Good Evening Beloved Community!
Let us take time to pray and meditate and find peace within our inner beings. It looks like a good time to do this since we are almost a week away from the beginning of the Triduum before Easter. So let us not spend tme with lots of words from me but words from prayers and lessons from the Gospels of Luke and John. Let us begin.
God we thank you for inviting us into this time holy circle of healing and love. May we seek to listen for your still small voice and even begin to practice the circle guidelines in our daily lives. Help us to sow seeds of unity and compassion. Let us practice the CALM principles that lead us to be compassionate, accepting, loving, and merciful. All this we ask in the name of God the Creator, Jesus the Redeemer, and The Holy Spirit Advocate and Holy Comforter. Amen.
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
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 2:25-35
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon;* this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.* 27Guided by the Spirit, Simeon* came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28Simeon* took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
29 ‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant* in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.’
33 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34Then Simeon* blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’
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.
John 12:27-36 New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)
Jesus Speaks about His Death
27 ‘Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—“Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ 29 The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’ 30 Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31 Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people[a] to myself.’ 33 He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. 34 The crowd answered him, ‘We have heard from the law that the Messiah[b] remains for ever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?’35 Jesus said to them, ‘The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.’
The Unbelief of the People
After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from
Canticle L
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.
Luke 20:1-47
The Authority of Jesus Questioned
One day, as he was teaching the people in the temple and telling the good news, the chief priests and the scribes came with the elders and said to him, ‘Tell us, by what authority are you doing these things? Who is it who gave you this authority?’ He answered them, ‘I will also ask you a question, and you tell me: Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?’ They discussed it with one another, saying, ‘If we say, “From heaven”, he will say, “Why did you not believe him?” But if we say, “Of human origin”, all the people will stone us; for they are convinced that John was a prophet.’ So they answered that they did not know where it came from. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.’
The Parable of the Wicked Tenants
He began to tell the people this parable: ‘A man planted a vineyard, and leased it to tenants, and went to another country for a long time. When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants in order that they might give him his share of the produce of the vineyard; but the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. Next he sent another slave; that one also they beat and insulted and sent away empty-handed. And he sent yet a third; this one also they wounded and threw out. Then the owner of the vineyard said, “What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.” But when the tenants saw him, they discussed it among themselves and said, “This is the heir; let us kill him so that the inheritance may be ours.” So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.’ When they heard this, they said, ‘Heaven forbid!’ But he looked at them and said, ‘What then does this text mean:
“The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone”?
Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.’ When the scribes and chief priests realized that he had told this parable against them, they wanted to lay hands on him at that very hour, but they feared the people.
The Question about Paying Taxes
So they watched him and sent spies who pretended to be honest, in order to trap him by what he said, so as to hand him over to the jurisdiction and authority of the governor. So they asked him, ‘Teacher, we know that you are right in what you say and teach, and you show deference to no one, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth.Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?’ But he perceived their craftiness and said to them, ‘Show me a denarius. Whose head and whose title does it bear?’ They said, ‘The emperor’s.’ He said to them, ‘Then give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ And they were not able in the presence of the people to trap him by what he said; and being amazed by his answer, they became silent.
The Question about the Resurrection
Some Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, came to himand asked him a question, ‘Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no children, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers; the first married, and died childless; then the second and the third married her, and so in the same way all seven died childless. Finally the woman also died. In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had married her.’
Jesus said to them, ‘Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage; but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. Indeed they cannot die any more, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. And the fact that the dead are raised Moses himself showed, in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive.’ Then some of the scribes answered, ‘Teacher, you have spoken well.’ For they no longer dared to ask him another question.
The Question about David’s Son
Then he said to them, ‘How can they say that the Messiah is David’s son?For David himself says in the book of Psalms,
“The Lord said to my Lord,
‘Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool.’ ”
David thus calls him Lord; so how can he be his son?’
Jesus Denounces the Scribes
In the hearing of all the people he said to the disciples, ‘Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honour at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.’
Canticle 15
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.
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
now and for ever. Amen.
Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
Source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God, in whom is heaven:
The way of your justice be followed by the peoples
of the world!
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom
sustain our hope and come on earth.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
now and for ever. Amen.
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
O Rest In the Lord- Mendelssohn
O rest in the Lord, wait patiently for Him,
And He shall give thee thy heart’s desires.
Oh, rest in the Lord,
Wait patiently for Him,
& He shall give thee thy heart’s desires;
& He shall give thee thy heart’s desires.
Commit thy way unto Him, and trust in Him,
Commit thy way unto Him, and trust in Him,
And fret not thyself because of evil doers.
O rest in the Lord, wait patiently for Him.
Wait patiently for Him.
Oh rest in the Lord,
wait patiently for Him.
& He shall give thee thy heart’s desires.
He shall give thee thy heart’s desires;
& He shall give thee thy heart’s desires.
Oh rest in the Lord.
Oh rest in the Lord.
& wait, wait, patiently for Him.
by Felix Mendelssohn (Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy) (1809-1847), 1846
from Psalm 37
-
Taking a cue from the song let us engage in the "Be Stills"
Be Still and Know That I am God.
Be Still and Know That I am.
Be Still and Know.
Be Still.
Be.
Let us Light Our Candles and be at prayer. Tonight let us pray the Beatitudes and continue to pray for peace in the world and an end to hate in all its forms
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
Let us continue to pray and sow seeds of love, mercy, justice, compassion, peace, kindness, and acceptance of all our family members.
God of all creation and the creator of times of rest, relaxation, refreshment, and renewal help us to give ourselves permission to lay down our busy-ness and enjoy a time of Sabbath Rest with you.
Help us to place all of our worries in the Sabbath/ Worry box and leave them there until tomorrow and rest gentle with you . May our hearts and minds be made calm and peaceful with the indwelling of You and Your Love.
Give us times to be focused on our health and wellness so that we can serve you better in Your Kingdom. We pray for wellness of all of our family members who serve you as a caregiver and servant in your world.
We pray for all of those who are facing new challenges and changes in their lives. We pray for their comfort and consolation and may we step up to help when we are asked.
We pray for all those who have health challenges especially those who must combine being caregivers/patients. We pray that they may have the courage to ask for help and be able to rest, heal, and listen to their bodies, minds, and spirits.
God we pray for all those who are facing severe weather yet again. We pray also for much needed rain in our drought affected ares of our country.
We pray especially for those who were killed in any act of violence and terror today and for the comfort and solace of those who mourn their deaths. We pray for an end to violence and terror of any kind and that those who are driven to commit these acts may be given a change of heart and mind and learn that love, justice, respect, and treating everyone with dignity is the key to living in God's World and being a part of God's Family.
We pray for all of our Family Members and those who have requested prayers especially____________
We Give thanks for times of rest, relaxation,renewal, and refreshment and we Give thanks to You O God especially______________________
We celebrate this day for our family members who have birthdays, anniversaries, and especially for our daily celebration of living, loving, and times of laughter and joy.
We hold in remembrance those who are dying and those who have died and entered the thin places and those who mourn their loss and any loss.
All this we ask in Jesus' most Holy Name. Amen.
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