People's Prayers

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Prayers of the People: Go Fish, 3rd Sunday after Epiphany Yr A '17

For Sunday, January 22, 2017, 3rd Sunday after Epiphany, Year A, Readings: Isaiah 9:1-4, Psalm 27:1, 5-13, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18,
Matthew 4:12-23

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness ~ on them light has shined. [Isaiah 9:2]

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom then should I fear...Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I call; have mercy on me and answer me. [Psalm 27:1a, 10]

Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. [1 Corinithians 1:10]

As [Jesus] walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers...casting a net into the sea ~ for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." ...Jesus went throughout Galilee...proclaiming the good news of the kingdom... [Matthew 4:18-19, 23]

Sometimes, even the smallest amount of good news feels like a small ray of light in the darkness that fosters the hope that things will get better. Sometimes, even that tiny beam of light is very difficult to find and only on faith ~ shaky as it can be ~ will we find the ability to keep moving forward into the always unknown. Isaiah and the Psalmist remind us that the Light is always there even when we feel lost in the shadows.

Paul is speaking to us in our own time through his letter to the Church in Corinth: be in agreement...no divisions among us...be united in the same mind and the same purpose and even more appropriate to now, he warns us not to divide Christ. How many Christian denominations out shout one another as the only source for the "true" message of Jesus? How incredibly difficult is it to heal divisions in political opinion let alone in religious? In these often dark and dreary times, in a world seemingly gone mad with violence in action and in words, we are called to put aside our ideological differences and follow the message of Christ's Gospel: love God, love our neighbors as ourselves, proclaim his Gospel, his good news of the kingdom, in all we do and say.

Jesus called the soon-to-be disciples away from their fishing boats and nets to follow him and become fishers of people. What does that mean for us? The fisher-folk that I know often start in the darkness of the early morning and insist on being quiet as they wait on the shore, wade into a stream, or move across the water in a small boat waiting for the bait to attract and catch the fish. Even in the darkest moments of life, let us each seek the Light within ourselves however faint and distant it seems. Let us allow ourselves to be reeled into the net that Jesus has set for us, as only when we ourselves are caught can we inhabit the Word, and begin to attract others to the splendid shore of Salvation. Oh, and we can be quiet yet open ~ we'll catch more, or lose more, by our ways and attitudes; we do not need to be eloquent, just sincere. Time again to follow Jesus, our Captain, with the help of the Holy Spirit, our Navigator. Time to go fish!

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader: ~ Jesus, our Light and our Salvation, grant us the desire to be proclaimers of Your Good News, to beckon the world to Your Shore, and to be among those caught up in the nets of Your Saving Grace and Glory.

Hear us, O Lord

RESPONSE: Have mercy and answer us

~ Jesus, our Light and our Salvation, inspire and transform the wills of all who govern the peoples of this World, this Country, and this Community, to ensure the care of our planet and the well-being of all humanity through peace, equality, and sustenance. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Hear us, O Lord

Have mercy and answer us

~ Jesus, our Light and our Salvation, heal the hearts, minds, and bodies of all who are ill, weary, or frightened, and give comfort to all who offer care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

Hear us, O Lord

Have mercy and answer us

~ Jesus, our Light and our Salvation, banish the gloom of bereavement for all who mourn, as You joyfully embrace those who live again in Your glorious and eternal paradise. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Hear us, O Lord

Have mercy and answer us

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

Hear us, O Lord

Have mercy and answer us

~ Jesus, our Light and our Salvation, excite again the spirits of all who lead us in Your Church and exhort us to live in and carry forward the power of Your Cross in our lives. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Hear us, O Lord

Have mercy and answer us

The Celebrant adds: O God our Refuge and our Strength, endow us in our own day with faithfulness and fortitude to be united with one purpose and one mind as devoted messengers of Your Word and Sacrifice. We ask through Jesus, the Captain of our ship, and the Holy Spirit, our Navigator, who with You are our 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.

Monday, January 9, 2017

Prayers of the People: Hide or Seek? 2nd Sunday after Epiphany, MLK '17 Yr A

For Sunday, January 15, 2017, 2nd Sunday of Epiphany, MLK Yr A, Readings: Isaiah 49:1-7, Psalm 40:1-12, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, John 1:29-42

The Lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother's womb he named me. [Isaiah 49:1b]

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. [Psalm 40:3a]

...just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you -- so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift...He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. [1 Corinthians 1:6-7a, 8]

"Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"...The two disciples heard [John] say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following he said to them, "What are you looking for?" [John 1:29b, 37-38a]

Fresh from his Baptism, Jesus is identified as the Lamb of God by John the Baptizer to two of his own disciples. As he is then followed by these men, Jesus turns and asks, What are you looking for? Andrew, one of those men, spends the day listening and then takes his brother Simon to Jesus saying, We have found the Messiah. Simon, now known to us as Peter, struggled often with the message of Jesus, but even in the face of enormous obstacles, defeats, trials and tribulations, he carried on and carried the message forward along with his brother Andrew and the others who joined them. Yet as I read or listen to the Scripture passages, two thousand+ year old events don't always have much of an impact on my daily thoughts and actions. However this question, What are you looking for?, caught my attention as we are now at the beginning of this new year, with a new political climate, and as we prepare to celebrate - some more than others - the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
While the significance of the impact of Dr. King's work and words is undisputed, the echoes of his voice are slowly fading nearly 50 years after his death, a reason to be grateful to a Congress of the past that designated the anniversary of his birth as a Federal Holiday. And, it must be said, various groups were not, and still are not, a fan of this particular recognition, but it holds. Sometimes, as with Christmas and Easter, we are more likely to pay attention to a date on a calendar to be reawakened, to listen again and hear anew, to take a step forward.

In times when certainty has been upended and the status quo is now status unsure, it is critical that we carry Dr. King's message forward to uphold people of all colors, creeds, national origin, sexual orientation, and for any reason that any one is targeted for oppression, brutality, bullying, and discrimination. We are all equal in the Eyes and Heart of God. And, as Dr. King said, "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." Jesus, expanding on the traditional Judaic prayer, the Shema Yisrael, tells us in the Gospel of Mark [12:29-31], "The first commandment is this: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is the only Lord. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these." Nowhere in either Dr. King's writings or in the words of Jesus does it say we have to "like" everyone. But it is clear from both, that we are to care, love, and protect others from hate and hateful acts, even if there is no thanks or even appreciation. But no good action is wasted and what we give out we will receive back.
What is your dream for this New Year - will you hide from whatever discomforting challenges may be ahead? Or will you seek opportunities to see yourself in others, step out and step up in uncertainty, and discover that part of yourself is actually what you're looking for?

click here for a short video of the I Have A Dream speech excerpt - Martin Luther King, Jr 1963

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader: ~ O God of Compassion, You called us before we were born and named us in the womb. You gave us a new song and too often we sing it out of tune using our words instead of Yours. Help us to learn and live Your words and will, and keep Your Law in our hearts.

Jesus, Lamb of God

RESPONSE: Strengthen us to follow Your Words and Will

~ O God of Compassion, grant us the willingness to stand firm in the face of ruling authorities on this Earth, in our Country, and in our Community, to ensure that strength and power are not spent for vanity, but only to restore the dignity and well-being of every person on this planet. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Jesus, Lamb of God

Strengthen us to follow Your Words and Will

~ O God of Compassion, send Your Holy Spirit to give hope and healing to all who are sick, troubled, or weary of this life, and to those who care for and about them. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Jesus, Lamb of God

Strengthen us to follow Your Words and Will

~ O God of Compassion, lift the veil of tears from those who grieve, as Your Holy Lamb enfolds our loved ones in the grace, peace, and joy of Eternity. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

Jesus, Lamb of God

Strengthen us to follow Your Words and Will

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

Jesus, Lamb of God

Strengthen us to follow Your Words and Will

~ O God of Compassion, inspire all leaders of Your Church to know, feel, and share the dream of Your Servant, Martin, as we seek and serve the Christ in our midst and in every person inside and outside of our temples of worship. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Jesus, Lamb of God

Strengthen us to follow Your Words and Will

The Celebrant adds: Almighty God, as Jesus asks, “What are you looking for?” hasten our hearts to answer that we seek the courage to join the example of Your Servant, Martin Luther King, Jr., in his compelling certainty that together we can work for freedom from fear, oppression, and intolerance. Embolden us to carry this vision forward, to know and share the peace and freedom of Your Salvation. We ask through the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and our spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit, who together with You, live and reign, our One God, today, always, 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.

Monday, January 2, 2017

Prayers of the People: The Baptism of Jesus 1st Sunday after Epiphany '17 Yr A

For Sunday, January 8, 2017, Baptism of Jesus, First Sunday after Epiphany, Year A, Readings: Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 29, Acts 10:34-43, Matthew 3:13-17

Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.

[Isaiah 42:1]

The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forest bare; and in his temple all say, “Glory!” [Psalm 29:9]

He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” [Acts 10:42-43]

And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

[Matthew 3:16-17]

For many Christians, though not all, Baptism is a Sacrament, a Rite of Initiation, a formal adoption into the Christian faith. A simple definition is that the word comes from a hybrid of Latin and Greek and literally means "washing." John, who baptizes Jesus in today's Gospel reading, used it as a sacrament in his messianic rituals and it has roots in the Jewish tradition as a ritual of purification.

Depending on usual practice for different denominations, there may or may not be infant baptism sometimes called Christening, or there may be no baptism for anyone at all. In those churches that do baptize, baptism may be by immersion - standing in water while water is poured over the upper body, submersion - one's whole body being dipped under and out of the water three times, aspersion, or affusion ~ with aspersion as the sprinkling of the water and affusion as pouring water over the head. As there are many methods, there are as many reasons given for and against the ritual that is sacred to some.
In this Gospel account, Jesus was baptized by a somewhat reluctant John who thought that Jesus should baptize him. Jesus prevails - as he does with the footwashing and Peter later on - and we are given the words of God who directly who announces, "This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." Of course we don't know for certain if everyone present heard God, but isn't the warmth and satisfaction within all of us when we think about a moment (maybe exceedingly rare) when a parent announces pleasure or pride in us or for something we've done? Let it be so with us again, that we may please the One Parent who matters most!
The Baptism of Jesus is important, for one reason, as it marks the beginning of his ministry, empowered by the Holy Spirit, acknowledged by John, as the One who is Coming. Although free from sin, himself, he participates in a ritual of cleansing and repentance as a faithful Jewish man. Jesus rises for the first time from the waters of Baptism. Let us walk with Him through to the time he rises again and beyond...

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader: ~ Blessed Jesus, Beloved of God, You are the Covenant God has made with us all; the wellspring of peace, the bright beacon of love that can reach into the darkest of hearts and blindest of eyes. Open our hearts and animate our wills to answer the call to follow and proclaim Your salvation to all.

Jesus, Fount of Living Water

RESPONSE: We put our trust in You

~ Blessed Jesus, Beloved of God, impart special graces to all who lead the governments of this World, this Country, and this Community, that they may work together, and with us, to serve in humility, seeking peace and equity for all. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Jesus, Fount of Living Water

We put our trust in You

~ Blessed Jesus, Beloved of God, shower Your healing mercies upon all those who are ill or filled with worry and dread, and infuse a spirit of hope for those who give them care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

Jesus, Fount of Living Water

We put our trust in You

~ Blessed Jesus, Beloved of God, for all in the midst of sorrow, grant solace in their hearts and joy in the memories of those well-loved now returned in glory to You, the Source of all Life. We pray especially for the repose of: add your own petitions

Jesus, Fount of Living Water

We put our trust in You

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

Jesus, Fount of Living Water

We put our trust in You

~ Blessed Jesus, Beloved of God, speak to the souls of those who lead Your Church that they may guide us to whirl the oaks of faith and shake us from the wilderness of apathy in Your Name, with grace, wisdom and strength of spirit. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Jesus, Fount of Living Water

We put our trust in You

The Celebrant adds: Jesus, our Christ, You rose first from the Living Water of Baptism to bring New Life to God’s people. Raise us up in hope, cleanse us from sin, and walk with us until You rise again to carry us into eternity. We ask through the Holy Spirit, the Fire of our Faith, and the Creator of all that is, 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.

Monday, December 26, 2016

Prayers of the People: What's on your lips? Holy Name of Jesus Sunday '17 Yr A

For Sunday, January 1 , 2017, Holy Name/Epiphany Sunday , Year A, Readings: Numbers 6:22-27, Psalm 8, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 2:15-21

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. [Numbers 24-26]

O Lord our Governor, how exalted is your Name in all the world! [Psalm 8:10]

Therefore, God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend... [Philippians 2:5-11]

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen...After eight days had passed it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus... [Luke 2:20-21]

This first day, the first Sunday, and the first week of the New Year, is filled with opportunities to celebrate. As we know it today, Holy Name Sunday, has also been known as the Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus. In addition to Luke's Gospel for today, we have several naming accounts of this Holy Child - from Joseph's dream in Matthew 1:21, when God's angel appears dissuading him from dismissing Mary, and explaining that the son she will bear will be called Jesus, which means "God is salvation", and then following quickly on is Matthew 1:23 Emmanuel, which means God is with us, referring back to the Prophet Isaiah 7:14's prediction of the child of the virgin that will be called Immanuel.

The approaching Feast of the Epiphany, will also be celebrated this week in western Christianity.

This Sunday's naming focus gives us a moment to think about what is the power of a name. What does your name mean to you? Do you know your name's history, why it was given to you? How do you feel if someone mispronounces or misspeaks your name? That happens quite often to me and sometimes it can feel as if my name and I are unimportant, though I have learned to let it go, if with a silent sigh. Because of that, I try to remember preferred names and use them. And then, for me, there is nothing so touching and wonderful as hearing my name spoken by someone who loves me.

Using a name well creates a connection with another. It is more than mere identification, it is relational, even if only a brief encounter in a retail or service location. If someone is wearing a name tag, I will call them by name. If it is an unfamiliar kind of name for me, I'll ask how to pronounce it.

There is power in a name, and no more greater power in any name than in the name of Jesus. Sadly these two familiar syllables are, far too often, used in less than honorable ways. It has become a verbal football to throw around casually as an exclamation, or worse, even by some of us who profess to be faithful.

Here's an idea for a New Year's Resolution: START using the name of Jesus in only the most reverential tones. Think first, before bad habits kick in, and begin to use the name intentionally, as a prayer, as an invocation, as a meditation. Fr Richard Rohr says, "Prayer isn't primarily words; it's a place, an attitude, a stance." Let us use the Holy Name of Jesus as our place of holy introspection, our attitude of faith, our stance of firm - or at least firm-er - willingness to turn toward the Way that Christ beckons us to live. From Psalm 51 come the words: Open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. I feel called to ponder, what's on my lips - will it create a clean heart and renewed spirit? Let me begin again with the power of and in the Holy Name of Jesus.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader: ~ Jesus, God’s Bright Star, let us praise Your Holy Name to the highest heights as the most perfect and sacred word our lips, our thoughts, can form; it is at once a prayer, an inspiration, the intentional beckoning of our humbled souls to accept and live into Your Promise of Salvation.

Blessed Child, our Christ

RESPONSE: May our lives reflect Your Glory

~ Jesus, God’s Bright Star, illuminate life’s righteous road of empathy, wisdom, and peace, and guide along it all who govern in our names on this Earth, in our Country, and in our Community. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Blessed Child, our Christ

May our lives reflect Your Glory

~ Jesus, God’s Bright Star, in the glow of Your eternal Light, help us to see with new eyes those who are ill, lonely, homeless, or desperate, and find ways to provide needed love and help. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

Blessed Child, our Christ

May our lives reflect Your Glory

~ Jesus, God’s Bright Star, as the grieving seek Your comfort, let us all rejoice for those we have loved who now live again, radiant in the joy and peace of Your eternal life. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Blessed Child, our Christ

May our lives reflect Your Glory

~ Jesus, God’s Bright Star, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or silently… add your own petitions

Blessed Child, our Christ

May our lives reflect Your Glory

~ Jesus, God’s Bright Star, embrace the souls and hearts of those entrusted to bring us Your Word and Sacraments, as we walk together with renewed fervor in Your Holy Name. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Blessed Child, our Christ

May our lives reflect Your Glory

The Celebrant adds: O Lord, our Governor Most Gracious, into this fullness of time You have sent our Messiah, woman-borne, to bless us and keep us, to be the Compass for our lives. Quicken our desire to follow Love’s pure Light and seek that bold path that leads us to Eternity. We ask through Jesus, our Redeemer Christ, and the Holy Spirit, our Advocate, who together with You are One God, now and forever. Amen.

Monday, December 19, 2016

Prayers of the People: Special Delivery! ~ Christmas ~ '16 Yr A

For Saturday and Sunday, December 24^th and 25th, 2016, Christmas, Year A, Readings: Christmas Eve Readings: Isaiah 9:2-7, Psalm 96, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) Christmas Day Readings: Isaiah 52:7-10, Psalm 98, Hebrews 1:1-4, (5-12), John 1:1-14

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;

those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shined. [Isaiah 9:2]

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news,

who announces salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns." [Isaiah 52:7]

photo by Christina Brennan Lee

Sing to the Lord a new song...Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness [Psalms 96: 1, 9a]
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. [Psalm 98:1]

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly. [Titus 2:11-12]

Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways...but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. [Hebrews 1:1-3]

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. [Luke 2:1]

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

He was in the beginning with God.

All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being.

What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.

The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it...

And the Word became flesh and lived among us...full of grace and truth.

[John 1:1-5, 14]

Life on this Earth is never without a time of darkness somewhere that is deeper than the sunless night sky. Many of us privileged to know the Merry and the Happy of Christmas firsthand have also known grief and hardship at this time of year, and troubling news reports bring so much more poignancy in the midst of this season of Glad Tidings. Yet the true Light is all around and, as we are told elsewhere in the Gospels, seek and you will find. In the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day readings, there is ample evidence that we are to be swept up in the glory of the birth of Christ that shone all around and allow it to shine in and through us now. God's Word lives among us still and always. This Child's birth is a new birth for us all, a time, again, to throw off the curtains we have gathered around our souls, and awaken to a New Light. We, alone, cannot undo the ravages of war, hatred, loneliness, or hunger, but each of us in small and intentional ways can lighten the darkness for others and, in doing so, for ourselves. Beyond decorations and gift giving, let us each take heart, give heart, be the heart of Jesus. However trite it sounds it is nonetheless true that in a world filled with hundreds of languages, a smile translates the same in all. If a smile is all you have, give it frequently and unconditionally. If you have more, share more, equally without condition. It is time to begin anew with Christ Jesus. Meister Eckhart [13th century German theologian/mystic] said, "We are all meant to be mothers of God. God is always needing to be born." There is no delivery more special than allowing Jesus to be born again within us. The beauty of holiness is ours, the fullness of grace and truth, if we but choose it to bring Him forth to a world never more in need than now.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader: ~ O God of Light, at last Your Child is born for us, our Messiah is come, who is Christ the Lord! Your Promise is fulfilled, Your Word is made Flesh – our Good News of Great Joy is among us!

Glory to God in the Highest

RESPONSE: Send Peace on Earth for us all

~ O God of Light, grant wisdom and the will for righteous, equitable, and truthful action to those who govern on this Earth, in our Country, and in our Community; and the courage to us to be proactive for all who are oppressed. Let us pray in earnest for those who govern in our names, especially for: add your own petitions

Glory to God in the Highest