God is God of all and not some ! Time to listen and love each other!

Dear Family of Love,

Today I had the opportunity to watch the live stream of the Friday Prayers or Jumu'ah as our Islamic/Muslim brothers and sisters call them from the National Cathedral in Washington D.C.The National Cathedral's motto is ' A house of prayer for all people" Those of us who are Episcopalian are so blessed to have this beautiful place of worship for all of us and no just some.I have had the honor and privilege to be there many times. The National Cathedral is the always the place for funerals of many important dignitaries and services when we are in need of national healing and reflection. It is only fitting that the cathedral be the place where those of the Islamic and Christian  faiths come together as one today to pray for the peace of the world and start on the path of understanding one another. We all must remember that the God we believe in whatever your faith )is the God of all and not some. God is the god of the three Abrahamic faiths of which we are all family members. God is also the god of all other faiths. God does not belong exclusively to any one faith. God is God of All. We must remember that God doesn't need us to put religious labels on God. God doesn't need us to as J.B. Phillips' said "Put God in a box!" God doesn't need us to put God back into schools when God is already there. God is everywhere and resides in our hearts and souls, and in all living things. We shouldn't have to fight each other because of our belief system. Remember God created all of us and all faiths. God expects us to treat each other as the loving family that God created. We are not let off the hook nor should we be. God provides for us each day an opportunity to love, care, and start anew. God expects us to take time to listen to and love each other. It's not easy due to the barriers we put up because of fear and the lack of understanding of the differing faith communities our family members belong to. I invite us all to remember this world doesn't belong to us, it belongs to God and that this world should be "A house of prayer and home for all people" We must remember that we all are called to listen, pray, love, and yes even eat, pray, and love too. We all must start now and find common and loving ground so that we may be truly united as One Family Of God. For that is what God  has called us to do and to be. Tonight let us take time as we usually do to place our worries, fears, and anxieties into the Worry/Sabbath box until Monday. This time I would like everyone to place in the box all our prejudices, grudges and phobias, and any thing that may cause us to be a divided Family of God.  Take time to reflect. I'm sure many of us don't want to admit that we have negative and divisive thoughts but we sometimes do. You may use your meditation tools if you so choose.
Here is tonight's music for reflection and meditation: Saint-Saens Hymne a Victor Hugo mix

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God of many names heal this fragile and broken world that you created.
Forgive all of our deeds that led us to destroy and harm your world O God.

God of many names, take away all bitterness and division that have led  us away from you.
Lead us to become the loving and united family you created us to be.

God of many names, we pray for the healing of all our family members who are ill remembering especially___________
Heal our bodies, minds, and spirits also.

God of many names, we pray for all who are dying and who have died. May they have a peaceful transition into the Thin Places.
Help us O God to see death as only the shedding of our mortal bodies into souls of  everlasting life.

God of many names, be with all of our faith leaders and communities as they prepare for worship and devotion to you. 
May we also prepare our souls and hearts to worship you wherever we may be this Sabbath weekend.

God of many names, we pray for the least of these who are our family members  and, who are refugees, victims of human trafficking, abuse, terror, bullying, ---phobias, religious persecution,  violence of any kind, and all those who are separated from their family members, nations and cultures by war or economic hardship.
May we see you in them at all times and in all places

God of many names, may we sew seeds of hope, joy, love, and peace and may we be truly united as your family of love.
Let us love one another and be untied as one!

God of many names, we offer our additional prayers, thanksgivings, celebrations, and remembrances  to you on behalf ourselves and others especially________________________

God of many names, we offer these our prayers in the name of your Son Jesus, our redeemer, healer, reconciler, brother, and friend. Amen.

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Good Night Dear Family of Love! I love you and Give God thanks for you this day and always. Remember tomorrow is self-care Saturday and that means we begin preparing ourselves for Sabbath Care Sunday. Everyone needs to take care of ourselves and let go of anything that is harming our bodies, minds, and spirits. Take time to go outside and enjoy God's Cathedral of Life.

Peace, love, prayers, and God's Blessings be always yours,

Sara

Sunbursts taken this afternoon!

John Rutter- The Cambridge Singers Mix  there may be some Christmas Music here! 


National Cathedral   Muslim Friday Services (Jumu'ah) There are links to the services there. Please view.