Prayers of the People: Three Rs + 1 ~ 2nd Sunday in Lent '21 Yr B

For Sunday, February 28, 2021; Readings: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Psalm 22:22-30, Romans 4:13-25, 

Mark 8:31-38

     When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared...and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. ...No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham...And I will make my covenant between me and you...to be God to you and to your offspring after you. [Genesis 17:1-2a, 5a, 10a]

       My praise is of him in the great assembly; I will perform my vows in the presence of those who worship him...My soul shall live for him; my descendants shall serve him; they shall be known as the LORD'S for ever. [Psalm 22:24, 29]

      For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith...[Abraham] grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God...For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all...who share the faith of Abraham. [Romans 4:13, 16, 20b]

      But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things...For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? [Mark 8:33, 36]

      A house is just a place to keep your stuff while you go out and get more stuff. [George Carlin]

        In this second week of Lent, Abram and Sarai become Abraham and Sarah, as God now names them. God then establishes a covenant with Abraham and his descendants forever. The Psalmist instructs us in the praise of God and the great and multiple reasons for it.

        Paul is explaining Abraham's righteousness of faith. In other words, his moral and virtuous faithfulness in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. The promise of Abraham’s inheritance comes not through the Law, but through his strength of faith. Paul then says that Abraham, hoping against hope, believed what God told him about all that was to come. Swiss theologian Heinrich Emil Brunner [1899-1966] once said that What oxygen is for lungs, such is hope to the meaning of life. And so, with hope in place, Abraham and Sarah, with a few hiccups along the way, yet still giving glory to God, journeyed on. Abraham, giving witness to his faith repeatedly, and hope and meaning to all our lives, has ultimately become the patriarch of the three Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; in that, we are all Children of Abraham. For Christians, he is the prototype of faith in the God that brings us to Jesus.

       In the Gospel reading from Mark, Jesus gets serious with the disciples about his imminent future. Peter decides to challenge these notions of the suffering and death to come, and Jesus, in a stunning and stern moment, rebukes Peter, calling him Satan!  This is a direct cue for us. To continue setting our minds on human things and not divine in everyday life, is to give us pause, to stop for a moment and think about the words of Jesus: For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? If we are so tied to “this” life, losing it for the sake of Jesus and for the sake of the Gospel is neither comfortable nor comforting to think about.

        Sure, I know “I can’t take it with me” but there’s stuff I want while I’m here. What’s wrong with having nice things and living well? There’s not so much wrong with it, but the real question is: when is enough enough? The constant acquiring of more “stuff” may be more of a detriment to our souls and spirits than we recognize, and, may be more about trying to fill a hole in our spirits through material satisfaction rather than a faith-journey with Christ.

       There is much to be gained in this human experience in the simplicity of and gratitude for life itself, and through discarding a false sense of need for so many possessions. We are then free to savor the beauty of God’s presence in the pleasure of a sunset, a child’s glee, a piece of music or art, or even better, in the mutually fulfilling act of giving peace to another’s soul through a smile, a meal, or just listening.

       Speaking of our faith publicly ~ witnessing ~ is difficult for many of us. But, our human sojourn is brief, and we know not the day nor the hour that it will end, no matter who we are or who we think we are.

      As disciples of Christ in our own day, even as we ourselves often push forward with hope against hope, we are called to bear personal witness to the glory of God in Jesus and live out our days by, in, and for the sake of the Gospel. If we do, we are given the full protection of God’s everlasting covenant. The gift of Lent is the time to explore these three Rs: Reflect, Repent, and Re-start our true and faithful life. Plus another R, Reward, begins in this life and grows in the next.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God Almighty, fill us with the faithfulness of Abraham and guide us to seek the names You give to our souls. Open us to receive, and accept, the bond of Your everlasting covenant, as we give witness to Your saving deeds with our own faith, our praise, and our action.

                                                   O Lord of Presence and Promise

RESPONSE:    Set our minds on You        

~ O God Almighty, infuse the leaders of our Planet, our Country, and our Community with reason, justice, and humanity, that they may govern with clarity of judgment and charity of spirit. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord of Presence and Promise

                                                       Set our minds on You

~ O God Almighty, hear the cries and grant Your healing grace to all who are ill in body, mind, or spirit, and grant respite for those who tend their needs. We now join our hearts together to pray for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord of Presence and Promise

                                                       Set our minds on You    

~ O God Almighty, we commend to Your care all who sleep in the earth, yet whose souls You give life to again, in Your everlasting peace and glory. We pray especially for… add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord of Presence and Promise

                                                       Set our minds on You

~ O God Almighty, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials… add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord of Presence and Promise

                                                       Set our minds on You        

~ O God Almighty, nourish the faith of all who lead us in Your Church with the Gospel’s unchangeable Truth, as they walk with us toward salvation in Christ. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord of Presence and Promise

                                                       Set our minds on You

The Celebrant adds: God of Abraham, Sarah, and all Your People, You promise us life unending and love without limit for the mere price of our enduring faith. We come to You imperfect, yet willing to use these days of Lent and beyond, for resisting the temptations of this life in exchange for bliss and blessedness in the next. We ask this through Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, and Your Holy Spirit, our Sanctifier, who live and reign with You, One God, forever and ever.  Amen.

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Meditation Moments: Lent Begins, Don't Just Give Up! ~ Ash Wednesday, March 2, 2022

    The fronds from last year's Palm Sunday have been burned to ash. And while Mardi Gras, which literally means Fat Tuesday, or Pancake Tuesday, has not been the usual carnival of food and parades again this year, many of us still may have had a good filling of pancakes, or candy, or some other pre-Lenten treat. Yesterday was also Shrove Tuesday as we are soon to be shriven, that is, absolved of our misdeeds great and small, if we present ourselves for confession, repentance, and penance. And now, Lent.

         The word "Lent" comes from the old Anglo-Saxon language and essentially means "lengthen" as in the days lengthening in the Spring. Of course, in the Southern Hemisphere, the days are shortening so the perspective is a little different. However, we who are Christians from the Roman, Orthodox, or Anglican traditions all observe the same 40 days of Lent. It is to mirror the 40 days and nights Jesus spent alone in the wilderness, after his Baptism by John, being tempted by Satan, in preparation for the official start of his ministry that began when he returned.  

        Sundays are in Lent, rather than of Lent. A picky detail but if you've ever counted the days from Ash Wednesday to Easter....more than 40 days because Sundays aren't actually counted as they are in other liturgical seasons. 
        Even if you are not a church-goer, or in a denomination that experiences Lent, for someone who has faith, or wants to have faith, or whose faith has been shaken or is shaky, Lent is a season to rediscover our relationship with God and renew our commitment to it. It is a time for reflection of our past actions, our genuine intentions, and the repair of our souls. Some of us will be marked on our foreheads this day with the sign of the cross in the palm ashes. This is an outward sign of and inward recognition of our human mortality. Christian or not, we all know the expression Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust. No matter how high one reaches in life, or how low, we all return to dust.

        During these 40 days, some of us will enter into a period of dedicated fasting, prayer, and self-denial. Some will give up things such as chocolate, alcohol, or cigarettes, some will take on activities such as daily meditation or volunteer work. Some will give up and take on. Some will begin in earnest and maintain their discipline and others will fall away in distraction or be a bit haphazard. There's no right or wrong way to do Lent when you are intentional about wanting to be closer to God. Whatever your mode, with or without you, Lent begins...

             Create in me a clean heart, O God, and help me find my way back to You. While I would like to show my good intentions by grand repentant gestures and worthy pious activity, I have to be honest here as I know I'm not likely to stick with a full on heavy discipline for 40 whole days. So, for today, please help me clean my heart and restore my soul in other smaller ways such as with patience to give up arguing a point on Facebook and take on being mindful of my thoughts, emotions, and actions while driving and in the grocery store line. Dear Lord of all Peoples, on each day of this Holy Lent ~ and beyond ~ let me understand and live into the words You have given us through Jesus:

"Forgive us our sins AS we forgive those who sin against us."  

             Perhaps that could change us all for the better.  

For all this we pray. Amen.

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Prayers of the People: Good News! ~ First Sunday in Lent '21 Yr B

For Sunday, February 21, 2021, Readings: Genesis 9:8-17, Psalm 25:1-9, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15

   God said to Noah and to his sons with him, "As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you...and every animal of the earth with you...and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh."  [Genesis 9:9-11, 15b]

        To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul, my God I put my trust in you...for You are the God of my salvation...All the paths of the LORD are love and faithfulness... [Psalm 25: 1a, 2b, 9a]

     ...in the days of Noah...a few, that is, eight persons were saved through water. And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you... [1 Peter 3:20b-21a]

         In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan...And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan...and the angels waited on him...after John was arrested, Jesus came...saying...repent, and believe in the good news. [Mark 1:9,12-13, 14a, 15b]

      From the receding waters of The Flood, to the baptismal waters of the Jordan, and on into the Judean wilderness, we journey this week through the various stages of God's continuing covenant through signs, symbols, and messengers. 

     God makes a covenant (promise) with Noah and his sons and gives the rainbow as a sign by and for God as a reminder of that promise to us all, God included. Who knew God needed a sticky note just like the rest of us? I always marvel at rainbows and even though I know rationally it's just a refraction of light through micro water droplets, the fact that a full spectrum of color appears gives me a more mystical experience, an inward sense of Presence, and my own sticky note of remembrance of the sign given to Noah.

      And when we are feeling less than adequate in expressing our prayers, the Psalmist paves the way and reminds us of all the ways we can ask God to help us, all the ways that God does help us and, that All the paths of the Lord are love and faithfulness to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. It is in God’s unfailing and unchanging Being that we may place our fragile trust. 

     The author of 1st Peter begins his letter with the reason for Christ’s suffering, which is in order to bring you to God. He goes on in the next few verses (vv 18b-20) that seem strangely difficult. In saying that Jesus was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, we stumble upon an answer to an old and perhaps not fully formed question from our recitation of The Apostles’ Creed. The current translation of that Creed says that after Jesus died on the cross He descended to the dead. In earlier times the Creed said he descended into hell…How curious, I wondered as a child and beyond, why would Jesus descend to hell?

     What the writer seems to be saying in a convoluted way (to my mind) is that when he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison (descended into hell or to the dead), those drowned by the Flood, he gave them the Good News that as they didn’t know any better in former times, they were also now saved. The waters of the Flood prefigures Baptism, says 1st Peter, and tells us that our baptism is an appeal to God for a good conscience. We do the promising this time around, and it counts even if done by others on our behalf. (By the way, the Nicene Creed, earlier and now, simply says Jesus suffered death and was buried.)  

      Speaking of Baptism, we revisit the Baptism of Jesus in Mark’s journalistic approach, concisely and succinctly, no frills. After which the Spirit drives Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted before returning to fulfill his mission and ministry to bring us to God. The season of Lent mirrors the 40 days of his experience. 

      The wilderness in our day can be any time that we feel lost and alone, isolated by others or even by ourselves. Of course, in these times of Pandemic, many are in an imposed wilderness of separation with decreasing hope. We also enter a sense of isolation when we feel unworthy and /or riddled with a sense of guilt for real or imagined sins. Lent is a designated opportunity to actively engage in a relationship with Jesus. By intentionally entering a kind of spiritual desert to reflect and examine our faith, we seek ways to be more dedicated to God wherever we are in our life circumstances. It is a time to recognize and acknowledge all those earthly enticements and everyday idols that distract us from our good intentions and draw us away from committing ourselves to a life more centered in Christ.

     We need not take this journey alone, we can walk the path together through individual and communal prayer, meditation, and reflection. Instead of just giving up chocolate, alcohol, or smoking, let's take on this wilderness journey together. Seek out and make a covenant with others for one-on-one discussions as prayer partners, or join a small group ~ start one yourself, there are plenty of resources around, various means, especially through zoom or other video chatting. The partnership can be face-to-face while socially distant, online in real time or even through phone conversations, email, or texts. Let us wait on each other as angels waited on Jesus, in our own space, in our own time, yet together in Christ. I will make myself a rainbow-colored sticky note for my mirror as a reminder of God's promise to all of us, the promises I've made to God, as well as those sharpening my good intentions that have wandered away in distractions. Repentance is a burdensome word yet it simply means to turn toward God. This is time, again, to repent and believe in the good news.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God of our Salvation, awaken our senses to Your eternal covenant that embraces the whole of Creation, from the very ground we live on to all humankind and every living creature. Turn us from the pursuit of temporary pleasure to seek Eternal Life in the Spirit, through trust and faith in You.

                                                      Gracious, Loving Lord

                            RESPONSE:   We lift our souls to You

~ O God of our Salvation, grant us the wisdom and intent to speak with Christ’s voice to every political leader on this Earth, in this Country, and in this Community; and to join with and encourage all who work diligently for justice, mercy, peace, and the health of us all. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Gracious, Loving Lord

                                                       We lift our souls to You

~ O God of our Salvation, ease the struggle for all who suffer the anguish of isolation, illness, or desperation; and sustain the energy of those who give them care. We now join our hearts together to pray for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                       Gracious, Loving Lord

                                                       We lift our souls to You

~ O God of our Salvation, even as we grieve, we give praise and thanksgiving for those we love who have now risen in glory, to life eternal in You. We pray especially for… add your own petitions

                                                       Gracious, Loving Lord

                                                       We lift our souls to You

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

                                                       Gracious, Loving Lord

                                                       We lift our souls to You

                  

~ O God of our Salvation, whisper Your wisdom again, deep into the hearts of all who are anointed to lead us in Your Church and, for the guidance to draw us ever stronger into community and communion with Christ. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Gracious, Loving Lord

                                                       We lift our souls to You

The Celebrant adds: Living Lord of Compassion and Faithfulness, infuse us with the desire to use this season of Lent as as our own spiritual wilderness, for the cleansing of our hearts and souls through repentance, the examination and expansion of our faith, and the renewal of good conscience. We ask this through Christ, who suffered for the sins of us all, and the Holy Spirit, the breath of You in our souls, who together with You, reign as One God, over all Creation, 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

Prayers of the People: Take a Hike ~ Last Sunday after the Epiphany '21 Yr B

For Sunday, February 14, 2021, Readings: 2 Kings 2:1-12, Psalm 50:1-6, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9

     Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground...a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. [2 Kings 2:8, 11b]

     The Lord, the God of gods...Our God will come and not keep silence... [Psalm 50:1a, 3a]

     Even if the gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. [2 Corinthians 4:3-4]

    And [Jesus] was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them...Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!" 

[Mark 9:2b-3, 7]

      

        It isn't at all difficult, these days, to imagine the Transfiguration scene given all the special effects available for the making of films and television. How about in 3D IMAX?! And, while the Transfiguration is, most likely, the focal point for this week's sermons across many Christian pulpits, don't discard the other astounding moments we're given with Elijah. Ask your friends, "Where does the water get parted in the Bible?" It's a trick question, of course, so all the more fun! It is a moment easy to overlook but here it is: Elijah struck the water with his rolled mantle and the water was parted. It is surprising, to me, in its subtlety. No multitudes on a grand escape with a chasing army close on their heels. A simple: part the waters and walk on dry ground. And onto his ascension. 

       Many who don't know the Hebrew Testament know, at least, that someone named Elijah was carried to heaven in a chariot, one of fire pulled by horses of fire; think of the spiritual Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. But we sometimes don't equate that lift-off with ascension. Elijah didn't die. He just merely ascended to heaven in a whirlwind after parting the Jordan river with his cloak! Maybe we should look a little closer at Elijah. After all, as he appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration along with Moses, it seems he and Moses had a lot in common.

     There’s also Elisha, the heir apparent to Elijah, who repeated three times when Elijah said stay here… As the Lord and you yourself live, I will not leave you. Various prophets met them as they were hiking their way to the Jordan River and asked if Elisha knew his master was being taken away, 3 times Elisha replied, Yes I know; be silent. Imagine the sight of that chariot and the horses, the fire, and the whirlwind ~ would Elisha receive the inheritance he’d asked for? An epic story in so few paragraphs.

      The Psalmist is clear that God reveals himself in glory…Our God will come and will not keep silence and so we must watch and wait and know that God calls the heavens and the earth from above to witness the judgment of his people, are we prepared?

      Paul speaks of a veiled Gospel, that is, hidden from those who are perishing in the darkness of unbelieving. He tells us that the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. We are to seek the removal of our spiritual blinders that keep us tied to earth-bound distractions so to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord…the glory of God in the face of Jesus…

      Of course the main event this Sunday is The Transfiguration. It is one of the five major markers in the life of Jesus along with his Baptism, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension. Each event is spectacular in its own right and each gives rise to disbelief, even among those who were present. This particular Gospel moment is located high up on the holy ground of the Mountain; which specific mountain is a matter of discussion and debate among scholars and tour leaders. But let us be released from unbelief and the need for factual details. Be enveloped in the mystery, in the "shekinah" ~ the cloud of God's glory. 

      Jesus takes Peter, James, and John on a hike up a high mountain, presumably with no explanation. Suddenly he was transfigured…his clothes became dazzling white… What exactly does that mean? Transfigured and transformed though similar are different. Jesus transfigured, was an external change, an outward and visible sign of the Divinity co-existing within his Humanity. When we ask to be transformed, we are asking for an internal change, an inward attitude and motivation upgrade as to be transformed by the renewing of our minds [see Romans 12:2].   

     And then, Elijah and Moses appeared and the trio were having a conversation as a cloud [the shekinah] overshadowed them, and out of it came a voice, This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him! 

      I envision the Michaelangelo painting in the Sistine Chapel of Adam's finger nearly touching God's, and on this whichever Mountain, I can see a brilliantly radiant, lighted figure who is suddenly at the center where Human and Divine meet and connect within. A spark ignites and The Cloud surrounds, the Voice, the dazzling brilliance too hard to look at...take a moment to imagine, breathe all that in, and just sit with it.

       The Light of Christ is always on within us and in every moment of darkness or doubt if we choose to lift the veil. To reach the pinnacle of Christ shining through us we must listen, and follow the path, no matter how steep, rising, if only metaphorically, to a "thin place" where we encounter and experience the full Presence of God. It's time for us to pry open the eyes of our souls and, spiritually, take a hike.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God of Mystery and Splendor, guide us away from earthly noise and distraction to consciously seek the lifting of the Gospel veil, that we may listen, and live according to Your Word and Wisdom, the dry and sacred ground of our being.

                                                       Christ, Most Glorious

 RESPONSE:                   Shine Your Light in and through us 

~ O God of Mystery and Splendor, enfold the leaders of our Planet, our Country, and our Community in a double share of Your Spirit. Open all blinded minds by a heaven-sent whirlwind of spiritual fire to illuminate and beckon all to the path of Your truth, justice, and mercy. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Christ, Most Glorious

                                                       Shine Your Light in and through us                                         

~ O God of Mystery and Splendor, grant comfort and healing to all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, and lighten the hearts of all who give care and support. We now join our hearts together to pray for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                       Christ, Most Glorious

                                                       Shine Your Light in and through us

~ O God of Mystery and Splendor, ease the darkness of grief across this Earth for those we have sent ahead, who now live again in Your eternal radiance. We pray especially for… add your own petitions

                                                       Christ, Most Glorious

                                                       Shine Your Light in and through us

~ O God of Mystery and Splendor, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials… add your own petitions

                                                       Christ, Most Glorious

                                                       Shine Your Light in and through us

~ O God of Mystery and Splendor, enliven and excite the spirits of all who lead us in Your church, that they may be a luminous beacon to guide us across this life’s troubled waters toward the wholeness of eternal life in You. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Christ, Most Glorious

                                                       Shine Your Light in and through us

The Celebrant adds: God of gods, Lord of All That Is, infuse us with greater strength and purpose to faithfully reaffirm our covenant with You. Arouse our desire to ascend the highest peak our souls can reach, to be dazzled by the heart of Christ ~ where Divine and Human connect ~ and to be transformed in our own hearts and minds and wills. We ask through Jesus, the Beloved Face of God; and the Mystical Breath of the Holy Spirit within us; who together with You reign as One God, now and forever.  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

Prayers of the People: Light Lifting ~ 5th Sunday after the Epiphany '21 Yr B

For Sunday, February 7, 2021, Readings: Isaiah 40:21-31, Psalm 147: 1-12, 21c; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, 

Mark 1:29-39

    Lift up your eyes and see...Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth...those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles... [Isaiah 40:26a, 28, 31]

           [The Lord] heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars and calls them all by their names. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; there is no limit to his wisdom. The Lord lifts up the lowly, but casts the wicked to the ground. [Psalm 147:3-6]

        I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings. [1 Corinthians 9:22b-23]

     [Jesus] came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her and she began to serve them...In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went to a deserted place, and there he prayed. [Mark 1:31, 35]

         The book of the prophet Isaiah introduces the readings for today ~ more specifically, in scholarly/theological terms ~ this piece is from Deutero-Isaiah [doo-ter-oh] or Second Isaiah. The book of this prophet is written in three distinct parts and most likely by three distinct authors. This piece is sometimes called the "Book of Consolation" as it speaks to an audience of those in a long exile out of Jerusalem which for some was not too bad and for others just terrible, not unlike our current state of pandemic. This piece is filled with non-judgmental, hope-filled language of restoration, rebuilding, and renewal. I like the parental tone of the opening: Have you not known? Have you not heard? [as if “Hello, I’ve said this before, remember?!”] God has always promised to remain with us and, as during the Exodus, God's power never fails, never grows faint or weary. The prophet calls us to lift our eyes to look at Creation and see. In a poetic turn not only are we protected by the wings of God, but God gives those in exile ~ and us ~ wings of our own to lift us out of our weakness and weariness, a profound gift that offers us renewal of strength.         

          The Psalmist reminds us of the rebuilding of Jerusalem, the gathering of the exiles to return home, and how God recognizes and heals the wounds and broken hearts as God lifts up the lowly. We are all to sing praises, sing with thanksgiving, make music upon the harp for all that God has bestowed upon us. 

          Paul's letter, in his not always easy way, speaks of his meeting people where they are to offer the way of the Gospel. What Paul is trying to tell the Corinthians ~ and us ~ is that we are to welcome, listen, and not judge. That is a true balancing act and always difficult as we work on loving our neighbors as ourselves and attempt to be open and inviting about our faith. At first glance it may seem that Paul is being deceptive when he says I have become all things to all people, as if playing a false role to entice others. His intent is not only to show them the way to discover a saving relationship with God, he also wants to understand their lives and reveal his own weaknesses to them as imperfect as we all are in service to God. He offers the message of the Gospel to them free, without charge, no contributions or any financial support.

         And Jesus, lifted up Simon's mother-in-law and she was freed from the fever. Her response was to honor Jesus in the way she knew how, a ministry of hospitality. And then he and the disciples moved on to the neighboring towns to proclaim the message and show us the way to follow. Isn't that what we each must do?  

       Let us honor the gifts of God, the healings, words, and works of Jesus, and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, by accepting our wings, soaring to new heights of commitment, and proclaiming the message. There are many directions in this life, but only One Way. 

        There's a lot of lifting going on in these readings but we only have the light work. Haven't you heard? Just lift up your eyes and see!

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Everlasting Creator, You call us each and all by our names, and offer us spiritual wings like eagles to soar in this life and the next. Grant us the humility to lift our eyes to see, to meet others where and as they are, to share the blessings of the Gospel, and to understand the gracious favor of Your limitless wisdom and mighty power.

                                                     O Lord, Great and Mighty

                          RESPONSE:    Lift and renew us again

~ Everlasting Creator, guide us to be unwavering reminders, to those in Earth-bound political authority, of the limits and transience of human power, and their absolute duty to prosper all who are living lowly in this World, this Country, and this Community. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord, Great and Mighty

                                                       Lift and renew us again

~ Everlasting Creator, bind the wounds and heal the hearts of those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, and grant stamina to all who give them care. We now join our hearts together to pray for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord, Great and Mighty

                                                       Lift and renew us again    

~ Everlasting Creator, we celebrate our memories and commend to You, all who have left the exile of this mortal life for Your infinite and eternal paradise. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord, Great and Mighty

                                                       Lift and renew us again

~ Everlasting Creator, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently… add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord, Great and Mighty

                                                       Lift and renew us again

   

~ Everlasting Creator, continually renew the strength of Spirit in those who preside at the sacred feast of Christ’s table, as we share with them in the work for and the blessings of the Holy Gospel proclaimed. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord, Great and Mighty

                                                       Lift and renew us again

The Celebrant adds:  Gracious, All-Knowing God, free and restore us from the fever of sin, that we may accept Your call to serve You in faithfulness, gratitude, and constancy in prayer. We ask this through Jesus, our Healer; and the Holy Spirit, our Comforter; who live and reign with You as One God, now and beyond the ages of ages. Amen.

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