Prayers of the People: Thinking Outside the Triangle, Trinity Sunday '17 Yr A

For Sunday, June 11, 2017, Trinity Sunday, Year A, Readings: Genesis 1:1-2:4a, Canticle 13, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20

        In the beginning...God created the heavens and the earth...God said, "Let there be light...called the dry land Earth and the waters seas...Let the Earth put forth vegetation...and living creatures of every kind...Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness" and God saw everything that he had made, and...it was very good. [Genesis 1:1]

        Glory to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; we will praise you and highly exalt you forever. [Canticle 13 from the Song of the 3 Young Men]

       The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. [2 Corinthians 13:13]

       Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them...And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." [Matthew 28:16-20]

         A mystery, if explained, is no longer a mystery. The mystery of the Trinity is nothing if not confounding and controversial. One God/Three Persons - separate yet one, equal with different roles that are ultimately the same, belief in one is meant to be belief in all and the One that is the same but different. Got that?

        Franciscan theologian Richard Rohr tells us that "...the Western Church overemphasized the individual "names" Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but not so much the quality of the relationships between them, which is where all the power and meaning lies!" And further, "The real and essential point is how the three "persons" relate to one another--infinite outpouring and infinite receiving..."

        Rohr tells us that "...Niels Bohr, [a Danish physicist who was a major contributor to quantum physics and nuclear fission] said the universe is 'not only stranger than we think, but stranger than we can think...' The doctrine of the Trinity is saying the same thing: God is not only stranger than we think, but stranger than we can think...Perhaps much of the weakness of the first 2,000 years of reflection on most of our doctrines and dogmas is that we've tried to understand them with a logical or rational mind instead of through love, prayer, and participation itself..." Perhaps we are called, as one mystic suggested, to be almost a fourth person in the flow of God...[to read the piece in its entirety, click the link: Richard Rohr's Daily Meditation, The Trinity]

        If rational knowing all that God is becomes the substance and goal of our faith, aren't we merely reducing God to our level and then dismissing all that God is? Otherwise, how does one claim to have faith? [see John 20:24-29, Doubting Thomas] 

      One of my favorite ways to attempt a kind of explanation/understanding is through a piece of a 6th century creed from Dublin known as Tírechán’s Creed ~ when speaking of God it says:

He has a Son who is co-eternal with himself;

   and similar in all respects to himself;

   and neither is the Son younger than the Father,

   nor is the Father older than the Son;

   and the Holy Spirit breathes in them.

And the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit are inseparable.

       If we think outside the Triangle that was developed to try to contain and explain, perhaps we can arrive at the beginning where all things are possible with God. So, now that the mystery of the Trinity is solved, any questions?

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Divine and Blessed Trinity, You have created the heavens, the earth, all means of life, and, in Your own Image, humanity. You have granted us the redemption of our sins, and set the fire of Pentecost within us. All that keeps us from a life wholly dedicated to you is ourselves.

                                                All Glory to our Triune God!                                         

RESPONSE:             Let us praise You and highly exalt You forever

~ Divine and Blessed Trinity, with our God-given intellects, the love of Christ, and the courage of the Spirit, we each have abilities to exhort the leaders of this World, this Nation, and this Community, to answer Your call to serve the best interests of ALL people, and this planet, with justice, mercy, and in peace. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                All Glory to our Triune God!

                                                Let us praise You and highly exalt You forever

                                               

~ Divine and Blessed Trinity, grant extra grace of hope and healing upon those who are ill in mind, body, or spirit, and continuing strength and perseverance to those who give them care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                All Glory to our Triune God!

                                                Let us praise You and highly exalt You forever

           

~ Divine and Blessed Trinity, our heartfelt thanksgivings rise with those who have left this earthly experience, lifted into eternal joy and bliss, as reward for lives well lived in You. We pray especially for: add your own petitions 

                                                All Glory to our Triune God!

                                                Let us praise You and highly exalt You forever

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

                                                All Glory to our Triune God!

                                                Let us praise You and highly exalt You forever

           

~ Divine and Blessed Trinity, bestow peace of heart, strength of mind, and courage of conviction for all You have called and blessed as guides for our souls in this life. Hold us fast as we journey together toward everlasting life in Your Holy of Holies. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                All Glory to our Triune God!

                                                Let us praise You and highly exalt You forever

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds:  Eternal and Infinite Whole, One and All, we are each endowed with Your essence to guide us in all that we do, and think, and pray. Embolden our souls to limit mere temporal diversions and seek our ultimate fulfillment in humble service to Your call. We beseech You as our Most Holy Creator, our Messiah Christ, and our Sacred Spirit, Who together are One God, forever and ever.  Amen.

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. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com

Prayers of the People: The Gift that Keeps on Giving, Pentecost Sunday, '17 Yr A

For Sunday, June 4, ..2017, Pentecost Sunday, Year A, Readings: Acts 2:1-21, Psalm 104:25-35, 37; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, John 7:37-39

        When the day of Pentecost had come, the disciples were altogether in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind... Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them ability... then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. 
[Acts 2:1-4, 21]

        O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all...You send forth your Spirit, and they are created... [Psalm 104: 25a, 31a]

        Now there are a variety of gifts but the same Spirit...but it is the same God that activates all of them in everyone...To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good...the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses. For just as the body is one and has many members of the body, though many are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body - Jews or Greeks, slaves or free... [1 Corinithians 12:4a, 6b-7, 11]

        ...[Jesus] cried out, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the Scripture has said, 'Out of the believer's heart shall flow the living water.' Now he said this about the Spirit, which the believers were about to receive..." 

[John 7:37b-39a]

        We are now 50 days after Easter, 10 days after the Ascension. We have arrived at Pentecost, the feast of the Holy Spirit - the birthday of the Christian Church.

        The word Pentecost comes from the Greek for "fiftieth" and carries much ancient history and tradition with it besides its timing within the Christian calendar. On the Jewish calendar, this ancient feast is Shavuot and follows 50 days after Passover - but generally our mutual feasts do not overlap. Shavuot celebrates the giving of the Law to Moses on Mt. Sinai and perhaps is another reason the disciples were gathered together, in the comfort of a familiar structure of a venerable ritual, in addition to waiting for the sign promised by the resurrected Jesus only 10 days before, in his last in-person teachings.

        Remember that in the previous month and a half, they had experienced the arrest and violent execution of Jesus, his resurrection, various appearances to them, then his ascension, and their own grief and fear and uncertainty at these inexplicable turn of events. Here they are gathered together again without quite knowing what was next or when. And then suddenly a sound like a violent wind and tongues of fire resting on them gave them more than good reason to be bewildered, astonished, and amazed! And then, their ministry began in earnest, taking Christ's message far and wide.

        Today we are blasé. We know the story too well; we are immune to the thrill and amazement of a story about tongues of fire. We pack the churches at Christmas and Easter yet come Pentecost, all seems routine even if a "festival Eucharist" is celebrated. Of course Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter are all critical to our Christian history. We can't have gotten to this point at all without Christ's birth, death, and resurrection. But it was on that Pentecost's arrival of the Holy Spirit that fired up the Apostles and sent them around the known world proclaiming Christ, converting, and making the way for us to be the Church here and now, more than 2,000 years later. Without that Pentecost, would we still know about Christmas, Good Friday, or Easter?

        Today is the day to stop merely knowing the story. Today is the day to START feeling the Spirit – to be as amazed and astonished and bewildered as the Apostles - and EXCITED.  We have the Spirit within us! And God’s grace, and the love and Salvation of Christ for the wanting of it. THIS IS the day that the LORD has made! Let us rejoice and be glad and joy-filled, and alive in it! After all, what else is faith for? 
        On this fiftieth day from Easter, we are to KNOW that we, too, are filled with the Holy Spirit, to accept and welcome the extraordinary gifts and abilities bestowed on us, chosen for and unique to each of us. To be eager and enthusiastic in embracing all that a true life of faith calls us to be and to do, to live fully in the belief in Christ that we claim. We also celebrate, with our Jewish heritage, the giving of the Law on Sinai as our rules of life. On this Birthday of the Church, let us claim our heritage as children of God, equal one and all, and to use the language of love with each other as we strive to be all that Jesus has shown us. Christmas is wonderful, and lovely, and blessed but with Pentecost comes the true gift that keeps on giving!

       As the Birthday of the Church, Pentecost marks the official beginning of the ministry of the Apostles beyond their local area and into the world at large. The descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of tongues of fire imbued, instilled, and infused them, and each of us by extension, with extra-ordinary gifts to bring the message of Christ to everyone. This day is known as Whitsun/Whitsunday in Ireland and the United Kingdom, a name descending from a Gaelic celebration of medieval or perhaps even more ancient times. 

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Holiest Spirit, Breath of God, agitate us out of our ordinary and propel us into calling upon the extraordinary gifts and abilities bestowed by You, unique to us each, that lead us to eager, faith-filled living in the name of Christ Jesus, our Lord.  

                                                Glorious Fire from Heaven                                                   

RESPONSE:             Enflame our souls into action

~ Holiest Spirit, Breath of God, set alight our own tongues to speak in the language of Your Truth to the leaders of this Earth, this Country, and this Community, as the voice of those crying in the wilderness of poverty, war, intolerance, and injustice. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Glorious Fire from Heaven

                                                Enflame our souls into action

                                               

~ Holiest Spirit, Breath of God, infuse Your care, comfort, and hope to all who suffer serious illness, anxiety, or addiction, and refresh all who provide support and love. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                Glorious Fire from Heaven

                                                Enflame our souls into action

           

~ Holiest Spirit, Breath of God, we celebrate the wonder and joy of all who have called upon the name of the Lord and now dance in the glory of salvation forever. We pray especially for: add your own petitions 

                                                Glorious Fire from Heaven

                                                Enflame our souls into action

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

                                                Glorious Fire from Heaven

                                                Enflame our souls into action

           

~ Holiest Spirit, Breath of God, quicken the essence of our spiritual leaders in this life, that they may elevate the enthusiasm and energy in our own believers’ hearts to drink deeply of the Living Waters of Christ. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Glorious Fire from Heaven

                                                Enflame our souls into action

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds:  God of Creation, Redemption, and Wisdom, though we are many, we are one body in the one Spirit, all equal in Your eyes. May our hearts again be set ablaze to discern Your will, keep Your Commandments, and use our earthly lives for the common good of all. We ask through Jesus, our Redeemer Christ, and the Holy Spirit, our Wisdom Advocate, who together with You reign as One God, now and for eternity.  Amen.

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. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com

Prayers of the People: Lift Off, Ascension! 7th Sunday of Easter Yr A '17

For Sunday, May 28, 2017, 7th Sunday of Easter, Year A, Readings: Acts 1:6-14, Psalm 68:1-10, 33-36; 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11; John 17:1-11

       [Jesus] replied..."It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you...When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. [Acts 1:7-8a]

       But let the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; let them be merry and joyful...Blessed be God! [Psalm 68:3, 36b]

       Cast all your anxiety on [God] because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith...God of all grace who has called you to eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen and establish you. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen. [1 Peter 4:7-9a, 10b, 11]

     Jesus looked up to heaven and said..."I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world...and they have received me and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf...And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world...Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one." [John 17:6a, 8b-9a, 11a]

      The Divinely Human Christ takes his leave of this plane as the apostles watch him be lifted up and a cloud took him out of their sight. As it says in the Apostles and Nicene Creeds: he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 

       The Feast of the Ascension is one of the five major markers in the Gospel accounts of the life of Jesus. The others are his Baptism, Transfiguration, Crucifixion, and Resurrection. The Ascension is also one of the essential elements of Christian creeds and one of the significant mysteries in the life of Christ. The bodily Ascension into heaven is also understood by some as the expression of Christ's two natures: divine and human. The mythology, the mystical, and the mysterious all combine to fuel the fires of discussion, disagreement, and theological divides across generations and denominations. Typically observed on the 6th Thursday, or 40 days, after Easter, it precedes Pentecost Sunday (50 days after Easter) and then next is Trinity Sunday.

        The Gospel of John's account of the Ascension, that the Revised Common Lectionary is using for this Sunday, contains a bit of Jesus' human side - he prays to God to protect us now that he is leaving this world - we who were given to him by God and who remain in this world; and he prays for unity in the Church. Samuel Cruz, Assistant Professor of Church and Society at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, has this to say: "A prayer from Jesus asking for protection via unity of the church, provides a great source of comfort to his followers...[it] is powerful because it emerges from his personal experiences as a man...[as when] a parent prays for his or her child, we know that the motivations behind that prayer are deep and primal. Likewise, the deeply loving petition in our favor requested by Jesus is greatly treasured." The Living Jesus does care greatly for his followers then and now. For our part, let us return this great comfort by devoting ourselves to prayer as the apostles did while waiting for the power of the Holy Spirit to come upon them. Let us follow Peter's instructions to cast all our anxiety on God because our adversary, the devil, even in the form of seemingly benign earthly temptation, could easily devour our good intentions, carrying us away from what we are called to do in this life. With some prayer, discipline, and faith, we, too, will be restored, supported, and strengthened by God for that day when we are raised and Lift Off to the highest heights of heaven to live eternally with the Ascended Jesus. Blessed be God! To God be the power forever and ever. AMEN!

        

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God of All Grace, Jesus, glorified You in his earthly life and prayed for our protection out of his humanity. Fortify our faith that we may be steadfast and resist the worldly temptations prowling around us, looking to devour our fragile promises to You.

                                                Christ, Ascended                                              

RESPONSE:               Restore, Support, and Strengthen us

~ O God of All Grace, bolster the character and principles of those in political leadership on this Earth, in this Nation, and in our community, and steady them on the course of justice, mercy, and peace for all the people of Your Creation.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Christ, Ascended

                                                Restore, Support, and Strengthen us

                                               

~ O God of All Grace, rest Your healing spirit upon all who are coping with chronic or life-threatening illness, and give rest to all who give them love and care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                Christ, Ascended

                                                Restore, Support, and Strengthen us

           

~ O God of All Grace, gladden our hearts knowing that those we love who have left our lives, are now risen with all the Saints and the Ascended, Living Jesus. We pray especially for: add your own petitions 

                                                Christ, Ascended

                                                Restore, Support, and Strengthen us

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

                                                Christ, Ascended

                                                Restore, Support, and Strengthen us

           

~ O God of All Grace, empower the leaders of Your Church with spiritual wisdom and with souls yearning for You. Grant them hearts open to the challenges of being Christ’s emissary to guide us to do Your work in this world. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Christ, Ascended

                                                Restore, Support, and Strengthen us

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds:  Holy God of Power and Glory, as we cast our anxiety upon You, re-kindle our desire to reflect upon and rejoice in Your presence, and renew our willingness to be disciplined, in the pursuit of the eternal glory in Christ, in the life You have given us to live.  We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Ascended Redeemer; and the Holy Spirit, our Sacred Sanctifier; who live and reign with You, One God, forever and ever.  Amen.

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. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com

Prayers of the People: Truth and Consciences, 6th Sunday of Easter, Yr A '17

For Sunday, May 21, 2017, 6th Sunday of Easter, Year A, Readings: Acts 17:22-31, Psalm 66:7-18, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21

      The God who made the world and everything in it...gives to all mortals life and breath...From one ancestor he made all nations to inhabit the whole earth...so that they would search for God...though indeed he is not far from each one of us. [Acts 17:24a, 25b-26a, 27]

      Bless our God...who holds our souls in life...who has not rejected my prayer, nor withheld his love from me. [Psalm 66:7a, 8b, 18b]

      Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear...And Baptism...now saves you - not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ... [1 Peter 3:13-14a, 21]

      Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments and I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of Truth...You know him because he abides with you, and he will be in you. I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you." [John 14:15-18]

      This week's readings begin with reminders of the work of God in Creation, who, in addition to making the world, gave us life and breath and holds our souls in life. God is known to us and although life is often difficult, God is with us throughout it all. God doesn't need anything as he made everything but part of God's plan, Paul tells the Athenians, and now us, is that we are to search for God and find him. And if for no other reason, God's gift of life to us seems reason enough to seek a living with good conscience, yet Peter takes us farther to say that our Baptism saves us as an appeal for a good conscience thanks to the resurrection of Jesus.
      The words Jesus speaks in John's Gospel this week are from the Last Supper after Jesus has washed the disciples' feet and tells of his coming betrayal and Peter's denial. In last week's passage, just before this one, Jesus says Do not let your hearts be troubled and this week he tells of asking God, on our behalf, for another Advocate who is within us, the Spirit of Truth. He reassures the disciples, who don't yet understand at this point - and us who now know what was to come - that he will not leave us orphaned; we will see him again. 
      When we combine these passages, we find another powerful reminder - the constancy of our ever-present God in Three Persons, Creator, Savior, Advocate.  And the truth is, when we actively work to build and keep a good conscience, recognize and call upon the Trinity within us, we are more and more able to relinquish the strong hold of earthly distractions, fears, and griefs as we walk through our human existence on our Way to eternal life with our Living Christ.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Lord Creator of Heaven and Earth, we live and move and have our being in You, who gave us life and breath. You have overlooked our ignorance and never withheld Your love. Quicken our desire to search and find You, repent, and pledge our love and obedience to Your commandments.

                                                Blessed be our God

RESPONSE:             Who heeds our every prayer

~ Lord Creator of Heaven and Earth, grant us the words and wisdom to urge an accounting of actions from the political leaders of our world, our country, and our community, in the service of mercy and justice for all Your peoples and the health of this planet, our earthly home.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Blessed be our God

                                                Who heeds our every prayer

                                               

~ Lord Creator of Heaven and Earth, deliver comfort and hope to all who are sick, anxious, or fearful, and to those who worry and attend to their needs. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                Blessed be our God

                                                Who heeds our every prayer

           

~ Lord Creator of Heaven and Earth, we commend to Your eternal embrace all who have left this mortal life for everlasting joy and glory in You.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Blessed be our God

                                                Who heeds our every prayer

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

                                                Blessed be our God

                                                Who heeds our every prayer

           

~ Lord Creator of Heaven and Earth, excite the spirits of all who lead us in Your church, that they may guide us to a place of spiritual refreshment and renewal in Your Word and Sacraments. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Blessed be our God

                                                Who heeds our every prayer

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds:  Loving Creator God, who holds our souls in life, free us from earthly fears, and steady us on our journey to enter Your house, as we offer prayer and sacrifice for good conscience, in thanksgiving for the Resurrection of Christ. We ask through Jesus our Living Savior, and the Spirit of Truth, our Holy Advocate, who live and reign with You, as One God, forever and ever.  Amen

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. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com

Prayers of the People: Stones on The Way, 5th Sunday of Easter Yr A '17

For Sunday, May 14, 2017, 5th Sunday of Easter, Year A, Readings: Acts 7:55-60, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16; 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14

       While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he died. 
[Acts 7:59-60]

       In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge...lead me and guide me...for you are my tower of strength...Into your hands I commend my spirit, for you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth. [Psalm 31:1a, 3b, 5b]

       Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation...Come to him, a living stone...and like living stones, let yourself be built into a spiritual house...you are a chosen race...God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. [1Peter 2:2 4a, 5a, 9a,b]

       Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe in me also...Jesus said to [Thomas], "I am the way, and the truth, and the life...If you know me, you will know my father also...Very truly I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these..." [John 14:1, 6a,b; 12a]


      Stephen has the distinction of being Christianity's First Martyr yet we hear little else about him in the lectionary. His story - there isn't a whole lot - is in the prior chapter and verses, and a few more words beyond his death. The Book of the Acts of the Apostles is Luke's summary account of the activities of the original and newer Apostles from the Ascension of Jesus through Paul's final imprisonment in Rome. Stephen's story begins briefly in chapter 6:5 and carries through from 6:8 until 8:3 where we find Saul, who becomes Paul, ravaging the church because people lamented Stephen's death. The more success the Apostles - Stephen among them - became at attracting disciples to join them, even some of the priests, the angrier became the High Priest and Council who saw these Jesus-followers as a threat to their established order. A political/religious narrative that carries through to our own day.

       Stephen's commitment to Jesus mirrors Jesus' commitment on the cross, and, he asks for those who have stoned him to be absolved, as Jesus did. The recurring theme in all these readings for this Sunday, for me, is commitment. What is the state of my commitment to Christ? Should I be, need I be willing to be a martyr for Christ? Yes, no, maybe, sort of? Jesus tells us not to let our hearts be troubled yet it is troubling to wonder where, what, and who I am supposed to be as a Christian when the messages from various sects and denominations seem contradictory and sometimes less than Jesus-like. But it was the same in Jesus' time and this is where we hit the stones on The Way. We may never be certain that we believe as fully and completely as we want or know as much as we think we’re supposed to but Jesus is that strong rock, the precious cornerstone that holds our spiritual house in place. When we truly turn our hearts and commit our spirits to him, when we speak our belief in him through our words and actions, it will be a rocky road on more than a few occasions. It is by walking together in a faith community, that our foundation is strengthened and our hearts untroubled a little more each day. We will trip and fall, be ignored or outright rejected, but if we get this far on faith, it is because we have become the living stones drinking deeply of the pure, spiritual milk that will nourish us all the way into salvation.

  

 LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Jesus, our Strong Rock, You are the Cornerstone of our spiritual house, the purest Milk for our spirits, our Way, our Truth, and our Life. Lead us into the fullness of God’s merciful light and out from the darkness of sin.

                                                O Lord, O God of Truth                                            

RESPONSE:             Our Guide and our Refuge

~ Jesus, our Strong Rock, endow us with the courage of Stephen to speak Your Truth through our words and actions, especially to those in political power across this world, this nation, and this community, to strengthen the cause of peace and to decry violence and inhumanity. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                O Lord, O God of Truth

                                                Our Guide and our Refuge

                                               

~ Jesus, our Strong Rock, walk with all who are seriously ill and those who see to their comfort, as they each seek shelter in the stronghold of Your love.  We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                O Lord, O God of Truth

                                                Our Guide and our Refuge

           

~ Jesus, our Strong Rock, we give You praise and thanksgiving for receiving the spirits of all who ask and who now dwell with You forever, in the peace and splendor of God’s holy house. We pray especially for: add your own petitions 

                                                O Lord, O God of Truth

                                                Our Guide and our Refuge

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

                                                O Lord, O God of Truth

                                                Our Guide and our Refuge

           

~ Jesus, our Strong Rock, grant our anointed leaders the fortitude, the patience, and the desire to help us strive to be as Living Stones, obedient to the Word, and with faith as a firm foundation for everything we do. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                O Lord, O God of Truth

                                                Our Guide and our Refuge

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds:  Creator God, our Tower of Strength, nourish our faith as You shine Your face upon us, that we may fully commit our spirits into the hands of Christ from now, hold no sins against others, and grow into salvation through our spiritual sacrifices. We ask through Jesus, our Lord and Savior, and the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of our souls, who live and reign with You, as One God, forever, for eternity. Amen.    

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