Prayers of the People: Fear Less, Brood More, 2nd Sunday in Lent, Yr C

For Sunday, February 21, 2016, 2nd Sunday in Lent, Year C, Readings: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18; Ps 27, Philippians 3:17-4:1, Luke 13:31-35

       The LORD is my light and my salvation, whom then should I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life, of whom then should I be afraid? [Psalm 27:1]

       Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me...For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ...Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven... stand firm in the Lord... 

[Philippians 3:18a, 19-20a, 4:1b]

       Jerusalem, Jerusalem...How often I have desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings and you were not willing! [Luke 13:34b]

        The Psalmist reminds us of the confidence we can have in God and the comfort we can take in not being fearful in the ordinary moments of life or in the extraordinary, as God is the light in our darkness and our strength in all parts of life.

        "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery," or so said Charles Caleb Colton [1780-1832], an Eton-educated English cleric. And from that perspective, Paul's admonition to imitate him certainly seems boastful and vain. Rather, Paul's true intention is for us to follow his example and model our lives ~ as much as possible ~ on Christ.

       Jesus speaks to the possibly well-intentioned Pharisees in a foreshadowing of the three days to come. He tells the city of Jerusalem that she has disappointed him in her unwillingness for her children to be gathered as a hen gathers her brood under his wings. These readings are a reminder for us, in this renewing season of Lent, to be less fearful in our everyday life and not be seeking God in the stuff of earth. Let us willingly gather under the wings of Christ, and be a holy brood awaiting the Blessed one who comes in the name of the Lord.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O Lord, our Light and our Strength, help us to release ourselves from the fears of earthly concerns, and give witness in our human lives to You, in whom we place our trust.

                                                  O Christ, our Savior

RESPONSE:           Conform our desire to stand firm in You

~ O Lord, our Light and our Strength, in these wearying times of worldly strife, help us temper our anxieties and boldly speak of peace and justice before the leaders of this world, this nation, and this community. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

O Christ, our Savior

Conform our desire to stand firm in You

~ O Lord, our Light and our Strength, sustain the faith and hope of all who suffer from the torment of chronic illness, severe addiction, or desperate life circumstance, and fortify the energies of those who provide support. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…  add your own petitions

O Christ, our Savior

Conform our desire to stand firm in You

~ O Lord, our Light and our Strength, calm the waves of grief for all who are in mourning and fill their hearts with ceaseless joy for those who have reached the shores of Heaven’s eternal splendor. We pray especially for:  add your own petitions

O Christ, our Savior

Conform our desire to stand firm in You

~ O Lord, our Light and our Strength, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or silently…  add your own petitions

O Christ, our Savior

Conform our desire to stand firm in You

~ O Lord, our Light and our Strength, inspire and enliven the hearts and souls of all who bring us the message and healing of Your Word and Sacraments. We pray especially for:  add your own petitions

O Christ, our Savior

Conform our desire to stand firm in You

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds: O Lord our God, transform our willingness to be gathered as Your brood under Your wings and let us be steadfast in claiming heavenly citizenship for everyone, everywhere, in everyday life.  We ask through Jesus, Your Beloved Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Fire in our souls, who together with You, are One God, now and beyond eternity. Amen.

Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to 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.

Meditation Moment: Fast Slowly, Ash Wednesday February 10, 2016 Yr C

For Ash Wednesday, February 10, 2016, Readings: Joel 2:1-2,12-17, or Isaiah 58:1-12, Ps 103: 8-14, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, Matthew 6:1-6,16-21

Look, you serve your own interest 
    on your fast day, 
 and oppress all your workers.
Look, you fast only to quarrel and to
   fight
 and to strike with a wicked fist.
Such fasting as you do today
will not make your voice heard on high.


Is not this the fast that I choose:
  to loose the bonds of injustice,
  to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
  and to break any yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the 
  hungry,
 and bring the homeless poor into
   your house...[Isaiah 58:3b-7]

Lent has arrived! So what!? 

       The palms from last Palm Sunday have been burned and for those who choose to receive, the imposition of ashes on foreheads is an outward and visible sign of our mortality - from dust we come and to dust we will return. Giving up chocolate or smoking or alcohol or desserts for the 40 days is great but, as we hear in films and TV, "What's your motivation?" The 40 days of Lent mirrors the time Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness deflecting the temptations of the devil and preparing for his ministry. Also the 40 years of Israelite wanderings being prepared for the reward of God in the Promised Land. Lent is time set aside for us to prepare for all that is to come in the life of Jesus, and, for what is to come in our own lives. It is a perfect time to re-examine our priorities, re-discover our faith and our humanity. 
       Fasting isn't merely about relinquishing favorite foods, but releasing ourselves from routinized unconscious behaviors, indifference to others, and stockpiling stuff for our earthly existence. Lent is the time to develop a new spiritual routine, spending a little time each day in prayer and meditation, learning more about what our faith truly means to us and finding new ways to express it without embarrassment. 
       Lent is the time to give up old habits, take on more vigorous spiritual activity and finding Christ-centered resources to help you with everyday life. And, it is time to  pray, pray, pray.  Many will not observe this time but for those who will: What will be the fast that you choose? Something symbolic or something significant? What will you give up and take on? 
       Life is short. Lent is shorter but can completely transform your life. Make your fast count in your own life and in the lives of others. Fast slowly and intentionally and consciously. When the Resurrection comes, it will be a new dawn for all of us!

   


Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to 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.

Prayers of the People: Back to the Basics, 1st Sunday in Lent, Yr C

For Sunday, February 14, 1^st Sunday in Lent, Year 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] 

              Temptation. A never-ending human predicament. Many of us face seemingly daunting temptations by food, drink, gambling, sex, drugs, online shopping, and so on, all the time, and while many of us work hard to avoid and overcome them, still as many give up and give way. 
              Jesus was tempted by the Devil with promises of earthly power and authority. But, of course, he was "full of the Holy Spirit" so it must have been much easier for him, yes? Perhaps, yet as fully human, we can assume that it was no picnic in the park for him. 
             Our "forty days" of Lent has begun. It is time for us to clean our spiritual house, examine our sense of purpose, know what gets in the way and what and who can help. Life can be very difficult, especially when we feel lost and alone in a cold and dark wilderness of sadness, pain, or rejection and/or over-indulgence of all that is not necessary for sustenance. Let's get back to the basics - God created me, Jesus loves me, the Holy Spirit is my advocate and there are a variety of like-minded communities providing understanding, empathy, and constructive opportunities for spiritual growth - Church is one of them. We hear from all the Scripture this week the resonating theme that God is always there as Creator, as Jesus, and as the Holy Spirit. Time for me to give up the self-serving petty moan and groan, take on a fresh awareness of the Presence of God, and pray for release of the old junk, and renewal of my faith. Even with all of that it is useful to remember You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you get what you need!   [theology according to the Rolling Stones]

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O Lord our God, lead us out of the wilderness of earthly temptations, and help us to seek simplicity in life as grace-filled human beings.

                                                O God, our Refuge and our Stronghold

RESPONSE:           Our God in whom we put our trust 

~ O Lord our God, give us voice to be heard among the rulers all the kingdoms, nations, and communities of this world that brings an end to intolerance, injustice, and inhumanity among all the peoples of Your Creation. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                O God, our Refuge and our Stronghold

Our God in whom we put our trust 

~ O Lord our God, encourage the will and spirits of those with chronic pain in body, mind, or soul to call on Your name and abide in Your shelter. Strengthen and empower all who give them help. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                O God, our Refuge and our Stronghold

Our God in whom we put our trust 

~ O Lord our God, comfort all who grieve and fill their hearts with the knowing that all who we love, now have new life and joy in the eternal sunshine and glory of heaven. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                O God, our Refuge and our Stronghold

Our God in whom we put our trust 

~ O Lord our God, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or silently…add your own petitions

                                                O God, our Refuge and our Stronghold

Our God in whom we put our trust 

 ~ O Lord our God, renew the energy of those who dedicate their lives to bring Your Word to our hearts in times of sorrow and times of gladness. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                O God, our Refuge and our Stronghold

Our God in whom we put our trust 

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds:  O God Most High, let our first thoughts be of You as we awaken each day to offer our lives to Your service, and to call upon Your name for our salvation. We ask through Jesus, our Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit, our Counselor, who together with You are One God, now and forever.  Amen.

Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to 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.

Prayers of the People: The Shining! Last Sunday after Epiphany, Yr C

For Sunday, February 7, 2016, Last Sunday after Epiphany, Year C, Readings: Exodus 34:29-35, Ps 99, 2Cor 3:12-4:2, Luke 9:28-36, [37-43a]

          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. [2 Corinthians 3:18]

      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] 

          The Transfiguration story is at once mystery, miracle, and milestone. Jesus became a shining, glowing, gleaming, shimmering beam of radiant glory! A metamorphosis. At the top of the mountain, Jesus is the connection to both human and divine. The mystery of the Eternal Hand of God is a miracle of Jesus. We are quite familiar with the miracles Jesus performs through the Spirit of God along the way of his ministry - changing water to wine, healing the blind, the lame, casting out demons, raising the dead. But this is unique among them as this is a miracle of God within Jesus, transforming him in the sight of others.  

         The milestone is glorious yet subtly somber. Moses and Elijah were speaking with Jesus about his departure which he was about to accomplish in Jerusalem. It seems like only a few weeks ago we birthed him, baptized him, and heard him speaking with the elders in the Temple and now, already, they speak of his departure from his human existence. How time flies in the Lectionary!

         For us in our time, such readings may seem all too familiar and we know that we are heading into the time of Lent, preparation for Good Friday and Easter Sunday.  Even if it is difficult to get our culturally jaded, multi-media savvy, western minds around this sublime moment in the life of our Redeemer, we can take away the voice that comes from the cloud, that tells us that Jesus is indeed the Son of God, His Chosen. We must listen.  How can we possibly ignore our Shining example?

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Almighty, Magnificent God, in the splendor of Christ transfigured, un-blind the eyes and unblock the ears of our souls to see outside of our selves, to listen to the Voice of the Gospel, and to embrace and engage the mission of Jesus in our own time.

Jesus, Messiah of Light and Love

RESPONSE:           Unveil our hearts to know and serve You

~ Almighty, Magnificent God, free the minds of those who are in or seek governmental power on this Earth, that they may exchange entrenchment to enhance personal and political gain, for the emancipation of all God’s people from war, famine, disease, and intolerance. We pray especially for: add your own intentions

Jesus, Messiah of Light and Love

Unveil our hearts to know and serve You

~ Almighty, Magnificent God, release from suffering all who are mired in the pain of body, mind, or spirit, and resilience to those who offer support. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own intentions

Jesus, Messiah of Light and Love

Unveil our hearts to know and serve You

~ Almighty, Magnificent God, brighten the shadows for all in the woe of bereavement, as those who have left the bonds of earth now live in the glory and radiance of new and unending life in Christ. We pray especially for: add your own intentions

Jesus, Messiah of Light and Love

Unveil our hearts to know and serve You

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

Jesus, Messiah of Light and Love

Unveil our hearts to know and serve You

~ Almighty, Magnificent God, endow those chosen and anointed as the exemplars of Your Word and Will, with fortitude and vitality as the beacons on our sacred path. We pray especially for: add your own intentions

             Jesus, Messiah of Light and Love

Unveil our hearts to know and serve You

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds:  Gracious, Noble, Lord God, illuminate us from within, and transform our faith into action; keep us from disinterest and indifference in seeking Your purpose in our lives. We ask through Jesus the Christ, our Salvation, and the Holy Spirit, our Comforter, who together with You are One God in Glory, now and for all time beyond time. Amen.

Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to 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.

Prayers of the People: Un-cymbalic Love 4th Sunday after Epiphany, Yr C

For Sunday, January 31, 2016, 4^th Sunday after Epiphany, Year C, Readings: Jeremiah 1:4-10, Ps 71:1-6, 1 Cor 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30

       The word of the LORD came to me saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you...Now I have put my words in your mouth." [Jeremiah 1:4-5a, 9b]

       In you, O LORD, have I taken refuge; let me never be ashamed...you are my crag and my stronghold. [Psalm 71:1, 3b]

       If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal...And now faith, hope, and love abide...and the greatest of these is love. [1 Cor 13:1, 13]

       And [Jesus] said, "Truly no prophet is accepted in the prophet's hometown...there were many widows...a severe famine...yet Elijah was sent to none...there were many lepers...and none of them was cleansed except Naaman, the Syrian." When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. [Luke 4:24-28]

        1st Corinthians 13: 1-13 is so very much more than a pretty thing to recite at a wedding. In the context of all the readings for this Sunday, it brings the Word to now, to our time, to our space. There is dissension, hatred, intolerance, and rage in seemingly every facet of human life today through war, famine, and disease. There is a cacophony of clanging voices of politicos and power mongers disparaging everyone who is not one of them. 
        Let us take a breath and discover a more excellent way to live, how to exploit, express, and experience LOVE, acceptance, understanding, and support from within ourselves to all others whom God has created. God is our refuge and our strength. Let me not be ashamed of my function as part of the Body of Christ but rather to grow and to act consciously in faith, in hope, and especially, to grow, live, and act consciously, and intentionally, in, with, and through love. 

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God, our Refuge and our Stronghold, You knew us, and formed us, and consecrated us before our earthly birthing. Calm our fears, defuse all rage, teach us a more excellent way to feel and reveal Your Love in all that we say and do.

O Lord of Hope

RESPONSE:           Deliver us from evil and apathy       

~ O God, our Refuge and our Stronghold, give our mortal tongues the words of justice, mercy, tolerance, and compassion to touch and fill the hearts and souls of all who hold power in countries and communities across this planet. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

O Lord of Hope

Deliver us from evil and apathy

~ O God, our Refuge and our Stronghold, sustain the faith of all who suffer with chronic pain, depression, or disease, and refresh the energy of those who assist with their care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

O Lord of Hope

Deliver us from evil and apathy

~ O God, our Refuge and our Stronghold, soothe the hearts of those who grieve as the heavens erupt with rejoicing for our loved ones now arriving. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

O Lord of Hope

Deliver us from evil and apathy

~ O God, our Refuge and our Stronghold, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or silently… add your own petitions

O Lord of Hope

Deliver us from evil and apathy

~ O God, our Refuge and our Stronghold, nourish the gifts of our pastors who connect with us in community and inspire us to seek our life’s fulfillment in Christ. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

O Lord of Hope

Deliver us from evil and apathy

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds: Steadfast God of Truth, embolden our Faith, invigorate our Hope, and permeate our cells with Your purest Love that we may be a living, conscious reflection of Your Word. We ask through Jesus, the Incarnation of Love, and the Holy Spirit, the Breath of Faith, who together with You reign as One Holy and Eternal God of Hope.  Amen.

Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to 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.

Prayers of the People: Drink Up! 3rd Sunday after Epiphany, Yr C

For Sunday, January 24, 2016, 3^rd Sunday after Epiphany, Year C, Readings: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10; Ps 19, 1 Cor 12:12-31a, Luke 4:14-21

        Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. [Nehemiah 8:2a]

        By [the statutes of the LORD] also is your servant enlightened...cleanse me from my secret faults...O LORD my strength and my redeemer. [Ps 19: 8a, 11 a, 12 b, 14b]

        Just as the body is one and has many members,, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body ~ Jews or Greeks, slaves or free ~ and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. [1 Cor 12:12-13]

       [Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit,] stood up to read, and the scroll of the Prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

            "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me...he has anointed me to 

             bring good news to the poor...proclaim release to the captives 

             and recovery of sight to the blind..."   [Luke 4:14a, 16b, 17-18a]

       "So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them...God saw everything he had made, and indeed it was very good." [Genesis 1:27, 31a] And there are many of us, over 7.3 billion and growing. So very many members, digits, organs, and limbs, all created in the image of God, and all one body - all ordinarily the same and each extraordinarily different. ALL parts of the body - individually and corporately, locally and planetarily - are arranged by God, the ultimate and pre-eminent Architect, Electrical, Chemical, Plumbing and Systems Engineer. We are endowed from before birth with different gifts that are not our own, but in our human lives are to be given out to and received from each other, to have the same care for another...if one member suffers, all suffer...if one member is honored, all rejoice together in it.      
      The waters of Baptism flow in a variety of ways and directions. The entire Body has been given the waters of the Spirit to hydrate our souls, to cleanse our hearts, and to purify our intentions whether known or unknown to the members. Let we who hear with understanding be conscious of the Spirit within us. Let us drink deeply, again, and strive for the greater gifts as the living members of the Body of Christ. 

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Most High God, Creator of Body and Soul, from the tips of our toes to the tops of our heads, all that we are functions as part of Your Plan. Cleanse us from our secret faults and enlighten the workings of our bodies, minds, and souls to be mindful instruments of Your justice and honor.

                                              O Lord of Flowing Glory

RESPONSE:    Our Strength and our Redeemer          

~ Most High God, Creator of Body and Soul, pour Your Holy Spirit on the hearts and minds of all who govern the countries of this world, our own country, and our local community. Help them strive to hear with understanding, and act with courage and compassion, for the benefit of all of Your Creation. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                               O Lord of Flowing Glory
                            Our Strength and our Redeemer

~ Most High God, Creator of Body and Soul, relieve the pain of those who suffer from illness, anxiety, or addiction, and refresh all who provide care and comfort. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions


                               O Lord of Flowing Glory
                            Our Strength and our Redeemer

~ Most High God, Creator of Body and Soul, lift the heavy weight of mourning from hearts laid low in grief, as those who have now left us in this life, rejoice and dance in the everlasting light and music of heaven.  We pray especially for:  add your own petitions

                               O Lord of Flowing Glory
                            Our Strength and our Redeemer

~ Most High God, Creator of Body and Soul, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or silently… add your own petitions

                               O Lord of Flowing Glory
                            Our Strength and our Redeemer

~ Most High God, Creator of Body and Soul, we give You thanks and praise for the women and men appointed to lead us in Your Church to open the scrolls of Your Word, and guide us toward the fulfillment of our purpose in You. We pray especially for:  add your own petitions

                               O Lord of Flowing Glory
                            Our Strength and our Redeemer

The Celebrant adds: Lord of Freedom and Favor, grant us the desire to drink deeply of the Spirit of Baptism and to seek the courage to bring Good News, release, and new sight, to ourselves and each other as members of the Body of Christ. We ask through Jesus, our Savior, and the Holy Spirit, our Fount of Wisdom, who together with You are One God, throughout all eternity. Amen.

Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to 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.

Prayers of the People: Not So Black and White... MLK, Quintin Primo, 2nd Sunday after Epiphany, Yr C

For Sunday, January 17, 2016, 2nd Sunday after Epiphany, MLK-Bp Primo*, Year  C, Readings: Isaiah 62:1-5, Ps 36:5-10, [1 Cor 12:1-11**], 
John 2:1-11

       For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn... [Isaiah 62:1]

      Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed... there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. [1 Corinthians 12:1,4-7]

     The congregation is free and the Diocese is free. And being free, we are both free to be One. What binds us together now is our common loyalty to Jesus Christ and to this branch of His Church.  [Bishop Quintin Primo from The Making of a Black Bishop*]

          When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what concern is that to you or me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." [John 2: 3-5]

          As with so many Biblical anecdotes, the story of the wedding feast of Cana is so well known that through the centuries people of many beliefs and no faith have heard it. On the face of it, it seems pretty black and white, Jesus turned water into wine - his first miracle, and he didn't think he was ready. While quite an accomplishment, the setting for this first sign may not seem auspicious enough for such a pivotal event. Making wine for a wedding feast doesn't seem to serve humanity in any important way. But the volume is significant; it is an abundant amount of wine late in the celebration. It is a metaphor for the way the love and Presence of God fills us all to the brim as the new wine fills the jars. The moment made his disciples believe in him. All was clear and black and white for them at that moment: Jesus, Son of God, Worker of Miracles! Let's follow him everywhere!
          Jesus was the embodiment of God's gifts as we each are, in our own individual ways. For us mere mortals, discerning our gifts is not easy and many of us are wont to disclaim them, hide under a mask of artificial humility, mistaking confidence for conceit. We may not all have the greatness to save the world but each one of us has abilities, knowledge, and talent that makes us unique, useful, even admirable ~ if we accept them. Perhaps it is easier to hide from them as if claiming them may require some responsibility for using them appropriately. Jesus accepted his gifts and used them for teaching, preaching, and healing. Dr. King and Bishop Primo used their gifts and did change the world and, often, especially with Dr. King, at their own peril.
          But Jesus, Dr. King, and Bishop Primo were special people, called by God to do great and memorable things that are written down in stories and lists in print. "For Zion's sake I will not keep silent..." says Isaiah, and Dr. King, and Bishop Primo. What is Zion for me? What will call me from just dreaming about what I might do someday to pushing myself to action now? The Gospels are clear about what it is we are to do - aren't they? Bishop Primo said,"What binds us together now is our common loyalty to Jesus Christ..." If the Gospel message is so black and white, why are so many Christians arguing with each other? How can there be so many divisions, denominations, theological and ideological differences determining who's in and who's out and who's right and who's wrong, who should be condemned (or worse) and who should be accepted? If hierarchy cannot define a Christianity, based on the Gospels, that brings us all together, it does beg the question, "So, really, What Would Jesus Do?" Not all so black and white after all, unless, we do everything He tells us.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God, Most Loving and Righteous, give us ears to hear again the Spirit-charged words and voices of Your servants Martin and Quintin. Help us to activate our own spiritual gifts, that through Your loving-kindness, we may change the substance of our lives from self-serving into full-service, to be true of heart and strong in faith.

Lord of Faithfulness and Justice

RESPONSE:             In Your light our souls are free at last

~ O God, Most Loving and Righteous, let us not keep silent; let us speak loudly and continuously for those who are lost and forsaken in this life. Let us not rest until all governments and authorities, locally and globally, make The Dream into truth with peace, justice, and mercy for ALL of Your people. We pray especially for:  add your own petitions

Lord of Faithfulness and Justice

In Your light our souls are free at last

~ O God, Most Loving and Righteous, calm the hearts and minds of those who languish in the uncertainty of physical, emotional, or spiritual challenges, and lighten the load for all who attend to their needs. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

Lord of Faithfulness and Justice

In Your light our souls are free at last

~ O God, Most Loving and Righteous, console all who mourn with Your steadfast and priceless love that has gathered those who have gone ahead, into the joy and abundance of Your House forever. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Lord of Faithfulness and Justice

In Your light our souls are free at last

~ O God, Most Loving and Righteous, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or silently… add your own petitions

Lord of Faithfulness and Justice

In Your light our souls are free at last

~ O God, Most Loving and Righteous, nurture the gifts of our leaders in Your Church who strive to impart Your wisdom and keep us aware of Your eternal Presence. We pray especially for:  add your own petitions

Lord of Faithfulness and Justice

In Your light our souls are free at last

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds:  Holy God, our Well of Life, extinguish the doubt that our hour has come to be drawn into Your light and to know the true freedom of binding together in the Spirit, as one in Christ. We ask through Jesus, Your Son, and the Holy Spirit, Your Wisdom, who together with You, reign as One God now and forever. Amen.

*A reading from The Making of a Black Bishop by the Rt. Rev. Quintin E. Primo, Jr. [1913-1998]:

          "The day of the yearly (Diocesan) Convention arrived. Presenting to the assemblage our (St. Matthew's) formal application to become a self-supporting unit of the diocese, the Rev. Canon James Birney, program developer/director for the diocese, spoke most eloquently, ''What we are doing at this moment is a symbol of what black and white people must continue to do as we offer our lives to be instruments for bringing the Kingdom of God reality on earth. For the past 122 years, the white congregations have patronizingly supported the black mission of St. Matthew's. Today, when black men everywhere are breaking the bonds of patronage which we hope are the last remnants of slavery and inequality, the people of St. Matthew's now both black and white, are freeing themselves and this Diocese from bondage to each other. Subservience and patronage are both gone. The congregation is free and the Diocese is free. And being free, we are both free to be One. What binds us together now is our common loyalty to Jesus Christ and to this branch of His Church. In this Christian context, you are demonstrating the meaning of Black Power.'"

**These Prayers of the People are commissioned by the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew (SsAM) in Wilmington, Delaware, who in 2016 celebrates the 20th Anniversary of the blending of a traditionally white parish - St. Andrew's, founded in 1829, and a traditionally, African-American parish, St. Matthew's, that began in 1845 in the lower level of St. Andrew's as the Robert Smith Sunday School until it became St Matthew's in its own location in 1891. Bishop Quintin Primo, then a vicar, guided St. Matthew's from mission status to parish status in 1968 and lived to see the joyous union of these two parishes into one. As many of us knew him personally, we are pleased to celebrate his life and prophetic voice this day along with the vibrant legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The selection from Bishop Primo's biography (above) is SsAM's second reading on this Sunday in lieu of the lectionary's appointed reading from 1st Corinthians. To learn more about the historical significance and current mission of SsAM see: http://www.ssam.org/wpcontent/uploads/2015/09/WelcomeToSsAM_2015.pdf 

Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to 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.