For
Sunday, November 4, 2018, 4th Sunday in the Season of Creation, Readings: Ephesians 4:1-6, Psalm 146,
Romans 12:9-18, Matthew 5:1-12
The Season of Creation originated in the Anglican Church of South Africa and was formalized in 2008. It is designed for us to explore our faith from a Creation perspective. For more information see: https://prayersofthepeople.blogspot.com/2018/10/prayers-of-people-in-beginning-1st.html.
We use Biblical and other readings that pertain to the specific theme of each of the 7 weeks of the Season. Alternate, non-scriptural readings used will follow the prayers.
I, Paul... beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to
which you have been called with all humility and gentleness, with patience,
bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of
the Spirit in the bond of peace. [Ephesians 4:1-3]
Praise the Lord! Sing to the LORD a new song, is praise in the
assembly of the faithful. [Psalm 149:1]
Let love be
genuine, hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with
mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. [Romans 12:9-10]
[Jesus]
taught them saying, "Blessed are the poor in spirit...those who
mourn...the meek...those who hunger and thirst...the merciful...the pure in
heart...the peacemakers...those who are persecuted...Rejoice and be glad for
your reward is great in heaven... [Matthew 5:1-12]
Who or What is a Saint? The word is from from the Greek, hagios, which means
“consecrated to God, holy, sacred, pious." The people we think of as
"Saints" or who have been given the official title of Saint, seem
to be all of that definition and much more. It appears that Saints are special
people who are set apart for a special purpose, mostly a very long time ago and also very far away from my country, my life, and my times. Well, except that God has
called ALL of us to be saints, to be
sanctified (made holy) in
Christ, to build up the Body of Christ, and to seek and serve Christ in all
persons. And it is highly likely that those who have been officially designated
as Saints would tell you of their many faults and failings. Too bad we can't
just leave the work to those who are beatified or canonized by
an official Church process as this temporary life might be easier. But let us consider sainthood in a slightly different light.
The Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12 give
us a comprehensive list of those who are blessed by God. It also gives us a
clear direction on what attributes to adopt in our own lives to draw on the gifts
God has already given us, and even our self-developed flaws, to seek to be accepted
into the great reward that is to come. Saintly living is not easy work and
definitely requires a lifetime of intention, perseverance, and action. We must
cultivate a desire for it, which will be followed by attempts, false
starts, regression, re-programming, and many cycle repeats. But hope abounds, if I seek it. If my faith remains strong ~ or at least if I want it to ~ I can find some measure of virtue to live by.
Yes, faith wavers at times, but then
there is the morning and a chance for another fresh
start. Each new day brings all the opportunities to feel the power of God in my
life along the companions great and small who are with me in spirit and in
person. In the letter to the Romans, Paul gently says, If it is at all
possible, so far as it depends on you, live peacefully with all. So my
prayer for this day is keep me in a peaceful mindset and let me not repay anger
with anger, and strife with strife. Not an easy task in these unquestionably
difficult times. Yet, as the saying goes what I give out I get back. I also must
remember that I need not be alone in my quest to be a better person. I have a
choice to join with a community of faith, not merely a "like-minded
group" but involvement with those who companionship offers spiritual growth, mutual
comfort, disagreement at times, an environment that lives consciously and purposefully into the daily highs and lows, and
challenges me to work with and for the benefit of God's Creation in all of its
glory and grunge. Together we discover the
hope of our calling¸ maintain the
unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, and frustrate the way of the wicked. Let
us join with the Saints and saints among us as God’s hope and promise guides us
to our great reward. What do we have to lose?
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ God of Hope and Promise, in these times of trial
and travail, strengthen us to arise each day
with courage, patience, and stability of faith in You. Fill us with humility and
the inner peace to express only genuine love to friends and strangers alike,
following the example of those we recognize as the Saints who have gone before
us, and the saints who live among us now.
O
Lord, our God
RESPONSE: Help us keep our hope in You
~ God of Hope
and Promise, continually renew our willingness to place our trust in You, as we
actively work through love, to frustrate the ways of the wicked. Endow us with
the perseverance to guide Local, National, and Global Leaders to be noble in
thought, word, and action and away from repaying evil with evil. We pray
especially for: add you own petitions
O
Lord, our God
Help us keep our hope in You
~ God of Hope
and Promise, deliver
from distress all in anguish from illness of body, mind, or spirit, and infuse those
who give them care with gentleness and love. We now
join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add you own petitions
O
Lord, our God
Help us keep our hope in You
~ God of Hope
and Promise, as You bless and comfort all who mourn, keep us all in the
knowledge that the days of joy and gladness flourish now in the hearts of all
who live again in Your Eternal Kingdom. We pray especially for: add you own petitions
O
Lord, our God
Help us keep our hope in You
~ God of Hope
and Promise, we pause in this moment
to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and
memorials, aloud or silently… add you own petitions
O
Lord, our God
Help us keep our hope in You
~ God of Hope
and Promise, inspire the hearts and minds of all who lead us in Your church who
encourage and remind us through Word and Sacrament, how to lead lives worthy of
the calling for which we have been created. We pray especially for: add you own petitions
O
Lord, our God
Help us keep our hope in You
The
Celebrant adds: God of us all, Saints
and Sinners together, set our hearts free from
the prison of hate, the emptiness of self-importance, and the mindlessness of earthly
privilege. May we each claim the wisdom You have given us and no more, be
ardent in spirit, and serve the You that is deep within us all. We ask through
Jesus, our Christ, and by the Unity of the Holy Spirit, who together with You
are One God above all, through all, and in all, for ever and ever. Amen.
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