Prayers of the People: Grace-Full Antidote ~ 4th Sunday in Lent '24 Yr B

For Sunday, March 10, 2024, Readings: Numbers 21:4-9, Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22, Ephesians 2:1-10, John 3:14-21

The Israelites set out by the way to the Red Sea...but the people became impatient...[and] spoke against God and against Moses...Then the Lord sent poisonous serpents...many Israelites died...So Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said to Moses, "Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live." [Numbers 21:4-5a, 6, 7b-8]

   Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, and his mercy endures forever...Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. [Psalm 107:1, 19]

   But God, who is rich in mercy...made us alive together with Christ...For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not of your own doing; it is the gift of God - not the result of works, so that no one may boast. [Ephesians 2:4a,b; 8-9]

      Jesus said, "Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life...the light has come into the world...those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God." [John 3:14, 19a, 21]

    Even God gets tired of grumbling. After all the grand displays of glory ~ pillars of cloud and fire, parting of seas, manna (what no salt and pepper?), and more ~ the grumbling Israelites still had no confidence in the eventuality of God's deliverance. So, God sends poisonous snakes that kill, and suddenly chastened, the people begged Moses to pray and intervene for them, and he did. God delivered ~ not an end to the dangers, but relief.
    Moses, on God's orders, made a bronze snake to hang on a pole. All the Israelites had to do was look at the snake on the pole when bitten and they lived. God is not predictable, but as the Psalmist tells us God’s mercy endures forever. And, Paul tells us we are saved by God's grace.
    We ALL have God's grace. We don't have to work for it ~ no one does ~ it comes to us by faith however strong or wavering or by hope. Yet how have we harnessed it, especially after we have been bitten by the snakes of our own behavior, or by that of someone else's?
    Have you ever thought or said that old expression: There but for the grace of God go I? It is mostly well-intended, and at once unintentionally thought-less and even care-less. It's an instant reaction to reduce our own fear and to comfort ourselves against the dangers of life as in: “Whew! Dodged that! There's that poor guy who was run over in the same intersection I just crossed, and there but for…" Even well-meaning, the unconscious thought is: "I have more grace than that guy."
    As we are deep in this Lenten season, let us work to be more conscious, more aware of even our most random reactions and instant thoughts. God is "rich in mercy" and loves and understands each of us as only our Creator could; certainly better than we understand ourselves or each other. Our lives are filled with danger, there are all sorts and conditions of "snakes" that bite us, many of which we invite into our own space by striving for ever-more earthly material.
     The poison of chasing earthly stuff, judging and blaming others for their gender and gender choices, color, language, national origin, choice of religious expression or lack of, sexual orientation, and anything that makes one feel superior to another can be quite tempting as well as lethal to our souls. God doesn't promise our earthly life will be easy or safe and John 3:16 isn't magic or just for signs at football games. It is for us to know, deep down, in every day of this life, so that everyone who believes in Christ may not perish but may have eternal life.      
    We are to be steadfast and faith-filled in the knowledge of the Light of Christ within us. Our conscious acts are clearly to be of and for God. As the Israelites were directed to look up to the pole, Jesus tells Nicodemus that the Son of Man is also to be lifted up. We are called to look to Christ, the Cross, and the Resurrection in faith, for our salvation, before we are bitten by the snakes of sin, as well as after. With meaningful prayer and practice over time, even our unconscious thoughts and actions may be less poisonous to ourselves and others. And, maybe, we could even stop grumbling quite so much. Meanwhile, let us strive to grow in faith, to accept and feel the infusion of the ever-flowing Grace-Full Antidote within us to repel the darkness of sin.

T'was Grace that taught
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
the hour I first believed. 
Through many dangers, toils and snares
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far
and Grace will lead us home

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader: ~ O God of Enduring Mercy, awaken us to the snakes we invite into the wilderness of our own making by impatient striving for mere earthly advantage. Open the eyes of our souls to the light of Christ that stems the poison of sin and lifts our desire for eternal salvation.

                                                      Lord of Eternal Wonder

RESPONSE:               In faith we accept Your grace 

~ O God of Enduring Mercy, amplify our voices to all who hold power on this Planet, in this Nation, and in this Community, as we combat and clamor against ordinary and catastrophic injustice toward all who are endangered In the darkness of deliberate human trespass. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Lord of Eternal Wonder

                                                       In faith we accept Your grace

~ O God of Enduring Mercy, deliver from their distress all who are suffering through life-threatening illness, addiction, or homelessness, and give rest to all who provide support. We now join our hearts together to pray for those in need…

                                                      Lord of Eternal Wonder

                                                      In faith we accept Your grace

~ O God of Enduring Mercy, we shout for joy in thanksgiving for all who are now made alive again and gathered forever into the immeasurable riches of Your unending love. We pray especially for… add your own petitions

                                                       Lord of Eternal Wonder

                                                       In faith we accept Your grace

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

                                                       Lord of Eternal Wonder

                                                       In faith we accept Your grace               

~ O God of Enduring Mercy, guide the souls, the minds, and the hearts of all who bring us together into our Living Christ through their service of Pastoring, Preaching, and Prayer. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Lord of Eternal Wonder

                                                       In faith we accept Your grace

The Celebrant adds: Good and Redeeming Lord, invigorate our faith and inspire us in our repentance to acknowledge and accept Your free gift of Grace, that our souls may not perish in sin, but thrive in Your eternal life. We ask through Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ; and the Wisdom of the Holy Spirit; Who live and reign with You as One God, now, in the ages to come, and forever. Amen.

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Meditation Moment in Lent ~ Day 17: Give Up, Take On, Pray '24

March 4, 2024 ~ 3^rd Monday in Lent

Prayer is a nonlocative, nongeographic space that one enters at one's own peril,

 for it houses God during those few moments of one's presence there, 

and what is there will most surely change everything that comes into it...

Ever traveling as we travel, moving as we move, prayer grips like home, until

 the heart belongs nowhere else and the body can scarcely function apart from them both. 

Prayer is dangerous and the entrance way to wholeness.

~ Phyllis Tickle* 1934-2015

    How do you pray?  There are many ways ~ some use formally constructed prayers written by others, some pray spontaneously in a group.  Some pray in silence and alone. What are the reasons for your prayers: intercessory (on behalf of others), thanksgiving (for blessings in life), petition (request for yourself), penitence (you're sorry for something as in what I say in traffic), to give praise to God without asking or expecting a return? What really is prayer? It's a conversation with God, Jesus, and/or the Holy Spirit. Step one: Dear God... or the ever-popular Oh God!

Dear God,

       Sometimes I find it difficult to know what to say to You even though I don't seem to have a problem talking to anyone else. What words are best? What should I be saying? Do the words matter? Do I always need words since You know my conscious and unconscious thoughts? 

       For today, I will give up trying to pray the way I think is correct and take on speaking to You from my heart as I do to a very close friend. I will pray to share sacred house-space with You, more often. Is it true that my heart, mind, and soul can be transformed by engaging with You regularly? That does feel a little dangerous, but, since You are God, what better danger can there be?  amen.

*An Episcopal lay woman, Phyllis Tickle was an accomplished author and lecturer whose focus was primarily religion and spirituality. She served as a teacher, professor, an academic dean, and as an editor for St. Luke's Press, Peachtree Publishers, and Publishers Weekly. Her best known works are The Great Emergence - How Christianity is Changing and Why and her series on The Divine Hours. The opening quote is from Phyllis Tickle: Essential Spiritual Writings (Jon Sweeney, ed., Church Publishing, 2018)

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Meditation Moment in Lent ~ Day 16: Give Up, Take On, and Pray '24

March 2, 2024 ~ 3rd Saturday in Lent

Psalm 23 speaks to us in the simplest of terms

that belie the intricacy of its depth.

      The symbolism in this well-known Psalm is far more complex and fascinating than just the obvious image of a guy walking down a lane with a big staff and a dog, or the pretty girl of nursery rhymes with a bow on her crook as the sheep dutifully follow.  
      The demands on real living shepherds are constant and endless.  Sheep are peculiarly needy and helpless creatures, quite restive, timid, and even self-destructive at times. They can stand still for hours or bolt into stampede because an apple drops unexpectedly from a tree. If they are heavy with lambs, they will likely lose them in the running and panic. The shepherd must keep continuous vigil against disease, insect infestations, pecking order fights, escape artists, water and food supplies, and especially predators. Two untrained dogs can slaughter nearly 300 sheep overnight if the sheep are untended. Sheep will NOT lie down unless they are completely contented and secure. A special oil mixture that the shepherd prepares and swabs (anoints) around the sheep's head and nose keeps deadly insects from burrowing and causing panic and disease, and the sheep is calmed for a bit. Then there are shearing and lambing seasons...
      Taken line by line in this Psalm we can see, feel, and almost hear Jesus, our Shepherd, here with us, reviving, caring, comforting, and anointing. Watching over us, preparing our table, restoring us.  Nothing we need is withheld.  A Good Shepherd's job is never done.*

Most Gracious and Vigilant Shepherd,
      How much of my life I have known the words of this lovely little Psalm ~ but have I paid attention to them?  Have I understood what they really mean in my life?  They're so familiar that when it comes time I recite them with a matter-of-fact monotone voice seemingly mumbling syllables without even listening to myself.  But for today, I will give up taking for granted that of course You are the Shepherd who restores my soul and anoints my heart when I call on You. Instead, I will take on reading this Psalm carefully and slowly at least twice.  I will pray these words with conscious intention and attention, recognizing the important message that You, Christ Jesus, ARE indeed my Shepherd. I will read it one time as a prayer for myself, emphasizing the parts that do refer to me: The Lord is MY Shepherd; I shall not be in want. He makes ME lie down in green pastures and leads ME beside still waters......
    And then, I will read it once more (at least). Only this time I'll add the name and appropriate pronouns of someone I know as an intercessory prayer. And I will carry the image of Jesus leading us, comforting us, anointing us as we walk toward dwelling in the House of the Lord forever. I think I will call this Psalm 23.1, and use it so often that it will spring to mind as soon as I hear of someone in need of prayer.  amen.

Psalm 23.1  (format from the Book of Common Prayer) This prayer is version is for my Aunt Margaret, now 104, a retired Nurse Anesthetist, and at this writing has been bedridden in a senior residence health center for 13+ months after a fall:

The Lord is Margaret's shepherd;
She shall not be in want.

He makes Margaret lie down in green pastures
and leads her beside still waters.

He revives Margaret's soul

and guides her along right pathways for his Name's sake.

Though Margaret walks through the valley of the shadow of death,
She shall fear no evil; for you are with her;
your rod and your staff, they comfort her.

You spread a table before Margaret in the presence of 

those who trouble her; You anoint her head with oil,

and her cup is running over.

Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow her all the days
of her life, and Margaret will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. Amen.


*Sheep herding information from "A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23," by W. Phillip Keller, a former shepherd, with a closer look at the fascinating connections between the Psalm's descriptions and real life sheep farming.

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Meditation Moment in Lent, Day 15, Give Up, Take On, Pray '24

March 1, 2024 ~ 3rd Friday in Lent

 

What exactly IS The Christian Ideal? 

     If you Google the phrase What is the Christian Ideal you'll get directed to a variety of sites and among the first five in the list is to the Chesterton* quote and untold numbers of sermons about "it." One Biblical reference that showed up was 1 Peter 2:18-25.** If that is the only part of the Bible I ever got to read, I don't think it would draw me in to a Christian life! In its time, the writer was speaking to chosen pilgrims in the diaspora in Asia Minor who were suffering persecution. I’m glad I wasn’t living then and there, although, we must remember that millions are living in similar conditions today. How confident are you of defining The Christian Ideal to others? Something as in, "Well, of course it is..." How would you define it as a way of life? Why does Chesterton say it's difficult? What if (when?) you stray from the Ideal? What does it mean to you to think of yourself as, and say to others that you are a Christian?

Jesus, Beloved of God,
     You are the Christ, the Anointed One, the Son of God, the Son of Man. We are the Christians who have signed on to follow You, to live our lives as You have taught us. You did give us all we need to know in Matthew 22:33-40*** which is pretty clear:  Love God with everything we have and love everyone ~ friend, not friend, and stranger ~ as if they are ourselves. Sounds easy but as I have said to You before, more than a few times and probably will again, that if we can really do that, we've pretty well covered the original 1-10 list. Well, I quietly admit, what You already know, that there are days when I'm not loving anyone very much especially myself. And there are many other days when I watch to see how I measure up with the ways other Christians appear to be following You. That can be discouraging on a variety of levels. So, for today, I'll give up looking around to see what everyone else is doing, and take on the "trying" again part a little more diligently. I'll pray to find my path through Your words that define The Christian Ideal. When I hit a bump or two or have a cranky day, I'll leave a message for myself to work on remembering to pray again and more often. Oh, and I'll also remember you’re your message of  Love is believers and non-believers alike can love others as if they were themselves. What a better world that would bring!  amen.

^*G.K. Chesterton [1874-1936] born in London and baptized as an Anglican, studied art and literature harboring a desire to be an artist. He fell into journalism and then began to write in earnest penning more than 80 books, hundreds of short stories, and more hundreds of poems.  He's widely known for his Priest-Detective Father Brown character, which, dramatized for television, still plays on PBS in the US. A lay theologian and philosopher, he converted to Roman Catholicism in 1922. Poet, playwright, political commentator, literary and art critic, he was known for his wit and humor and use of paradox. His faith was deep and his practice devout enough to warrant a telegram of condolence from the Pope "To the English People" at his death. Just one more of his innumerable quotable quotes that feels quite contemporary: The whole modern world has divided itself into Conservatives and Progressives. The business of Progressives is to go on making mistakes. The business of the Conservatives is to prevent the mistakes from being corrected. 

 

^**1 Peter 2:18-25: ¹⁸ Slaves, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only those who are good and gentle but also those who are dishonest. ¹⁹ For it is a commendable thing if, being aware of God, a person endures pain while suffering unjustly. ²⁰ If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do good and suffer for it, this is a commendable thing before God. ²¹ For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. ²² “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” ²³ When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. ²⁴ He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. ²⁵ For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

 

^***Matthew 22:34-40: ³⁴ When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, ³⁵ and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. ³⁶ “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” ³⁷ He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the greatest and first commandment. ³⁹ And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

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Meditation Moment in Lent ~ Day 14: Give Up, Take On, Pray '24

February 29, 2024  ~  3^rd Thursday in Lent

I hear and behold God in every object, yet understand God not in the least.  
                ~ Walt Whitman* 1819-1892

    Where do you discover God in your life ~ in the woods, on a river, in the mountains, in the living room, on the highway, in church? Have you ever experienced a moment when you were certain you understood God? Have you ever worried that you haven’t had a moment where you understood God, or that you don’t know where to find God?   

Almighty, Mystical, Divinity,
      I kind of remember that when I was a child, You were in every room, every sunrise, every blade of grass, inside, outside, and all over; and, I understood You, or at least the wonder of You and who I was to You. And then I grew up ~ mostly. Where did You go?  Some days it's a struggle to find You anywhere and I'm more uncertain of You than ever. Oh, wait, maybe I'm the one who went away... hmmm... SO ~ for today I'll give up trying to find You anywhere else but here because everywhere I am is here. I'll take on accepting that You are a mystery that doesn't need to be defined, deciphered, or comprehended. Lent is good time for me to remember which one of us wandered away and can return, again. I'll pray little thanksgivings as I move through the day and the world around me because You are always here and I truly don't need to know why.  amen.

It's time to just ~

Stop. Sit. Breathe.

On an inhale: Be Still and Know that I am God**

On an exhale:  Be still and know that I am

Inhale: Be still and know

Exhale: Be still

Inhale: Be

Stop, sit, breathe, and be…         

 

        **phrasing is from Psalm 46:10a

*Walt Whitman is an icon of American poetry, especially for his Leaves of Grass written and revised over nearly 40 years. He also was an essayist, journalist, and humanist. Whitman believed that all religions were equal and although he remained a religious skeptic, he did believe that the human soul is immortal and always in a state of progression. A fascinating person, his biography is too extensive for this space but well worth the exploration. He continues to be one of the most influential American poets.  

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Meditation Moment for Lent ~ Day 13: Give up, Take On, Pray '24

February 28, 2024 ~ 3rd Wednesday in Lent 

~ Reinhold Neibuhr*

I read once that, if Christianity is so wonderful, why do Christians often look as though they're sucking lemons? Especially in this penitential season of Lent, some of us might be taking it all so seriously that we miss the lightness, the joy, and, the humor we are to have in life as a Christian. Had a good laugh lately?  Start by consciously, intentionally smiling more often.

Oh Jesus,
     There's so much about my relationship with you that I've been taught should be quiet, restrained, serious, and even meek. I've memorized "The Don't List" ~ don't do this, don't do that [ok, so I know that You know that I may have done a don't, or maybe two]. But now that I think about it, surely You had fun with friends, enjoyed a good dinner, and even laughed out loud. I'm starting to realize that I might be less likely to do things on the don't list if I lighten up and experience the wonder of the gift that Your life has given me. For today, I'll give up feeling deprived in Lent. I'll take on finding one thing to laugh out loud about that is good-spirited, delight-full, and soul-satisfying.  I'll pray in thanksgiving for the living legacy of Faith that fills me with eagerness to be a happier reflection of life with You that shines through everything I do.  amen.

Reinhold Niebuhr  [1892-1971] was an American Reformed theologian, ethicist, and professor at Union Theological Seminary in New York City for more than 30 years. Two of his most influential books are Moral Man and Immoral Society and The Nature and Destiny of Man. Along with an extensive biography and body of work, Niebuhr was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964, the highest US civilian award.  After working with labor and working classes, in 1944 he wrote The Children of Light and the Children of Darkness in which he said, "Man's capacity for justice makes democracy possible; but man's inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary." His theo-philosophical perspective became known as Christian Realism. He received the Presidential of Freedom in 1964 from President Lyndon Johnson. Niebuhr is best known for his "Serenity Prayer" although most often it is only the first few lines that people know.  The following is the complete text as he is said to have written it:

God, give me grace to accept with serenity

the things that cannot be changed,

Courage to change the things

which should be changed,

and the Wisdom to distinguish

the one from the other.

Living one day at a time,

Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,

Taking, as Jesus did,

This sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it,

Trusting that You will make all things right,

If I surrender to Your will,

So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,

And supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen.

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Meditation Moment for Lent ~ Day 12: Give Up, Take on, Pray '24

February 27, 2024 ~ 2nd Tuesday in Lent

~ Evelyn Underhill

        In a lifestyle so governed by cell phones, "smart" watches, electronic “assistants,” following an average of 7+ different social media platforms, job intensity, crazy traffic, bad weather, home maintenance, laundry,  grocery shopping, meal providing, school events, exercise, sometimes church, sports tv, Xbox, online shopping, all while wearing headphones for music or news or talk radio, streaming video bingeing, all too rarely a full night's sleep and now: AI! ~ it's no wonder we have difficulty turning off all of the external stimulants of and in life and finding a truly quiet moment. What are we teaching our children? How are we living?

Guardian of my Soul and Spirit,

        The outside noise is filling me on the inside and shutting You out. I'm so easily distracted by all of the demands and opportunities of "outside" life. Please call me back from the brink of spiritual implosion. For today, I will give up 15 minutes of external stimulation and set a timer to take on sitting alone, quietly, with no agenda but breathing in and breathing out. Yes, I know there's lots of other stuff to do but I will let the thoughts come in and go out. I will let go of the thoughts that want to stick around for questions and analysis. When the timer goes off to signal the end of the time, I will spend an extra moment to pray for the willingness and follow through to look for guidance on meditation and the development of an interior/spiritual life.  I know that I need the “inside” space, quiet, freedom, and connection with You to help assuage the craziness of the "outside." I know it will feel awkward at first but maybe if I just try on the 15 minute thing for awhile, even if I have to lock myself into the bathroom and let the shower run to keep everyone and everything at bay, it will help me cope better with the other 1,425 minutes in my day.  amen.  

       

Evelyn Underhill [1875-1941] was one of the most widely read authors on Christian mysticism, religion, and spiritual practice in the early years of the 20th Century and continues to be read today. She began her writing with satirical poems moved to novels of heroic mystical journeys, and onto readable treatises on mysticism. Her many books include Mysticism, The Spiritual Life, and several well-received novels that interweave spiritual themes such as The Grey World.  She considered herself as an Anglo-Catholic and was the first woman to give lectures to Anglican clergy as well as the first woman to lead spiritual retreats. Recognized as a theologian and spiritual director Underhill sought to reconcile the spiritual realm with everyday realities that are in opposition to the Divine but redeemed when revisited with a lens of divine radiance.  Not at all proclaiming reclusiveness as a path to spiritual wholeness she said: "It seems so much easier in these days to live morally than to live beautifully. Lots of us manage to exist for years without ever sinning against society, but we sin against loveliness every hour of the day."

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