Thursday, March 22, 2018

Let us continue our pilgrimage into Holy Week in a holy circle of love, healing, and reflection






Good Evening Beloved Community!

Happy Being Thoughtful and Thankful Thursday! We are one week away from Maundy Thursday and the beginning of the great Triduum leading up to Easter Sunday!  We as pilgrims need to ready ourselves for this special time. If you haven't already done so take time to decide what you are going to take with you on this journey and what you are going to leave at home. This also extends to our hearts, minds, and spirits. What is the attitude you are going to carry with you ? Are you doing this willingly or are you holding on to many grudges and hurts that may keep you from being truly united with God? These are tonight's ponderings! 

Let us take time to think on these things and breathe and engage in the Be Stillls as we come together in a holy circle of healing and listen to one another and speak from our hearts in God's holy presence.

Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.

Pause
Inhale
Exhale
Reflect on today.
Repeat the above as necessary.

Our opening sentences  and prayer come from Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John 

We declare to you ... what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life.” I John 1:1 


“As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.” John 17:18

How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.” I John 3:17,18 

Blessed Savior,
Send me into the world, so that, like you,
I may bear witness to God ’s light and life.
Turn me loose, Lord, to be a channel of your love, an instrument of your compassion,
a minister of your grace.
Amen.

“We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us – and we ought to lay down our lives for one another.” I John 3:16 

“This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true.” 
John 21:24

We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the world of life – this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us…” 
I John 1:1,2

Family of God we come together and light candles in celebration of the wonderful diversity found in God's creation and among us all. We pray that we may ever become knit together in love for the purposes of making peace, striving for justice, and respecting God in expressions of all God's children with dignity. We pray that we may find ourselves being compassionate, accepting, loving, and merciful to all our family members. Take away the stings of division and hatred and let us be the balm that heals our relationships and makes us one with loving and expanding heart homes. We pray that we may seek to serve all the Children of God without asking questions but with freely giving hearts. Let us light our candles now knowing that "The Light of God in Me, Recognizes the Light of God in you! Amen.




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.

IN  LAK’ECH

TÚ ERES MI OTRO YO.
YOU ARE MY OTHER ME.
SI TE HAGO DAÑO A TI,
IF I DO HARM TO YOU,
ME HAGO DAÑO A MI MISMO.
I DO HARM TO MYSELF.
SI TE AMO Y RESPETO,
IF I LOVE AND RESPECT YOU,
ME AMO Y RESPETO YO.
I LOVE AND RESPECT MYSELF.
LUIS VALDEZ

Hear and read the entire chapter  from 1 John 1:


1 John 1 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Word of Life

We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us— we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our[a] joy may be complete.

God Is Light

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.


 A Smudging Prayer

Creator,
our Father in heaven,
we come to you as your children.

We confess that we are weak and broken images of you.
We pray for the forgiveness and healing you give in Jesus Christ. May his Spirit clean our spirits, minds, hearts, and bodies.
We pray that your Holy Spirit will help us to worship in spirit and truth. 

We pray in the name of Jesus, so that his Spirit will carry our prayers to you. Amen. 

Canticle 14

A Song of Penitence Kyrie Pantokrator

Prayer of Manasseh, 1-2, 4, 6-7, 11-15

O Lord and Ruler of the hosts of heaven, *
God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
and of all their righteous offspring:
You made the heavens and the earth, *
with all their vast array.
All things quake with fear at your presence; *
they tremble because of your power.
But your merciful promise is beyond all measure; *
it surpasses all that our minds can fathom.
O Lord, you are full of compassion, *
long-suffering, and abounding in mercy.
You hold back your hand; *
you do not punish as we deserve.
In your great goodness, Lord,
you have promised forgiveness to sinners, *
that they may repent of their sin and be saved.
And now, O Lord, I bend the knee of my heart, *
and make my appeal, sure of your gracious goodness.
I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, *
and I know my wickedness only too well.
Therefore I make this prayer to you: *
Forgive me, Lord, forgive me.
Do not let me perish in my sin, *
nor condemn me to the depths of the earth.
For you, O Lord, are the God of those who repent, *
and in me you will show forth your goodness.
Unworthy as I am, you will save me,
in accordance with your great mercy, *
and I will praise you without ceasing all the days of my life.
For all the powers of heaven sing your praises, *
and yours is the glory to ages of ages. Amen.


Luke 21

The Widow’s Offering

He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. He said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.’

The Destruction of the Temple Foretold

 When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, ‘As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.’

Signs and Persecutions

 They asked him, ‘Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?’ And he said, ‘Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, “I am he!” and, “The time is near!” Do not go after them.

 ‘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.’Then he said to them, ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.

 ‘But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defence in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.

The Destruction of Jerusalem Foretold

 ‘When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those inside the city must leave it, and those out in the country must not enter it; for these are days of vengeance, as a fulfilment of all that is written. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress on the earth and wrath against this people; they will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken away as captives among all nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

The Coming of the Son of Man

 ‘There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves.People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in a cloud” with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

 Then he told them a parable: ‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Exhortation to Watch

 ‘Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.’

 Every day he was teaching in the temple, and at night he would go out and spend the night on the Mount of Olives, as it was called. And all the people would get up early in the morning to listen to him in the temple. 





A Song of Judith

Judith 16:13-16

I will sing a new song to my God, *
for you are great and glorious, wonderful in strength, invincible.

Let the whole creation serve you, *
for you spoke and all things came into being.

You sent your breath and it formed them, * no one is able to resist your voice.

Mountains and seas are stirred to their depths, * rocks melt like wax at your presence.

But to those who fear you, * you continue to show mercy.

 No sacrifice, however fragrant, can please you, *

but whoever fears the Lord shall stand in your sight for ever.



John 13:1-15 New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet

13 Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table,[a] took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ Jesus answered, ‘You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ Peter said to him, ‘You will never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.’ Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!’ 10 Jesus said to him, ‘One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet,[b] but is entirely clean. And you[c] are clean, though not all of you.’ 11 For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, ‘Not all of you are clean.’

12 After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.


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.



John 8:12-20


12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’ 13 Then the Pharisees said to him, ‘You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid.’ 14 Jesus answered, ‘Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid because I know where I have come from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge by human standards;* I judge no one. 16 Yet even if I do judge, my judgement is valid; for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father* who sent me. 17 In your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is valid. 18 I testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me testifies on my behalf.’ 19 Then they said to him, ‘Where is your Father?’ Jesus answered, ‘You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.’ 20 He spoke these words while he was teaching in the treasury of the temple, but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.


The Song of Mary Magnificat

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in you, O God my Savior, *
for you have looked with favor on your lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
you, the Almighty, have done great things for me,
and holy is your name.
You have mercy on those who fear you *
from generation to generation.
You have shown strength with your arm *
and scattered the proud in their conceit,
Casting down the mighty from their thrones *
and lifting up the lowly.
You have filled the hungry with good things *
and sent the rich away empty.
You have come to the help of your servant Israel, *
for you have remembered your promise of mercy,
The promise made to our forebears, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.




Let us be at prayer. 


Give ear to our prayers, O Lord, and direct the way of your servants in safety under your protection, that, amid all the changes of our earthly pilgrimage, we may be guarded by your mighty aid; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

For the Human Family

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us
through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole
human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which
infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us
unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and
confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in
your good time, all nations and races may serve you in
harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen


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.

For the Diversity of Races and Cultures

O God, who created all peoples in your image, we thank you
for the wonderful diversity of races and cultures in this world.
Enrich our lives by ever-widening circles of fellowship, and
show us your presence in those who differ most from us, until
our knowledge of your love is made perfect in our love for all
your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.



Creator God we pray that we may reflect your loving image in every family member we come in contact with even ourselves when we feel at our lowest.
God hear our prayers.

Creator God help us to re-learn how to be good stewards of your creation and help you heal the land and bring it back to health. May we always remember it is sacred land that doesn't belong to us.
God hear our prayers.

Creating God help us we pray to stop being selfish and learn to be selfless and care for your children, our family members without hidden agendas.
God hear our prayers.

Creating God remind us daily with that not so gentle taps on the shoulder when we fall short and need to go back to holy basics of being your children. Help us to practice humble repentance and heal our hearts that need extra expansion.
God hear our prayers.

Creating God we pray for all who are ill remembering _____________________.
God hear our prayers.

Creating God we pray that we may reflect your light and image to others each day by being compassionate, accepting, loving and merciful. May we remember always the least of these are not they but we.
God hear our prayers.

Creating God we pray for and end to violence, hatred, destruction, and all dark habits that seek only to divide and not unite.
God hear our prayers.

Creating God help us to be your COGs (Children of God) and make peace every day by being peace makers.
God hear our prayers.

We lift these our prayers in the Name of God the Creator, Jesus the Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit the Holy Comforter our Advocate and Guide. Amen.

or these

Loving and gracious God, we  pray for peace in the world and that we may become peace makers and Children of God.

Gentle and compassionate God, we pray and  remember all those who have died and those who are mourning.

Holy God, help us to  remember and pray that we may always acknowledge the sacredness of life and that each day is holy.

Loving and creator God, we  pray for children that they may be protected from harm.

God of many names we  pray for strong bonds of love and friendship may grow among all faith communities.

God  we pray for peace in our hearts, minds, and spirits as we prepare in the coming weeks  Holy Week when we follow Jesus into Jerusalem, the Upper room, the foot of the Cross, and on Easter Morning at the entry of the Empty Tomb,

God of Health and healing, we  pray for all those who are ill and those who are in need of healing.  May we remember especially this night___________

God who loves us and includes us all we pray for all the least of these and that we may lovingly respond to their needs. Help us always to remember they are our family members too.

Loving God we lift these our prayers in the Name of Your Son Jesus. Amen.


The Beatitudes - Matthew

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. (5:3)
Blessed are those who mourn: for they will be comforted. (5:4)
Blessed are the meek: for they will inherit the earth. (5:5)
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they will be filled. (5:6)
Blessed are the merciful: for they will be shown mercy. (5:7)
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they will see God. (5:8)
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they will be called children of God. (5:9)
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (5:10


Lord, you now have set your servant free *
to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations, *
and the glory of your people Israel.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen


In the Evening
O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows
lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is
hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done.
Then in thy mercy, grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest,
and peace at the last. Amen.



May the blessing of the God of Abraham and Sarah, and of Jesus
Christ born of our sister Mary, and of the Holy Spirit, who broods
over the world as a mother over her children, be upon you and
remain with you always. Amen.


+++++

Good Night Dear Ones !  I love you! I give thanks to God for you! Here is something for your listening respite. There is A Balm in Gilead


Peace, Love, Prayers, and God's Blessings, 

Sara


Resources:
Enriching our Worship
Book of Common Prayer
Satucket Lectionary
#LiveLent
The Good Book Club
Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John
Metis Aboriginal Ministries
In Lak' Ech -Luis Valdez
YouTube
Walk With Me On  Our Journey
Bible Gateway

Rainy day photos near my house













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