Prayers of the People: Christ, King, Last Sunday after Pentecost '16 Yr C

For Sunday, November 20, 2016, Last Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, Readings: Jeremiah 23;1-6, Psalm 46, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 23: 33-53

       Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock...and I will bring them back to their fold and they shall be fruitful and multiply.  [Jeremiah 23:3]

      God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change...though the mountains tremble with its tumult. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city... [Psalm 46:1-2a,3b-5a]

      May you be made strong...and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved son in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins... [Colossians 1:11-13, 15a]

Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise. [Luke 23:43]

         As usual I put a few verses of the appointed readings above this space to highlight what stood out for me and influenced my language for these prayers. It was difficult to choose as all three readings have been wafting through my brain over the last week as well as the readings from the other set of these prayers that I have written for the Season of Creation, that have been used in my home parish for the last 7 Sundays, especially one from Teilhard de Chardin [see The Cosmic Christ post]. What hasn't particularly grabbed me is the Gospel for this week - Luke 23:33-43. Because of the setting - Jesus on the Cross with the 2 thieves - I can only speculate that it was placed here in the 3rd of the 3 year reading cycle simply because it mentions the mocking of the soldiers and the sign of King of the Jews. Even the often gloomy and depressing Jeremiah spoke loudly and hopefully to me along with the Psalm and the entire piece from the Letter to the Colossians. Given the results of the presidential election here in the U.S., the country is divided first, by jubilance or devastation, and second, by too many things you already know about. Yet I am heartened that all of us are called into the kingdom of [God's] beloved Son, in whom we have redemption. The language of these readings resound with God's presence: The LORD is our righteousness; God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble; God is in the midst of the city; God will help; The LORD of hosts is with us; Be still, and know that I am God! If I but put my fear on the back burner and when it flares turn again and again to the Kingdom of Christ to live the Gospel each day, seek the Light of Christ in everyone, expect to be disappointed but strive on to do all I can in the place where I am, then this Gospel will speak to me as I hear Jesus say to me at my last, Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Lord God, our Refuge and Strength, gather us again into Your fold whenever we tremble at earthly, temporal tumult. Turn us again toward the Kingdom of our Christ, the flower of Your Love, in whom we have redemption, and forgiveness of sins.

                                    Holy Jesus, Christ of the Cosmos

RESPONSE:          Our Stronghold and our Salvation

~ Lord God, our Refuge and Strength, keep those who govern across Creation, in all Nations and local Communities, aware of Your constant Presence in their midst. Guide those who lead us to cease wars and promote justice, mercy, and deal wisely for all people. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                    Holy Jesus, Christ of the Cosmos

                                    Our Stronghold and our Salvation

~ Lord God, our Refuge and Strength, embrace and encourage all who suffer chronic illness, difficult treatments, or emotional torment to keep strong and patient; and grant endurance and fortitude to all who give them care. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                    Holy Jesus, Christ of the Cosmos

                                    Our Stronghold and our Salvation

~ Lord God, our Refuge and Strength, may those who grieve be comforted by a supportive community around them, as those we have sent before us, awaken to the joyful new day in Your Holy Habitation. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                    Holy Jesus, Christ of the Cosmos

                                    Our Stronghold and our Salvation

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

                                    Holy Jesus, Christ of the Cosmos

                                    Our Stronghold and our Salvation

~ Lord God, our Refuge and Strength, sustain the spirits of our pastoral shepherds as they endeavor to keep us eager to live the Gospel each day, and be impassioned pursuers of the Divine Light of Christ. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                    Holy Jesus, Christ of the Cosmos

                                    Our Stronghold and our Salvation

The Celebrant adds:  Jesus, Firstborn of all Creation, our Great High Priest, rescue us from the power of darkness and transform our anxieties into fruitful action. Keep us striving toward Your purpose, and enable us to share in the full inheritance of the saints in the light. We ask through the Holy Spirit, the very Breath of Love, and the Almighty LORD of Righteousness, who together with You are our 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 Cosmic Christ, 7th Sunday in the Season of Creation '16

For Sunday, November 20, 2016, The Cosmic Christ, Season of Creation VII ‘16**, Readings: Daniel 7:13-18, Psalm 46, Colossians 1:11-20, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Hymn of the Universe*

      As I watched...I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One and was...given dominion and glory and kingship that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. [Daniel 7:13-14]

      God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in the time of trouble...the God of Jacob is our stronghold...The Lord of Hosts is with us...There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation...God is in the midst of her... [Psalm 46:1, 4, 5, 6a]

      May you be made strong ...prepared to endure everything with patience...He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins...He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. [Colossians 1:11,13-15]

       I, your priest, will make the whole earth my altar and on it offer you all the labors and sufferings of the world...Grant me the remembrance and the mystic presence of all those whom the light is now awakening to the new day...I call before me the whole vast anonymous army of living humanity...through their vision of truth despite their error, truly believe in the progress of earthly reality and who today will take up again their impassioned pursuit of the light...This restless multitude, confused or orderly, the immensity of which terrifies us; this ocean of humanity...Yet in the very depths of this formless mass you have implanted...a desire, irresistible, hallowing, which makes us cry out, believer and unbeliever alike: 'Lord, make us one.' [de Chardin**]

      I offer above, as always, the snippets of the readings, chosen or appointed for the particular Sunday, that have influenced my thoughts and writing the most for each set of prayers. This week, as happens amazingly often, the readings chosen months ago for this last Sunday in the Season of Creation also resonate for me because of the anxiety surrounding the results of the election here in the U.S. Whether one is jubilant or devastated, we are all still called directly into the Kingship of Christ, the Universal - Cosmic - Son of God, the Firstborn of all Creation, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. The words of Teilhard de Chardin [a powerfully spiritual contemporary mystic that I urge you to discover more of if you have not already], which follow below the prayers, have been reverberating through my head over the last week as I have been reading and re-reading them. Taken together with the other three readings, it has been one of my more difficult weeks to extract and distill from them as the they all stand so well and beautifully together. I have found it daunting to insert my own renderings of these pieces into small tidbits of prayer. There is one piece of the de Chardin I didn't place above though the concept continues to expand within me. De Chardin prays to God: But the offering you really want, the offering you mysteriously need every day to appease your hunger, to slake your thirst is nothing less than the growth of the world borne ever onwards in the stream of universal becoming.

      As we approach the preparatory Season of Advent, let us make the Creation we inhabit the altar upon which to offer all of life's triumphs, tragedies, labors, and sufferings. As we go forth in Christ, in the stream of universal becoming, as believers or unbelievers, with faith strong or weak or non-existent, let us cry out, with and for each other: Lord, make us one! 

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Lord of Hosts, Ancient of Days, keep us from collapsing in fear, whenever we, Your restless multitude, tremble at earthly, temporal tumult. Turn us again toward the Kingdom of our Christ, the flower of Your Love, in whom we have redemption, and forgiveness of sins.

                                 Holy Jesus, Christ of the Cosmos

RESPONSE:          Our Stronghold and our Salvation

~ Lord of Hosts, Ancient of Days, keep those who govern in all Nations, Kingdoms, and Communities, aware of Your constant Presence in their midst and throughout all of Creation. Guide the hearts and minds of those who lead, that they may cease war, and promote justice, well-being, and abundance across all the Earth. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                    Holy Jesus, Christ of the Cosmos

                                    Our Stronghold and our Salvation

~ Lord of Hosts, Ancient of Days, help all who suffer chronic illness, difficult treatments, or emotional torment to keep strong and patient; and grant endurance and fortitude to all who give them care. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                    Holy Jesus, Christ of the Cosmos

                                    Our Stronghold and our Salvation

~ Lord of Hosts, Ancient of Days, may those who grieve be comforted by a supportive community around them, as those we have sent before us, awaken to the new day of gladness in the eternal life of Your Holy Habitation. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                    Holy Jesus, Christ of the Cosmos

                                    Our Stronghold and our Salvation

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

                                    Holy Jesus, Christ of the Cosmos

                                    Our Stronghold and our Salvation

~ Lord of Hosts, Ancient of Days, sustain the spirits of our pastoral shepherds as they endeavor to keep us eager to live the Gospel, and be impassioned pursuers of the Divine Light of Christ in each day. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                    Holy Jesus, Christ of the Cosmos

                                    Our Stronghold and our Salvation

The Celebrant adds:  God our Refuge and Our Strength, rescue us from the power of darkness and transform our anxieties into fruitful action. Earth is an altar upon which we offer You the labors and sufferings of all humanity. Keep us striving toward Your purpose, as we cry out: Lord, make us one. We ask through Jesus our Christ, the Firstborn of all Creation, and the Holy Spirit, the very Breath of Love, who together with You are our One God, now and forever. Amen.

*A reading from  – from Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Hymn of the Universe  (read by two or more alternating voices)

     Since once again, Lord — though this time not in the forests of the Aisne but in the steppes of Asia — I have neither bread, nor wine, nor altar, I will raise myself beyond these symbols, up to the pure majesty of the real itself; I, your priest, will make the whole earth my altar and on it will offer you all the labors and sufferings of the world.

     Over there, on the horizon, the sun has just touched with light the outermost fringe of the eastern sky. Once again, beneath this moving sheet of fire, the living surface of the earth wakes and trembles, and once again begins its fearful travail. I will place on my paten, O God, the harvest to be won by this renewal of labor. Into my chalice I shall pour all the sap which is to be pressed out this day from the earth’s fruits.

     My paten and my chalice are the depths of a soul laid widely open to all the forces which in a moment will rise up from every corner of the earth and converge upon the Spirit. Grant me the remembrance and the mystic presence of all those whom the light is now awakening to the new day. 

     One by one, Lord, I see and I love all those whom you have given me to sustain and charm my life. One by one also I number all those who make up that other beloved family which has gradually surrounded me, its unity fashioned out of the most disparate elements, with affinities of the heart, of scientific research and of thought. And again one by one — more vaguely it is true, yet all-inclusively — I call before me the whole vast anonymous army of living humanity; those who surround me and support me though I do not know them; those who come, and those who go; above all, those who in office, laboratory and factory, through their vision of truth or despite their error, truly believe in the progress of earthly reality and who today will take up again their impassioned pursuit of the light.

     This restless multitude, confused or orderly, the immensity of which terrifies us; this ocean of humanity whose slow, monotonous wave-flows trouble the hearts even of those whose faith is most firm: it is to this deep that I thus desire all the fibers of my being should respond. All the things in the world to which this day will bring increase; all those that will diminish; all those too that will die: all of them, Lord, I try to gather into my arms, so as to hold them out to you in offering. This is the material of my sacrifice; the only material you desire.

     Once upon a time men took into your temple the first fruits of their harvests, the flower of their flocks. But the offering you really want, the offering you mysteriously need every day to appease your hunger, to slake your thirst is nothing less than the growth of the world borne ever onwards in the stream of universal becoming.

     Receive, O Lord, this all-embracing host which your whole creation, moved by your magnetism, offers you at this dawn of a new day. This bread, our toil, is of itself, I know, but an immense fragmentation; this wine, our pain, is no more, I know, than a draught that dissolves. Yet in the very depths of this formless mass you have implanted — and this I am sure of, for I sense it — a desire, irresistible, hallowing, which makes us cry out, believer and unbeliever alike: 

‘Lord, make us one.’ 

**for more information on the Season of Creation and the Earth Charter see:  http://prayersofthepeople.blogspot.com/2016/10/prayers-of-people-very-beginning-1st.html




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: Wolves and Lambs Together, 26th Sunday after Pentecost '16 Yr C

For Sunday, November 13, 2016, 26^th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, Readings: Isaiah 65:17-25, Psalm 98, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19

      For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered...Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox; but the serpent - its food shall be dust. [Isaiah 65:17, 24-25a]

       O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things...Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth...He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity. [Psalm 98:1a, 4a, 9b]

For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work...Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right. [2 Thessalonians 3:11,13]

       When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately...By your endurance you will gain your souls. [Luke 21:9,19]

      It is Election Day morning in the U.S. as I write and all the potential narratives of this day's outcomes and events around the world seem to be written into this Gospel. The vitriol, derisiveness, and divisiveness of the electioneering with even families and friends turning against each other. There are earthquakes, famines, and plagues, terrorist acts and random violence, personal tragedies, and somewhere there are lions, and tigers, and bears, Oh My, and things that go bump in the night. Let us take a breath and stop living in the fear that terrible things will happen. Yes, of course they will, they ALWAYS HAVE, from the beginning of time not a day goes by on this earth without something terrible happening to someone, or to many, and the instant access to muddied headlines confirms the fear we want to have. But there are just as many wonderful - marvelous - things also, follow the light and see them. If you are living in a terrible time and even if you are not, seek Christ's words: I will give you words and a wisdom...By your endurance you will gain your souls. Whatever your fears the others' fears are the same. Let our enduring work begin with prayer for confidence in God's new heavens and new earth. Let us shake ourselves out of idleness borne of the paralysis of fear that masks as hate and anger. Let us move out of living in grief to finding purpose in our earthly time. Let us find the lambs in wolf guise in ourselves and others, feed on faith together, and never, ever, weary of doing what is right. 

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Lord of Everlasting Mercy, strengthen us to begin again within ourselves, to sing a new song of Your marvelous works in our midst. Guide our thoughts and empower our hearts to serve You with joyful noise and never weary of doing all that is right in Your name.

                                                                Great God of All Creation

RESPONSE:                                         Turn earthly worries to enduring generous action

~ Lord of Everlasting Mercy, we offer our prayers for those who lead this World, this Country, or this Community whether by fair election, fiat, or inheritance. Inscribe on their souls a yearning for peace, good will, and justice for all the people in their charge. We pray especially for: add your own petitions 

                                                                Great God of All Creation

                                                                 Turn earthly worries to enduring generous action

~ Lord of Everlasting Mercy, nestle the aching, the fearful, and the desperate in Your loving embrace, and revitalize all who support their needs. We pray especially for: add your own petitions 

                                                                Great God of All Creation

                                                                 Turn earthly worries to enduring generous action

~ Lord of Everlasting Mercy, console those stricken by grief with a foretaste of the joy for all who are alive again in the eternal grandeur of Heaven. We pray especially for: add your own petitions 

                                                                Great God of All Creation

                                                                 Turn earthly worries to enduring generous action

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

                                                                Great God of All Creation

                                                                 Turn earthly worries to enduring generous action

~ Lord of Everlasting Mercy, quicken the spirits of those called and ordained to speak Your Words and celebrate Your Sacraments, inspiring us to live into Your Holy Purpose while in this earthly life. We pray especially for: add your own petitions 

                                                                Great God of All Creation

                                                                 Turn earthly worries to enduring generous action

The Celebrant adds: O LORD our God, dissolve our reluctance and embolden our willingness with generosity of spirit, to strive for righteousness and equity for all people. Let us be faithful stewards of the sacred trust You have placed within us to care for our Earth, to restore harmony, and to respect all others, especially in difference and disagreement. We ask through Christ Jesus, our Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit our Advocate, who together with You are our One, Holy and Mighty 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: Our Role as Stewards, 6th Sunday in the Season of Creation '16

For Sunday, November 13, 2016, Our Role as Stewards, Season of Creation** ‘16, Readings: Haudenosaunee of the Six Nations*, Psalm 100, James 1:17-18, 21-27; Matthew 6:25-34

       We were instructed to carry a love for one another and to show a great respect for all beings of this earth...In our ways, spiritual consciousness is the highest form of politics...

[from: Haudenosaunee of the Six Nations*]

       Be joyful in the LORD, all you lands; serve the LORD with gladness and come before his presence with a song. [Psalm 100:1]

     But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves...those who look into the perfect law...of liberty, and persevere, being...doers who act - they will be blessed in their doing. [James 1:22,25]

      Jesus said, "I tell you, do not worry about your life...Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing...But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you...So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today. [Matthew 6:25,33-34]

        I am writing this the night before the 2016 U.S. Presidential official Election Day. These readings were chosen months ago and while their timing was probably lightly thought of in the context of this event, the serendipity of these words could not be more appropriate. Stewardship IS a great deal more than money. We can be financially generous for personal gain but we cannot truly respect another, serve the LORD with gladness, be doers who act or keep  ourselves unstained by the world without a generous heart. Truly generous acts of giving, James tells us, come directly from God. And the more we strive to be generous of spirit, to be good Stewards of Creation in all of its forms, the more God will strengthen us. No truer words were ever more applicable than: So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today. I don't know what tomorrow will bring for my community, my country, or this world, but I will pray without ceasing for the energy and mindset to work to be a continuously generous person.

      

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Lord of Everlasting Mercy, strengthen us to begin again within ourselves, to be faithful stewards of the sacred trust You have placed within us, to restore harmony and to respect all others, especially in difference and disagreement. Guide our thoughts and empower our hearts to serve You with gladness and keep ourselves unstained by the world.

                                                                O God of Great Peace

RESPONSE:                                         Turn us from earthly worries to generous action

~ Lord of Everlasting Mercy, we offer our prayers for those who lead this World, this Country, or this Community whether by fair election, fiat, or inheritance. Inscribe on their souls a yearning for peace, good will, justice, and tenderness for all the people in their charge. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                                O God of Great Peace

                                                                Turn us from earthly worries to generous action

~ Lord of Everlasting Mercy, nestle the aching, the fearful, and the desperate in Your loving embrace, and revitalize all who support their needs. We pray especially for:  add your own petitions

                                                                O God of Great Peace

                                                                Turn us from earthly worries to generous action

~ Lord of Everlasting Mercy, console those stricken by grief with a foretaste of the joy for all who are alive again in the eternal grandeur of Heaven. We pray especially for:  add your own petitions

                                                                O God of Great Peace

                                                                Turn us from earthly worries to generous action

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

                                                                O God of Great Peace

                                                                Turn us from earthly worries to generous action

~ Lord of Everlasting Mercy, quicken the spirits of those called and ordained to speak Your Words and celebrate Your Sacraments, inspiring us to live into Your Holy Purpose while in this earthly life. We pray especially for:  add your own petitions

                                                                O God of Great Peace

                                                                Turn us from earthly worries to generous action

The Celebrant adds: O LORD our God, dissolve our reluctance and embolden our willingness to move beyond faithful hearing of Your Word into conscientious doers, with generosity of spirit, striving first and always for Your Kingdom and righteousness. We ask through Christ Jesus, our Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit our Advocate, who together with You are our One, Holy and Mighty God, now and forever. Amen.

*A reading from Haudenosaunee of the Six Nations [from Wisdomkeepers by Steve Wall and Harvey Arden]

Brothers, listen to the words of the Creator given to the first United Nations, the Haudenosaunee, over one thousand years ago. The Chiefs of the Haudenosaunee shall be mentors of the people for all time. The thickness of their skin shall be seven spans; which is to say that they shall be proof against anger, offensive action, and criticism. Their hearts shall be full of peace and good will and their minds filled with a yearning for the welfare of the people. With endless patience, they shall carry out their duty. Their firmness shall be tempered with a tenderness for their people. Neither anger nor fury shall find lodging in their minds, and all their words and actions shall be marked by calm deliberation. In every Nation there are wise and good men. These should be appointed Chiefs. They should be the advisers of their people and work for the good of all people, and all their power comes from the “Great Peace”. A chief must never forget the Creator of mankind, never forget to ask Him for help. The Creator will guide our thoughts and strengthen us as we work to be faithful to our sacred trust and restore harmony among all peoples, all living creatures, and Mother Earth…We were instructed to carry a love for one another and to show a great respect for all beings of this earth…In our ways, spiritual consciousness is the highest form of politics…When people cease to respect and express gratitude for these many things, then all life will be destroyed, and human life on this planet will come to an end These are our times and our responsibilities. Every human being has a sacred duty to protect the welfare of our Mother Earth from whom all life comes. In order to do this we must recognize the enemy – the one within us. We must begin with ourselves.

**for more information on the Season of Creation and the Earth Charter see:  http://prayersofthepeople.blogspot.com/2016/10/prayers-of-people-very-beginning-1st.html

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: Seven Brothers for One Bride, 25th Sunday after Pentecost, Yr C

For Sunday, November 6, 2016,  25^th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, Readings: Job 19:23-27, Psalm 17:1-9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, Luke 27-38

Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry;

give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit...

My steps have held fast to your paths;

my feet have not slipped. 

I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God...

Guard me as the apple of your eye;

hide me in the shadow of your wings.  [Psalm 17:1, 5-6a, 8]

...God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit...For this purpose he called you through our proclamation of the good news, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ... 

[2 Thessalonians 2:13b-14] 

...they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection...Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive. [Luke 20:36, 28]

       Seven Brothers for One Bride - not quite how the Broadway musical and movie title went. [Seven Brides for Seven Brothers in case you're not up on your 1950's musical theater/film history] The Sadducees, who didn't believe in life after death [that's why they were "sad u cee", I know it's terrible, but it's a mnemonic that keeps me remembering one difference between the Sadducees and the Pharisees] always interested in baiting Jesus with a trick question, asked about the practice of a woman/widow with no children marrying the brother of her deceased spouse. In this case the woman was widowed and childless seven times by seven brothers. They wanted to know - if there's this resurrection thing - whose wife would she be in the after life? It is a reasonable question when you think about it. Some jealousy may attach if the more recent spouse is concerned that the widow/er thinks too much of the one who has died, or, the family is upset that the widow/er thinks too much of the new edition. Perhaps the spouses - whether fully churched or less so - wonder themselves - what do Harry or Sally think and how will it be when....? But Jesus answers - those who belong to this age marry...but...those...in the resurrection of the dead do not marry. Indeed they cannot die anymore...God is not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive... To put it simply, in our human existence we marry, some more than once or twice. Now and after human death we are alive in God's eyes, there is no death, merely a transition from the temporary state of humanness, to the eternal life in the salvation of Christ. Can we fully understand - sort of, maybe? But have no worries about it. LIVE this life, work for the next. All those questions, and so many more, will be answered in the sweet by and by.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ God of the Living, in You death is a transition to Life Eternal for we who are children of the resurrection. Keep us as the apple of Your eye and shelter us in Your wings through our human moment on Earth.

                                                            O LORD of Grace                                          

RESPONSE:                         Strengthen us in works and words

~ God of the Living, may those who lead us on this Earth, in this Nation, and in this Community, arise each day, with the heartfelt intent and purpose to govern with justice, mercy and in peace, acting only in the best interests of Your Planet and all her Inhabitants. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                            O LORD of Grace

                                                            Strengthen us in works and words

                                               

~ God of the Living, attend to the cries and hear the prayers of all whose spirits are low from chronic illness, deadly addiction, or emotional turmoil, and lift the energy of those who give them care.  We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions 

                                                            O LORD of Grace

                                                            Strengthen us in works and words

           

~ God of the Living,  dry and sanctify the tears of the mournful as those who are now entering the gates of Your salvation, are embraced forever in the promised Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                            O LORD of Grace

                                                            Strengthen us in works and words

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

                                                            O LORD of Grace

                                                            Strengthen us in works and words

           

~ God of the Living, we give You great thanksgivings and ask Your special blessings upon all who stand with Christ to guide our life’s journey to You. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                            O LORD of Grace

                                                            Strengthen us in works and words

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds:  Gracious, Compassionate God, hold us fast to the path you set before us and answer our call to You. Help us to arise each day to seek the light and fullness of faith of all the Saints who surround us from Heaven and on Earth. We ask through the salvation of Christ, and being sanctified by the Holy Spirit, who together with You, are One Holy and Loving 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 Saints Among Us, 5th Sunday in the Season of Creation '16

For Sunday, November 6, 2016, The Saints Among Us, Season of Creation***V, Readings: Breastplate of St. Patrick*, Canticle 1**, Romans 12:9-18, Matthew 5:1-12a

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me. [St. Patrick]

O ye people of God, bless ye the Lord,

O ye priests of the Lord, bless ye the Lord,

O ye servants of the Lord, bless ye the Lord,

praise him and magnify him for ever. [Canticle 1]

Let love be genuine...Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of it all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 

[Romans 12:1a, 17-18]

Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God. [Matthew 5:7-10]

        Saints among us, the theme for this week, may beg the question - what is a Saint? Dictionary.com in part defines "saint" as:

1. any of certain persons of exceptional holiness of life, formally recognized as such by the

    Christian Church, especially by canonization.

2. a person of great holiness, virtue, or benevolence.

       In other words, certainly not me! However, we each know someone we would designate as a "saint" even if they are not formally recognized. Especially at this moment in this country's election process, anyone that can resist the pull into angry debate and diatribe has at least one star towards potential sainthood! And yet the readings especially chosen for this Sunday all give us clear direction as we arise each day for a path to saintly living. Further, in the Epistle appointed for All Saints' Day, the writer of Ephesians says, ...with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints...[Ephesians 1:18] Saintly living is very hard work for most of us and definitely requires a lifetime of, first, desire to attain to it, followed by attempts, false starts, regression, and re-programming, and repeat. But the hope is there, if my faith remains strong, that I may find some measure of virtue to live by. Sure, faith wavers at times, but then there is the morning and a chance to arise today with a fresh start and a recognition of all the opportunities to feel the power of God in my life and the companions great and small who are with me in spirit and in person. And in the letter to the Romans, Paul gently says, If it is at all possible, so far as it depends on you, live peacefully with all. So my prayer for this day is keep me in a peaceful mindset and let me not repay anger with anger, and strife with strife. As the saying goes what I give out I get back. I also must remember that I need not be alone in my quest to be a better person. I have a choice to join with a community of faith, not merely a "like-minded group" but involvement with those who provide me with spiritual growth, comforts me in difficult times, joins me in the daily highs and lows of life, and challenges me to work with and for all of God's Creation in all of its glory and grunge.

       From the simple and almost child-like hymn often sung on All Saints' Day, I take great comfort and encouragement in the words describing the saints of God as one was a doctor and one was a queen, and one was a shepherdess on the green...you can meet them in school, or in church, or...in trains or in shops or at tea, for the saints of God are just folk like me, and I mean to be one too...[Hymn 293, "I Sing a Song of the Saints of God", The Hymnal 1982]. When it is at all possible, so far as it depends on me, with all the perseverance and prayer I can muster, I do mean to be one too. 

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Most High Creator, we arise today through all the strength, light, radiance, splendor, and stability of our faith in You. Fill us with the wisdom to find the Way You have set before us, led by the example of those we recognize as the Saints who have gone before us, and the saints who live among us now.  

                                                Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer God

RESPONSE:                          Let us rejoice and be glad in You

~ Most High Creator, may those who lead us on this Earth, in this Nation, and in this Community, arise today, and every day, with the heartfelt purpose to oppose all that is merciless and cruel, acting only in the best interests of Your Planet and all of her Inhabitants. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer God

Let us rejoice and be glad in You

~ Most High Creator, bless all whose spirits are low from chronic illness, deadly addiction, or emotional turmoil, and lift the energy of those who give them care. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer God

Let us rejoice and be glad in You

~ Most High Creator, as You bless and comfort the mournful, those now entering the gates of Your salvation, are embraced forever in the Glory of Christ our Lord. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer God

Let us rejoice and be glad in You

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

Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer God

Let us rejoice and be glad in You

~ Most High Creator, we give You great thanksgivings and ask Your special blessings upon all who stand with Christ to guide our life’s journey to You. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer God

Let us rejoice and be glad in You

The Celebrant adds: Gracious, Compassionate God, keep us genuine in love, pure in heart, and as peacemakers in our thoughts, words, and actions. Help us to arise each day to seek the light and values of the Communion of Saints who surround us in Heaven and on Earth. We ask through the salvation of Christ, and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, who together with You, are the Threeness in the One Creator of Creation forever and ever. Amen.

*The Breastplate of St. Patrick  [abridged/also known as The Deer's Cry]

I arise today through the strength of heaven, light of the sun, radiance of the moon, splendor of fire, speed of lightning, swiftness of wind, depth of the sea, stability of the earth, firmness of rock.

I arise today through God's strength to pilot me, 
God's eye to look before me,
God's wisdom to guide me, 
God's way to look before me, 
God's shield to protect me. 
From all afar who shall wish me ill, 
Afar and a'near, 
Alone and in a multitude, 
Against every cruel, merciless power 
That may oppose my body and soul.

Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ in me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise, Christ to shield me
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me. 

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation.
May thy salvation, O Lord, be ever with us.

 Click this link for the beautiful music video:   The Deer's Cry 

**Canticle 1    A Song of Creation  [The Book of Common Prayer]

I  O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord; *
    praise him and magnify him for ever.

O ye angels of the Lord, bless ye the Lord; *
    praise him and magnify him for ever.

III  O let the earth bless the Lord; *
    O ye mountains and hills, bless ye the Lord;

O all ye green things upon the earth, bless ye the Lord; *
    praise him and magnify him for ever.

O ye wells, bless ye the Lord; *

    O ye seas and floods, bless ye the Lord;

O ye whales and all that move in the waters, bless ye the Lord;
    praise him and magnify him for ever.

O all ye fowls of the air, bless ye the Lord; *
    O all ye beasts and cattle, bless ye the Lord;

O ye children of men, bless ye the Lord; *
    praise him and magnify him for ever.

IV  O ye people of God, bless ye the Lord; *

    O ye priests of the Lord, bless ye the Lord;

O ye servants of the Lord, bless ye the Lord; *

    praise him and magnify him for ever.

O ye spirits and souls of the righteous, bless ye the Lord; *
    O ye holy and humble men of heart, bless ye the Lord.

Let us bless the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; *
    praise him and magnify him for ever.

***for more information on the Season of Creation and the Earth Charter see:  http://prayersofthepeople.blogspot.com/2016/10/prayers-of-people-very-beginning-1st.html




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.