Prayers of the People: What Will You Ask? ~ 23rd Sunday after Pentecost '21 Yr B

For Sunday, October 24, 2021, Readings: Jeremiah 31:7-9, Psalm 126, Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 10:46-52

Thus says the Lord…See, I am going to…gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with child and those in labor…and with consolations I will lead them back, I will let them walk by a…straight path in which they shall not stumble… 

Jeremiah 31:8b, 9b-c]

The Lord has done great things for us and we are glad indeed…Restore our fortunes, O Lord…those who sowed with tears will reap with songs of joy… [Psalm 126: 4, 5a, 6]

…Jesus holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him since he always lives to make intercession for them. [Hebrews 7:24-25]

And they called the blind man, saying to him, take heart, he is calling you...Then Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" [Mark 10:49b, 51a]

    The prophet Jeremiah, not usually known for his bubbly personality and proclamations, seems almost buoyant as he reports the words that God gave him, that the people are to sing aloud with gladness. The Lord is gathering those in exile from all over the earth, the remnant of Israel, who come home weeping. God will lead them by a scenic route on a straight path in which they shall not stumble.
   The Psalmist proclaims that the Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad indeed. And the message is clear that those who sowed with tears in this life, will reap with songs of joy. While hopeful, the days of tears can be very long and wearying causing our faith to wane and wither.  
   The writer of Philippians gives a very hopeful message to all of us downtrodden by life and otherwise, that no matter who we are or what we have done, Jesus is our absolute and eternal Intercessor! He is our permanent priest who continues forever and if we ask God through him, he will save us for all time.
   Bartimaeus is an unlikely but important role-model for those of us not ready to humble ourselves to Christ, or show our weaknesses in order to ask for his help. This blind beggar withstood lifelong blindness and poverty, and then the scorn of the crowds and yet he persevered in getting the attention of Jesus. Jesus asked of him, as he asks of us, What do you want me to do for you? Of course, Jesus already knew, as God knows us always. But Bartimaeus needed to ask specifically for the healing he sought. And his sight was restored because his faith made him well.
   Do I seek the Lord first when I'm in need? Sometimes. Do I ask for what I think I need or only what I think I want? A bit of both, and for me the lesson is to know I can ask even if I'm unsure. We all will receive an answer though perhaps not as eye-opening or swift as the healing of Bartimaeus. Through our questions, through our fears, God is with us and knows our hearts. Our faith will make us well in many ways if we learn first to look for the great things God has already done for us, and to be glad indeed. We can take our tears and our songs of joy to God through Christ, seek the forgiveness we know we need, and we can always just ask for help with our humility and our humanity. Even better, we can ask for help to know and overcome our own blindspots that keep us off that straight path where we will not stumble. My new ask: Please release me from my inner blindness, O Christ, to see Your light clearly and follow Your way.  

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
 
Leader:  ~ Blessed are You, O Lord our God, Master of the Universe, Creator of Our Entire Human Family, fill us with delight in discovering the wonder of our many colors, the array of all our shapes, sizes, and ages, the personhood of us all that is the Christ within. Keep us ever mindful and respectful, that we are each the other to someone, when we step out of our own and into another’s comfort zone. May Your Light radiate from our eyes, and our everyday words and actions reflect always that we are more alike than unalike.
 
                                                         O Lord, our God                                                
           RESPONSE:                  Our Help, Hope, and Faith is in You         
 
~ Blessed are You, O Lord our God, empower us to hold fast, to not lose heart, to stand strong for truth, mercy, and justice before the leaders of our World, our Country, and our Community. Strengthen us to prod open the hearts of those blinded by selfish ambition, political machinations, and all oppressive actions that do not reflect the mind of Christ in them or in ourselves. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
 
                                                            O Lord, our God
                                                            Our Help, Hope, and Faith is in You
 
~ Blessed are You, O Lord our God, comfort all who are burdened with serious illness, addiction, and/or emotional distress, and grant energy and peace to those who give them care. We now join our hearts together to pray for those in need… add your own petitions
 
                                                            O Lord, our God
                                                            Our Help, Hope, and Faith is in You
           
~ Blessed are You, O Lord our God, in the midst of sorrow for our temporary loss, we find love and consolation in Your glorious welcome for those we cherish, now at peace in Your eternal kingdom. We pray especially for… add your own petitions
 
                                                            O Lord, our God
                                                            Our Help, Hope, and Faith is in You
 
~ Blessed are You, O Lord our God, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials… add your own petitions
 
                                                            O Lord, our God
                                                            Our Help, Hope, and Faith is in You
                       
~ Blessed are You, O Lord our God, we ask Your special blessings for all who are chosen and anointed to show us by example of prayer, preaching, and humble compassion, how to share in the Spirit in this life, and discover the Word that will lead us to You in the next. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
 
                                                            O Lord, our God
                                                            Our Help, Hope, and Faith is in You
 
The Celebrant adds: O Blessed God of the Hungry and the Privileged, Lord of those Raised High and those Laid Low, grant us the joyful yet solemn awareness that we bear within us the very substance of Your Incarnate Son. Open our souls to sing your praise as long as we live, for You who brought our common humanity and all else in the heavens and on Earth into being, and keeps Your promise forever. We ask through the Compassion of Jesus our Christ, and the Wisdom of the Holy Spirit, who live and reign with You as One God, every day, every way, always, 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: Our Common Humanity ~ 3rd Sunday in the Season of Creation '21

For Sunday, October 24, 2021, Readings: "Human Family"*, Psalm 146, Philippians 2:1-5, Matthew 25:31-45

I note the obvious differences In the human family…the variety of our skin tones Can confuse, bemuse, delight…I’ve seen the wonders of the world yet not one common man…I’ve seen ten thousand women…But I’ve not seen any two who really were the same…We are more alike my friends, Than we are unalike. [Human Family, by Maya Angelou]

Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help! Whose hope is in the Lord their God…who keeps his promise for ever…Who gives justice to the oppressed…opens the eyes of the blind, lifts up those who are bowed down… [Psalm 146:5, 6b, 7a, 8b]

If there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit…make my joy complete…Do nothing from selfish ambition…Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ. [Philippians 2:1a, 2a, 3a, 5a]

Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me…Truly I tell you, that just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me. [Matthew 25:40, 45]

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 readings used are posted with asterisk.

Week III's Theme is: 
Our Common Humanity

*Human Family – a poem by Maya Angelou

"I note the obvious differences In the human family. Some of us are serious, Some thrive on comedy. Some declare their lives are lived As true profundity, And others claim they really live The real reality. The variety of our skin tones Can confuse, bemuse, delight, Brown and pink and beige and purple, Tan and blue and white. I've sailed upon the seven seas And stopped in every land, I've seen the wonders of the world Not yet one common man. I know ten thousand women Called Jane and Mary Jane, But I've not seen any two Who really were the same. Mirror twins are different Although their features jibe, And lovers think quite different thoughts While lying side by side. We love and lose in China, We weep on England's moors, And laugh and moan in Guinea, And thrive on Spanish shores. We seek success in Finland, Are born and die in Maine. In minor ways we differ, In major we're the same. I note the obvious differences Between each sort and type, But we are more alike, my friends, Than we are unalike. We are more alike, my friends, Than we are unalike. We are more alike, my friends, Than we are unalike."

    We are truly all in "this" together ~ this life, this planet, right now. So very often, especially in these fraught times, we look at others and others look at us as different because of skin color, regional accent, nationality, religion, political views, sexual orientation, life circumstance, or merely because someone lives in a different part of the world, the country, or the city. We all too easily dismiss, and worse ~ completely and immediately reject ~ those who aren't like us. Suddenly they become one of them, not to be trusted or valued as the full human person God created, and in God's own image. When we ignore, avoid, or dismiss an other person for such reasons, we damage ourselves and our souls by de-valuing a child of God’s making.
     Maya Angelou’s poem Human Family breaks through the self-imposed shields and barriers and says quite starkly, truthfully, unequivocally: We are more alike, my friend, than we are unalike.
    The Psalmist calls us to celebrate our God, the God of Jacob, as our hope, as one whose promise is kept forever, who gives justice to the oppressed, and opens the eyes of the blind.
    The writer of Philippians reminds us to do nothing from selfish ambitions and, in humility regard others as better than yourselves…look not to your own interests, but to the interest of others. And most importantly, we are to Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ.
     Jesus is even more specific than Maya, when he tells his story in his time and now to us, that whatever we do to another, we do to him; and, whatever we do not do to another, we do not do to him. Seems like the perfect time to work with each other to discover how we can, together, be in the same mind that was in Christ for the benefit, betterment, and salvation of our common humanity.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
 
Leader:  ~ Blessed are You, O Lord our God, Master of the Universe, Creator of Our Entire Human Family, fill us with delight in discovering the wonder of our many colors, the array of all our shapes, sizes, and ages, the personhood of us all that is the Christ within. Keep us ever mindful and respectful, that we are each the other to someone, when we step out of our own and into another’s comfort zone. May Your Light radiate from our eyes, and our everyday words and actions reflect always that we are more alike than unalike.
 
                                                            O Lord, our God                                                
                      RESPONSE:       Our Help, Hope, and Faith is in You         
 
~ Blessed are You, O Lord our God, empower us to hold fast, to not lose heart, to stand strong for truth, mercy, and justice before the leaders of our World, our Country, and our Community. Strengthen us to prod open the hearts of those blinded by selfish ambition, political machinations, and all oppressive actions that do not reflect the mind of Christ in them or in ourselves. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
 
                                                            O Lord, our God
                                                            Our Help, Hope, and Faith is in You
 
~ Blessed are You, O Lord our God, comfort all who are burdened with serious illness, addiction, and/or emotional distress, and grant energy and peace to those who give them care. We now join our hearts together to pray for those in need… add your own petitions
 
                                                            O Lord, our God
                                                            Our Help, Hope, and Faith is in You
           
~ Blessed are You, O Lord our God, in the midst of sorrow for our temporary loss, we find love and consolation in Your glorious welcome for those we cherish, now at peace in Your eternal kingdom. We pray especially for… add your own petitions
 
                                                            O Lord, our God
                                                            Our Help, Hope, and Faith is in You
 
~ Blessed are You, O Lord our God, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials… add your own petitions
 
                                                            O Lord, our God
                                                            Our Help, Hope, and Faith is in You
                       
~ Blessed are You, O Lord our God, we ask Your special blessings for all who are chosen and anointed to show us by example of prayer, preaching, and humble compassion, how to share in the Spirit in this life, and discover the Word that will lead us to You in the next. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
 
                                                            O Lord, our God
                                                            Our Help, Hope, and Faith is in You
 
The Celebrant adds: O Blessed God of the Hungry and the Privileged, Lord of those Raised High and those Laid Low, grant us the joyful yet solemn awareness that we bear within us the very substance of Your Incarnate Son. Open our souls to sing your praise as long as we live, for You who brought our common humanity and all else in the heavens and on Earth into being, and keeps Your promise forever. We ask through the Compassion of Jesus our Christ, and the Wisdom of the Holy Spirit, who live and reign with You as One God, every day, every way, always, 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: Drink Deeply ~ 22nd Sunday after Pentecost '21 Yr B

For Sunday, October 17, 2021; Readings: Isaiah 53:4-12, Psalm 91:9-16, Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45

    By a perversion of justice he was taken away…Out of his anguish he shall see light; he shall find satisfaction through his knowledge. The righteous one, my servant, shall make many righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. [Isaiah 53:8 a, 11]

        Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your habitation…he shall give his angels charge over you…He shall call upon me and I will answer him; I am with him in trouble… [Psalm 91:9, 15a]

       Every high priest is chosen from among mortals…Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, “You are my Son…”  [Hebrews 5:1a, 5]

      So Jesus called them and said...whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you but be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. [Mark 10:42a, 43b-45]

    The reading from Isaiah, much of Isaiah in fact, and many of the prophetic writings of the Hebrew [Old] Testament are written in the style of poetry as it seems to have more impact than simple statements. Still, the precise meaning of it all was and is difficult to grasp, even by the prophets. There’s SO very much to unpack in the Book of Isaiah as the writing spans three centuries and three ancient empires and exiles of the Israelites. It’s very easy to fall into the trap of thinking this is a pre-biography of Jesus, but let’s widen the lens. When this was written, the birth of Jesus was far in the future and so these writings were sacred texts in their own time and place, as they are today to the followers of Judaism. These are the Scriptures, the Bible, of Jesus, and it helps us to understand his teachings better if we listen more deeply and look for keys to his own understanding of them. Of course, these writings also influenced Paul, and other writers of the Christian [New] Testament as well as Christ’s disciples in their day. And we can see the parallels between the unknown Servant spoken of in Isaiah and the suffering of Jesus, perhaps the authorities of that time also drew on these passages for punishing him in hopes of derailing his movement. Let us take care in our reading of this and all we are given each week. Let us search for more information about context of time and culture and the interpretations of various translations. What is the lesson to be gleaned? Don’t worry if you are unsure! There are millions of words written by scholars attempting to understand it, too!

   The Psalm is a favorite of many, especially in hymn form of On Eagles Wings. And although we only have a part of it, it is comforting and hopeful with the thought of angels bearing us safely in their hands, with the promise of God answering our call in our time of trouble and rescue us.

     The writer of Hebrews reminds us that high priests were chosen from among mortals to be in charge of things pertaining to God, among other duties. In no way a "high priest," I am nonetheless very mortal and especially subject to weakness in many ways. Therefore, created as a conscious being, I am called by God to actively discover in what ways I am to offer sacrifice for my own sins and on behalf of others. In the passage from Mark, Jesus explains to his ambitious disciples that the cost of being great is not so glamorous as it might seem. Coming back to the theme of the last shall be first and the first last, we are to be servants of Christ for one another, not seeking personal power or status, but rather to put the needs of others ahead of our own. That news may be disappointing for some on days when the temptations of earthly delight seem particularly appealing.

       I am far from being a major change-agent for the entire world, but I can work to remember my place and responsibility as an active part of God's Creation. Through continuous prayer for renewal of my faith, and the willingness to listen, be present, and help the people of God however I am able, I can redirect my own desires of being the one served to the choice of being the servant. We are warned that the Cup of Christ will taste bitter at times, and I pray for the strength in my soul to be the blessing that God is calling me to be. May I discover each day the courage to drink deeply of the Cup that is prepared for me. And may I always know, through all the whirlwinds of this mortal life, that God is present wherever I am, and we are bound together in love.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God Most High, fill us with the comfort and peace to live in the knowledge of Your constant presence, that we can call on You in times of trouble and in times of calm, for rescue and for love, as we strive to honor and serve Christ our Savior for the length of our earthly time.

                                                     O Lord, our Refuge                                                

RESPONSE:                          Hear our prayer

~ O God Most High, impart insight and prudence to the leaders of our Planet, our Nation, and our Community, that their words and actions may be enlightened and merciful, knowledgeable and just, not darkened by willful personal or political power.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                            O Lord, our Refuge

                                                            Hear our prayer

~ O God Most High, surround the hearts of all who live in the grip of chronic illness, or critical life circumstance, with Your peace and healing; and extend endurance for those who give them care.  We now join our hearts together to pray for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                            O Lord, our Refuge

                                                            Hear our prayer 

~  O God Most High, keep us in the knowledge that love never dies and that those we have sent ahead, have new life in the resplendent and holy grandeur of Your Eternal Kingdom. We pray especially for… add your own petitions

                                                            O Lord, our Refuge

                                                            Hear our prayer

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

                                                            O Lord, our Refuge

                                                            Hear our prayer                 

~ O God Most High, renew and energize all who lead us in Your church, to guide us as we walk together in service and sacrifice, in prayer and supplication, willing to drink of the cup You have prepared for us. We pray especially for:  add your own petitions

                                                             
                                                            O Lord, our Refuge
                                                            Hear our prayer

The Celebrant adds: God of Glory and Majesty, re-fresh our hearts, our ears, and our minds, to receive, listen, and know again, the splendor of Your word and Your works. Kindle the desire within us to offer ourselves in reverent submission, serving all Creation in Your name. We ask through Jesus, our Great High Priest; and the Holy Spirit, our Comforter and Advocate; who together with You are 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: Our Living Planet ~ 2nd Sunday in the Season of Creation

For Sunday, October 17, 2021, Readings: Paradise Now*, Psalm 8**, Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45

What do you want? To make the world glow with creation…to feed all the people…To remove the causes of violence…To get rid of material greed…To make the destination clear… [Paradise Now, The Living Theatre*]

Lord, our God…Your glory reaches beyond the stars…What is humankind that you remember them…You give them charge of the earth, laying all at their feet… [Psalm 8**]

Every high priest is chosen from among mortals…Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, “You are my Son…” [Hebrews 5:1a, 5]

...but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant...For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many. [Mark 10:43b-44]

*1st Reading, from Paradise Now: "What do you want?" To make the world glow with creation. To make life irresistible. To feed all the people. To change the demonic forces into the celestial. To remove the causes of violence. To do useful work. To work for the love of it and not for the money. To live without the police. To change myself. To get rid of the class system. To re-invent love. To make each moment creative. To be free of the force of the State. To be free to create. To get rid of a life of material greed. To free all the energy wasted in financial transaction. To cut all the bureaucratic wasted time out of life. To free humanity from armies. To stop distorting the mind of the people. To stop crippling the human body with frustration. To learn how to breath. To live longer than we do. To be free of the system. To get rid of central control. To supply what we need. To seek what we desire. To stop wasting the planet. To stop dying of competition. To break down the walls that alienate. To get to know God. To make the destination clear.  [From The Living Theatre, Judith Malina and Julian Beck]

** Psalm 8

-Lord, our God, the whole world tells the greatness of your name. Your glory reaches beyond the stars. 

-Even the babble of infants declares your strength, your power to halt the enemy and avenger.
-I see your handiwork in the heavens: The moon and the stars you set in place.

-What is humankind that you remember them, the human race that you care for them?
-You treat them like gods, dressing them in glory and splendor. You give them charge of the earth,

   laying all at their feet: cattle and sheep, wild beasts, birds of the sky, fish of the sea, every 

     swimming creature.

-Lord our God, the whole world tells the greatness of your name.   [From The Psalter: A faithful

  and inclusive rendering, Liturgy Training Publications (International Committee on English in the

   Liturgy, Inc.), 1994]

    Every day we read, hear, and see the terrible news about the condition of our planet from disastrous environmental events such as poisoned water systems and food supplies, climate disasters of hurricanes, tsunamis, enormous wildfires, and earthquakes that devastate huge areas and millions of people, to the effects of war and disease on human existence, and so much more. All of this requires our continuous attention and purposeful action as our obedience to God-ordered stewardship of the Creation we inhabit.

   Today we are to re-awaken our consciousness to our earthly surroundings close by and well beyond our mere location to learn and more deeply know this great gift of our Creator ~ planet Earth. We re-examine its lushness, its highest peaks and deepest depths, the fragrances and the freshness; re-discover our companion creatures and the extraordinary interconnections of life among the plants and organisms that support us. We marvel at the vastness of the oceans, the rhythm of the tides, the flow of rivers. We must look and see what has gone before, where we are now, and discover again our world's potential. Most importantly, we are discover ways to maintain and expand protections against industrial waste, general pollution, the loss of precious water resources, and especially the vast impact of our own everyday thoughtless actions individually, collectively, and globally. This Earth and her resources feed our bodies and provides oxygen for our breath, and breath-taking beauty in which we know the wonder of God.

    We are called to be a servant to humanity as in Christ’s teaching and example, and God has given us charge over all Creation. Let us protect and prosper the gift we have been given.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Living, Loving Creator of all that is, seen and unseen, grant us the humility to understand our true place in, and responsibilities for Your Creation, to learn from every living creature and life form, and to be voice and champion for the protection and preservation of this Earth that you lay at our feet.

 

                                                       O Lord, Breath of our Being

RESPONSE:                We bless You by our faith and action

 

~ Living, Loving Creator, instill within us and all who lead the governments of our Planet, our Nation, and our Community, the urgency to feed all people, remove causes of violence, be rid of material greed, and to stop wasting this planet, through assuring the well-being of eco-systems and environments that sustain the life and existence of Your whole world.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

 

                                                       O Lord, Breath of our Being

                                                       We bless You by our faith and action

 

~ Living, Loving Creator, surround the hearts of all who live with chronic illness, or critical need, with Your peace and healing; and endurance for those who give them care. We now join our hearts together to pray for those in need… add your own petitions

 

                                                       O Lord, Breath of our Being

                                                       We bless You by our faith and action

           

~ Living, Loving Creator, keep us in the knowledge that love never dies and that those we have sent ahead, have new life in the holy grandeur of Your Eternal Kingdom. We pray especially for… add your own petitions

 

                                                       O Lord, Breath of our Being

                                                       We bless You by our faith and action

 

~ Living, Loving Creator, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials… add your own petitions

 

                                                       O Lord, Breath of our Being

                                                       We bless You by our faith and action

                       

~ Living, Loving Creator, set alight the spirits of those called by You to lead us in Your Church, who guide us to make our destination clear, and join us to love, honor, and serve as Christ has taught and shown us by His example. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

 

                                                       O Lord, Breath of our Being
                                                       We bless You by our faith and action

 

The Celebrant adds: O God of Glory, awaken us each day with the renewed desire to restore and cherish Your precious gift of this living, breathing planet, the literal ground that supports our earthly being. Kindle our fervor to actively engage in and assure its health and wholeness for all who live and breathe on this planet, now and always. We ask through Jesus, our Teacher and Redeemer; and the Holy Spirit, the Divine and Limitless Energy of our souls; who together with You are One God, forever and ever.  Amen.

** Click here for more information about: Season of Creation ~ In The Beginning

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: What Owns You? ~ 20th Sunday after Pentecost '21 Yr B

For Sunday, October 10, 2021; Readings: Amos 5:6-7, 10-15; Psalm 90:12-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31 

    Seek the Lord and live…Hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of Hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph. 

[Amos 5:6a, 15]     

   May the graciousness of the Lord our God be upon us; prosper the work of our hands... [Psalm 90:17]

  The word of God is living and active... able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart...Let us...approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. [Hebrews 4:12 a,b; 16] 

 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God...[but] for God all things are possible...many who are first will be last, and the last will be first. 

[Mark 10:25, 27b, 31]

        The Prophet Amos is warning Israel to Seek the Lord and  live…  because the time is coming when it will be too late. The rich and powerful weren’t re-writing God’s Law but they managed to appoint people to administer them in profitable ways for themselves. They hadn’t listened to prior warnings and now God tells them that that their transgressions and the greatness of their sins are known. They must work for justice and establish honest judgment if there is any hope of avoiding a terrible fate.

         Psalm 90 is the only one we know that has been attributed to Moses. The piece we are using picks up from the warnings of Amos and gives clear ways to ask God for help in repairing the damage of their [and our] sins.

         The writer of Hebrews also confirms what the Prophet Amos is warning in even more stark ways. God’s word is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit…and more! Again, we hear that God does indeed know and judge our thoughts and the intentions of our hearts. Thankfully we have help to hold fast to our confession of faith though Jesus, who was tested and remained without sin, and understands all that we face. With faith and Christ’s support, we are to call on God now, to approach the Throne of Grace boldly, as the writer of Hebrews says, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 

       In the Gospel from Mark, a man grieves as he walks away from Jesus because he follows the commandments but doesn't want to let go of his earthly possessions. Perhaps he expected Jesus to extol him for following the Law and confirm his own thoughts that there was nothing more he needed do. How many in recent years, months, and weeks, all over this world, have lost so much because of winds, floods, fires, war, and the everyday tragedies and tempests of life? How many of us say "Oh yes, I believe and follow the Commandments" and go about our every-day lives as if there was nothing we have to do differently, assured of our place in the front of the line at the gates of God’s Kingdom. Will we cry out "Where is God?" when the winds, floods, tragedies, and tempests hit our lives? Will our faith crumble; will we give in to despair?

      The time to turn to God is always now. Our life’s clock is ticking. Whether or not Jesus meant literally that a camel would have to go through that needle’s eye, Jesus tells us plainly, with God all things are possible. With the eyes of our souls and the intentions of our hearts we can seek Christ’s path that is sometimes rocky, sometimes tempestuous, and sometimes even calm, and always with Him beside us. Take an inventory of what you own and discover instead, what owns you ~ all those things you say you cannot give up. Store up your greatest treasure in heaven for the age that will come, instead of at the bank or the closets, or the drawers, or the garage, or the basement, or... 

By the way. there is a gate in the wall of the Old City of Jerusalem that is very small and difficult for any human to crawl through. It was meant for access after the main, larger gate was closed. The name of the gate is Eye of the Needle and Jesus would have known it. Google it... 

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY 

Leader:  ~ Holy God, Living and Active, keep us mindful of our thoughts and the intentions of our hearts, that we may measure our spiritual wealth each day, by the ways we live into our love for You.

                  Gracious Lord of Hosts

       RESPONSE:         With You all things are possible                          

~ Holy God, Living and Active, speak boldly through our voices from Your Throne of Grace to reach all those who govern on this Earth, in our Country, and in our Community. Let us implore them to hate evil and love good, to show mercy, provide life’s basic necessities, and establish safety and peace for all who are in great need. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                            Gracious Lord of Hosts
                                                            With You all things are possible

~ Holy God, Living and Active, cast the light of Your presence into the shadows of those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, with comfort and rest to all who give them care. We now join our hearts together to pray for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                            Gracious Lord of Hosts

                                                            With You all things are possible       

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

                                                            Gracious Lord of Hosts
                                                            With You all things are possible

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

                                                            Gracious Lord of Hosts
                                                            With You all things are possible                  

~  Holy God, Living and Active, refresh and excite the souls of those who lead us in Your Church, as they guide us by Word and Sacrament, on the path to Your Eternal Kingdom. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                            Gracious Lord of Hosts

                                                            With You all things are possible

The Celebrant adds: O God, Creator of All, Seen and Unseen, as we are not hidden to Your eyes, encourage us to seek good and find grace in time of need. Propel us to faithful action and release us from the thrall of earth-bound possessions, for the greater inheritance of eternal life in the age to come. We ask through Jesus, the Son of God; and the Holy Spirit, the Wisdom of our souls; who together with You, reign as One God through all time, 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