Prayers of the People: Again, and Again, and yet, Again, 22nd Sunday after Pentecost Yr C

For Sunday, October 16, 2016, 22nd Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, Readings: Jeremiah 31:27-34, Ps 119:97-104, 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5, Luke 18:1-8

       I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God and they shall be my people... I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more. [Jeremiah 31:33b, 34b]       

      I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable...For the time is coming when people...will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. [2 Timothy 4:1b-2a, 3a, 4]

    " ...yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming." And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night?...I tell you he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" [Luke 18:5-7, 8]

       Persistence is the order of the day. God makes a new covenant even though the house of Israel broke the previous one after God brought their ancestors out of Egypt. But God persists in coming for us. God's law is written in our hearts so that we will all know this LORD who forgives and forgets our sin. We are God's people. 

       The writer of 2 Timothy also reminds us to continue to follow the Scripture, inspired by God, that instructs us on how to gain Salvation through Jesus. We are to be persistent, whether the time is convenient or not, to proclaim the message, to be steadfast in the ministry to which Christ calls us, because people will wander away from the truth and believe whatever they choose for themselves. 

        And Jesus tells a parable about an unjust judge as a way to keep the disciples, and us, from losing heart and abandoning prayer. The judge isn't afraid of God and has no respect for anyone, but this widow - a woman with no husband was the least of the least in those days - kept coming before him to demand justice in her case, an annoying squeaky wheel whose noise could not be ignored until finally he grants her the justice she seeks to be rid of her. So, too will God grant justice to us who cry - or rather, pray - day and night. But, Jesus leaves us with that final question: And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? How do we answer? By returning again, and again, and again to Scripture, to prayer, to God's Covenant with us, written on our hearts. Let us, if we wander away, remember and turn to Truth, yet again.

       

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Lord God, Constant Creator, You write Your Law on our hearts and remember our sins no more. Guide us, Your people, to know You better and to continue in what we have learned that instructs us on gaining salvation through Christ Jesus.

                                                  O God, our God

RESPONSE:           Keep us turned to Your Truth

~ Lord God, Constant Creator, refresh awareness of our responsibility to be the persistent conscience for the leaders of this world, our nation, and our community, for all generations to come. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                O God, our God

                                                Keep us turned to Your Truth

~ Lord God, Constant Creator, grant healing and hope to all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, and revive the energy and dedication of all who serve their needs. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                O God, our God

                                                Keep us turned to Your Truth

           

~ Lord God, Constant Creator, Your holy wind gives first breath to our loved ones and receives their last earthly sigh. We take divine comfort in Your heavenly and eternal welcome for all whose footsteps on this earth and in our hearts will never disappear. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                O God, our God

                                                Keep us turned to Your Truth

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

                                                O God, our God

                                                Keep us turned to Your Truth

           

~ Lord God, Constant Creator, enrich the souls of all who bring us to Your Word and Sacraments, and enfold their hearts in Your peace. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                O God, our God

                                                Keep us turned to Your Truth

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds:  Holy God, Master of all Creation, equip us for every good work that we may persist in Your ministry at all times. Let us come continually to You for renewal and to persevere in prayer and faith. We ask through Jesus, Son of Man, and the Holy Spirit, the Breath of Life, who together with You are One God, above all, 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: The Exile We Choose, 21st Sunday after Pentecost, Yr C

For Sunday, October 9, 2016, 21st Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, Readings: Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, Psalm 66:1-11, 2 Timothy 28-15, Luke 17:11-19

        Come and see what God has done:
he is awesome in his deeds among mortals.
He turned the sea into dry land...There we rejoiced in him...let the rebellious not exalt themselves. [Psalm 66: 5-6, 7b]

        Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. [2 Timothy 2:14]

        Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" [Luke 17:17-18]

      As we in this country fail, in epic proportions, to avoid wrangling over words in the midst of a presidential election, we also fail to understand the reality that such arguing changes no minds and only ruins those who are listening. But then, who of us listens to the arguments of anyone we have already decided is wrong? Then it must be that we are all ruined and in exile from one another and from God. Yet the often gloomy Jeremiah gives us a positive path to God through acceptance of the place where God has placed us and working to make it better. In that way we will better ourselves for the glory that is to come. In the Gospel reading, 10 lepers who begged Jesus for healing were told to present themselves to the priest. After they did they realized they were all healed but only 1, the Samaritan foreigner, turned back to thank Jesus. 
       For me, the readings this week seem to particularly mirror where I see my own behaviors and responses to the upsets and healings that occur in my life. I exile myself from God and others in ignoring the Creation around me in all forms, complaining about all the injuries I receive from others (real and imagined), and celebrating only myself when wellness or some other good occurs. Time to get out the NO WHINING banner, return from the exile I chose, and live life where I am planted, remembering why and for Whom I was created.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ God of Eternity, draw back the veil of darkness that covers us in our self-imposed exile from You. Help us to seek and pray for the welfare of all on this Earthly plane, remember to give thanks for healing in ways known and unknown, and in so doing find our way to salvation in Christ.

                                     Lord God, our Creator                                      

RESPONSE:   Let us turn back to You in praise

~ God of Eternity, open the eyes of all who hold political authority on land and sea and in the air across Your diverse Creation, that they may see You reflected in themselves, every human face, every grain of sand, and govern in all good faith. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                    Lord God, our Creator              

                                    Let us turn back to You in praise

~ God of Eternity, as You raise up strength for all Your people, grant healing to the spirits of those laid low by earthly illness or infirmity. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                    Lord God, our Creator              

                                    Let us turn back to You in praise

~ God of Eternity, may echoes of sweet memory quell the pain of earth-bound grief, as the souls of those who’ve left this ground, now soar in the peace and glory of everlasting life in Christ. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                    Lord God, our Creator              

                                    Let us turn back to You in praise

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

                                    Lord God, our Creator              

                                    Let us turn back to You in praise

~ God of Eternity, we give thanksgiving for Your loyal servants anointed to awaken us to the wonders of all Your works, and who call us find our true place within You forever. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                    Lord God, our Creator              

                                    Let us turn back to You in praise

The Celebrant adds: LORD of Life from Beginning to Infinity, release us from wrangling over words that do no good but only ruins those who listen. Fill us with continuous awareness, praise, and delight for the Divine Good in all You have wrought, that propels us to faithful action and prepares us for the perfection of life in Your eternity. We ask through Jesus, our Merciful Healer, and the Holy Spirit, Your Still Small Voice, who together with You are our One Almighty God of all Creation.  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 Very Beginning, 1st Sunday in the Season of Creation '16

For Sunday, October 9, 2016, Readings: In the Beginning* (©Mark Earey), Psalm 148, Sura 7:54 The Qu’ran**, Luke 17:11-19

In the Beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 

  In the empty void and crushing darkness, God spoke light into being. 

[Mark Earey]

 Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights...sun and moon...all you shining stars...Praise him heaven of heavens and you waters above the heavens...for he commanded, and they were created.

[Psalm 148:1, 3, 4]

 "Your Guardian - Lord, is God, Who created the heavens and the earth in six days...He created the sun, the moon, and the stars, (all) governed by laws under His command."  [Sura 7: 54, The Qu'ran]

 Then [Jesus] said, "Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" [Luke 17:18]

Welcome to the 

Season of Creation!

        The Season of Creation originated in the Anglican Church of South Africa in 2008 and is designed for us to explore our faith from a Creation perspective. We are to realize our place in the order of God’s creating and to see and act upon the need to care for our entire life-support system - the air we breathe, the water we drink, the soil in which we grow our crops - not merely humanity, but our total environment, as it pertains to ALL life. 

         From the early days of the Season of Creation at SsAM [www.SsAM.org], we established that “the primary aim of the events of the season is to enable adults and youth to celebrate and experience the inextricable link which binds together the destinies of all of God’s creatures.” It is a moment of pause to remind ourselves that God calls us to see “what great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions” and for us to renew our commitment to making real the biblical vision of the earth at unity with itself. It is a vision of human beings of all races, backgrounds and walks of life in local communities and among the nations of the earth, living together in love and peace with justice for all. "As disciples of Christ, we are called through our Baptismal Covenant, to be instruments for the healing of our broken world," and with a renewed commitment to personal and communal prayer and action.

         This year, as a special feature of our season, the Earth Charter [http://earthcharter.org/discover/the-earth-charter/] will form a special context or backdrop of our observance. It provides an opportunity for our parish and its individual members--including our youngest members -- to make specific personal and institutional commitments for the healing of our planet, and to join the movement of millions around the world who endorse and commit to its principles.

         The Earth Charter is a product of a decade-long, worldwide, cross-cultural dialogue on common goals and shared values. This project began as a United Nations initiative, but it was carried forward and completed by a global civil society initiative. It was finalized and launched as a people’s charter on 29 June, 2000 by the Earth Charter Commission, an independent international entity, in a ceremony at the Peace Palace, in The Hague. A global consensus statement of values and principles for a sustainable future, the Charter has at its core an ethic “of respect and care for the community of life as a whole in all its biological and cultural diversity…The Earth Charter adopted the concept of universal responsibility in part because it complements the idea of universal human rights. 

         We will use Biblical and other readings that pertain to the specific theme of each of the 7 weeks. The alternate readings used will follow the prayers on this page.  

         We begin the Season at the Beginning. Professor Wangari Maathai,*** 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner, describes the Book of Genesis as "the book for environmentalists." "If we had been created on Tuesday," she said, "There would have been nowhere for us to stand! God, with infinite wisdom, waited until the last day!" 

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ God of Eternity, draw back the veil of darkness we pull over ourselves, and help us to hear You speak light into being within us. Quiet the incessant distractions of everyday life that we may experience and savor the glory of Your sun, moon, stars, each blade of grass, and every miraculous facet of Your Creation.

                                    Lord God, our Guardian                                   

RESPONSE:   Let us turn back to You in praise

~ God of Eternity, open the eyes of all who hold political authority on land and sea and in the air across Your diverse Creation, that they may see You reflected in themselves, every human face, every grain of sand, and govern in all good faith. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                    Lord God, our Guardian

                                    Let us turn back to You in praise

~ God of Eternity, as You raise up strength for all Your people, grant healing to the spirits of those laid low by earthly illness or infirmity. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                    Lord God, our Guardian

                                    Let us turn back to You in praise

~ God of Eternity, may echoes of sweet memory quell the pain of earth-bound grief, as the souls of those who’ve left this ground now soar in the peace and glory of everlasting life in Christ. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                    Lord God, our Guardian

                                    Let us turn back to You in praise

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

                                    Lord God, our Guardian

                                    Let us turn back to You in praise

~ God of Eternity, we give thanksgiving for Your loyal servants anointed to awaken us to the wonders of all Your works, and who call us find our true place within You forever. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                    Lord God, our Guardian

                                    Let us turn back to You in praise

The Celebrant adds: LORD of Life from Beginning to Infinity, release us from all selfish diversion that lays waste to our human experience. Fill us with continuous awareness, praise, and delight for the Divine Good in all You have wrought, that propels us to faithful action and prepares us for the perfection of life in Your eternity. We ask through Jesus, our Merciful Healer, and the Holy Spirit, Your Still Small Voice, who together with You are our One Almighty God of all Creation.  Amen.

*A reading from: Mark Earey [http://engageworship.org/ideas/In_the_beginning_Liturgy]:

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

In the empty void and crushing darkness, God spoke light into being.

Creator God, bring light into our darkness.

In the beginning, God took eternity and formed time and space, seasons, days and years.

Creator God, fill and shape the time you have given us.

In the beginning, God took land and sea and filled them with life of every kind.

Creator God, help us find our place within your diverse creation.

In the beginning, God spoke his very image, and the returning echo formed humanity.

Creator God, open our eyes to see you reflected in every human face.

In the beginning, God created, and it was good.

© Mark Earey

** A reading from: Sura 7:54, The Qu’ran

“Your Guardian – Lord, is God, Who created the heavens and the earth in six days, and is firmly established on the Throne (of authority): He draweth the night as a veil. O’er the day, each seeking the other in rapid succession: He created the sun, the moon, and the stars, (all) governed by laws under His command.” 

*** Professor Wangari Maathai [1940-2011], a Kenyan environmental and political activist, Member of Parliament as Assistant Minister for Environment and Natural Resources, was educated in the United States and in Kenya. In 2004, she was the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. She was honored for "her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace".



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: Bloom Where You're Planted, 20th Sunday after Pentecost, Yr C

For Sunday, October 2, 2016, 20th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, Readings: Lamentations 1:1-6, Psalm 137, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10 

By the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept when we remembered you, O Zion. [Ps 137:1]

...I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you...for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. [2 Timothy 1:6-7]

The Apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" The Lord replied, "If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you." [Luke 17:5-6]

Exiled. Uprooted. Replanted. So many of God's people experience this cycle more than once in a life, and for some on our Earth it is continuous. For those fortunate enough to have only a moment of true life upheaval, it may be difficult to be entirely empathetic despite all good intentions. While the grief expressed in the poem of Lamentations and even in the Psalm can be moving, if we read with the eyes of those looking at current news reports from around the globe, it may seem far removed from everyday life in our own corner. That said, I certainly and always have a visceral reaction to the last line in Psalm 137, which is meant as a curse to the predators from Babylon who decimated Jerusalem, uprooted, exiled, and replanted - stole - the people of Israel from their homeland. I commend you to read it for yourself and see that however understandable the emotion, it mirrors the abject cruelty that seems to run rampant in our world today by thought, by word, and by deed in large and in small ways. Yet within the Psalmist's frustration and curses lives a kernel of hope that all the desolation will end as they remember Jerusalem and keep the future alive through that memory. 
        But it is, certainly and always, the Gospel, with a little help from the 2nd letter to Timothy, that gives us our focus - the apostles ask Jesus to "Increase our faith!" Jesus reminds them, and all of us, that all we need is faith the size of a mustard seed and we would be able to command whole trees to uproot themselves and be replanted in the sea. It is a metaphor worth pondering. Even in our own day some varieties of mustard seeds are nearly as small as the period at the end of this sentence yet they hold within themselves the ability to produce enormous trees. Imagine then, how great our own eternal future if we remember, in days of exile and uprootedness, and in times of feeling securely and well planted, that we already have all we need within us. The good treasure, our holy calling, the grace...has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus. If you want to have faith, the seeds within you have already sprouted with the help of the Holy Spirit. It is also important to remember that having true faith doesn't mean freedom from doubt. It just means to dig a little deeper, pray a bit more often, spend time with the Word and Sacraments, rekindle the gift of God that is within and in so doing the fertile seeds within will take root, grow, and bloom, wherever you are planted.  

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ God of Mercy, Grace, and Peace, open our hearts and minds that we may rekindle the gift of You that lives within us, even with only a fragment of faith and hope.

                                                  Lord of Power in Love

RESPONSE:           We are called and saved by You

~ God of Mercy, Grace, and Peace, transfuse compassion and humane action into the conscience of each and every leader of this planet, this country, and this community, for the plight of political refugees, all victims of systemic violence and bigotry, and all who feel they live in exile even in their own land. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Lord of Power in Love

                                                We are called and saved by You

                                               

~ God of Mercy, Grace, and Peace, unburden all who live with chronic pain and distress in body, mind, or spirit, and give rest to the hearts of those who give them care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                Lord of Power in Love

                                                We are called and saved by You

           

~ God of Mercy, Grace, and Peace, lift the veil of grief for all who sit and weep, by the joy of memory for those now freed from earthly bondage, living anew in the glory of Christ. We pray especially for: add your own petitions 

                                                Lord of Power in Love

                                                We are called and saved by You

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

                                                Lord of Power in Love

                                                We are called and saved by You

           

~ God of Mercy, Grace, and Peace, nurture all who toil in this temporal garden encouraging spiritual growth by planting seeds of faith, large and small, in the souls of all Your people. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Lord of Power in Love

                                                We are called and saved by You

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds:  Holy and Mighty God, uproot any doubts in the teachings of Christ, as we strive to live according to Your purpose, and guard the good treasure of life eternal entrusted to us. We ask through our Jesus, our Savior, and the Holy Spirit, living within us, 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 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.

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