More lessons to be learned at the feet of our Master teacher Jesus

Peace be with you  dearly Beloved Community!

I hope everyone had a peaceful day. This was the first day to be back doing light tasks at the church following surgery. Spending time in the quiet was refreshing and holy. Getting back into this sacred routine was necessary and reaffirmed my commitment to  the service to God. I wondered how Peter's mother-in-law felt after her healing? Probably a combination plate. The lessons from the Gospels of Luke and John are full of teachable moments from Jesus our Master Teacher. I won't tell you what they are because that is where you come in during tonight's time of meditation. We open with what will become known as the Jesus Prayer or Sinner's Prayer. Our beginning prayers come from Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John. 

“God, be merciful to me, a sinner!"

Jesus, loving Shepherd of my soul, grant that, as I observe and reflect on the friendships that your disciples enjoyed with you, I may, like them, be drawn closer to you in love. Amen.

Gracious God, the Giver and Sustainer of Life, help me to abide in you, and to let you abide in me, so that your life becomes my life, and your will my will . Amen.

Peace be still.

Peace be.

Peace.

Peace be still.

Peace be.

Peace.

Peace be still.

Peace be.

Peace.

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

 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. 

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.



Psalm 134 Ecce nunc

Behold now, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, *
you that stand by night in the house of the LORD.
Lift up your hands in the holy place and bless the LORD; *
the LORD who made heaven and earth bless you out of Zion.



Psalm 141:1-3,8ab Domine, clamavi

O LORD, I call to you; come to me quickly; *
hear my voice when I cry to you.
Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, *
the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
Set a watch before my mouth, O LORD,
and guard the door of my lips; *
let not my heart incline to any evil thing.
My eyes are turned to you, Lord GOD; *
in you I take refuge.

Let us light our candles and pray these prayers before we take time to meditate upon The God News.

God you who are the heart healer of us all, make our hearts if they are hurting in any way whole and healed from anxiety, fear, distress, and broken.

God you who are the heart healer of us all,heal the brokeness of  your fragile world and that peace may prevail.

God you who are the heart healer of us all, heal our bodies, minds, and spirits and all of our family members who are ill. Give us courage and strength to meet each day with joy and hope.

God you who are the heart healer of us all, take from us every root of bitterness and division that we may all be one.

God you who are the heart healer of us all, may we have courage to live authentically into our truth as the beautiful children you have made us to be in your image and likeness. 

God you who are the heart healer of us all, may we do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you as we become and are the voices for the voiceless and speak truth to power.

God you who are the heart healer of us all, make our bodies strong so that we may serve you and follow where you lead.

God you who are the heart healer of us all, we  pray for _______________ and give thanks for____________ for ourselves and on behalf of others.

God you who are the heart healer of us all, we pray for those who are in mourning and pre-grieving  may we lovingly respond with compassion.

God you who are the heart healer of us all, we pray for all who are dying and who have died today that they may have a gentle transition into the Thin Places.

Jesus, accept these our prayers in your most Holy Name. 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 14:25-35

The Cost of Discipleship

 Now large crowds were travelling with him; and he turned and said to them, ‘Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, “This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.” Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.

About Salt

 ‘Salt is good; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure heap; they throw it away. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’

Canticle N

A Song of God’s Love 

1 John 4:7-11

Beloved, let us love one another, * for love is of God. Whoever does not love does not know God, * for God is Love. In this the love of God was revealed among us, * that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through Jesus Christ. In this is love, not that we loved God but that God loved us * and sent his Son that sins might be forgiven. Beloved, since God loved us so much, * we ought also to love one another. For if we love one another, God abides in us, * and God’s love will be perfected in us.

Luke 18:9-14

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax-Collector

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: ¹⁰‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. ¹¹The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. ¹²I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.” ¹³But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” ¹⁴I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.’

Canticle 16

The Song of Zechariah Benedictus Dominus Deus

Luke 1:68-79

Blessed are you, Lord, the God of Israel, * you have come to your people and set them free. You have raised up for us a mighty Savior, * born of the house of your servant David. Through your holy prophets you promised of old to save us from our enemies, * from the hands of all who hate us, To show mercy to our forebears, * and to remember your holy covenant. This was the oath you swore to our father Abraham, * to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship you without fear, * holy and righteous before you, all the days of our life. And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, * for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way, To give God’s people knowledge of salvation * by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God * the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, * and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 24:44-48

44 Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ ⁴⁵Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, ⁴⁶and he said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah^* is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, ⁴⁷and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. ⁴⁸You are witnesses^* of these things.

Canticle 15

The Song of Mary Magnificat

Luke 1:46-55

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.

John 9:1-12 New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

A Man Born Blind Receives Sight

9 As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ 3 Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. 4 We[a] must work the works of him who sent me[b] while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’ 6 When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, 7 saying to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’ (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. 8 The neighbours and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, ‘Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?’ 9 Some were saying, ‘It is he.’ Others were saying, ‘No, but it is someone like him.’ He kept saying, ‘I am the man.’ 10 But they kept asking him, ‘Then how were your eyes opened?’ 11 He answered, ‘The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, “Go to Siloam and wash.” Then I went and washed and received my sight.’ 12 They said to him, ‘Where is he?’ He said, ‘I do not know.’

Canticle A Song of God’s Mercy

Lamentations 3:21-33

When I remember this, I have hope: * by God’s kindness, we are not destroyed, for God’s mercies are never-ending * and are new every morning. How great is your faithfulness, O God! * “You are my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I hope in you.” You are good to those who wait with patience, * to every soul that seeks you. It is good to wait, even in silence * for the salvation of the Lord. It is good to bear in youth * the yoke God imposes, to sit silent and alone, * clinging to hope even when tasting the dust. It is good to turn one’s cheek to those who hit it * and to bear up under insults. The Lord does not reject us for ever, * but after sending grief, relents in compassion and loving-kindness, * not desiring to torment anyone.

Let us pray.

Our Father in heaven,
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.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever.    Amen.

or the alternative form.

Eternal Spirit, 
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 hallowing of your name echo through the universe! 
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.

With the bread we need for today, feed us. 
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.

For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, 
now and for ever. Amen.

May we take time in the silence of our beings to pray and give thanks for the diversity of all peoples.

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.


 For Peace

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn
but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the
strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that
all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of
Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and
glory, now and for ever. Amen.

“Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”  Teresa of Avila

The  Beatitudes  Matthew 5:3–12 

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

From Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John 

Jesus, image of the invisible God,
and by your divine life abiding in me,
 teach me to see and know the God of Love,
Amen.

Jesus, you are the way through the wilderness: show us your truth in which we journey, and by the grace of the Holy Spirit be in us the life that draws us to God. Amen.
(source: F.B. McNutt, The Prayer Manual [London: Mowbray, 1961], p. 29, adapted

God our rock and refuge: keep us safe in your care and strengthen us with your grace, that we may pray to you faithfully and love one another boldly, following the example of Jesus, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives for ever and ever. Amen. (source: Veronese Sacramentary) 

The  Prayer of 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 listen to the same prayer as sung by John Michael Talbot  Lord Make Me an Instrument- John Michael Talbot 

Prayers for Healing


Gracious and loving God, we pray for all of our family members this night who are in our hearts and on our minds especially_________________.

Gracious and loving God, we pray for the healing of all lives who are touched by abuse and violence.

Gracious and loving God, we pray for the healing of  all those whose hearts are hardened and feel the need to act violently.

Gracious and loving God, we pray for the healing of all family members of the animal kingdom that are facing being endangered and extinct.

Gracious and loving God, we pray for the healing of all of our personal wounds that have kept us from moving on and living lives well lived.

Gracious and  loving God, we pray for the healing of all of those who are mourning losses of  family members and pets. We remember especially those who have lost children.

Gracious and loving God, we pray for the healing of all children who are suffering from any untimely disease that keeps them from enjoying childhood.

Gracious and loving God, we pray for the healing of all of our family members with whom we might be estranged. May we lovingly be united once again with them.

Gracious and loving God, we pray for the healing of  your Cathedral of Life and that we might be good stewards of  the Earth you made.

Gracious and loving God, we pray for the healing of all hearts and heart homes who are facing loneliness during yet another upcoming holiday season. 

Gracious and loving God, we pray for the healing of all divisions that we may be one.

Gracious and loving God, we pray for the healing of all who have had surgery that they may receive healing and recover fully.

Gracious and loving God, we pray for the healing of all who are homeless, hungry, and ill-clad that they may find warm shelter, nourishing food, and warm and comfortable clothing.

Gracious and loving God,we pray for the healing of all nations where there are warring factions and terror that peace may prevail upon earth.

Gracious and loving God, we pray for the healing of all faith communities that they may find common ground rooted in love.

Gracious and loving God, we pray for the healing of all the hate and rancor in this world.

Gracious and loving God, we pray for the healing of all those who are feeling isolated and outcast that they may feel accepted and loved as the beautiful people whom you created that they may see  as you see them.

Gracious and loving God, we pray for the healing of  anything that is being brought to mind this night remembering especially__________________________

Gracious and loving God we pray in the name of Jesus,Your Son. Amen.

Teach me To Listen

 by 

John Veltri, S.J.

Teach me to listen, O God, to those nearest me, my family, my friends, my co-workers.

Help me to be aware that no matter what words I hear, the message is, “Accept the person I am. Listen to me.”

Teach me to listen, my caring God, to those far from me– the whisper of the hopeless, the plea of the forgotten, the cry of the anguished.

Teach me to listen, O God my Mother, to myself. Help me to be less afraid to trust the voice inside — in the deepest part of me.

Teach me to listen, Holy Spirit, for your voice — in busyness and in boredom, in certainty and doubt, in noise and in silence.


Teach me, Lord, to listen.  Amen.

Or these:

 Tonight let us take time to rest, relax, refresh, and renew our bodies, minds, and spirits while we pray in place.

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.

Almighty and most merciful God, kindle within us the fire of love, that by its cleansing flame we may be purged of all our sins and made worthy to worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Visit this place, O Lord, and drive far from it all snares of the

enemy; let your holy angels dwell with us to preserve us in

peace; and let your blessing be upon us always; through Jesus

Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Song of Simeon Nunc dimittis

Luke 2:29-32

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.

Celtic Peace Prayer from Antiquity

Deep Peace of the running wave to you
Deep Peace of the flowing air to you
Deep Peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep Peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of the shades of night to you
Moon and stars always giving Light to you.
- Celtic Peace Prayer

 ++++

Good Night Beloved Community! I love you and give thanks to God for you and especially your prayers and best wishes these past few days!

Love and blessings!

Sara

Resources

Enriching our Worship 1

E Common Prayer

Satucket lectionary 

A New Zealand Prayer Book

In Lak'Ech - Luis Valdez

Walk With Me On Our Journey

#LiveLent

The Good Book Club

Meeting Jesus in The Gospel of John

Quote sites for prayers

Metis Aboriginal Ministries