People's Prayers

Monday, June 1, 2020

Prayers of the People: Beyond Two Men and a Bird ~ Trinity Sunday, 1st Sunday after Pentecost '20 Yr A

For Sunday, June 7, 2020, Year A Readings: Genesis 1;1-2:4a; Canticle 13, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20

  In the beginning...God created the heavens and the earth...God said, "Let there be light...called the dry land Earth and the waters seas...Let the Earth put forth vegetation...and living creatures of every kind...Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness" and God saw everything that he had made, and...it was very good. [Genesis 1:1]

           Glory to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; we will praise you and highly exalt you forever. [Canticle 13]

      The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. [2 Corinthians 13:13]

       Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them...And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." [Matthew 28:16-20]

       How do you think about the Trinity? Many of us revert to how we were raised to “see” and wonder about this enduring mystery. We often envision the Trinity as two men and a bird within a triangle. Let us now begin to think outside the triangle.

        The imagery of the Holy Trinity is as varied as it is old and intends to help us, and the many who came before us, attempt to articulate that for which there are no adequate words. Perhaps Michelangelo used the Face of God as an old man, painted on the Sistine Chapel, metaphorically to suggest timelessness, as God is from beyond time and impossible for human comprehension. Jesus was human as well as Divine so that is easier to grasp, except he is often depicted as lighter-haired, blue-eyed European rather than the middle-eastern Jewish man he was. The Holy Spirit as the Dove of Peace and also Tongues of Fire isn’t always clear. Perhaps St. Patrick really did use a shamrock to explain how three are all in one. We do need something to help us somehow. Who of us doesn’t have a photo of someone we hold dear or even as I do, of great-grandparents I never knew. It is somehow a comfort to me to know what they looked like. But then, IF we can understand what God looks like, we aren’t understanding God at all, not even a little.

            A mystery, if explained, is no longer a mystery. There is no specific Scriptural reference to the Trinity. The Jews knew God as the Wisdom, the Power, and the Glory and tried to wrestle with an idea to make God analogous to humans. It was through Jesus that the Apostles came to know God as their personal “Father” then made manifest in the Jesus they knew and came to understand as God’s Son. The Holy Spirit fell upon them with the Gifts that gave them and us all, the Great Commission in this Gospel – to go forth and make disciples of all nations…

          The mystery of the Trinity is nothing if not confounding and controversial. One God/Three Persons ~ separate yet one, equal with different roles that are ultimately the same, belief in one is meant to be belief in all and the One that is the same but different. Got that? That’s probably why we have Trinitarians, Unitarians, and No-tarians.

Franciscan theologian Richard Rohr tells us that early in its existence "...the Western Church overemphasized the individual names Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but not so much the quality of the relationships between them, which is where all the power and meaning lies!" And further, "The real and essential point is how the three ‘persons’ relate to one another ~ infinite outpouring and infinite receiving..."

  Rohr tells us that "...Niels Bohr, [a Danish physicist who was a major contributor to quantum physics and nuclear fission] said the universe is 'not only stranger than we think, but stranger than we can think...' The doctrine of the Trinity is saying the same thing: God is not only stranger than we think, but stranger than we can think...Perhaps much of the weakness of the first 2,000 years of reflection on most of our doctrines and dogmas is that we've tried to understand them with a logical or rational mind instead of through love, prayer, and participation itself..." Perhaps we are called, as one mystic suggested, to be almost a *fourth person in the flow of God****...[to read the piece in its entirety, click the link: Richard Rohr's Daily Meditation, The Trinity]

      If rational knowing all that God is becomes the substance and goal of our faith, aren't we merely reducing God to our level and then dismissing all that God is? Otherwise, how does one claim to have faith? [see John 20:24-29, Doubting Thomas]

      One of my favorite ways to attempt a kind of explanation/understanding is through a piece of a 6th century creed from Dublin known as Tírechán’s Creed ~* when speaking of God it says:

He has a Son who is co-eternal with himself;

   and similar in all respects to himself;

   and neither is the Son younger than the Father,

   nor is the Father older than the Son;

   and the Holy Spirit breathes in them.

*And the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit are inseparable.***

If we think outside the Triangle that was developed to try to contain and explain, perhaps we can arrive at the beginning where all things are possible with, in, and through God. So, now that the mystery of the Trinity is solved, any questions? Well, at least we have looked beyond two men and a bird image!

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Divine and Holy Trinity, from You is every form of the Creation and its Life, including the redemption of our sins and the fire of Pentecost within us. Even with all You’ve given, we beg You yet again, to urge our souls to discard the obstacles of our own making, that prevent us from fully dedicating our lives to You.

                                                         Abba-Son-Spirit

RESPONSE:                    We must praise you and highly exalt you forever

~ Divine and Holy Trinity, quicken our fervor with the intellect, love, and courage You have instilled in us, to exhort the political leaders in this Nation, on this Planet, and in our Community, to immediately turn to principled governing with integrity, mercy, justice, and in peace. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Abba-Son-Spirit

                                                       We must praise you and highly exalt you forever

~ Divine and Holy Trinity, infuse an extra measure of the grace of hope upon all who are ill in mind, body, or spirit, along with strength and perseverance for those who give them continuing care. We now join our hearts together to pray for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                       Abba-Son-Spirit

                                                       We must praise you and highly exalt you forever



~ Divine and Holy Trinity, in our earthly grief, we cling to the knowing that You carry those who have left our realm, into the warmth of holy comfort and the peace of Your life everlasting. We pray especially for…add your own petitions

                                                       Abba-Son-Spirit

                                                       We must praise you and highly exalt you forever

~ Divine and Holy Trinity, we pause in this moment to offer You our other thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials… add your own petitions

                                                       Abba-Son-Spirit

                                                       We must praise you and highly exalt you forever



~ Divine and Holy Trinity, bestow peace of heart, strength of mind, and courage of conviction, on all You have called and anointed, as guides for our souls in this life. We pray especially for: add your own petitions



                                                       Abba-Son-Spirit

                                                       We must praise you and highly exalt you forever



The Celebrant adds: Eternal Whole, All Who are One, we are each endowed with Your essence to accompany us in all that we pray, think, and do. Enhance and enrich the desire of our souls to seek our ultimate fulfillment in humble service to Your call. We beseech You as our Holy Creator, our Messiah Christ, and our Sacred Spirit, Who together are One God, forever and ever.  Amen.

All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com

Monday, May 25, 2020

Prayers of the People: Fire in the Souls ~ Pentecost Sunday '20 Yr A

For Sunday, May 31, 2020, Readings: Acts 2:1-21; Ps 104:25-35, 37; 1 Cor 12:3-13; Jn 20:19-23

When the day of Pentecost had come, the disciples were altogether in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind... Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them ability... then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. [Acts 2:1-4, 21]

O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all...You send forth your Spirit, and they are created...Bless the Lord, O my soul. [Psalm 104: 25a, 31a, 37a]

Now there are a variety of gifts but the same Spirit...but it is the same God that activates all of them in everyone...To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good...the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses. For just as the body is one and has many members of the body, though many are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body - Jews or Greeks, slaves or free... [1 Corinthians 12:4a, 6b-7, 11]

...[Jesus] cried out, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the Scripture has said, 'Out of the believer's heart shall flow the living water.' Now he said this about the Spirit, which the believers were about to receive..." [John 7:37b-39a]

Fifty Days after Easter,

Ten Days after the Ascension

comes Pentecost,

the feast of Holy Spirit:

the Birth Day of the Christian Church

The word Pentecost comes from the Greek for "fiftieth" and carries much ancient history and tradition along with its place on the Christian calendar. On the Jewish calendar, this ancient feast is Shavuot and follows 50 days after Passover. Shavuot celebrates the giving of the Law to Moses on Mt. Sinai and perhaps is another reason the disciples were gathered. Being together, perhaps comforted by a familiar and venerable ritual, they waited for the unknown sign promised by the resurrected Jesus in his final in-person teachings.

Remember, that in just in the previous month and a half, the disciples had experienced the arrest and violent execution of Jesus, his resurrection, various appearances to them, his ascension, and their own grief and fear and uncertainty at these inexplicable turns of events. Here they are gathered together again without quite knowing what was next or when. Suddenly a sound like a violent wind and tongues of fire resting on them, and speaking in multiple languages gave them more than good reason to be bewildered, astonished, and amazed! And then, their ministry began in earnest, taking Christ's message far and wide.

Today we are blasé. We know the story too well; we are immune to the thrill and amazement of it. In "normal years" we pack the churches at Christmas and Easter yet come Pentecost, all seems routine even if a "festival Eucharist" is celebrated. Of course, Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter are all critical to our Christian history. We can't have gotten to this point at all without Christ's birth, death, and resurrection. But it was the arrival of the Holy Spirit, on that Pentecost, that fired up the Apostles. That was the moment that sent them around the known world proclaiming Christ, converting, and making the way for us to be the Church here, now, more than 2,000 years later. Without that Pentecost, would we still know about Christmas, Good Friday, or Easter?

It is in these pandemic times with fear, frustration, anger, and intolerance swirling around in ever more intense levels, that we can take the time to stop and read the texts with new understanding, a fresh awareness of what it must have been like for those in that Upper Room. From the devastation of the Crucifixion, to the confusion and the wonder of the resurrection, to the joy of his return among them and suddenly bewildered by his ascension. And now only 10 days after his final leaving...they are waiting...and wondering...for what they are unsure.

For us, today is the day to move beyond merely knowing the story. Today is the day to seek the feeling of the Spirit within us – to be as amazed and astonished and bewildered as the Apostles - and to be reinvigorated and excited. We have the Spirit within us! And God’s grace, and the love and Salvation of Christ for the wanting of it. THIS IS the day that the LORD has made! Let us truly rejoice and be glad and joy-filled, and alive in it! After all, what else is faith for?
On this fiftieth day from Easter, we are to know that we, too, are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are to accept and welcome the extraordinary gifts and abilities bestowed on us, chosen for and unique to each of us. To be eager and enthusiastic in embracing all that a true life of faith calls us to be and to do, to live fully in the belief in Christ that we claim to have. We also celebrate, with our Jewish heritage, the giving of the Law on Sinai as our rules of life, transformed by Jesus into the Greatest Commandment [see Matthew 22:37-39]. On this Birthday of the Church*, let us claim our heritage as children of God, equal one and all, and to use the language of love with each other and especially with those who aren't so lovingly inclined. It is in times such as these, as we strive to be all that Jesus has shown us we can be, that the Spirit gives us what we need to withstand the challenges. Christmas is wonderful, and lovely, and blessed, Easter is fragrant and joyful, but with Pentecost comes the true gift that brings fire to our souls and lifts our life's journey to a new level!

*As the Birthday of the Church, Pentecost marks the official beginning of the ministry of the Apostles beyond their local area and into the world at large. The descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of tongues of fire imbued, instilled, and infused them, and each of us by extension, with extra-ordinary gifts to bring the message of Christ to everyone. This day is known as Whitsun/Whitsunday in Ireland and the United Kingdom, a name descending from a Gaelic celebration of medieval or perhaps even more ancient times, often wearing whit or white robes.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader: ~ Most Holy Spirit, Breath of God, let us breathe deeply of Your sacred fire and the gifts that it brings into us, onto us, and through us, to fuel our desire for faith-filled living and action, in the name of Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Spirit of Goodness and Glory

RESPONSE: Fall afresh on us

~ Most Holy Spirit, Breath of God, set our tongues alight to speak in the fervent language of Your Truth to the leaders of this Earth, this Country, and this Community, as the voice of those crying in the continuing wilderness of sickness, poverty, intolerance, and injustice. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Spirit of Goodness and Glory

Fall afresh on us

~ Most Holy Spirit, Breath of God, lighten the burden of pain for those who are weakened in body, spirit, and soul; and ease the worry of all who give comfort and care, if only at a distance. We now join our hearts together to pray for those in need… add your own petitions

Spirit of Goodness and Glory

Fall afresh on us

~ Most Holy Spirit, Breath of God, soothe the weary hearts of those who struggle in the midst of grief, as You carry those who have left us, into the loving and eternal arms of Christ. We pray especially for… add your own petitions

Spirit of Goodness and Glory

Fall afresh on us

~ Most Holy Spirit, Breath of God, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials… add your own petitions

Spirit of Goodness and Glory

Fall afresh on us

~ Most Holy Spirit, Breath of God, grant an extra measure of Your gifts to those who lead us in Your Church, as they valiantly strive to guide our spiritual journey through these trying and uncertain times. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Spirit of Goodness and Glory

Fall afresh on us

The Celebrant adds: God of Creation, Redemption, and Wisdom, though we are many, we are one body in the one Spirit, all equal yet unique by Your design. Set our hearts ablaze again, that we may seek Your will, keep Your Commandments, and use our earthly lives for the common good of all. We ask through Jesus, our Redeemer Christ; and the Holy Spirit, our Wisdom Advocate; who together with You reign as One God, now and for eternity. Amen.

All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edite for local use
as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact:
Leeosophy@gmail.com

Monday, May 18, 2020

Prayers of the People: The Rising ~ The Sunday after the Ascension, 7th Sunday of Easter '20 Yr A

For Sunday, May 24, 2020, Readings: Acts 1:6-14, Psalm 68:1-10, 33-36; 1Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11; John 17:1-11

Ascension by Eddie Calz

[Jesus] replied..."It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you...When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.

[Acts 1:7-8a]

But let the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; let them be merry and joyful...Blessed be God! [Psalm 68:3, 36b]

Cast all your anxiety on [God] because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith...God of all grace who has called you to eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen and establish you. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen. [1 Peter 4:7-9a, 10b, 11]

Jesus looked up to heaven and said..."I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world...and they have received me and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf...And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world...Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one." [John 17:6a, 8b-9a, 11a]

On this Sunday after Christ’s Ascension the readings begin well after the fact and end with the climax of the Last Supper. The prayer of Jesus, in this Gospel reading from John, reveals some of his human nature as well as his divinity. The Apostles haven’t experienced the Crucifixion at this point, let alone the Resurrection or Ascension and they must have been confused at the very least. Yet as they reflected on these words later, as we do in our time, they offer hope and the soul-safety of God’s steadfast protection.

Jesus prays to God to protect us now that he is leaving this world - we who were given to him by God and who remain in this world; and he prays for the unity of God’s people. Samuel Cruz, Assistant Professor of Church and Society at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, has this to say: "A prayer from Jesus asking for protection via unity of the church, provides a great source of comfort to his followers...[it] is powerful because it emerges from his personal experiences as a man...[as when] a parent prays for his or her child, we know that the motivations behind that prayer are deep and primal. Likewise, the deeply loving petition in our favor requested by Jesus is greatly treasured."

The Feast of the Ascension is one of the five major markers in the Gospel accounts of the life of Jesus. The others are his Baptism, Transfiguration, Crucifixion, and Resurrection. The Ascension is also one of the essential elements of Christian creeds and one of the significant mysteries in the life of Christ. The bodily Ascension into heaven is also understood by some as the expression of Christ's two natures: divine and human. The mythology, the mystical, and the mysterious all combine to fuel the fires of discussion, disagreement, and theological divides across generations and denominations. Typically observed on the 6th Thursday, or 40 days, after Easter, it precedes Pentecost Sunday (50 days after Easter) and then next is Trinity Sunday.

At the Ascension, the Divinely Human Christ takes his leave of this earthly plane while the apostles watch him be lifted up and a cloud took him out of their sight. As it says in the Apostles and Nicene Creeds: he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

The Living Jesus does care greatly for his followers then and now. For our part, let us return this great comfort by devoting ourselves to prayer as the apostles did while waiting for the power of the Holy Spirit to come upon them. Let us follow Peter's instructions to cast all our anxiety on God because our adversary, the devil, even in the form of seemingly benign earthly temptation, could easily devour our good intentions, carrying us away from what we are called to do in this life. With some prayer, discipline, and faith, with the presence of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, we, too, will be restored, supported, and strengthened to do the work for which we were created and called. And in the time set by God, we the many will be raised, in unity, to live eternally with the Ascended Jesus. Blessed be God! To God be the power forever and ever. AMEN!

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader: ~ O God of All Grace, You were, You are, and You will always be with us. Jesus brought us to know You, to cast our anxiety upon You, and to receive the protection of Your steadfast love. Let us be humbled and rejoice in Christ, who is Your Glory revealed.

O Christ, Ascended

RESPONSE: Restore, Support, and Strengthen us

~ O God of All Grace, instill integrity, dignity, and strength of character in the political leadership on this Earth, in this Nation, and in our Community. Steer and steady them on the course of principled and moral justice for all Your people. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

O Christ, Ascended