Prayers of the People: L ST and FOUND, 4th Sunday in Lent, Yr C

For Sunday, March 6, 2016,  Fourth Sunday in Lent, Year C, Readings: Joshua 5:9-12, Ps 32, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

        The Manna ceased on the day [the Israelites] ate the produce of the land... [Joshua 5:12a]

        Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, and whose sin is put away...Great are the tribulations of the wicked; but mercy embraces those who trust in the LORD. [Psalm 32:1, 11]

        If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away... 
[2 Cor 5:17a]

        But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found. [Luke 15:32]

                The Israelites have finally arrived after wandering through the desert with the daily arrival of manna for sustenance. God brought them through, even after the transgressions of their ancestors, into a new life in the land of Canaan.
          Paul tells us that when we find our way to Christ we are made new with the gift of the ministry of reconciliation and he entreats us to be reconciled to God.        

        And in Luke's Gospel we have the grumbling Pharisees and Scribes complaining of Jesus' dinners with sinners, so he told them the parable of the Father, Son, and Angry Brother, also known as the parable of the Prodigal Son. Yes, yes, we know it inside and out but given that it is still Lent, sacrifice a moment to thoughtfully revisit this ancient story.  

       Perhaps you had a role-play experience with it at some point and chose one of the 3 characters to live in. If not, try it out. Read as if you are the lowly son and discover his feelings of hunger, fear, regret, and whatever else you might name before and after he humbles himself to return home. Then read again as the welcoming father; know his tears of joy and relief at seeing his son appear in the distance. Once more, as the elder brother. Who of us cannot appreciate his feelings of betrayal, anger, jealousy. He's been steadfast and true and who gets the glory - spoiled little brother, that's who!

        The Israelites seemed lost but were always known by God. Yet they must have felt a sense of being "found" when the travel ceased and the new homeland blossomed into food and settlement. We are new again and again when we return to Christ and repent of our sins - not in despair but in the joy of finding wholeness and feeling true of heart. And the Father, Son, and Elder Brother - we have each been all three in one way or another. Let us remember it knowing that God always welcomes us home and always celebrates our return, no matter how many times we wander off as if on our own. And in the darkest times of life amid loss, regret, or hopelessness, God always knows us and forgives us. God is never the one who leaves. Even when we can't forgive ourselves, we are forgiven and redeemed by God - if God can forgive me, who am I not to forgive myself? But we must remember that we cannot find what we do not look for. Seek and the L ST will soon be FOUND and everything old [will have] passed away.

          

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God of Mercy, remind our souls of Your eternal, loving Presence and patience. Whether we are lost in the darkness of life, or too immersed in its treasure, You wait for us to turn in Your direction, and rediscover our true selves in You.

Most Faithful Lord

RESPONSE:           Your forgiveness always awaits our return        

~ O God of Mercy, renew a right spirit of peace, justice, and humanity in ourselves and in all who lobby, legislate, and rule, throughout this World, this Country, and our Community. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Most Faithful Lord

Your forgiveness always awaits our return

~ O God of Mercy, restore the hope and wholeness of those who are trapped in the urgencies of serious illness, addiction, or homelessness, and re-double the compassion of all who give them care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

Most Faithful Lord

Your forgiveness always awaits our return

~ O God of Mercy, repair the heartfelt wounds of those who mourn, as all of Heaven celebrates and rejoices at the arrival of those who died on earth, and now live again for all eternity. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Most Faithful Lord

Your forgiveness always awaits our return

~ O God of Mercy, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or silently… add your own petitions

Most Faithful Lord

Your forgiveness always awaits our return

~ O God of Mercy, help us to find refreshment in the fellowship of faith, and walk with those You have called to Your service. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Most Faithful Lord

Your forgiveness always awaits our return

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds: God of the Lost and Found, kindle our desire to reconcile ourselves in Christ as a new creation, and spare us from all that we think we deserve. Grant us the willingness to seek, find, and above all, trust in Your enduring embrace. We ask through Jesus, our Savior, and the Holy Spirit, our Sanctifier, who together with You, are One God, now and forever.  Amen.

Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to Leeosophy@gmail.com. All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way.

Prayers of the People: What's the Manna? 3rd Sunday in Lent, Yr C

For Sunday, February 28, 2016, 3rd Sunday in Lent, Year C, Readings: Exodus 3:1-15, Ps 63:1-8, 1Cor 10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9

        There the angel appeared to [Moses] in a flame of fire out of a bush...the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed...When the LORD saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush..."...Remove your sandals...for the place you are standing on is holy ground." [Exodus 3:2, 4b, 5b]

        My soul clings to you, your right hand holds me fast. [Psalm 63:8] 

        [O]ur ancestors...all ate the same spiritual food and all drank...from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ...Do not become idolaters as some of them did... [1 Corinthians 10:1b, 3b, 4b, 7a]

        "Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did"..."A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener...Cut it down!" [The gardener] replied, "Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down."
[Luke 13:2-3, 6-7b, 8]

              Jesus seems to have a thing for fig trees. In Mark 11 and Matthew 21 he curses a fig tree that wasn't bearing fruit when he was ready to eat, and in each case it withers. But in his parable here in Luke, the gardener prevails against the owner's wishes to have the fruitless tree cut down, at least temporarily. Of course we don't know what happened the next year, but it is a story ripe for thought. Jesus begins by telling his audience that just because some Galileans suffered doesn't mean they were worse people than others and reminds the listeners - and us - to repent and be saved from their fate. This particular fig tree hasn't borne any fruit and yet the gardener pleads for another chance to save it. That tree may only have the one more year but God's patience with us is never-ending, at least, until THE end.  

            Paul reminds us that God gave those who Moses brought out of Egypt all the spiritual food and drink they needed and yet, though filled with God's grace and goodness, many failed God through sin and were struck down. 

           To borrow again from Mark and Matthew, we do not know the day or the hour that God will come for us. Lent seems a perfect time to listen, to hear, and to do a little digging and gardening within ourselves. Jesus, the fruit of Mary's womb, is our own Spiritual Food, the Manna from Heaven in our own lives. Repent - turn toward God, again. Be fruitful and God's grace and favor will multiply within us.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ God, our Creator, before birth You seeded us with Your Divine Plan, and provided us with the spiritual food to bring us to full flower. Guide us from the weeds of worldly complacency to bear the fruit of Your love for all we meet.

Jesus, Manna of our Souls

RESPONSE:           Let us cling to You in our repentance

~ God, our Creator, plant our feet deeply in Your Holy Ground that we may not be consumed by the idolatry of political rhetoric that blazes out of control. For all who govern in this world, in this nation, and in this city, or seek to, help us to chart a course out of the wasteland of inhumanity and injustice. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Jesus, Manna of our Souls

Let us cling to You in our repentance

~ God, our Creator, tend the needs of all who are suffering with constant pain, debilitating anxiety, or other life-altering issue, and revive the spirits of their caregivers. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

Jesus, Manna of our Souls

Let us cling to You in our repentance

~ God, our Creator, heal the hearts of those who grieve, as those we have sent home to You now reap the rewards of faith-filled living. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Jesus, Manna of our Souls

Let us cling to You in our repentance

~ God, our Creator, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or silently… add your own petitions

Jesus, Manna of our Souls

Let us cling to You in our repentance

~ God, our Creator, we offer our thanksgiving for those anointed as the gardeners of our spiritual growth. Grant them the tools to nurture our roots, as we open ourselves to allow Your work within us to sprout. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Jesus, Manna of our Souls

Let us cling to You in our repentance

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds:  Lord of the Eternal Harvest, again and again You give us chances to till the ground of our being, freely prune the sin from our hearts, and repent. Speak to us from within so we may hear again and choose true life with You. We ask through Jesus, our Master Gardener, and the Holy Spirit, our Spark of Life, who together with You reign as One God, now and forever. Amen.

Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to Leeosophy@gmail.com. All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way.

Prayers of the People: Fear Less, Brood More, 2nd Sunday in Lent, Yr C

For Sunday, February 21, 2016, 2nd Sunday in Lent, Year C, Readings: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18; Ps 27, Philippians 3:17-4:1, Luke 13:31-35

       The LORD is my light and my salvation, whom then should I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life, of whom then should I be afraid? [Psalm 27:1]

       Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me...For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ...Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven... stand firm in the Lord... 

[Philippians 3:18a, 19-20a, 4:1b]

       Jerusalem, Jerusalem...How often I have desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings and you were not willing! [Luke 13:34b]

        The Psalmist reminds us of the confidence we can have in God and the comfort we can take in not being fearful in the ordinary moments of life or in the extraordinary, as God is the light in our darkness and our strength in all parts of life.

        "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery," or so said Charles Caleb Colton [1780-1832], an Eton-educated English cleric. And from that perspective, Paul's admonition to imitate him certainly seems boastful and vain. Rather, Paul's true intention is for us to follow his example and model our lives ~ as much as possible ~ on Christ.

       Jesus speaks to the possibly well-intentioned Pharisees in a foreshadowing of the three days to come. He tells the city of Jerusalem that she has disappointed him in her unwillingness for her children to be gathered as a hen gathers her brood under his wings. These readings are a reminder for us, in this renewing season of Lent, to be less fearful in our everyday life and not be seeking God in the stuff of earth. Let us willingly gather under the wings of Christ, and be a holy brood awaiting the Blessed one who comes in the name of the Lord.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O Lord, our Light and our Strength, help us to release ourselves from the fears of earthly concerns, and give witness in our human lives to You, in whom we place our trust.

                                                  O Christ, our Savior

RESPONSE:           Conform our desire to stand firm in You

~ O Lord, our Light and our Strength, in these wearying times of worldly strife, help us temper our anxieties and boldly speak of peace and justice before the leaders of this world, this nation, and this community. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

O Christ, our Savior

Conform our desire to stand firm in You

~ O Lord, our Light and our Strength, sustain the faith and hope of all who suffer from the torment of chronic illness, severe addiction, or desperate life circumstance, and fortify the energies of those who provide support. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…  add your own petitions

O Christ, our Savior

Conform our desire to stand firm in You

~ O Lord, our Light and our Strength, calm the waves of grief for all who are in mourning and fill their hearts with ceaseless joy for those who have reached the shores of Heaven’s eternal splendor. We pray especially for:  add your own petitions

O Christ, our Savior

Conform our desire to stand firm in You

~ O Lord, our Light and our Strength, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or silently…  add your own petitions

O Christ, our Savior

Conform our desire to stand firm in You

~ O Lord, our Light and our Strength, inspire and enliven the hearts and souls of all who bring us the message and healing of Your Word and Sacraments. We pray especially for:  add your own petitions

O Christ, our Savior

Conform our desire to stand firm in You

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds: O Lord our God, transform our willingness to be gathered as Your brood under Your wings and let us be steadfast in claiming heavenly citizenship for everyone, everywhere, in everyday life.  We ask through Jesus, Your Beloved Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Fire in our souls, who together with You, are One God, now and beyond eternity. Amen.

Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to Leeosophy@gmail.com. All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way.

Meditation Moment: Fast Slowly, Ash Wednesday February 10, 2016 Yr C

For Ash Wednesday, February 10, 2016, Readings: Joel 2:1-2,12-17, or Isaiah 58:1-12, Ps 103: 8-14, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, Matthew 6:1-6,16-21

Look, you serve your own interest 
    on your fast day, 
 and oppress all your workers.
Look, you fast only to quarrel and to
   fight
 and to strike with a wicked fist.
Such fasting as you do today
will not make your voice heard on high.


Is not this the fast that I choose:
  to loose the bonds of injustice,
  to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
  and to break any yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the 
  hungry,
 and bring the homeless poor into
   your house...[Isaiah 58:3b-7]

Lent has arrived! So what!? 

       The palms from last Palm Sunday have been burned and for those who choose to receive, the imposition of ashes on foreheads is an outward and visible sign of our mortality - from dust we come and to dust we will return. Giving up chocolate or smoking or alcohol or desserts for the 40 days is great but, as we hear in films and TV, "What's your motivation?" The 40 days of Lent mirrors the time Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness deflecting the temptations of the devil and preparing for his ministry. Also the 40 years of Israelite wanderings being prepared for the reward of God in the Promised Land. Lent is time set aside for us to prepare for all that is to come in the life of Jesus, and, for what is to come in our own lives. It is a perfect time to re-examine our priorities, re-discover our faith and our humanity. 
       Fasting isn't merely about relinquishing favorite foods, but releasing ourselves from routinized unconscious behaviors, indifference to others, and stockpiling stuff for our earthly existence. Lent is the time to develop a new spiritual routine, spending a little time each day in prayer and meditation, learning more about what our faith truly means to us and finding new ways to express it without embarrassment. 
       Lent is the time to give up old habits, take on more vigorous spiritual activity and finding Christ-centered resources to help you with everyday life. And, it is time to  pray, pray, pray.  Many will not observe this time but for those who will: What will be the fast that you choose? Something symbolic or something significant? What will you give up and take on? 
       Life is short. Lent is shorter but can completely transform your life. Make your fast count in your own life and in the lives of others. Fast slowly and intentionally and consciously. When the Resurrection comes, it will be a new dawn for all of us!

   


Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to Leeosophy@gmail.com. All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way.

Prayers of the People: Back to the Basics, 1st Sunday in Lent, Yr C

For Sunday, February 14, 1^st Sunday in Lent, Year C, Readings: Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Ps 91:1-2, 9-16; Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13

         Then you, together with the Levites and the aliens who reside among you, shall celebrate with all the bounty that the LORD your God has given to you and your house.
[Deuteronomy 26: 11]

         He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, abides under the shadow of the Almighty. He shall say to the LORD, "You are my refuge and my stronghold, my God in whom I put my trust.  [Psalm 91:1-2]

         For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. [Romans 10: 12-13]

         Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil...Jesus answered him..."One does not live by bread alone...Worship the Lord your God and serve only him...Do not put the Lord your God to the test."
[Luke 4:1-2a,4b, 8b, 12b] 

              Temptation. A never-ending human predicament. Many of us face seemingly daunting temptations by food, drink, gambling, sex, drugs, online shopping, and so on, all the time, and while many of us work hard to avoid and overcome them, still as many give up and give way. 
              Jesus was tempted by the Devil with promises of earthly power and authority. But, of course, he was "full of the Holy Spirit" so it must have been much easier for him, yes? Perhaps, yet as fully human, we can assume that it was no picnic in the park for him. 
             Our "forty days" of Lent has begun. It is time for us to clean our spiritual house, examine our sense of purpose, know what gets in the way and what and who can help. Life can be very difficult, especially when we feel lost and alone in a cold and dark wilderness of sadness, pain, or rejection and/or over-indulgence of all that is not necessary for sustenance. Let's get back to the basics - God created me, Jesus loves me, the Holy Spirit is my advocate and there are a variety of like-minded communities providing understanding, empathy, and constructive opportunities for spiritual growth - Church is one of them. We hear from all the Scripture this week the resonating theme that God is always there as Creator, as Jesus, and as the Holy Spirit. Time for me to give up the self-serving petty moan and groan, take on a fresh awareness of the Presence of God, and pray for release of the old junk, and renewal of my faith. Even with all of that it is useful to remember You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you get what you need!   [theology according to the Rolling Stones]

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O Lord our God, lead us out of the wilderness of earthly temptations, and help us to seek simplicity in life as grace-filled human beings.

                                                O God, our Refuge and our Stronghold

RESPONSE:           Our God in whom we put our trust 

~ O Lord our God, give us voice to be heard among the rulers all the kingdoms, nations, and communities of this world that brings an end to intolerance, injustice, and inhumanity among all the peoples of Your Creation. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                O God, our Refuge and our Stronghold

Our God in whom we put our trust 

~ O Lord our God, encourage the will and spirits of those with chronic pain in body, mind, or soul to call on Your name and abide in Your shelter. Strengthen and empower all who give them help. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                O God, our Refuge and our Stronghold

Our God in whom we put our trust 

~ O Lord our God, comfort all who grieve and fill their hearts with the knowing that all who we love, now have new life and joy in the eternal sunshine and glory of heaven. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                O God, our Refuge and our Stronghold

Our God in whom we put our trust 

~ O Lord our God, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or silently…add your own petitions

                                                O God, our Refuge and our Stronghold

Our God in whom we put our trust 

 ~ O Lord our God, renew the energy of those who dedicate their lives to bring Your Word to our hearts in times of sorrow and times of gladness. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                O God, our Refuge and our Stronghold

Our God in whom we put our trust 

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds:  O God Most High, let our first thoughts be of You as we awaken each day to offer our lives to Your service, and to call upon Your name for our salvation. We ask through Jesus, our Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit, our Counselor, who together with You are One God, now and forever.  Amen.

Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to Leeosophy@gmail.com. All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way.

Prayers of the People: The Shining! Last Sunday after Epiphany, Yr C

For Sunday, February 7, 2016, Last Sunday after Epiphany, Year C, Readings: Exodus 34:29-35, Ps 99, 2Cor 3:12-4:2, Luke 9:28-36, [37-43a]

          And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. [2 Corinthians 3:18]

      And while [Jesus] was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him.  They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish in Jerusalem... Then from a cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" [Luke 9:29-31, 35] 

          The Transfiguration story is at once mystery, miracle, and milestone. Jesus became a shining, glowing, gleaming, shimmering beam of radiant glory! A metamorphosis. At the top of the mountain, Jesus is the connection to both human and divine. The mystery of the Eternal Hand of God is a miracle of Jesus. We are quite familiar with the miracles Jesus performs through the Spirit of God along the way of his ministry - changing water to wine, healing the blind, the lame, casting out demons, raising the dead. But this is unique among them as this is a miracle of God within Jesus, transforming him in the sight of others.  

         The milestone is glorious yet subtly somber. Moses and Elijah were speaking with Jesus about his departure which he was about to accomplish in Jerusalem. It seems like only a few weeks ago we birthed him, baptized him, and heard him speaking with the elders in the Temple and now, already, they speak of his departure from his human existence. How time flies in the Lectionary!

         For us in our time, such readings may seem all too familiar and we know that we are heading into the time of Lent, preparation for Good Friday and Easter Sunday.  Even if it is difficult to get our culturally jaded, multi-media savvy, western minds around this sublime moment in the life of our Redeemer, we can take away the voice that comes from the cloud, that tells us that Jesus is indeed the Son of God, His Chosen. We must listen.  How can we possibly ignore our Shining example?

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Almighty, Magnificent God, in the splendor of Christ transfigured, un-blind the eyes and unblock the ears of our souls to see outside of our selves, to listen to the Voice of the Gospel, and to embrace and engage the mission of Jesus in our own time.

Jesus, Messiah of Light and Love

RESPONSE:           Unveil our hearts to know and serve You

~ Almighty, Magnificent God, free the minds of those who are in or seek governmental power on this Earth, that they may exchange entrenchment to enhance personal and political gain, for the emancipation of all God’s people from war, famine, disease, and intolerance. We pray especially for: add your own intentions

Jesus, Messiah of Light and Love

Unveil our hearts to know and serve You

~ Almighty, Magnificent God, release from suffering all who are mired in the pain of body, mind, or spirit, and resilience to those who offer support. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own intentions

Jesus, Messiah of Light and Love

Unveil our hearts to know and serve You

~ Almighty, Magnificent God, brighten the shadows for all in the woe of bereavement, as those who have left the bonds of earth now live in the glory and radiance of new and unending life in Christ. We pray especially for: add your own intentions

Jesus, Messiah of Light and Love

Unveil our hearts to know and serve You

~ Almighty, Magnificent God, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or silently… add your own intentions

Jesus, Messiah of Light and Love

Unveil our hearts to know and serve You

~ Almighty, Magnificent God, endow those chosen and anointed as the exemplars of Your Word and Will, with fortitude and vitality as the beacons on our sacred path. We pray especially for: add your own intentions

             Jesus, Messiah of Light and Love

Unveil our hearts to know and serve You

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds:  Gracious, Noble, Lord God, illuminate us from within, and transform our faith into action; keep us from disinterest and indifference in seeking Your purpose in our lives. We ask through Jesus the Christ, our Salvation, and the Holy Spirit, our Comforter, who together with You are One God in Glory, now and for all time beyond time. Amen.

Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to Leeosophy@gmail.com. All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way.

Prayers of the People: Un-cymbalic Love 4th Sunday after Epiphany, Yr C

For Sunday, January 31, 2016, 4^th Sunday after Epiphany, Year C, Readings: Jeremiah 1:4-10, Ps 71:1-6, 1 Cor 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30

       The word of the LORD came to me saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you...Now I have put my words in your mouth." [Jeremiah 1:4-5a, 9b]

       In you, O LORD, have I taken refuge; let me never be ashamed...you are my crag and my stronghold. [Psalm 71:1, 3b]

       If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal...And now faith, hope, and love abide...and the greatest of these is love. [1 Cor 13:1, 13]

       And [Jesus] said, "Truly no prophet is accepted in the prophet's hometown...there were many widows...a severe famine...yet Elijah was sent to none...there were many lepers...and none of them was cleansed except Naaman, the Syrian." When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. [Luke 4:24-28]

        1st Corinthians 13: 1-13 is so very much more than a pretty thing to recite at a wedding. In the context of all the readings for this Sunday, it brings the Word to now, to our time, to our space. There is dissension, hatred, intolerance, and rage in seemingly every facet of human life today through war, famine, and disease. There is a cacophony of clanging voices of politicos and power mongers disparaging everyone who is not one of them. 
        Let us take a breath and discover a more excellent way to live, how to exploit, express, and experience LOVE, acceptance, understanding, and support from within ourselves to all others whom God has created. God is our refuge and our strength. Let me not be ashamed of my function as part of the Body of Christ but rather to grow and to act consciously in faith, in hope, and especially, to grow, live, and act consciously, and intentionally, in, with, and through love. 

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God, our Refuge and our Stronghold, You knew us, and formed us, and consecrated us before our earthly birthing. Calm our fears, defuse all rage, teach us a more excellent way to feel and reveal Your Love in all that we say and do.

O Lord of Hope

RESPONSE:           Deliver us from evil and apathy       

~ O God, our Refuge and our Stronghold, give our mortal tongues the words of justice, mercy, tolerance, and compassion to touch and fill the hearts and souls of all who hold power in countries and communities across this planet. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

O Lord of Hope

Deliver us from evil and apathy

~ O God, our Refuge and our Stronghold, sustain the faith of all who suffer with chronic pain, depression, or disease, and refresh the energy of those who assist with their care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

O Lord of Hope

Deliver us from evil and apathy

~ O God, our Refuge and our Stronghold, soothe the hearts of those who grieve as the heavens erupt with rejoicing for our loved ones now arriving. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

O Lord of Hope

Deliver us from evil and apathy

~ O God, our Refuge and our Stronghold, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or silently… add your own petitions

O Lord of Hope

Deliver us from evil and apathy

~ O God, our Refuge and our Stronghold, nourish the gifts of our pastors who connect with us in community and inspire us to seek our life’s fulfillment in Christ. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

O Lord of Hope

Deliver us from evil and apathy

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds: Steadfast God of Truth, embolden our Faith, invigorate our Hope, and permeate our cells with Your purest Love that we may be a living, conscious reflection of Your Word. We ask through Jesus, the Incarnation of Love, and the Holy Spirit, the Breath of Faith, who together with You reign as One Holy and Eternal God of Hope.  Amen.

Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to Leeosophy@gmail.com. All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way.