Prayers in Easter: ASCENSION! Yr A

for Thursday, May 29, 2014, Readings: Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53, Psalm 47 or Psalm 93

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them...as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.  While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them...
 Luke 24:50, Acts 1:9b-10

You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them. Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud. Do not complain. Make every effort to change things you do not like. If you cannot make a change, change the way you have been thinking. You might find a new solution.
― Maya Angelou* [April 4, 1928 - May 28, 2014]

...They said, "Men of Galilee why do you stand looking up toward heaven?  This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." Acts 1:11

Dear Jesus of the Highest Height ~ as we wait in earnest for Your Spirit to reveal Your plan for us and have the eyes of our hearts enlightened, we are filled with the joy of Your presence among us still. And yet also with some sadness, we convey to Your care our Beloved Sister Maya, who now today shares in Your promised inheritance of eternal love and life.  Bless us, Jesus, son of God. The wisdom words You have given us, and the words we have from Dr. Maya, will ascend in our hearts and minds and souls until we, too, arrive into the Promised Land of Eternal Hope, Freedom, and Peace.  amen.

*Dr Maya Angelou, actor, author, poet, producer of plays, university professor, and so very much more, who had a tumultuous youth and early adulthood sometimes experiencing the sadder and seemier parts of life, rose to such local and international heights and respect that she became a living icon.  I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings began our journey with her. We have much more to learn from her about living life, even while she has this day gone to her destiny in God. We have been blessed by her life among us and her words which will remain.

The Feast of the Ascension is one of the five major markers in the Gospel accounts of the life of Jesus, the others are Baptism, Transfiguration, Crucifixion, and Resurrection. It is one of the essential elements of Christian credal statements and one of the significant mysteries in the life of Christ.  In Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox theology, the Ascension is interpreted as the culmination of the Mystery of the Incarnation, in that it not only marked the completion of Jesus' physical presence among his apostles, but consummated the union of God and man when Jesus ascended in his glorified human body to sit at the right hand of God the Father. The bodily Ascension into heaven is also understood as the expression of Christ's two natures: divine and human.  The mythology, the mystical, and the mysterious all combine to fuel the fires of discussion, disagreement, and theological divides across generations and denominations.




Please feel free to request a prayer to be composed for a particular concern or topic for posting in this space. You may leave your request in the comments section or contact me directly at Leeosophy@gmail.com 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. Requestors will remain anonymous.

Prayers in Easter: Got hope?

We should ask God to
increase our hope when it is small,
awaken it when it is dormant,
confirm it when it is wavering, 

strengthen it when it is weak, 

and raise it up when it is overthrown.  

                     ― John Calvin* [1509-1564]


        Well, God, I think I'm a pretty hopeful person.  But as I think about it in this moment, I'm not sure what I'm hopeful about.  When I was young I was hopeful about a happy marriage and great kids, a successful career and lots of travel.  Some of it has happened.  Some of it went a very different way.  There were times when things were so bleak I didn't care enough to even want to have hope. But then, through no action of my own, hope blossomed again.
          SO, what am I hopeful about now?  I'm not sure other than the usual list:  good health, healthy family and friends, world peace, ending hunger and violence, etc. Oh, and being a good and useful Christian. Hmm, maybe I should say something about my relationship with You - I will work on that.  At the very least, I know that when life is painful and chaotic, I can pray for the desire to hope. And, when I am feeling hopeful,  help me to remember to give thanks to You. I do know that You are always here.  amen.



*John Calvin, was born Jehan Cauvin in France. The ordained Calvin left the Roman Catholic Church and became a major player in the Protestant Reformation. His writings were contentious and he was influential in at least one execution.  He and his contemporary, Martin Luther, had respect for one another early on though each had a differing theological view. There was a disagreement between Luther and a Reformer in Zurich, Huldrych Zwingli, over the interpretations regarding the Eucharist. Calvin's opinions on the matter caused Luther to equate Calvin with Zwingli. From those tempestuous beginnings, Calvin's theological perspective is seen as the major influence for the Reformed, Congregational, and Presbyterian churches throughout the world today.

Please feel free to request a prayer to be composed for a particular concern or topic for posting in this space. You may leave your request in the comments section or contact me directly at Leeosophy@gmail.com 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. Requestors will remain anonymous.

Prayers of the People: We'll wait upstairs, 7th Sunday of Easter

for Sunday, June 1, 2014, Readings:  Acts 1: 6-14; Ps 68: 1-10, 33-36; 1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11; Jn 17:1-11

From Jesus we know that God was here before us, God is with us now, God is our ultimate destination for eternity.  We wait, again, in expectation and wonder for all that is to come in this earthly life. We are to be one in Jesus, united through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit who rests on we who believe. We do not know what is to come but our souls are safe by knowing and serving  God. Now and then we can take a break in our own Upper Room to pray, and watch, and wait together for the full flowering of the glory of God to be revealed.

Let Us, God’s People, Pray

LEADER:  ~ O God of All Grace, You were God before the world existed and You are with us now. Jesus has brought us to know You, to cast our anxiety upon You, and to receive the protection of Your steadfast love. We humble ourselves before You to rejoice in Your glory revealed.

                           God, Holy and Mighty

RESPONSE:      Glorify us in Your own Presence

~ O God of All Grace, Support and strengthen those in political leadership in every part of this Earth.  Keep them from bowing to pressure to deviate from the course of Justice, Mercy, and Peace for all the people of Your Creation.  We pray especially for: Barack, our President; Jack, our Governor; Tom, our County Executive; and Dennis, our Mayor.

                           God, Holy and Mighty

                           Glorify us in Your own Presence

~ O God of All Grace, Refresh and renew the hope of those coping with serious illness or injury. Comfort and energize those wearied by giving love and care. Please rest Your Healing Spirit upon them all as we pray especially for: Karen Brennan,

                           God, Holy and Mighty

                           Glorify us in Your own Presence

~ O God of All Grace, Surround those who are suffering the loss of those they hold dear. Infuse their hearts with comfort and peace in the knowledge and promise of Your eternal life for us all.  We pray especially for:   

                           God, Holy and Mighty

                           Glorify us in Your own Presence

~ O God of All Grace, Empower the leaders of Your Church who bring us together into Your Holy Place and lead us out to do Your work in this world. Grant them spiritual wisdom, souls yearning for You, and hearts open to the challenges of being Christ’s emissary to guide us on The Way.

                           God, Holy and Mighty

                           Glorify us in Your own Presence

The Celebrant adds:   Holy God of Power and Glory, there is never a better time than this moment to reflect, revive, and renew our conversion of life to Your purpose. Grant us the stability of our faith that we may be obedient to Your call.  We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer; and the Holy Spirit, our Sanctifier; who live and reign with You, One God, now and beyond forever.   Amen.

Please feel free to request a prayer to be composed for a particular concern or topic for posting in this space. You may leave your request in the comments section or contact me directly at Leeosophy@gmail.com 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. Requestors will remain anonymous.

Prayers in Easter: It's that neighborly thing

The bible is very easy to understand. But...[t]ake any words in the New Testament and forget everything except pledging yourself to act accordingly. My God, you will say, if I do that my whole life will be ruined. How would I ever get on in the world...
                                                 ~ Søren Kierkegaard* [1813-1855]

Jesus said, "The First Commandment is this:  Hear O Israel: The Lord our God is the only Lord. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.  The second is love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no commandment greater than these. [Mark 12:29-31]

Dear Jesus ~ 
        I don't have any idea when I last examined my relationship with the Commandments. I know that I haven't killed anyone or stolen anything (well, nothing very big and not since I was a kid). But then You already know what I have and haven't done.       
       I go through each day, week, month, and year and just assume I'm doing reasonably ok as a Christian. Well, actually, I don't really think about it at all; I just wander through time doing everyday stuff and as life goes, some days are better than others and I do better on some days than I do on others. It's time, now, to look closer at how I know that I love God and all of my neighbors and, how I act upon that love. Dear Jesus, help me to Love. Give me the compassion, the empathy, the humility to live into all that I profess to believe. It is a struggle, each and every day, to be intentional and conscious of being a Christian with all that You expect of me and all that represents to the world. It's very hard work. So, please, please, I need all the help You can give me, and I will work at being better at Love (with a capital L as in Christian Love). amen.   

and also Love:
Thy Hispanic Neighbor
Thy Hindu Neighbor
Thy Asian Neighbor
Thy Poor Neighbor
Thy Rich Neighbor
Thy Elderly Neighbor
Thy Teenaged Neighbor
Thy Terrible-Twos Neighbor
Thy Terrible Parent Neighbor
Thy Thoughtless Next-Door Neighbor
Thy Driver-on-the-Road Neighbor
Thy Cranky Neighbor
Thy Mentally Ill Neighbor
and all of Thy Other Neighbors


*Søren Kierkegaard was a Danish philosopher, theologian, poet, social critic and wrote extensively on Christian Ethics, psychology, and the philosophy of Religion.  He often focused on personal choice and commitment and the art of Christian love. He was a strong critic of some of his philosopher contemporaries such as Swedenborg, Hegel, Goethe, and Hans Christian Anderson. It is impossible to distill his vast work into a small space as his work continues to influence the discussions of intellectuals and religious philosophers to this day. Fear and Trembling and Either/Or are only two of his most well-known works still being read.

Please feel free to request a prayer to be composed for a particular concern or topic for posting in this space. You may leave your request in the comments section or contact me directly at Leeosophy@gmail.com 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. Requestors will remain anonymous.

Prayers in Easter: Peeking out from the cocoon

The spiritual life is not the elimination of struggle; 

it is the sanctification of struggle.  It is struggle transformed to wisdom.

           ~ Sr. Joan Chittister* [1936]



When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.  1 Cor 13:11


Dear God,
       When I was a kid I thought You were The Most Magic Person. You created the heavens and the earth and all that is in it, Adam and Eve and me!  As I grow older I wonder more about You and discover that the more I learn, the less I know although I now believe some things very differently. I don't think that You are a god of the chessboard who moves me around willy-nilly in order to satisfy some divine whim, or causing this and/or saving me from that event or encounter. Nor do I believe that You give me or take away people and things from me. 
      I now believe that, as life happens, it's up to me to turn to You, the Holy Trinity, to sanctify my struggles. In the midst of terrible times I won't feel immediately better as the Magic You of my childish imaginings would have it. But it does help the older me to be more readily able - eventually - to move toward accepting the things I cannot change and live as fully as possible into the life I have. Perhaps in that way I will find that my struggle in life can transform into a little bit of wisdom.   
    As I grow older, help me please, to be more childlike in my faith - that is, unspoiled, open, with an accepting innocence, and less childish - that is, immature, demanding, and stubborn to have things my way.  Let me remember always that the Magic of life is in my acceptance, perseverance, and Faith. amen.


*Sr. Joan Chittister is a member of the Benedictine Sisters in Erie, Pennsylvania.  A noted author and lecturer, she is regular columnist with the National Catholic Reporter, and also contributes to other publications on-line and in print. She writes on the issues of women in the church and society, human rights, peace, and justice in the areas of war and poverty, religious life, and spirituality. She is co-chair of the Global Peace Initiative of Women, a UN-sponsored organization creating a worldwide network of women peacemakers.  The author of more than 50 books, hundreds of articles, Sr. Joan has received numerous awards for her writing.
  
Please feel free to request a prayer to be composed for a particular concern or topic for posting in this space. You may leave your request in the comments section or contact me directly at Leeosophy@gmail.com 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. Requestors will remain anonymous.

Prayers in Easter: Playin' in God's Dirt

                        Do you know
that even when you look at a tree and say, `That is an oak tree', or `that is a banyan tree', the naming of the tree, which is botanical knowledge, has so conditioned your mind that the word comes between you and actually seeing the tree? To come in contact with the tree you have to put your hand on it and the word will not help you to touch it...[and] if you have no relationship with the living things on this earth, you may lose whatever relationship you have with humanity.  
                 ~ Jiddu Krishnamurti*  [1895-1986]

Dear Creator God ~
            Your precious Creation in all of its bounty is as equally important in the scheme of life as we humans are. You have given us plant life, sea life, creatures of the land and all that our life requires to be sustained.  Help me stop and look, touch, hear, breathe in all that this Earth, our island home, has to offer.  Help me know a tree, a flower, a bird beyond its classification and name. Help me to know this Earth as more than just land, air, and bodies of water to support me. Help me know it as a partner in life, mutually beneficial, living and breathing as I do and requiring as much of my participation and care in its health as I need from its participation in mine. 
             Maybe, if I learn to know that the dirt under my feet is as necessary to my life as are all the pretty creatures and lakes and oceans, I will not only take better care of it, it will take better care of me.  Maybe, in that way, I'll see all of creation as necessary, whether wild, tame, cultivated, animal, mineral, and vegetable. And maybe then, I'll understand that every human on this Earth is also a partner in life, mutually beneficial, living and breathing as I do and requiring as much of me as I need from each of them.  Maybe then, I'll have a true relationship with humanity beyond just the names of a few people. amen. 


*Jiddu Krishnamurti, a speaker and writer on matters philosophical and spiritual was born in British India and was influenced as a child by the Theosophical Society in Aydar. Sickly and sensitive as a child, considered vague and dreamy, he was deemed to be mentally backward and was regularly beaten at home and at school. His subsequent development as a writer and speaker is exceedingly remarkable. He disavowed allegiance to any caste or religion, mastered several languages and traveled the world lecturing and writing.  He died in Ojai, California leaving a tremendously interesting legacy of writings and a fascinating biography.


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Prayers of the People: Livin', Movin' & Bein', 6th Sunday of Easter

for Sunday, May 25, 2014, Readings: Acts 17:22-31, Ps 66:7-18, 1 Peter 3:13-22, Jn 14:15-21

Whether or not a person knows, it is God who created all of us. At the tiniest moment of wondering what is this all about, God is present.  And when the world is dark and empty and filled with grief, God embraces us even if we are unaware. In all Creation is the circle of life with all its drear and drudge,  fullness   and hope, doubt and wonder, that brings us from earthly breath to eternal peace and salvation.  


Let Us, God’s People, Pray

LEADER:  ~ Lord of Heaven and Earth, as Your offspring, we live and move and have our being in You who gave us breath. You have overlooked our ignorance and accepted our prayers; never withholding Your love from us. We pledge our obedience to Your commandments with humble hearts and love in our souls.

                                 Spirit of Truth

RESPONSE:      We live to praise our Loving God

~ Lord of Heaven and Earth, grant us strength and courage to demand, in gentleness and reverence, an accounting of the righteous and unrighteous actions from the political leaders of our world, our country, and our state.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                            Spirit of Truth

                           We live to praise our Loving God

~ Lord of Heaven and Earth, help us to bring the comfort and hope of You to those who are sick, anxious, or fearful, and to those who worry and attend to their needs. Let them feel Your presence through every breath and Your love in every moment.  We pray especially for:  add your own petitions

                            Spirit of Truth

                           We live to praise our Loving God

~ Lord of Heaven and Earth, we weep with those whose loved ones have gone from our sight, and commend to Your embrace those who have left this mortal life for Your life everlasting. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                            Spirit of Truth

                           We live to praise our Loving God

~ Lord of Heaven and Earth, please guide those who we have called to lead us in Your church, to a place of refreshment and renewal in Your Word and Sacraments. As You have revealed Yourself to them, we are blessed to have them walk with us on The Way to You.  We pray especially for:  add your own petitions

                            Spirit of Truth

                           We live to praise our Loving God

The Celebrant adds:  Loving and Living God, who holds our souls in life, our human hands reach out to You that we also may be made alive in Your Spirit. Grant us the peace that passes all understanding until we abide with You in eternal life. We ask this through our Savior Jesus Christ and our Holy Sanctifier, who live and reign with You, our One God, forever and eternally.  Amen. 

Please feel free to request a prayer to be composed for a particular concern or topic for posting in this space. You may leave your request in the comments section or contact me directly at Leeosophy@gmail.com 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. Requestors will remain anonymous.