Prayers of the People: 40 Minutes? ~ 1st Sunday in Lent Yr C '19

For Sunday, March 10, 2019, 1st Sunday in Lent, Yr C; Readings: Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Ps 91:1-2, 9-16; Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13

     Then you, together with the Levites and the aliens who reside among you, shall celebrate with all the bounty that the Lord your God has given to you and your house. [Deuteronomy 26: 11]

        He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, abides under the shadow of the Almighty. He shall say to the Lord, "You are my refuge and my stronghold, my God in whom I put my trust.  [Psalm 91:1-2]

    For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. [Romans 10: 12-13]

      Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil...Jesus answered him..."One does not live by bread alone...Worship the Lord your God and serve only him...Do not put the Lord your God to the test." [Luke 4:1-2a,4b, 8b, 12b] 

         40 days and 40 nights thou wast fasting in the wild…tempted and yet undefiled. So goes the 19^th century hymn [#150 in "The Hymnal 1982" of the US Episcopal Church]. And so our time of 40 days and 40 nights has begun again; shall we be “undefiled” at its conclusion? Not realistically likely. Temptation is a human foible and even with the best of intentions, we all – more often than we’d like to admit – fall prey to the allure of some thing or another, sometimes to especially unhealthy levels and our own or others' detriment. Yet isn’t our situation different? Jesus was tempted by the Devil, after all, with promises of earthly power and glory and authority. But do we dismiss ourselves from this self-examination because of our mere mortalhood? After all he was "full of the Holy Spirit" it must have been much easier for him. Yet this preparation for his imminent ministry, this long retreat, fully human as he was, was no picnic in the park. Sure, we might not be promised power and authority by a supernatural being, or spend all that time alone in a wilderness, but the pull to just turn toward the glitter of all that beckons can be very difficult to resist in our brief human journey. And that brings its own kind of desert.

       The readings for this week give chapter and verse on how God hears us, shelters us, and saves us if we but turn toward the Lord our God. The literal translation of "repent" from the Greek is, at its basic level, to turn away from sin by turning toward God. These 40 days bring us the time to reconcile our earthly wants with our eternal souls. We are to clean out our spiritual closets and blow the dust off hidden temptations, overindulgence, and the shallow distractions that distance us from Christ. It's time to turn the light on what we hide from ourselves and re-awaken to the call of salvation. 
        I bid us each, over these weeks, to worry less about what to “give up” and concentrate more on what to “take on” to discover what will turn us back toward our Risen Lord and Savior. Keep the word near you, on your lips and in your heart as Paul tells us. Prayer is a starting place even if only “WHAT, HOW, WHERE DO I START?” Jesus gave 40 days and 40 nights to his spiritual growth and strength for beginning of his earthly time. Can you give 40 minutes? Put the phone, the tablet, the computer, social media, online shopping, the tv remote, etc., down for 40 minutes [okay you can use the phone as a timer only!] and take on a definitive, intentional, conscious turn toward the Lord by thought and by action, by desire, and most importantly by faith. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved." What could be more important for those of us who call ourselves Christian? Here's an opening just from the Psalm for this week: You are my refuge and my stronghold, my God in whom I put my trust. Got 40 minutes? 

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Almighty God, Most High, as we enter the pilgrim way of Lent once more, let these 40 days and 40 nights fill us with unceasing prayer. Strengthen our souls to dismiss the lures of this earthly life, and to proclaim, with faith on our lips and in our hearts, that Christ Jesus is our Risen Lord.

                                                Jesus, Son of God                                                       

RESPONSE:             Deliver us from temptation

~ Almighty God, Most High, grant us the fortitude of Christ in the wilderness to stand before the Powers of this World, this Nation, and this Community, to demand for all people the release from affliction, injustice, inhumanity, and oppression imposed by the evils of greed and corruption. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Jesus, Son of God

                                                Deliver us from temptation

~ Almighty God, Most High, shelter in Your love all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, and encourage all who give them help. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                Jesus, Son of God

                                                Deliver us from temptation

~ Almighty God, Most High, ease the hearts of all who grieve, as those we love rise in the joy and glory of eternal life. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Jesus, Son of God

                                                Deliver us from temptation

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

                                                Jesus, Son of God

                                                Deliver us from temptation

~ Almighty God, Most High, may all who are chosen to bring us Your Word and Sacraments in times of sorrow and times of gladness, abide under Your Shadow, bound to you in love. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Jesus, Son of God

                                                Deliver us from temptation

           

The Celebrant adds:  O Lord, our God, rescue us from the wilderness of our own making, turn us from fear to faith, and from complacency to action. Help us keep the Word near on our lips and in our hearts as we call upon Your name and serve only You. We ask through Jesus, the Christ of our Salvation; and the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life, 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: In a Blaze of Glory ~ Last Sunday after the Epiphany Yr C '19

For Sunday, March 3, 2019, Last Sunday [8^th] after the Epiphany, Yr C, Readings: Exodus 34:29-35, Psalm 99, 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2, 

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

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The Transfiguration by Lewis Bowman

       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 the 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 his 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 the 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 had spoken to him, Moses veiled his face to hide the brilliance but removed the veil whenever he went in before the Lord.    

        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.

        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, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Great and Holy Lord, our God, unveil our hearts to know Your Glory within us that it may shine upon all those we meet. Transform our faith from passive to active, reflecting Your mercy and love in all our thoughts, words, and actions.

                                                Jesus, Christ of God   

RESPONSE:             We commend our lives to You

~ Great and Holy Lord, our God, inspire the wills of all who govern on this Planet, in this Nation, and in this Community, to renounce in good conscience, all forms of racism, injustice, and any legislative acts that deprive basic human rights to our brothers and sisters everywhere. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Jesus, Christ of God

                                                We commend our lives to You

~ Great and Holy Lord, our God, 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, Christ of God

                                                We commend our lives to You

~ Great and Holy Lord, our God, brighten the shadows for all who grieve through the radiance of those who now share in the bliss of new and unending life in Christ.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Jesus, Christ of God

                                                We commend our lives to You

~  Great and Holy 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

                                                Jesus, Christ of God

                                                We commend our lives to You

           

~ Great and Holy Lord, our God, uplift and continually energize all who are chosen and anointed as exemplars of Your word and will, the guiding beacons on our sacred path to You. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Jesus, Christ of God

                                                We commend our lives 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, and to not lose heart but faithfully embrace and engage in Your ministry as our purpose in this life. We ask 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 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: Love: The Do's and Don'ts ~ 7th Sunday after the Epiphany Yr C '19

For Sunday, February 24, 2019, 7^th Sunday after the Epiphany, Yr C, 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, forgive the unforgivable. Sure, we’ve heard it all before. Not so easy to practice, at least in my life.

        The beginning point for this week’s lesson is Joseph forgiving his brothers. It is quite a dramatic story especially if you know all that happened before [Genesis 37, 39-50]. Joseph is the youngest, the favorite and best-loved of his father, the tattle-taler, 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 story of the stuff of novels 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. But what if I was Joseph…

        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 just been 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 as I 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, is to sort out the truly wicked evildoers and the truly righteous and faithful, and all in-between, and to judge, punish/reward accordingly. Isn’t that what we want for ourselves? Earthly legal systems do what they must and should; in the Earthly realm of Christ, we are charged with loving and forgiving anyway.

         Yet before we can approach attempting this difficult 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.

graphic by Christina Brennan Lee

         In real time, when we let go of judgment, or at least begin to want to reduce and redirect it, we can find that receiving and accepting God’s love helps us first, to love and forgive ourselves, and then, to love and forgive others, as we are forgiven by God. The more we are able to love, the more we are able to forgive, and the more we forgive, the more we love and so on. It isn't meant to be a solitary practice and struggle, it is to be a part of life in a faith community, that by sharing the difficulties and rewards, we grow in the strength and courage to push on.

       The short version for all of this is to always remember that what I give out in this life is what I’ll get back in the next. Remember the Lord’s Prayer? Spend some time with it this week to read what it says, beyond the familiar syllables in recitation, especially…forgive us our trespasses/sins, AS we forgive those who trespass/sin against us. Hear what it is we are truly asking for! And, of course, Do this, Don’t do that, click here: https://www.songfacts.com/lyrics/five-man-electrical-band/signs

*Jesus also said this week: If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also. Do take a look at: Walter Wink on Turn the Other Cheek  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 and slightly more humanly satisfying context. As Gandhi taught, "The first principle of nonviolent action is that of noncooperation with everything humiliating." 

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 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 by 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 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/Bad News ~ 6th Sunday after the Epiphany Yr C '19

For Sunday, February 17, 2019, 6th Sunday after the Epiphany, Yr C, Readings: Jeremiah 17:5-10, Psalm 1, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Luke 6:17-26

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      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, 10]

           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 Seventh 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 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. 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 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 enfolds 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 as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com