De-Cluttering Day VI: I can see daylight! I feel hopeful and “The glory of God is the human person fully alive.”

Good Evening Dear Family of God and Love!

Happy Wednesday and De-Cluttering Day VI : Seeing Daylight ! Woo hoo! I'm beginning to see daylight on the floor and in drawers and safe walkways. I hope you are too. As people of faith we need to begin a daily process of de-cluttering of our spirits and releasing ourselves from all the things, yes things,situations, and anything else that is keeping us from being connected to the holy. We need to remember that the Worry/Sabbath Jar isn't just for Friday's anymore. Wee need to begin a daily de-cluttering of our mind, nervous systems, and unload unhealthy spiritual gunk that is keeping us from seeing daylight and hope. So take out your jars, journals, and boxes and start writing down those things that are cluttering up your spiritual, mental, and soul pathways and not letting God into your hearts and lives.  This is our project for tonight and tomorrow along with de-cluttering our table tops so that we can see daylight. Tonight we are going to have a prayer time with the lessons from the Feast day of Irenaeus of Lyons. (Click here to read all about him)

Stay with us, Christ, for it is evening.
 Make your Church bright with your radiance.

Light of the World Phos hilaron

Light of the world, in grace and beauty,
Mirror of God’s eternal face,
Transparent flame of love’s free duty,
You bring salvation to our race.
Now, as we see the lights of evening,
We raise our voice in hymns of praise;
Worthy are you of endless blessing,
Sun of our night, lamp of our days

But following the only true and stedfast Teacher, the Word of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, who did, through His transcendent love, become what we are, that He might bring us to be even what He is Himself.
Irenaeus 


“The glory of God is the human person fully alive.”
Irenaeus 



 Psalm 145 Exaltabo te, Deus

1 I will exalt you, O God my King, *
2 Every day will I bless you *
3 Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; *
4 One generation shall praise your works to another *
5 I will ponder the glorious splendor of your majesty *
6 They shall speak of the might of your wondrous acts, *
7 They shall publish the remembrance of your great goodness; *
8 The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, *
9 The Lord is loving to everyone *
10 All your works praise you, O Lord, *
11 They make known the glory of your kingdom *
12 That the peoples may know of your power *
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; *
14 The Lord is faithful in all his words *
15 The Lord upholds all those who fall; *
16 The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord, *
17 You open wide your hand *
18 The Lord is righteous in all his ways *
19 The Lord is near to those who call upon him, *
20 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; *
21 The Lord preserves all those who love him, *
22 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord; *



Since it is impossible, without God, to come to knowledge of God, he teaches men through his Word to know God.
Irenaeus 



The Song of Hannah
1 Samuel 2:1-8
My heart exults in you, O God; *
my triumph song is lifted in you.
My mouth derides my enemies, *
for I rejoice in your salvation.
There is none holy like you, *
nor any rock to be compared to you, our God.
Do not heap up prideful words or speak in arrogance; *
Only God is knowing and weighs all actions.
The bows of the mighty are broken, *
but the weak are clothed in strength.
Those once full now labor for bread, *
those who hungered now are well fed.
The childless woman has borne sevenfold, *
while the mother of many is forlorn.
God destroys and brings to life, casts down and raises up; *
gives wealth or takes it away, humbles and dignifies.
God raises the poor from the dust; *
and lifts the needy from the ash heap
To make them sit with the rulers *
and inherit a place of honor.


For the pillars of the earth are God’s *
on which the whole earth is founded.

Irenaeus of Lyons


The Virgin Mary, being obedient to his word, received from an angel the glad tidings that she would bear God.
Irenaeus

Proverbs 8:6-11

⁶ Hear, for I will speak noble things,
   and from my lips will come what is right; 
⁷ for my mouth will utter truth;
   wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 
⁸ All the words of my mouth are righteous;
   there is nothing twisted or crooked in them. 
⁹ They are all straight to one who understands
   and right to those who find knowledge. 
¹⁰ Take my instruction instead of silver,
   and knowledge rather than choice gold; 
¹¹ for wisdom is better than jewels,
   and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

Close your eyes and repeat the word peace until you feel relaxed and ready for prayer.


God, we come to you this night as tired, rattled, and emotionally fraught children in need of  a place of sanctuary. Help us we pray to light our candles and find our lives with you and resting peaceably in your arms as we offer these our prayers to you. We pray that all of us may take time to find sanctuary wherever we can. We pray for all of your children who are seeking a place of sanctuary after the events in any city where there is violence We pray that all places of sanctuary may be safe, peaceful, and away from the hustle and bustle of all things. We pray that in these places we may be able if we aren't able to, to live and be authentically who you have made us to be. We pray that We pray for sanctuaries for our family members who are refugees, on the margins, We pray that our countries and all nations may be a place of sanctuary for their residents and the aliens in their midst. We pray that this night all of those touched by violence remembering Istanbul and Orlando may find sanctuary. We pray for an end to all forms of violence, bullying, and verbal discord  We continue to pray for all of our chronically ill people who are in need of sanctuary  so that they may accept your healing O,God.  God let us light our candles and quiet our minds, hearts, and spirits so that we may enter into this time of sanctuary. God keep reminding us that even Jesus went across the lake to pray. We lift up these our prayers and lighten our hearts and may we find sanctuary within you O, God. Amen.

Or this vigil

God we are privileged to come into your sanctuary each night to pray and give thanks and share community with one another. We are here to light candles to provide a pathway out of the darkness in our lives and those of others. We pray and give thanks for all the blessings you bestow upon us each and every day. We pray for our families who give us strength and emotional support. We pray this night that we may open our hearts with love to all the fragile ones and yes God we know that our enemies and those who hate us are fragile in a different way. We pray that they may turn away from violence and hate and that they may learn to love, listen, and seek to come together in unity. We know that fear triggers hate and violent action. We pray that everyone receives a good education where they live not only in school but in their faith communities so they may learn what is truly taught and not made up to incite violence, disunity, and hatred.. We pray that violence of any kind may cease and that the only radicalization that takes place is that of Compassion, Acceptance, Love, Mercy and Hospitality where unity is fostered and brought into being. We pray this night for the least of these and that we may continue to seek your face in all of our family members. We pray these our prayers as we lift up our candles in a mirror and say "The Light of Christ in Me, recognizes the Light of Christ in you!' Let us be the light to your fragile and broken world and in the warmth of the light may it represent love in all of its hues and actions. May we feel its love energy radiating in all, through all, and to all. Amen.

Through a tree we were made debtors to God; so through a tree we have our debt canceled.
Irenaeus of Lyons

A Song of Christ’s Humility
Philippians 2:6-11

Though in the form of God, *
Christ Jesus did not cling to equality with God,
But emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, *
and was born in human likeness.
Being found in human form, he humbled himself *
and became obedient to death, even death on a cross.
Therefore, God has highly exalted him *
and given him the name above every name,
That at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, *
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, *
to the glory of God the Father.


Because of his boundless love, Jesus became what we are that he might make us to be what he is.
Irenaeus of Lyons

2 Timothy 2:22-26
22 Shun youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 Have nothing to do with stupid and senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant* must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, patient, 25 correcting opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth, 26 and that they may escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.*



He [Jesus] came to save all through himself; all, I say, who through him are reborn in God: infants, and children, and youths, and old men. Therefore he passed through every age, becoming an infant for infants, sanctifying infants; a child for children, sanctifying those who are of that age . . . [so that] he might be the perfect teacher in all things, perfect not only in respect to the setting forth of truth, perfect also in respect to relative age
Irenaeus of Lyons

A Song of Ezekiel
Ezekiel 36:24-28

I will take you from among all nations; *
and gather you from all lands to bring you home.
I will sprinkle clean water upon you; *
and purify you from false gods and uncleanness.
A new heart I will give you *
and a new spirit put within you.
I will take the stone heart from your chest *
and give you a heart of flesh.
I will help you walk in my laws *
and cherish my commandments and do them.
You shall be my people, *
and I will be your God



Jesus Christ, in His infinite love, has become what we are, in order that He may make us entirely what He is.
Irenaeus of Lyons

Luke 11:33-36
33 ‘No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar,* but on the lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. 34Your eye is the lamp of your body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light; but if it is not healthy, your body is full of darkness. 35Therefore consider whether the light in you is not darkness. 36If then your whole body is full of light, with no part of it in darkness, it will be as full of light as when a lamp gives you light with its rays.’


“He who was the Son of God became the Son of man, that man ... might become the son of God.” 
― Irenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies

A Song of Hosea
Hosea 6:1-3

Come, let us return to our God, *
who has torn us and will heal us.
God has struck us and will bind up our wounds, *
after two days revive us,
On the third day restore us, *
that in God’s presence we may live.
Let us humble ourselves, let us strive to know the Lord, *
whose justice dawns like morning light,
its dawning as sure as the sunrise.
God’s justice will come to us like a shower, *
like spring rains that water the earth.


The glory of God is a human being fully alive; and to be alive consists in beholding God.
Irenaeus of Lyons




A Song of the Spirit
Revelation 22:12-17

“Behold, I am coming soon,” says the Lord,
“and bringing my reward with me, *
to give to everyone according to their deeds.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, *
the beginning and the end.”
Blessed are those who do God’s commandments,
that they may have the right to the tree of life, *
and may enter the city through the gates.
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to you, *
with this testimony for all the churches.
“I am the root and the offspring of David, *
I am the bright morning star.”
“Come!” say the Spirit and the Bride; *
“Come!” let each hearer reply!
Come forward, you who are thirsty, *
let those who desire take the water of life as a gift.


For where the church is, there is the Spirit of God, and where the Spirit of God, there is the church and all grace.
Irenaeus of Lyons


A Song of Our True Nature
Julian of Norwich

Christ revealed our frailty and our falling, *
our trespasses and our humiliations.
Christ also revealed his blessed power, *
his blessed wisdom and love.
He protects us as tenderly and as sweetly when we are in greatest need; *he raises us in spirit
and turns everything to glory and joy without ending.
God is the ground and the substance, the very essence of nature; *
God is the true father and mother of natures.
We are all bound to God by nature, *
and we are all bound to God by grace.
And this grace is for all the world, *
because it is our precious mother, Christ.
For this fair nature was prepared by Christ
for the honor and nobility of all, *
and for the joy and bliss of salvation.

Let us sit still and breathe.


A Prayer attributed to St. Francis

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is
hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where
there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where
there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where
there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to
be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is
in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we
are born to eternal life. Amen.

Let us spend time in silence and prepare ourselves to be God's voice in a broken world. 
silent. 


God of justice we pray that we may have courage to speak truth to power.

God of compassion we pray that we may love others not just in our words but in our deeds.

God of kindness we pray that we may use our voices to heal, comfort, and lovingly support.

God of peace we pray that we may use our voices as your beloved children to make peace and not wage war in this world.

God of all people, we pray that we may be the voices who seek to protect and serve the most vulnerable of our family members.

God of justice we pray that we may we have the courage to Stand Up, Step up, and Speak Up for all of your children who need us to act and not be 
silent. 

God of Love we pray that we may use the Love Energy that is within our Heart Homes to be your Light to the world. May we shine your light in dark places so that our family members may see and be guided away from the darkness that infects our world.

God of healing we pray that we may seek to use our voices to heal and not harm.

God of creation we pray that we may use our voices to speak for good conservation practices to heal and renew the face of the earth and respect all living things in your Cathedral of Live.

God of diversity, we pray that we may be voices of unity and that we may seek to come to know one another and respect the dignity of all beings.

God and creator of us all may we seek to follow the examples of Jesus and John the Baptist and speak, love, act, and pray and be mindful of the needs and concerns of others this day and always! 

God we offer our own voices in prayer and thanksgiving remembering____________________.

We lift up these our prayers in the name of Jesus the Good Shepherd whose voice we hear and who calls us all by our names. Amen. 

or these.


For whom and what shall we pray?

God we pray that we may de-clutter all the junk that is hindering our relationship with you and our families?
God in your mercy,
Here our prayer.

God we pray for an end to all the junk that divides us and fails to unite us.
God in your mercy,
Here our prayer

God we pray that we might find our reliance upon you and not things and earthly possessions. 

God in your mercy,
Here our prayer

God we pray for an end to all forms of violence that there may be peace on the the Earth.
God in your mercy,
Here our prayer

God we pray for all who are ill and in need of healing of bodies, minds, and spirits remembering especially _______________
God in your mercy,
Here our prayer

God we pray for an end to _________________

God in your mercy,
Here our prayer

God we pray for the conservation of God's Cathedral of Life.
God in your mercy,
Here our prayer

God we pray and give thanks for __________________
God in your mercy,
Here our prayer

God we pray that the leaders of the nations and especially here at home may realize their duty is to lead and care for the least of these no matter who they are. We pray that they may truly practice and live by the words "Liberty and Justice for all!".

God in your mercy,
Here our prayer

God we lift up these our prayers to you O God.
God in your mercy,
Here our prayer


Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more
than we can ask or imagine: Glory to God from generation to
generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever.
Amen. Ephesians 3:20,21


Live without fear: your Creator has made you holy, has always
protected you, and loves you as a mother. Go in peace to follow
the good road and may God’s blessing be with you always. Amen.
(source: from Saint Clare)


++++++

Good Night all ! I love you and give thanks to God for you this night and always. Your task before bed is to toss five items in the trash from your fridge that have gone bad or junk mail into the recycling bin. May you have a blessed rest with a de-cluttered mind and spirit and place in which you live, move, and just be. Remember we must try to keep all of our sanctuaries de-cluttered.

With love and blessings,
Sara


Resources:
Irenaeus quotes from the web
Satucket Lectionary page
Enriching Our Worship