Meditation Moments: Oh, there's that Sin thing again...

Two things I recognize, O Lord, in myself:  Nature, which Thou hast made;
Sin, which I have added.
                                    ~ Lancelot Andrewes* [1555-1626]

         Well, some days - ok, too many - I don't choose to recognize the latter in myself. I go blithely along feeling like a reasonably nice person, following the rules (more or less), going to Church, saying my prayers, and doing a good deed here or there. I like to think of myself as an adherent to (the majority of) the Commandments - I haven't killed anyone and I haven't stolen anything since I was 12. Of course I can easily recognize, point out, and discuss at length the sins of others - oh wait, does that mean that I have, perhaps, maybe, possibly committed s-i-n ?
         Inasmuch as sin is defined as an act against the will of God, and, alienation from God, then reluctantly, I must admit, that my ease and ability to rush to the judgment of others is, simply put, sin. And were I to do a bit more self-examination, I might discover other unpleasant personal insights. SO, perhaps it is time to reflect, re-examine, repent and return to the Lord.**  Therefore, with a consciousness of mind and heart, I must now pray, again:

Most Merciful God,
I  confess that I  have sinned against you
in what I  have thought and said,
by the wrong I  have done,
and the good I  have not done.
I  have not loved you with my whole heart;
I  have not loved my neighbors as myself.
I  have sinned in ignorance and in weakness,
I  have sinned through my own deliberate fault.
I  am truly sorry; I most humbly repent.  
Remind me, often, to turn to you.
Please forgive me, yet again, for our Savior Christ's sake. 
Help me delight in your will; help me to walk in your ways.
Grant me the courage to see myself in others and 
the compassion to show others your mercy as you have shown it to me.
And mostly, please help me in renewing my life to reflect the glory of you. Amen.***


*Lancelot Andrewes was an English scholar and bishop holding high positions in the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I. He served as Bishop of Chichester, Ely, and Winchester and is most remembered today for overseeing the committees who put together the biblical translation we know today as the Authorized Version, or more familiarly, the King James Version. King James I wished to ease the tension between the Puritans and the Anglican Church and commissioned the translation. According to some reports, it wasn't until the Puritans of the New World (aka the American Colonies) accepted this work that the Church of England affirmed it. Andrewes is on the Church of England and the US Episcopal Church liturgical calendars for September 26.

**from The Baptismal Covenant, Book of Common Prayer, page 304  (US 1979)

***an amalgamation of the Confession from the Holy Eucharist II of the (US) Book of Common Prayer, A New Zealand Prayer Book, and original material.




Please feel free to request a prayer or meditation to be composed for a particular person, 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. If you would like the weekly Prayers of the People prior to its appearance on the blog, please send me an email. Personal prayer requestors will remain anonymous.

Prayers of the People: God-Rocks, 16th Sunday after Pentecost

for September 28, 2014, 16th Sunday after Pentecost, Readings: Exodus 17:1-7; Ps 78:1-4, 12-16; Philippians 2:1-13; Matthew 21:23-32

       As we journey through this life, don't we all wonder from time to time - Is God here, among us? The Israelites had it good; God's presence was clear in the pillars of cloud by day and night and by God ordering Moses to do all manner of fantastic feats and displays to lead them, feed them, and quench their thirst. Still, it wasn't enough for them. How much more difficult for us to know God's presence in our own times without Moses striking a rock for water or Jesus besting those pesky chief priests and elders, at least until the time came for them to execute him. 
       Yet, still, we believe - most of the time - although the days are busy and fraught with stress in ordinary routine not to mention all the craziness in the world at large. So we don't always stop and question the location of God in the midst of a Tuesday afternoon or Thursday night before bed. Some weeks it's all we can do to find God on Sunday morning in Church. But for me, this week's readings say, God is here, where am I? Faith is as faith does, actions always tell the tale. I need to be conscious, awake, present in the moment to think through how what I do expresses how close to or far from God I am. There are all those good things I've been intending to do...  Need a way to remember God in the middle of a stressful day? Take a walk outside and look at Creation, look up or down depending on your environment - there will be a rock somewhere, mountain large or pebble small. Take a second to think to yourself, ah, God-rocks  ...  God is here and so am I, let's roll.  amen!
         
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God of Our Journeys, whether in our wilderness moments, in the frustration of traffic in the city, in the ordinary and the special times, You stand in front of us ready to quench our spiritual thirst in the living waters of Your holy grace.

                               Lord God Almighty, You are always at work within us

RESPONSE:    Help us to remember to always work through You

                                             

~  O God of Our Journeys, with such serious global and local issues, now more than ever, our actions for the benefit of the communities and nations of this world will speak louder than our good intentions. Grant us energy and courage to press our political leaders to seek humanitarian solutions and look beyond personal prerogative for the best interests of all. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                        Lord God Almighty, You are always at work within us

                        Help us to remember to always work through You

~  O God of Our Journeys, cradle those who are in pain in body, soul, or life circumstance. Bathe them in Your loving comfort, and ease the burdens of those who give them care.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                        Lord God Almighty, You are always at work within us

                        Help us to remember to always work through You

~  O God of Our Journeys, wash away the fevers of grief from those experiencing loss, and open Your celestial gates to welcome those now healed with joy, into their new life with Christ Jesus. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                        Lord God Almighty, You are always at work within us

                        Help us to remember to always work through You

~  O God of Our Journeys, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, silently or aloud…

                        Lord God Almighty, You are always at work within us

                        Help us to remember to always work through You

~ O God of Our Journeys, we give You thanks today for the gift of those whose priestly vocations are to nourish our spiritual development, be present in our pastoral needs, and encourage us to be closer to You in every day. Grant them unflagging energy and a never-ending desire to know You better.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                        Lord God Almighty, You are always at work within us

                        Help us to remember to always work through You

The Celebrant adds: Holy LORD, You are among us always.  Help us to live out our faith through prayer-filled action, and heed the words of our Savior Christ who, with the Holy Spirit, live and reign with You as one God, forever and ever, beyond all comprehension of time. Amen.

Please feel free to request a prayer or meditation to be composed for a particular person, 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. If you would like the weekly Prayers of the People prior to its appearance on the blog, please send me an email. Personal prayer requestors will remain anonymous.

Prayers of the People: No fair! 15th Sunday after Pentecost

for Sunday, September 21, 2014, 15th Sunday after Pentecost, Readings: Exodus 16:2-15; Ps 105:1-6, 37-45; Philippians 1:20-30; Matthew 20:1-16

      Jesus doesn't do fair, or so it seems to us in this parable of the laborers in the vineyard. Same pay for an hour's work as for a full day - who doesn't get upset about that? Don't those who worked longer and did more work deserve more? No wonder they're grumbling.
         It seems an especially harsh scenario now in these long-awaited days for fast-food workers and others employed in low-wage service industry jobs to be recognized as needing to make a living wage. And yet how many Good Christian People grumble about that possibility?
        Then there are those Israelites having been rescued from generations of horrific slavery. The Red Sea is parted by God so they could escape the Egyptians and now they're all "gimme gimme grumble grumble" to Moses and Aaron, saying "If only we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt..." [Exodus 16:3, emphasis added]  But when we look through a different lens, one that isn't relying on what one deserves or what is fair it is generosity that shines through. God is generous to the Israelites, providing for their every need, but in their case the unknown is more frightening than the known and so they haven't learned to trust that God will provide. The laborers in Jesus' story aren't happy that the Landowner is simply using his prerogative to be generous. Envy, greed, and judgment loom and things will get worse. Do we ever learn?
         It's a difficult balance to fight for equity and fairness in our temporal life while relinquishing jealousy and anger at not getting what is perceived by ourselves to be deserved.  God isn't leading us by clouds and pillars of fire these days, only by the Word of Christ.  My prayer is to try to find that balance, to cut back on my grumbling, and, oh yes: Dear Lord, please save me from all that I deserve.     (P.S.  News Flash: you're still not getting that rose garden)

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God Most Generous, If only we could remember that Your love for us is limitless even when we grumble about what is fair, who has more than we do, and when we are more interested in judging the faults of others than recognizing our own.

                                Guide us to seek Your strength and presence in every day

RESPONSE:    Teach us again to stand firm in Your Spirit 

~ O God Most Generous, especially in times of war, disease, and great poverty, it is essential for us to remember our own responsibility for the care of ALL of Your people. In the life You have given us to live, we are also charged to engage the leaders in our world, our country, and our community, and require them to temper justice with mercy. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                         Guide us to seek Your strength and presence in every day

                         Teach us again to stand firm in Your Spirit

~ O God Most Generous, as You opened the rock in the desert to provide life-giving waters to Your people; let those suffering in body, mind, or spirit feel the gush of hope and comfort from Your holy embrace. Surround and support also those who give love and care unselfishly in times of great need.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                         Guide us to seek Your strength and presence in every day

                         Teach us again to stand firm in Your Spirit

~ O God Most Generous, we lift up the grief of those who are in mourning to Your gracious care. Help us all feel the pain of loss begin to ease, knowing that our loved ones live on not only in our hearts and memories, but beyond forever in Your eternal home. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
 

                         Guide us to seek Your strength and presence in every day

                         Teach us again to stand firm in Your Spirit

~ O God Most Generous, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, silently or aloud…

                         Guide us to seek Your strength and presence in every day

                         Teach us again to stand firm in Your Spirit

~ O God Most Generous, as the burdens of Moses and Aaron, in leading a sometimes unruly flock, have been passed down to their successors, so to have the joys of fulfilling Your call and worshiping You within a vibrant community of faith.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                         Guide us to seek Your strength and presence in every day

                         Teach us again to stand firm in Your Spirit

The Celebrant adds: O God of Permanence in Eternity, help us who live in the temporal realm, see to the fair and equitable treatment of all of Your people, and yet look within ourselves for the release of judgment, greed, and envy. Help us to live our lives with Christ exalted in all of our thoughts and actions. We ask this grace through Jesus our Redeemer who with the Holy Spirit our Sanctifier, live and reign with You in the enduring, immortal, and infinite expanse of Your holy kingdom. Amen.

Please feel free to request a prayer or meditation to be composed for a particular person, 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. If you would like the weekly Prayers of the People prior to its appearance on the blog, please send me an email. Personal prayer requestors will remain anonymous.

Prayers of the People: Once is Not Enough?, 14th Sunday after Pentecost

for September 14, 2014, 14th Sunday after Pentecost, Readings: Exodus 14:19-31, Ps 114, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35

    Seventy-seven times?  So Jesus says we are to forgive those who sin against us, "Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times." Sometimes forgiving once is the hardest part of my day. And, of course, I hardly ever pass judgment except on those who disagree with my perfect observations and opinions especially in an election year! 

       As for welcoming those weak in faith, I suppose being disheartened would count as weak and I am that at times. It seems, though, that when we get right down to it, the lessons remain clear - we must forgive as we are forgiven, judge not lest we be judged, and live and die in the Lord's honor.  Oh how simply difficult.  Okay then, it's a new week, the waters are parted, the road is before us, let's give it another go...

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Omnipotent God, Pillar of the Universe, we feel as if our world is drowning in the chaos of death, destruction, and rage. Please save us from the slavery of fear and judgment and lead us together onto Your dry ground, into a New Creation of tolerance and forgiveness.   

                                Strengthen our faith when we are weak, O Lord of Mercy  

RESPONSE:     Let us have patience, let us show mercy, let us live in You, O Lord

~ Omnipotent God, Pillar of the Universe, answers of how to act are often elusive in these difficult times in our world, our country, and our community, but please guide us to press upon our political leaders the urgency of calm and rational response to crises. We pray especially for: add your own petitions.

                         Strengthen our faith when we are weak, O Lord of Mercy 

                         Let us have patience, let us show mercy, let us live in You, O Lord

 

~ Omnipotent God, Pillar of the Universe, let the waves of illness, pain, and despair be parted for those who can no longer swim in hope. Care for those who keep them afloat and help them feel again the warmth of Your love. We pray especially for: add your own petitions.

                         Strengthen our faith when we are weak, O Lord of Mercy 

                         Let us have patience, let us show mercy, let us live in You, O Lord

~ Omnipotent God, Pillar of the Universe, stretch out Your loving arms to give eternal comfort to those in mourning, and an everlasting embrace for those now returned to Your infinite peace. We pray especially for: add your own petitions.

                         Strengthen our faith when we are weak, O Lord of Mercy 

                         Let us have patience, let us show mercy, let us live in You, O Lord

~ Omnipotent God, Pillar of the Universe, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, silently or aloud…

                         Strengthen our faith when we are weak, O Lord of Mercy 

                         Let us have patience, let us show mercy, let us live in You, O Lord

~ Omnipotent God, Pillar of the Universe, impart Your special care to our brothers and sisters anointed through Holy Orders and entrusted to bring Your Word and Wisdom to us. Guide us all that we may grow with each other in our worship, support each other in prayer, and give honor to You in all of our actions. We pray especially for: add your own petitions.

                         Strengthen our faith when we are weak, O Lord of Mercy 

                         Let us have patience, let us show mercy, let us live in You, O Lord

The Celebrant adds: O God of wind and water and light in the darkness, in the midst of a world in anguish and turmoil, let us not lose sight of hope, the joy of new birth, and the constant, perpetual, everlasting Presence of You, in every moment of every day, in this life and in the next. We ask always through the blessings of Your Son, Jesus our Christ and Your most Holy Spirit, who are alive with You, as One God, now and forever. Amen.

Please feel free to request a prayer or meditation to be composed for a particular person, 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. If you would like the weekly Prayers of the People prior to its appearance on the blog, please send me an email. Personal prayer requestors will remain anonymous.

Meditation Moments: For a Garden Wedding

             The miracle of love is magnified exponentially when witnessed by caring family and friends gathered to celebrate a precious union. From across a crowded room, or a crowded country, the hearts who discover their true companion will know a joy beyond knowing at the blossoming, and a peace beyond peace in the living of each day.  In the times that are ordinary or special, in the gleeful and the grrrrr-ful, Holy Lord of Heaven, we commend the happiness of these two people to Your care and ours. We pray that these new spouses will find the spices in their life together always fragrant, fulfilling, and affirming.  Dear You and You, may you carry with you always the love and happiness of this moment. And let all who are present signify with a loud AMEN! 

written with love for friends on the occasion of their lovely wedding

Please feel free to request a prayer or meditation to be composed for a particular person, 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. If you would like the weekly Prayers of the People prior to its appearance on the blog, please send me an email. Personal prayer requestors will remain anonymous.

Prayers of the People: No Smote-ing, 13th Sunday after Pentecost

for September 7, 2014, 13^th Sunday after Pentecost, Readings: Exodus 12:1-14, Ps 149, Rom 13: 8-14, Mt 18:15-20

        The Old Testament God got to pass through town on an overnight mission to strike down the first born of the enemies of the ancient Hebrews. Jesus says we're supposed to work through conflict by facing each other and pointing out faults? Neither one sounds like a great idea to me, especially since God seems to have had a change of heart over multi-milennia.
        Conflict resolution is a tricky business in the best of times and the pointing out of faults is fine when you yourself have none. But if we each look deeply enough into that troublesome person, most of us can see ourselves - think about how you would want to be approached if your behavior or attitude was a problem for someone else. Paul tells us yet again as Jesus did, "Love your neighbor as yourself." I used to hear that as "love your neighbor as you love yourself" and, of course, if one has difficulty loving oneself it would be apparent in the way s/he treats others. Yet in the fuller sense, I now read it as written - love your neighbor as your self. THAT person is YOU - so love her/him, love you = love you, love him/her. Unity/community, two or three or more brings Christ's presence. Oh sure, that's much easier, isn't it?  Well, it gives us a place to start; a new song to sing. "Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law." [Romans 13:10]    
      But the world is full of fanatics, psychotics, and sociopaths. I'd paint my doorpost with whatever God wants if that would protect me and those I love, but it seems God has us in a no smote-ing zone now. I have trouble liking some people let alone loving them, especially the people that want to do serious harm. I can't change what anyone else does, I can only change my response. I guess, in lieu of a smote from God, I'll just have to pray that someone will love them and that God will turn my eyes to see into those people, too. 

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Most Holy God, Giver of Life, Your Love will pass over our sins and guide us to redemption through Christ. Help us to keep ready to follow Your call as we close the door to the sinfulness of our past-selves, and open our now-selves to love one another unconditionally. May our doorposts and lintels always gleam with the radiance of the Light of Jesus, our Savior.

                              Let us sing to the LORD a new song 

RESPONSE:   Let us gather together with Christ in our midst

~ Most Holy God, Giver of Life, Love fulfills Your law, therefore, empower to us to assure that we give love and do no wrong in the lives of any of Your children. Embolden us to give witness of our expectations to those who lead us in our World, our Country, and our Community, to act through the strength of Your Love for the safety, wholeness, and health for all of Your people. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                        Let us sing to the LORD a new song 

                        Let us gather together with Christ in our midst

                       

~ Most Holy God, Giver of Life, help us comfort those who know the pain of illness, the relentless demand of addiction, and the hardship of losing a sense of home. Let us not forget the caregivers who also need our support.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                        Let us sing to the LORD a new song 

                        Let us gather together with Christ in our midst

~ Most Holy God, Giver of Life, for those who have tasted the bitter herbs of mourning, grant peace of heart and an easing of grief through the knowledge of their loved ones blossoming in the eternal sunshine of Your Life beyond living.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

 

                        Let us sing to the LORD a new song 

                        Let us gather together with Christ in our midst

~ Most Holy God, Giver of Life, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, silently or aloud…

                        Let us sing to the LORD a new song 

                        Let us gather together with Christ in our midst

~ Most Holy God, Giver of Life, prepare a special place in Your eternal kingdom for those who lead us in Your Church, who pray with us and for us, preach Your word to us, guide us on our path to spiritual growth, and shepherd us through the ups and downs of community life. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
 

                        Let us sing to the LORD a new song 

                        Let us gather together with Christ in our midst

The Celebrant adds: The light of Christ is a weapon against the darkness of evil, sin, mistrust, and anger.  Let us see ourselves through the eyes of Jesus, in our weaknesses and our strengths, as mirrors of each other, with love, and tenderness in heart-filled understanding.  We ask Your blessings through Christ, our Redeemer and Messiah and through the Holy Spirit, our Fount of Wisdom, who live and reign together with You, our One God, Timeless, Immortal, and Infinite.    Amen.

Please feel free to request a prayer or meditation to be composed for a particular person, 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. If you would like the weekly Prayers of the People prior to its appearance on the blog, please send me an email. Personal prayer requestors will remain anonymous.

Prayers of the People: Fired Up, Again! 12th Sunday after Pentecost

for August 31, 2014, 12th Sunday after Pentecost, Readings: Ex 3:1-15; Ps 105: 1-6, 23-26, 44-45; Romans 12:9-21; Mt 16:21-28 [NRSV]

       Moses was called from out of the fire to free the Hebrews from the horrors of their existence in the ancient world. The world of today is being consumed by the fires of our own making through political animosity, corporate greed, senseless killings, war, ethnic and racial hatred, suffering, misery, tragedy - thank heavens we live in modern times!
       It would be so easy to wander lost in the wilderness of despair or apathy or cling to the false god of profit and power to save us from ourselves.  Paul, for one, won't let us be still and gives us a rapid-fire list of how to begin to be the Living Sacrifice that Jesus calls us to be:  Let love be genuine, hate evil, hold fast to good, love one another, outdo, don't lag, rejoice, be patient, persevere, contribute, extend, bless, rejoice, weep, live, associate, and don't claim to be wiser than you are, etc., etc., etc. 
       I'm nearly exhausted at the thought of it all yet Jesus reminds us that all that has been done will be repaid. The time is now, the place is here, there is much to do so, let's get fired up, again.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God of the Past, the Present, and the Eternal, Your Divine Fire sanctifies our faith, transforms our souls, and guides us to find our footing on Your holy ground, this bounteous Earth, our island home. Keep our faces turned toward You, that we may not be consumed by human things, but set our minds on all that is Holy.

                              We seek the LORD’S continual presence and strength

RESPONSE:    As we each say, “LORD, Here I am!”

~ O God of the Past, the Present, and the Eternal, kindle in us the ardor of spirit that will prevail upon the leaders of this world, our country, and our community, to renounce the actions of repaying evil with evil. We must employ honor and zeal to overcome malevolence with the humane. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                        We seek the LORD’S continual presence and strength

                        As we each say, “LORD, Here I am!”

~ O God of the Past, the Present, and the Eternal, You know the sufferings of Your people, give us the listening ear and helping hand to care for those who are caught in a cycle of addiction, physical or mental illness, or homelessness, and for those who are struggling to meet their needs.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                        We seek the LORD’S continual presence and strength

                        As we each say, “LORD, Here I am!”

~ O God of the Past, the Present, and the Eternal, we also weep with those who weep for the loss of their loved ones who are now in Your everlasting care.  Bless those now at rest who are free of misery and tears.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions 

                        We seek the LORD’S continual presence and strength

                        As we each say, “LORD, Here I am!”

~ O God of the Past, the Present, and the Eternal, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, silently or aloud…

                        We seek the LORD’S continual presence and strength

                        As we each say, “LORD, Here I am!”

~ O God of the Past, the Present, and the Eternal, for those among us who, like Moses and Peter, are reluctant but willing to take on Your mantle of leadership and ministry on our behalf, we ask Your enduring grace as we offer our humble gratitude. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                        We seek the LORD’S continual presence and strength

                        As we each say, “LORD, Here I am!”

The Celebrant adds:  Most Divine God of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob, Leah, and Rachel, grant us a hunger, not for the superficial milk and honey of this life, but for the finding of the peace in eternity as the ultimate reward for our living sacrifice. We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Messiah, and the Holy Spirit, the fervor in our hearts, who reign together with You as one Living and Eternal God. Amen.

Please feel free to request a prayer or meditation to be composed for a particular person, 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. If you would like the weekly Prayers of the People prior to its appearance on the blog, please send me an email. Personal prayer requestors will remain anonymous.