Prayers of the People: Between the Dark and the Daylight ~ 20th Sunday after Pentecost '18 Yr B

For Sunday, October 7, 2018, 20^th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B, Readings: Job 1:1, 2:1-10; Psalm 26, Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12; Mark 10:2-16

        Shall we receive the good at the hand of God, and not receive the bad?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.  [Job 2:10b]

        As for me I will live with integrity; redeem me O Lord, and have pity on me. [Ps 26:11b]

        [Jesus] is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word.  [Hebrews 1:3a]        

       Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it. [Mark 10:15]


                                               Between the dark and the daylight,

      When the night is beginning to lower, 

Comes a pause in the day's occupations, 

      That is known as the Children's Hour.* 

          As we begin the story of Job, his trials and sufferings at the hands of Satan** have barely begun but are nonetheless difficult. We find him at the time between the daylight and the dark and it will become much darker for him before the dawning of his release from this dread-filled game. The Book of Job is far from easy to read, let alone to understand and receive direction. It is at once a dramatic debate or dialogue between God and Satan, Job and his wife, Job and his friends - it contains poetry, it is part folk-tale, and it is extremely difficult to interpret. Judaic scholars suggest that the Book has three main and interrelated points. First, which is Job’s position throughout, that human suffering is not always deserved. We can bring on our own by neglect of our health and/or, from a religious perspective, by sinful behavior. But there are many things in life that cause pain and sorrow for someone and is unrelated to anything she or he has done, such as the death of a loved one. The second point, held by Job’s friends is that human suffering is always deserved and they argue that Job is a sinner and has done something to offend God. The third point, at once simple and complex, is that the understanding of suffering is just beyond human comprehension. The conclusions are inconclusive.

         From the opening of this Book, we can hear the music of doom playing in the background; things will only get worse yet even now we are told In all this Job did not sin... How would each of us fare against such tribulation? 

          The Psalmist has us asking to be tested, examined in heart and mind. Do I really want to ask to be tried and tested? I'm absolutely certain that I am not ready, nor willing, to be the next Job. Yet the mere thought brings me up short as I reflect on my too frequent sin of judgement of others. I am as a “friend” of Job at times.

          In the reading from the Letter to the Hebrews, we are given some help by the instruction to pay more attention to what God is telling us through all God has done and especially through Jesus - who is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being. 

             And, as Jesus is tested by the Pharisees, he tells the disciples, somewhat indignantly, to let the children come forward and be welcomed fully and completely and with blessing. He is telling us to be as these, feeling the peace and security of a child beloved of a parent, whether or not that is our lived experience, so that we may receive the kingdom of God as [if] a little child.

             A moment of self-reflection: Am I a cup half-full or cup half-empty sort of person? Do I see the image above as a sunset or a sunrise? Am I able to imagine and inhabit the mind and heart and innocence of a child who truly trusts, adores, and clings to a beloved parent? 

        Let us seek to find and hold the ability to love unconditionally as does a child. When we actively and consciously pursue the love and presence of God, through Jesus and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we will more easily accept and work through all that life provides. Whatever the tests may be, the difficult and the easy, whatever the twists and turns in the trials of faith, God is as faithful to us as the Parent in the Children’s Hour. Let us be as faithful, loving children to our God, between the dark and the daylight in each and every day, until we enter into the eternal Light of new life in Christ.

And there will I keep you forever, 

      Yes, forever and a day, 

Till the walls shall crumble to ruin, 

      And moulder in dust away! *

  *~ The Children’s Hour, 1st and last stanzas, from the poem by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1807-1882, published in the September 1860 Edition of The Atlantic magazine. To read the rest of this poem click on:  The Children's Hour

**An interesting aside is the concept of Satan who appears in the texts of Abrahamic traditions (primarily, but not limited to, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) variously translated as "The Adversary", the "Devil", or "The Accuser".

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ God of Grace and Majesty, through all the darkness and pain, Job stayed faithful and did not sin. Grant us even a small portion of Job’s deep faith and patience, and greater awareness of Your presence and love, to live each day as Your trusting and beloved children.

                                                       Creator God Almighty   

RESPONSE:                 Pity and Redeem us, O Lord

~ God of Grace and Majesty, release all who govern on this Earth, in this Nation, and in this Community, from any hardness of heart or evil intent, that through actions of integrity, equity, and generosity, they may find their own moral substance in the well-being of all people. 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.

                                                       Creator God Almighty

                                                       Pity and Redeem us, O Lord

~ God of Grace and Majesty, give rest and hope to those coping with persistent illness, homelessness, hunger, or addiction, and reinvigorate those who provide them with care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…

                                                       Creator God Almighty

                                                       Pity and Redeem us, O Lord

~ God of Grace and Majesty, through the sacrifice of Jesus in earthly death, we and all of our faithful departed may live again forever in the light of Your celestial glory. We pray especially for: 

                                                       Creator God Almighty

                                                       Pity and Redeem us, O Lord

~  God of Grace and Majesty, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently…

                                                       Creator God Almighty

                                                       Pity and Redeem us, O Lord

             

~ God of Grace and Majesty, bestow extra grace upon our anointed leaders in this congregation and everywhere in Your Church, as they bring us Your precious Word, tell us of the signs and wonders of Christ, and help us discover our own gifts from the Holy Spirit. We pray especially for: Michael, our Presiding Bishop; Kevin our Bishop; David, our Rector; Lloyd, our Rector Emeritus; Emily and Peter, our Associate Priests.

                                                       Creator God Almighty

                                                       Pity and Redeem us, O Lord

             

The Celebrant adds:  O God for Whom and through Whom all things exist, kindle and strengthen us to accept all tests and trials of temporal life, remaining faith-filled, thankful, and purified of sin. We ask with a child-like heart through Christ Jesus, the Imprint of Your Being; and the Holy Spirit, Grantor of Divine Gifts; who together with You, are One God, eternal, infinite, limitless. 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: SALT and Pepper ~ 19th Sunday after Pentecost '18 Yr B

For Sunday, September 30, 2018, 19^th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B, Readings: Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9:20-22; Psalm 124, James 5:13-20, 

Mark 9:38-50

        …as the month that had been turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; ...they should make them days of feasting and gladness, days for sending gifts of food to one another and presents for the poor. [Esther 9:22b]

        Our help is in the name of the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. [Ps 124:8]

        The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has sins will be forgiven...pray for one another so that you may be healed…if anyone…wanders from the truth and is brought back by another…whoever brings back a sinner…will save the sinner’s soul from death… [James 5:13-15, 19-20]

        For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another. [Mark 9:49-50]

                  Esther is a wonderfully romantic story - one of my favorites growing up. It was the first and one of the few books of the Bible I ever read all the way through until I was an adult. There are fascinating and significant historical and theological differences between its Jewish/Hebrew origins, which forms the basis for the very lively feast of Purim, and the later more serious Greek/Christian translations with which we are most familiar. Some later additions to the Book of Esther are found among the books of the Apocrypha [ah-pock-rif-ah] in many Christian Bibles, although some protestant denominations/editions do not publish or use any part of the Apocrypha. While not considered much more than interesting reading, these additional books and pieces give insight into their times. These writings are not considered to have the weight of Scripture but to dismiss them altogether is to miss what Martin Luther called: useful and good for reading. To learn more about the books of the Apocrypha click here:  The Apocrypha  

         The Psalm appointed for this week is, for me, the link from the Esther passage to the Epistle of James and the Gospel of Mark, as it tells us Our help is in the name of the Lord. Escape, rescue, and faith are present in one way or another in all four readings. There are often occasions when the combination of readings seems to have no discernible link at all. Regardless, the Preacher can choose which to use for a sermon (usually, but not always, the Gospel in the Anglican/Episcopal traditions). I know I'm not the only one who, on occasion, wonders what the collaborators on our Revised Common Lectionary (RCL)were thinking when they put some of these together! 

          There is much to be said about how the RCL and its Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox counterparts came to be and are used, but I offer you the opportunity to explore that information for yourself. Generally, it is up to the lead clergy of a given parish/congregation to decide what the track of readings from the RCL will be used. In this week, there was a choice between Esther and verses from the 11th chapter of Numbers (cranky desert-bound Israelites arguing with Moses, again, and cranky Moses arguing with God, who of course fixed things, for the moment). My rector chose Esther.

           All of the readings for the daily and Sunday lectionaries, individually, give us much food for thought, study, discussion, and personal growth. And this Sunday is, of course, no exception.

           Whether suffering or cheerful or sinning, James reminds us of the power of the prayer of faith for ourselves and for others. If someone we know wanders from the truth and is brought back by another then the other has saved the wanderer’s soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. Let’s work on that together ~ if I or you are wandering, let’s pledge to bring each other back!

             Jesus tells the disciples not to worry about someone “else” doing good things in Jesus’ name ~ for Whoever is not against us is for us. Nor are we to worry about stumbling ~ get rid of whatever part of us is causing us to stumble into sin for we are better off without it in God’s Kingdom. Jesus tells them and us that we are seasoned well for the work we are called to do in his name; as he said it, we are salted with fire. But as with literal salt, its essence can slip away, become stale, no longer enhancing the flavor of the food. So we must have salt within us, in its many sizes, shapes, colors and flavors, as are we all, and be at peace with one another to feed the flock of Christ. Let us then be generous with our salt as we are fired up to Serve. Act. Love. Teach. And, from James, let us pepper each other and the world we live in with constant unending prayer, in and of faith, for ourselves and for others.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Lord of Power and Mercy, keep us mindful of how often we use Your Name in ways great, small, indifferent, irreverent, and in vain. Open us to feel the depth and energy of Your presence always, and especially when we pray in faith for others and ourselves.

 God of All Creation                     

RESPONSE:    Our help is in Your Name        

~ Lord of Power and Mercy, in a world seething with devastating natural disasters, growing anger, violence, and fear, guide us to seek and support leaders with integrity and compassion on this Earth, in our Nation, and in our Communities. Guide them to influence the most positive course in the ways of justice and peace everywhere. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                         God of All Creation

                                         Our Help is in Your Name

~ Lord of Power and Mercy, infuse all hope into those longing for release from sickness, injury, or the struggles of life, and give comfort from the prayers we lift together. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…add your own petitions

                                         God of All Creation

                                         Our Help is in Your Name

~ Lord of Power and Mercy, turn sorrow for those who mourn into the sweetness of memory, as the endless days of feasting and gladness begin for those You now receive into glory of Eternal Life. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                         God of All Creation

                                         Our Help is in Your Name

~  Lord of Power and Mercy, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently… add your own petitions

                                         God of All Creation

                                         Our Help is in Your Name

             

~ Lord of Power and Mercy, we give You great thanks for those who have been chosen and have accepted the challenge of leading us in Your church. Bless them for praying with us and for us, and for guiding our spiritual journey in Your service, through our unique and local ministries and beyond. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                         God of All Creation

                                         Our Help is in Your Name

             

The Celebrant adds: O God our Strength and our Salvation, salt our souls with the fire of Christ’s love, that we may live and act through the power of Your Name, bringing each other back from wandering afar of our faith into sin. We ask through Jesus, our Teacher and Redeemer; and through the Holy Spirit, Channel of Your Grace; 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

Prayers of the People: Measure Up! ~ 18th Sunday after Pentecost Yr B '18

For Sunday, September 23, 2018, 18^th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B, Readings: Proverbs 31:20-31, Psalm 1, James 3:13-4:3; 7-8a; 

Mark 9:30-37

          She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. [Proverbs 31:26]

          For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked is doomed. [Ps 1:6]

          But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth...But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy...And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace. [James 3:14, 17-18]

        ...for [Jesus] was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again." But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him...Then they came to Capernaum; and...on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. [Jesus]...said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." Then he...said to them, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me." [Mark 9:31-32, 33a, 34b, 35b, 37]

       The measure of an ideal spouse in our Proverbs reading makes for a compelling and overwhelming portrait of perfection. While attempting to achieve the level of greatness implied, in purely human terms, some allowances might be made for those falling a bit short of the mark as described. The Psalmist compares the actions that make for the happy righteous and the doomed wicked, reminding us that the Lord knows both. And James charts the course of attitudes and behaviors reflecting earthly and inwardly unmet cravings against those who find their path in the wisdom, peace, and gentleness from above. But Jesus is working to prepare the disciples, again, for all that is to come, and, again, they do not understand.

      As the writer of Mark tells us, the chosen disciples were those closest and most committed to Jesus. Yet, close as they were, they were still afraid to ask Jesus to explain what he meant about being betrayed and killed and rising from the dead. But, on the way to Capernaum, they were arguing with each other about which one of themselves was the greatest of them all. Perhaps they were confused about and so ignored the hard truth Jesus was giving because it was too difficult to digest and discuss. 

      In a culture, such as ours in the west, that teaches that one must strive to thrive through success, achievement, wealth, power, and position, it is exceedingly difficult to avoid the traps of envy, ambition, conflict, distrust, and so on. Fear of asking questions is also prevalent ~ one learns early in school to be fearful of being labeled stupid if one asks a seemingly dumb question. Surely one only wants to ask the "right questions" and not give too much information away to those with whom one competes. Perhaps each of the disciples were worried that they would ask the wrong question and fail a test of sorts. Or perhaps they were unable to determine the right question. James references that as well by telling us that if we didn’t get what we asked for, it was because we asked wrongly. 

      The Psalmist and the writer of James also bring being righteous into our instruction. It is one of those words we hear often from the Bible readings ~ we can guess by its sound that it means to be "right" with God and in truth it does mean that, to lead a life that is pleasing to God, someone whose actions God [who knows] would find to be justified and ethical. We are told very specifically what happens to those who sit in the seats of the scornful [Ps 1:1] and are boastful and false to the truth [James 3:14b]. And now Jesus gives the disciples, and us, the terms of a righteous life: Be last not first, a servant of all, and those who welcome in the name of Jesus will be welcoming God into their midst, thereby drawing themselves near to God who will in turn draw nearer to them. As followers of Jesus we are to commit to selfless service, especially among those who make no return; humility in shedding all trace of inward and outward aspiration to greatness; and we must submit ourselves to God. The height and breadth and depth of all that is required is nearly as staggering as the portrait in Proverbs at first glance. But, the disciples were together in the best and worst of times as we are in our communities of faith, working together, learning to understand, committing and submitting ourselves to Christ for the life of our eternal souls. How will we measure up? As we draw near to God, God will draw nearer to thee and me.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ God Almighty, refresh our souls to keep us from envy and selfish ambition, able to resist earthly temptation, and willing to yield our hearts and minds to Your Divine Wisdom.   

                                                    Knowing Lord                                                       

RESPONSE:                 Draw us near to You

~ God Almighty, embolden us to stand together in Christ’s name as we strive to ensure ethical and principled, just and merciful governing by the leaders of our World, our Nation, and our Community. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Knowing Lord

                                                       Draw us near to You

~ God Almighty, grant hope to all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, and energy to all who give them care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…add your own petitions

                                                       Knowing Lord

                                                       Draw us near to You

~ God Almighty, shine Your perfect light into the darkness of grief, as You gather those newly departed from this life, into the gleaming expanse of eternal life with You. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Knowing Lord

                                                       Draw us near to You

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

                                                       Knowing Lord

                                                       Draw us near to You

             

~ God Almighty, quicken the minds and lighten the steps of all who share Your wisdom with us and delight with us in Your law, as together we sow the seeds that bear the good fruit for a harvest of righteousness and peace. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Knowing Lord

                                                       Draw us near to You

             

The Celebrant adds: O Lord our God, release us from the grip of mortal pride and temporal lures to be Christ’s selfless, humble, and welcoming servants of all. Let us seek to do the work You have given us to do, not for our own greatness, but the greatness of Your Eternal Kingdom. We ask through the glory and sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus, and the wise counsel of the Spirit Most Holy, who together with You, are One, boundless, and eternal 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

Prayers of the People: They and Them are Not Invited ~ 17th Sunday after Pentecost '18 Yr B

For Sunday, September 16, 2018, 17^th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B, Readings: Proverbs 1:20-33, Psalm 19, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38

    How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?...I will pour out my thoughts to you; I will make my words known to you. 

[Proverbs 1:22b, 23b]

    Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. [Psalm 19:14]

    For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle...From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. [James 3:2, 10]

    Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" And they answered him, "John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" [Mark 8:27-29a]

         The Proverbial Prophet of the ancient time is speaking loudly to our own time in this week's selection, as we are warned against scoffers and fools, waywardness, and complacency. The Psalmist is more optimistic in praise to and of God's gifts as a Master Plan for our salvation. And James gets quite graphic in his descriptions of the restless evil, full of deadly poison within us, a true tongue lashing! Forget being two-faced, James is blunt saying that out of our mouths come both blessing and cursing. [Sadly I admit I am guilty as charged] 

          As Mark recounts a trip to Caesarea Philippi with the disciples, Jesus asks them what they have heard others say about him. Always an easier question to answer especially in a group: Who do THEY say...? "They and them" are the best at giving opinions, making comments, uninformed decisions, or judgments ~ hey, it's not me, it was "them" ~ they said, they did, they believe... But then comes the real question: 

"Who do you say that I am?" Money on the table time and Peter was right on it! "You are the Messiah." Easy peasy until the conversation went downhill.

          Of course no one wanted to hear what was coming next: suffering, rejection, and death ~ did they hear the part about rising in three days? Peter ~ Dear Peter ~ started to argue and was shut down by Jesus in the familiar words: Get behind me, Satan! But in his defense I have tried to calm some fears of others on occasion, trying the lessen the impact that the approaching reality might not be all that bad. But this reality was not going to be pleasant or easy and Jesus told the disciples and all the crowd around about saving or losing one's life, then and now. Peter, the disciples, and we are told to get out of the mindset of human things and focus on divine things. We must take up our cross and concern ourselves unashamedly with the Gospel. Yes there may be difficulties, rejection, and perhaps suffering because of it. But here in this day, I take solace and strength and am heartened by the words of Catholic social activist Dorothy Day* who said, If I have achieved anything in my life, it is because I have not been embarrassed to talk about God.

         The question hangs heavy in the air: Who do I say Jesus is? Do I express my answer well enough merely by good deeds, attending Church, wearing a cross? Am I embarrassed to speak openly of my faith in the face of scoffers? Is trying to keep my all-too-restless tongue tamed one way to take up my cross?  No easy outs, just truth between me and Jesus in real time. This is a conversation to which They and Them are not invited, but in which I will never be alone.

*click the blue link above for more information about the extraordinary life of Dorothy Day [1897-1980]

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God of Glory, may the meditations of our hearts listen for Your thoughts and live into the Words you make known to us. Revive our souls with the courage to name Jesus as our Messiah and to take up the cross to follow Him, for the sake of the Gospel and life everlasting.

                                                    Lord Jesus, Son of Man                                                         

RESPONSE:                 Our Strength and our Redeemer

~ O God of Glory, amplify the strength of our voices to implore all political leaders in our World, in our Nation and in our Community, to grant immediate and compassionate aid to all current and future victims of tyranny, violence, and desperate life circumstance. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Lord Jesus, Son of Man

                                                       Our Strength and our Redeemer                      

~ O God of Glory, cradle in Your generous heart all who are exhausted by the endless pain of disease or depression, and fortify those who work to give comfort. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                       Lord Jesus, Son of Man

                                                       Our Strength and our Redeemer

~ O God of Glory, gladden our mournful hearts as those we love now live forever in in the splendor of Your eternal shores. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Lord Jesus, Son of Man

                                                       Our Strength and our Redeemer

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

                                                       Lord Jesus, Son of Man

                                                       Our Strength and our Redeemer

             

~ O God of Glory, sanctify again all who lead us in Your Church, who teach us the ways of discipleship, and who journey with us toward You in all phases of our lives. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Lord Jesus, Son of Man

                                                       Our Strength and our Redeemer

             

The Celebrant adds: O True and Righteous God, in the midst of our imperfections in this human life, help us to turn away from scoffers that we may rejoice in, and follow Your perfect law. Keep us from presumptuous sins to become whole and sound, acceptable in Your Divine and Eternal Sight. We ask through Christ Jesus, our Messiah, and the Holy Spirit, our Fount of Wisdom, who together with You reign as the fullness of 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: Transformational Crumbs ~ 16th Sunday after Pentecost '18 Yr B

For Sunday, September 9, 2018, 16^th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B, Readings: Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23; Psalm 125, 

James 2:1-10, [11-13], 14-17; Mark 7:24-37

Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor. [Proverbs 22:9]

Show your goodness, O LORD, to those who are good and to those who are true of heart. [Psalm 125:4]

My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ…What good is it…if you say you have faith but do not have works? [James 2:1, 14]

"But she answered [Jesus], "Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." Then he said to her, "For saying that, you may go-- the demon has left your daughter"...Then looking up to heaven, [Jesus] sighed and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. [Mark 7:28-29, 34-35]

     In the midst of all that is happening in this world at this moment, comes the appointed readings for this week that are filled with instruction, images, warnings, and questions. I'd prefer to escape and think about them another day as some of the Proverbs and Psalm verses contain the harsh tones of the Old Testament God we think we know. Yet there are also vibrant glimpses of the compassion and mercy of our abiding God of Presence, the One who is the maker of us all. 

      We are admonished by the warnings and encouraged by the instructions reminding us that awareness, attentiveness, and good works are keys to how we live into the faith we claim and we ignore them at our eternal peril. In taking easier, even unconscious paths in giving favor to ourselves and only certain others, by not working on behalf of all our brothers and sisters, in following the laws we like and not the ones we don't, our faith slowly falters and dies.

      I'm rarely aware of how unaware of God I am in the rush of the day, the list to be completed, life whipping by at warp speed. Then James asks if I really believe....well, sure, when I'm consciously aware, attentively faithful, and when in church, more or less. I have to think about what I believe, sometimes. Yet at other times I'm absolutely certain but think that I don't have the time - that is, I don't take nearly enough time to do very much about it.

     And then here is Jesus saying, "Ephphatha" - "Be opened." This miraculous phrase gives me a pause, a moment to breathe, a release from the self-imposed binding of mindless selfishness. The writer of James is trying to open us to act on what we say we believe, as faith must be also be accompanied by action. Even the Syrophoenician woman opened herself - in an unexpected way for a woman of her time - to talk back to Jesus in quite the stunning retort. As Jesus was in the middle of his ministry he was becoming well known for his healing and preaching, sought after by his Jewish followers. Being confronted by a non-Jewish (Gentile) woman asking for her child to be healed he told her, in effect, that Jewish people (the "children") should be fed (healed) first as it wasn't fair to throw their food (healing) to the dogs (Gentiles). Was he merely testing her or was he in turn also opened by her candor when she replied, Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs. Jesus replied, For saying that, you may go, as he then healed her child.

      As Jesus healed the man who was deaf and couldn't speak clearly, he also heals us, right now, in this moment. By these words we, too, can be opened to new insight, new consciousness. We were created to live and act in faith, to be as God wants us to be, to reap the harvest of eternal life, to love and treat all our neighbors as if they were our own selves. Let us explore and re-discover our faith that becomes more conscious with every thought, every kindness, and every action centered in Christ. It is true that the promises in Scripture of retribution for evil or an easy life for goodness aren't always seen or heard, yet even the tiniest crumbs of faith paired with good acts and obedience to God's law, will live and thrive and grow. A sentence from one of the post-Communion Prayers in the Anglican/Episcopal Book of Common (BCP) sums it up quite beautifully: Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart. [After Communion BCP page 365]

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Most Merciful Lord, rouse us from the distractions of our own time, that we may turn crumbs of neglect into seeds of generosity that blossom into love for our neighbors and ourselves. Guide us to fulfill the royal law according to Scripture, and use our work in this earthly life as a reflection of our abiding belief in You.  

                                                    O God of Goodness      

RESPONSE:                 Transform our faith into action

~ Most Merciful Lord, empower our voices to disquiet the satisfaction of those who profit from injustice, and help us turn aside those with crooked ways. Let all who wield power in the halls of government on our Planet, in our Nation, and in our Community, be true of heart, turn their trust to You, and work to ensure the dignity and humanity of all. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O God of Goodness

                                                       Transform our faith into action

~ Most Merciful Lord, embrace and heal all who are lost in serious illness or despair, and revive hope in all who give them loving support. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…add your own petitions

                                                       O God of Goodness

                                                       Transform our faith into action

~ Most Merciful Lord, grant peace and comfort to those who grieve in knowing that their beloved has risen into the eternal bliss of life everlasting with You. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O God of Goodness

                                                       Transform our faith into action

~  Most Merciful Lord, 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 Goodness

                                                       Transform our faith into action

~ Most Merciful Lord, as we come to the end of one season and the beginning of another, renew and excite our spirits, especially those who Shepherd us on our journey to You. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O God of Goodness

                                                       Transform our faith into action

The Celebrant adds:  O God, Maker of us all, open our ears to hear Your Word and release our tongues to speak our faith plainly. Let us seek and honor Your ways in every thought, word, and deed of our daily lives. We ask in the name of Jesus, our Glorious Lord; and the Holy Spirit, the Breath of our Souls; who together with You reign as one God from before all time and for evermore. Amen.

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