgive
 
~ O God, our Stronghold and our Refuge, soften the grief for all who are bereft, as our beloved, raised to new life in glory and joy, are now with You for all eternity. We pray especially for... add your own petitions
 
                                                       O Lord, Most High       
                                                       Urge our hearts to love and forgive
 
~  O God, our Stronghold and our Refuge, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently… add your own petitions
 
                                                       O Lord, Most High       
                                                       Urge our hearts to love and forgive
             
~ O God, our Stronghold and our Refuge, grant extra blessings for those who lead us in Your Church as they inspire and encourage us, through Your Word and Sacraments, to take delight in and commit our ways and our lives entirely to You. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
 
                                                       O Lord, Most High       
                                                       Urge our hearts to love and forgive
             
 
The Celebrant adds: Merciful, Benevolent God, relieve us of distress, frustration, and rage over the wickedness of others, and leave that judgment to You. Heighten our desire to be as generous with our love and forgiveness in this life, as You have promised to return to us in the next. We ask through Jesus, our Risen Christ; and the Holy Spirit, the Breath of our Souls; who together with You, are God Almighty, now and forever.  Amen. 

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

Prayers of the People: Dancing in Faith ~ 6th Sunday after the Epiphany '22 Year C

For Sunday, February 13, 2022; Readings: Jeremiah 17:5-10, Psalm 1, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Luke 6:17-26

    Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals and make mere flesh their strength, whose hearts turn away from the Lord…Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord…I the Lord test the mind and search the heart, to give to all according to…the fruit of their doings. [Jeremiah 17:5, 7, 1]

  Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked…their delight is in the law of the Lord… [Psalm 1:1a, 2a]

  Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead…But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. [1 Corinthians 15:12, 20]

     And all in the crowd were trying to touch [Jesus], for power came out from him and healed all of them…And he looked up at his disciples and said: Blessed are you who are poor for yours is the kingdom of God…But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation… [Luke 6:19-20, 24]

      This Sunday we are treated to readings we don’t often get to in the season after the Epiphany. Owing to the date of Easter derived from the Lunar calendar, some years have fewer Sundays in this season. So on this, our Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany we are confronted by the prophetic and instructive blessings and woes. The Good News/Bad News Sunday.
      Jeremiah starts us off with similar wording to Psalm 1 which follows in the appointed lectionary. Jeremiah would have known this Psalm and his perspective is to trust in God. He tells his audience, and us, that those who trust in mere mortals and whose hearts turn away…shall be like a shrub in the desert…in the parched places…uninhabited salt land. Those who trust in the Lord are blessed, and like a tree planted by water have strong roots and nothing to fear, even when heat comes. Jeremiah further says that the Lord will test the minds and hearts and give each what is deserved, according to their ways.
      The Psalmist tells us a slightly different rendering with essentially the same outcome. God knows what we’re up to and we will prosper if we live according the God’s law, however, the way of the wicked is doomed.
       Paul, writing to the Corinthians, was engaging them to move beyond believing only what could be seen. The Pharisees, of which Paul is reputed to have been one, is one sect of Judaism that believes in an afterlife. Some in Corinth were questioning resurrection in general. Paul argued that if there was no resurrection from the dead then Christ would not be raised and they would all retain their sins. A conundrum for the sophisticated Corinthians to ponder as they certainly didn’t want to be merely like the rest of human-kind. Paul continued his work with them through the end of this and beyond into his second letter to them.
       Luke’s version of the Beatitudes is similar yet distinctly different than the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew [Mt 5:1-12]. As Jesus arrived at a level place there was a great crowd who had come to hear him and be healed. He then spoke to his disciples and delivered a set of 4 blessings and a set of 4 woes, two states of being or of life, from which to choose. This is not sweetness and light, even for the blessed. Sacrifice and self-denial, persecution, and deprivation doesn’t sound much like a blessing. But then, those who are living high off the fat now will face complete reversal of fortune when, as the Psalmist says, the wicked shall not stand upright when judgment comes. Faith is tested every day in various ways in this human existence. Choice of lifestyle is not available to everyone when there are significant hardships. Yet for those who are able to have a high, even luxurious living standard, it is difficult to choose Christ when considerable distraction and temptation abound in the arenas of instant gratification.
      Hope in Christ is what Paul is giving us. Jeremiah, the Psalmist, and Jesus, all give us the options in how to live life. Nothing is easy but there is always hope. God knows whatever we choose and Jesus IS Risen which is the VERY Good News and always within us. A quote I once read, from the late Brazilian theologian Rubem A. Alvez, brings it home for me: Hope is hearing the melody of the future – faith is dancing to it today.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
 
Leader:  ~ All-Knowing God, guide us through our darkest and weakest moments with the assurance of Your blessings, helping us to remain rooted deeply in faith with delight in Your law.
 
                                                     O Lord, our Strength 
            RESPONSE:              We put our trust in You
 
~ All-Knowing God, turn all leaders of government, across Your Creation, away from the false counsel of cursed mortals with wicked intent, toward choosing to prosper all of Your beloved, and standing upright when judgment comes. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
 
                                                       O Lord, our Strength
                                                       We put our trust in You
 
~ All-Knowing God, embrace the hearts of all who are seriously ill, addicted, or life-weary, and give energy to those who see to their care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions
 
                                                       O Lord, our Strength
                                                       We put our trust in You
 
~ All-Knowing God, surround those who mourn with Your perfect peace, as the glory and joy of eternity now enfold those we have sent ahead to You. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
 
                                                       O Lord, our Strength
                                                       We put our trust in You
 
~ All-Knowing 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 Lord, our Strength
                                                       We put our trust in You
             
~ All-Knowing God, grant all who lead us in Your Church with wise and gracious spirits, as they guide each of us and themselves, toward the radiance of everlasting life in You. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
 
                                                       O Lord, our Strength
                                                       We put our trust in You
             
The Celebrant adds: God of Hope and Healing, as you test our minds and search our hearts, keep us mindful of the choices we make in all that we do. Endow us with the courage to accept and trust Your blessings where we are, and to be spared the woes of those whose hearts turn away. We ask through Jesus, our Risen Christ; and the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of our Souls; 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 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