Prayers of the People: The Ticket for Your Destination, 19th Sunday after Pentecost, Yr C

For Sunday, 25, 2016, 19th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, Readings: Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15; Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16; 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 16:19-31 

       He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High...shall say to the Lord, "You are my refuge and my stronghold, my God in whom I put my trust." He shall deliver you from the snare of the hunter. [Ps 91: 1a, 2-3a]

       But those who want to be rich, fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil...But as for you...[f]ight the good fight of the faith...As for those in the present age who are rich, command them...to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life. [1 Timothy 6:9-10a, 11a, 12a, 17a 18-19]

       But Abraham said, "Child remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony..." He said, "Then father, I beg you to send [Lazarus] to my father's house...that he may warn them, so that they will not come into this place of torment." Abraham replied, "They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them." [Luke 16:25, 27-29]

       This is one of those times when several phrases so common and familiar appear that foreheads are slapped and exclamations made, "OH, so THAT'S where that comes from!" 1 Timothy gives us: 

-for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it. 

-For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. 

-Fight the good fight... and for Handel's "Messiah" fans, 

-King of Kings and Lord of lords. 

       Then in Luke comes the more precise wording that leads us to the more remembered: 

...thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future...

       All of the readings for this week give us the itinerary we need to reach the final destination of our choosing. Even in Jeremiah, though not quoted above, we find plans for the future; hope for the long term. Although we don't get the full text of the Psalm this time, it nonetheless just repeats in my head as I hear it set to the music and lyrics of Michael Joncas' click to hear: On Eagles Wings, that takes me to a younger and comforting place.  But it is Timothy who gives us clear definitive steps to take us to the life that really is life. We are to pursue godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. And Jesus, in the parable in Luke's Gospel tells us that we have been given all the instruction we need for eternal life through Moses and the prophets - and for us as Christians, Jesus is the foremost Prophet as our Redeemer. All we need are eyes to see and ears to listen.
       And there are many subtleties amidst the clarity. Money itself is not evil - it is the love of money that is the issue. When do we realize that our needs fulfilled has turned to desire for more and more and more? Ironically when the "more" falsely seems so easily available to the many, more and more of humanity falls into desperate poverty, fueling rage, violence, and war. The western "lottery economy"* gives otherwise rational people a heightened and sometimes addictive and ruinous clamoring for the apparent lifestyles of reality-tv celebrity. One spin of the wheel, one more right number, one roll of the dice, one more square to scratch and you, too, will be rich beyond measure.    
       Nothing new here - see Timothy again: But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires... We, the people of God, never seem to have those eyes and ears aimed properly. We are often oblivious to the movement of our own desires, longings, and eagerness to have much more than we need. But Timothy shows us the way again as we, and especially the already rich, are gently admonished not to set our hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God...and the instruction is to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share. And therein lies the path to storing up our treasure in heaven. Life is busy, life is full, life is hard, life has its good days and its not so good but, all in all, whether you are feeling like Lazarus or the Rich Man, LIFE.IS.SHORT. Where are we headed? We select our own destination by the way we plan our trip. We already hold the ticket.

*A nod and thank you to A.K.A. Adam, Tutor in New Testament, Oxford University, Oxford, England for his term "lottery economy."

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God Most High, You give life to all that is ~ seen and unseen. Deliver us from the snare of all worldly temptation, and guide us to fight the good fight of the faith in Christ Jesus.

                                                  Lord Almighty         

RESPONSE:           Let us put our trust in You

~ O God Most High, for all who hold political office or other authority over Your people on this earth, whether by fair election, heredity, or imposition, we ask Your blessing and inspiration. Infuse their hearts with the spirit of justice, mercy and peace. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Lord Almighty

                                                Let us put our trust in You

                                               

~ O God Most High, impart hope to the hopeless, love to the loveless, and lighten the burden of pain and anguish for all who suffer in any way. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                Lord Almighty

                                                Let us put our trust in You

           

~ O God Most High, shelter and ease the hearts that grieve, as our loved ones, carried to Abraham by the angels, now live again in Your eternal comfort, salvation, and glory.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Lord Almighty

                                                Let us put our trust in You

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

                                                Lord Almighty

                                                Let us put our trust in You

           

~ O God Most High, may all those ordained as our prophets to exemplify Your purpose in this world, experience the grace of Your continual presence. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Lord Almighty

                                                Let us put our trust in You

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds: O God, our Refuge and our Stronghold, give us eyes to see and ears to hear all the ways You have shown us to seek wealth in this life by being rich in good works and generosity. Help us store up our treasure in the true and eternal life to which we are called. We ask through Jesus, our Sovereign King of Kings, and the Holy Spirit, the Sacred Breath in our souls, who together with You are One God, now and forever and ever.  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: Mammon ~ not a French title for your Mother, 18th Sunday after Pentecost, Yr C

For Sunday, 18, 2016, 18th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, Readings: Jeremiah 8:18-9:1, Psalm 79:1-9, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Luke 16:1-13

       For the hurt of my poor people I am hurt, I mourn, and dismay has taken hold of me. Is there no balm in Gilead?  [Jeremiah 8:21-22a]

       Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your Name; deliver us and forgive us our sins, for your Name's sake. [Psalm 79:9]

       For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all... [1 Timothy 2:5-6a] 

       Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?...You cannot serve God and wealth. [Luke 16:10-11, 13b]

       Wealth and power. The hallmarks of success and prosperity; the American Dream, the primary aspiration that our western culture teaches. Once achieved, then we can work out the details of faith, hope, and charity.

      Americans are far from alone in this dream. Mammon, the ancient term for material wealth gained through greedy pursuit, has been portrayed as a god, an idol, and even the devil from earliest time. Martin Luther referred to Mammon as "the most common god on earth."  The more modern term is simply wealth, but there is a serious distinction between those who would be greedy or dishonestly wealthy, and those who would use their wealth to honestly and faithfully prosper others. Many of us are a little bit guilty of pursuing wealth. Few of us haven't bought lottery tickets, filled out chance tickets for millions, dribbled money into slot machines, and fantasized about all we would get and do if we won. Yet formal studies say that nearly 70% of those who win big payoffs are bankrupt within 7 years. Too much of a good thing, or a bad thing? A case of "when all we want isn't enough?" 

       Self-examination is key when Jesus calls us to account on how faithful and honest we are in little and big matters. What is truly our intent? Is a little lottery dreaming sinful? Hardly, unless it takes up many waking minutes or harms financially or otherwise. The question is: if we're unfaithful or dishonest with ill-gotten gains, who would entrust us with the true riches? The writer of the letter of Timothy (most likely not Paul, but does that really matter?) tells us that leading a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity is right and acceptable in the sight of God...who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Tim 2:2b-4). Whether or not that seems realistic in combative, angry, and violent times isn't the point. Life is difficult, often more so for others than ourselves, but we all have bad days, weeks, or even years. And serving wealth on behalf of ourselves isn't the path to inner peace, godliness, or dignity. Oh it may look and even feel good on the surface, but we each know the little discomforting niggle of conscience even if we try to ignore it. Jesus is never clearer than in this Gospel. We cannot serve two masters; we cannot serve God and wealth. Is there a balm in Gilead for sin-sick souls? Yes ~ Jesus Christ, our Lord. Let others worship Mammon; let our faithfulness to God be ever increasing.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Compassionate Lord, guide us on our journey to truth, faithfulness, and honesty in Your sight, in all that is very little and all that is very much. Keep our hearts open, eager for You, and far from indifference toward all humanity and all Creation.

                                                    O God, our Savior

RESPONSE:             Deliver us and forgive our sins

~ Compassionate Lord, bestow the qualities of empathy, benevolence, and decency upon all who are leaders, and those who would be, on this Planet, in this Nation, and in our Community. Instill integrity and honor in those who hold authority over all of Your people. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                O God, our Savior

                                                Deliver us and forgive our sins

                                               

~ Compassionate Lord, allay the anxiety of all who suffer in pain of body, mind, or soul, and give strength to all who are committed to their care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                O God, our Savior

                                                Deliver us and forgive our sins

           

~ Compassionate Lord, dry the fountain of tears from the eyes of all who weep in grief, as the glory of Paradise now welcomes and enfolds those now transformed into eternal life and joy. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                O God, our Savior

                                                Deliver us and forgive our sins

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

                                                O God, our Savior

                                                Deliver us and forgive our sins

           

~ Compassionate Lord, we celebrate and give thanksgiving for the special gifts of all who have been chosen, anointed, and faithfully devoted their lives and ministries among us, in Your Name. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                O God, our Savior

                                                Deliver us and forgive our sins

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds:  God of Infinite Abundance, Your divine love is the truest form of riches available in our lives, the healing balm for our sin-sick souls.  Amplify our desire and intent to serve only You, in every thought, word, and action. We ask through Jesus, our Divine Mediator, and the Holy Spirit, the Sacred Truth of our very being, who together with You are One God, forever and always.  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: Hope Really Floats, 17th Sunday after Pentecost, Yr C

For Sunday, September 11, 2016, 17th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, Readings: Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28; Ps 14, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10 

See how they tremble with fear because God is in the company of the righteous...the Lord restores the fortunes of his people... 
[Ps 14:5b, 7b]

...even though I was formerly a blasphemer...I received mercy, so that in  me...Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him...To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory, forever and ever... [1Timothy:13a, 16b-17]

And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and sayng, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them."..."Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." [Luke 15:10]

       September 11. A dark date now firmly embedded forever in the history of the United States. The calendar conjures up horrific images buried not so very deeply within any of us who watched and grieved and raged and, just, simply, inexpressibly hurt in the midst of shock and disbelief. The sins of that day? Let.me.count.the.ways. - but wait, fellow Pharisees and Scribes, as we go grumbling along, "This fellow" whom we call Jesus, "welcomes sinners and eats with them." Surely not THOSE sinners because we're all quite certain what happened to them, right? Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, if that's how you feel, because Jesus would welcome them as he welcomes you and me. And, even more difficult to accept is that it isn't a job for any of us to determine whose sins are greater or where another's soul resides for eternity. My job is to acknowledge that I, a sinner, can still see the light through the darkness of my own sin. I can reach out for that saving grace that is always within me if I but want to know it. How much harder shall I look for that grace - as much as for a lost piece of property? Even if I am unable to relinquish all of my anger, my grief, my fear, of all that happened then, after, and now, or my tendency to sin in the past, the present, and the future, God in Christ never, ever leaves, but all too often, I do. The word repent literally means to turn toward. 

       In this time of global and local rancor, violence, and hatred, I would do well to turn toward Jesus. Therein lies all hope. The only person I can change is me and a good time for that is like, you know, NOW. Will having hope change the world ~ not likely, but it will improve my attitude which may improve my interactions with a few people. Will hope fix, heal, or restore anything that's broken, wounded, or lost ~ who knows - it can't make things worse. Hope, however fragile in a moment, can keep us buoyant through the tidal waves of emotion, fear, and guilt that pound upon our personal shores. Hope and determination find that lost sheep, discover that dropped coin, and cause angels to rejoice. Hope is the light of Christ that beckons and welcomes, even me, a sinner, and grants me a measure of inner peace and an immeasurable amount of spiritual nutrition. Peace is certainly something the world close by and at large needs in great measure. So, let it begin with me feeling hopeful. Hope, it really does float.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Holy Lord, King of the Ages, immortal One, the only God, most wise. You are invisible merely to our human sight yet constantly present within us. Restore our willingness to hear and accept Your call to seek our life’s fortune in You.

                                                    God of Patience, Mercy, and Grace

RESPONSE:             Strengthen us in All Goodness

~ Holy Lord, King of the Ages, draw the leaders of this world, this country, and this community into the company of the righteous to fulfill Your purpose for all the sheep of Your flock. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                God of Patience, Mercy, and Grace

                                                Strengthen us in All Goodness

~ Holy Lord, King of the Ages, surround the hearts of those anguished by illness, uncertainty of treatment, and anxiety for loved ones, and give ease and healing to all. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                God of Patience, Mercy, and Grace

                                                Strengthen us in All Goodness

           

~ Holy Lord, King of the Ages, may the steadfastness of Your love comfort those who struggle in the bereavement that is new, and the grief re-awakened by a date on the calendar. Let our hearts feel and hear the joyful noise of all who abide in Your eternal bliss until our own time to join the feast. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                God of Patience, Mercy, and Grace

                                                Strengthen us in All Goodness

~ Holy Lord, King of the Ages, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or silently… add your own petitions

                                                God of Patience, Mercy, and Grace

                                                Strengthen us in All Goodness

           

~ Holy Lord, King of the Ages, magnify the faith of all our surrogate shepherds, who choose to shoulder the burden of being an example of and bringing Christ to our daily lives. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                God of Patience, Mercy, and Grace

                                                Strengthen us in All Goodness

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds:  O God of Sinners and Saints, You are most gracious and relentless in pursuing us through the wilderness of our own making. Grant us the courage and the fortitude to persevere through the darkest hours, and the brightest, turning always to You in every aspect of life. We ask through Jesus, our Strength and our Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit, the Wisdom of our Souls, who together with You are One God, forever and ever. 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: More than a Hobby for Groupies,16th Sunday after Pentecost, Yr C

For Sunday, September 4, 2016, 16th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, Readings: Jeremiah 18:1-11, Ps 139: 1-5, 12-17; Philemon 1:1-21, Luke 14:25-33

        So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel. The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him. [Jeremiah 18:3-4]

        Lord, you have searched me out and known me; You trace my journeys and my resting places and are acquainted with all my ways. Indeed there is not a word on my lips, but you O Lord, know it altogether. [Psalm 139: 1a, 2-3]

        Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to  you and to me...So, if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. [Philemon 1:11, 17]

         For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it?...Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? [Luke 14:28, 31]

        From the potter, to the shadow God who sees all, to Paul and Onesimus [oh-nee-see-mus], to another sobering pronouncement by Jesus, it's a busy week in Lectionary Land. Although God in Jeremiah is not happy with the house of Israel in that moment, there is great hope and comfort in the hands of the potter who can reshape and reform the vessels into more useful and pleasing containers. There is much beauty in the appointed verses for this week's Psalm since the really difficult ones are left for us to discover inside our Book of Common Prayer or Bible. 

     Philemon [fuh-lee-mon], quite an amazing little letter in only 25 verses. There are far more paragraphs written about this letter than there are in it and it has a very interesting back-story and questions - is Onesimus a runaway slave? - certainly this piece was used by the great and God-fearing as justification for the horrendous institution of slavery in our own and other shameful national histories. One won't ever know for certain but Paul - following the law and culture of the land and time - reminds us that even in our own time, regardless of this or any other man, woman, or child's status, she, he, they are to be welcomed as a beloved brother or sister.

       And then there's the discomforting Gospel admonishing those of us who would travel with Jesus to hate family and even life itself and give up all possessions or we cannot become disciples. But in pondering and reading all the words such as Now large crowds were traveling with Jesus [Luke 14:25a]  it occurs to me that maybe he was tiring of the party groupies who were merely enjoying hanging out with this celebrity and not quite understanding the full importance of his teaching. This certainly would have gotten their attention as it does mine. Perhaps that was the point. He goes on with the analogy of building a tower - reasonable for us to consider now - who wouldn't begin a building project by estimating the cost? As for warring kings, there are other parallels for us to envision such as the long-term implications of political policy that helps or hinders the lives of any of God's people and Creation itself. 
       Traveling with Jesus isn't all just loaves and fishes. It IS a hard road but who of us are able to imagine the cost of giving up our families and all of our possessions? Last week Paul told us to be content with what we have and in Luke, Jesus was telling us how not to exalt ourselves. I think there is much the same in this week - a recurring theme of Scripture is not getting caught up in earthly delights or gathering wealth or possessions but to focus on the goal of everlasting life in Christ. Prayer, missteps, loving community are all along the way if we use them wisely as tools to help. We are clay in God's hands - unfired, therefore pliable and flexible, not like finished ceramics that are fragile and break beyond repair. The journey is not easy and the cost may be great, but we are never alone and always easily patched up and re-shaped to begin again. This isn't just a hobby for groupies to follow when convenient though sometimes having a hobby is the start of something much bigger. This is a calling and there is a price. We'll have many wrong turns and unholy moments but if our intent is true, we will be whole and more holy when we arrive at our ultimate destination.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Almighty and Boundless God, You know us as no other and from You no secrets are hid. Awaken us as at our earthly birth, that we may re-fashion ourselves day by day, to follow Your will in the lives You have given us to live.

                                                  Lord of All, Giver of Life

RESPONSE:           Refresh our hearts in Christ

~ Almighty and Boundless God, transform the relationship between the leaders of this world, this country, and this community, and those they govern. As a potter re-crafts at the wheel, shape character and morality into each unique and useful vessel, and stamp Your signature of justice, mercy, and peace upon us all. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Lord of All, Giver of Life

                                                Refresh our hearts in Christ

                                               

~ Almighty and Boundless God, smooth the rough edges from all who are chipped by chronic pain, depression, or a sense of helplessness, and polish the spirit of all who serve their needs. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                Lord of All, Giver of Life

                                                Refresh our hearts in Christ

           

~ Almighty and Boundless God, encircle Your healing Hands around the grieving, even as all those we have sent to You, are now new again in the splendor of eternal life. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Lord of All, Giver of Life

                                                Refresh our hearts in Christ

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

                                                Lord of All, Giver of Life

                                                Refresh our hearts in Christ

           

~ Almighty and Boundless God, guide us to partner with all who have dedicated themselves as true disciples of Jesus, who will teach us to count the blessings more than the cost of the work ahead, and how to grow in and share our faith. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Lord of All, Giver of Life

                                                Refresh our hearts in Christ

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds: Divine Artisan, Master of Creation, keep us as malleable as unfired clay so that You, who formed us in the womb, may continue to form our minds, our hearts, and our souls into worthy receivers of Your love and grace. We ask through Jesus, our Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit, our Wonderful 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: Pride of Place, 15th Sunday after Pentecost Yr C

For Sunday, August 28, 2016, 15th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, Readings: Jeremiah 2:4-13, Ps 81:1, 10-16, Hebrews 13: 1-8, 15-16, Luke 14:1, 7-14

        Be appalled, O heavens, at this, be shocked, be utterly desolate, says the Lord, for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living water, and dug out cisterns for themselves, cracked cisterns that can hold no water. [Jeremiah 2:12-13]

        Sing with joy to God our strength...I am the Lord your God..."Open your mouth wide and I will fill it." Yet my people did not hear my voice...So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their hearts. Oh that my people would listen to me! that Israel would walk in my ways! Those who hate the Lord would cringe before him, and their punishment would last forever. But Israel would I feed with the finest wheat and satisfy him with honey from the rock. [Ps 81: 1a, 10, 12-13, 15-16]

        Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it...Keep  your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have...Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you, consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Through him, then, let us offer a sacrifice of praise to God... [Hebrews 13:2, 5, 7-8, 15]

        But when you are invited, go and sit at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, "Friend, move up higher"...For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." [ Luke 14:10-11]

        Humility. Love. Hospitality. Contentment. Worship. Simplistic perhaps, but in my mind, these are the basic elements of the readings for this week, the minimal requirements for a life in faith. I place humility first as without true humility, we are not able to honestly embrace and live in and through the others. It is also, I believe, the most difficult to inhabit.
       Who of us doesn't or wouldn't feel proud and pleased with a prestigious invitation, having a beautiful home, or wearing the best clothes? Those things in themselves are not bad at all, but rather, as always, it's how we reflect these kinds of acquisitions in our lives. If, within our attitudes, it places us above any others, then we have wandered away from God's path and dug out cisterns for ourselves. We are perfectly justified to be content with what we have as long as we "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have..." [Hebrews 13:16] especially among those who cannot repay us.
       But humility is a tricky aspect of character. While philanthropy and generosity are well and fine and necessary, we must take care to be sincere, and genuine. Some of us may have to start small and practice this virtue often until the true spirit of it takes hold. [Yes, let that car in ahead of you in traffic and don't say or even think those words.] Jesus doesn't want us to be proud of our humility!
       Once we are truly humble we won't know it and we will naturally exude the love which will naturally manifest in hospitality to others, contentment with what we have, and show our respect, love, and worship of God in every thought, word, and action. Tough work ahead and, if we do it right, we won't know we've gotten there until we get THERE. Pride of place is a cracked cistern that holds no water. Let us immerse ourselves in God, the fountain of living water.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God, Fount of Living Water, cleanse us from stubbornness of heart and wash away our mortal discontents. Open our ears to hear Your voice and listen to Your words, that we may walk in Your ways in humility, with contrition, and by a continual sacrifice of praise to You.

                                                O Lord, our God

RESPONSE:   Our Help and our Strength

~ O God, Fount of Living Water, immerse the souls of those who wield international, national, and local power in compassion, generosity, and thoughtful justice. Stem the tide of hatred, violence, and misery in our own country and across the globe. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                O Lord, our God

                                                Our Help and our Strength

                                               

~ O God, Fount of Living Water, refresh the spirits of those laid low by serious illness and all who are in critical life circumstance, and lift the energies of all support providers. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…  add your own petitions

                                                O Lord, our God

                                                Our Help and our Strength

           

~ O God, Fount of Living Water, rescue those drowning in grief with the comfort of knowing that our loved ones are now exalted to a place of honor at Your heavenly and eternal feast. We pray especially for:  add your own petitions

                                                O Lord, our God

                                                Our Help and our Strength

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

                                                O Lord, our God

                                                Our Help and our Strength

           

~ O God, Fount of Living Water, shower Your blessings upon those who lead us in Your church, who speak Your word to us, and teach us, by example, to imitate their faith and thoughtfully consider the outcome of our own way of life. In the name of Jesus our Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, we pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                O Lord, our God

                                                Our Help and our Strength

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds:  O God of Purest Sustenance, nourish our hearts with divine honey from the Rock of our Salvation. Let our place at Your holy table be lower than the place we offer to others, as we entertain angels unaware, and may each facet of our lives reflect our love, and worship of You and all of Your Creation. We ask through Christ our Constant and Eternal Savior, and the Holy Spirit, the Sacred Breath of Heaven, who together with You are One God, from before the beginning to beyond the end. 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: All Bent out of Shape, 14th Sunday after Pentecost Yr C

For Sunday, August 21, 2016, 14th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, Readings: Jeremiah 1:4-10, Ps 71:1-6, Hebrews 12:18-29, Luke 13:10-17

          Before I formed you in the womb I knew you... [Jeremiah 1:4-10]

        In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge...Deliver me and set me free...Be my strong rock...you are my crag and my stronghold...For you are my hope...my confidence since I was young. [Psalm 71:1a, 2a, 3, 5]

        Therefore since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe, for indeed our God is a consuming fire. [Hebrews 12:28-29]

        And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, "Woman, you are set free from your ailment." When he laid hands on her, immediately she stood up and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue [was] indignant because Jesus had cured on the Sabbath...[Luke 13: 11-14a]

      Jesus cured a woman on the Sabbath in the synagogue and created a firestorm. Yes, we Christians basically know what "Sabbath" means even if we give it a loose interpretation and practice, but for Jews - especially the Orthodox - then and now, Sabbath is not optional. It is a God-mandate, a requirement given as one of the Ten Commandments, a rich spiritual experience, beyond and within formal worship, filled with meaningful rituals and prayer. Rabbis to this day study the Law regarding Sabbath for their entire lives to understand every nuance, dispensation, and imperative to guide their congregations in strict observance. 
       It is more than difficult for us as non-Jews in this time to understand why that moment in Jesus' ministry was such a big deal - well, that is, unless we encounter the indignance of a parishioner or 3 who are all bent out of shape by updating the language of THE Prayer Book, or who don't want a sermon that is too filled with "God" and suggestions for more Christian activities and behaviors, complain that the service is too long and turn up their noses at the homeless, addicted, and poor, who also want a place at The Table. Is it more important to follow the Rules and "the way it has always been done, the way we do things here" when the Tradition excludes some of God's children? Or perhaps the question really is: when do the rules support and enhance our relationship with God, who formed us in the womb, and when do they become idolatry? And the follow-up might be: when do I choose NOT to follow the rules and why? 
         Paul warns us, "Yet once more..." that God can and will easily remove what can be shaken so that what cannot be shaken may remain...we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken and our acceptable worship with reverence and awe is what God truly requires. Oh there are, no doubt, a thousand ideas of what "acceptable worship is." My best guess, for me, is that I must change the shape of my practice to include more witness of my faith through how I live, think, and act, and especially, more genuine Sabbath observance - not for leisure, but rather to get more in touch with reverence and awe. What shape are you in?  

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God of All, our Stronghold and our Rock, stand us straight up in Your sight, and reshape the direction of our lives. Free us from the bondage of earthly attachments, and set our daily course for the Kingdom that cannot be shaken.

                                             Saving Lord

RESPONSE:         Our hope, our confidence, our refuge

~ O God of All, our Stronghold and our Rock, deliver us from the clutches of evildoers and oppressors, and bestow blessings upon the builders and planters of honorable, trustworthy nations and communities. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Saving Lord

                                                Our hope, our confidence, our refuge

                                               

~ O God of All, our Stronghold and our Rock, return to health all who are afflicted in body, soul, or life, and revive the spirits of those who tend to their comfort. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                Saving Lord

                                                Our hope, our confidence, our refuge

           

~ O God of All, our Stronghold and our Rock, gather the festive chorus of innumerable angels for the glorious return of those we love, who now rise to life in the vibrance of Your Heavenly City. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Saving Lord

                                                Our hope, our confidence, our refuge

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

                                                Saving Lord

                                                Our hope, our confidence, our refuge

           

~ O God of All, our Stronghold and our Rock, we give You thanksgiving for the vocations of all Deacons, Priests, and Bishops, for their humanity, guidance, and devotion to Your work. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Saving Lord

                                                Our hope, our confidence, our refuge

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds: Lord God Almighty, burnish our souls in the fires of this temporal life that You, who formed us in our mothers’ wombs, will shine within us and transform our thoughts, words, and actions into continual, awe-filled, living worship. We ask through Jesus, the Mediator of the New Covenant, and the Holy Spirit, our Divine Sanctifier, who together with You, reign as 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.