A time to come to our senses!

Good Evening Beloved Community!



As I sit here looking out my living room window having just watched the prayer vigil from the National Cathedral on YouTube in preparation and prayer for the March for Our Lives I decided to throw the blog that was in preparatory mode away or at least put on hold. It is time for us to come to our senses and join together as one family against violence of all kinds, Violence can be verbal, physical, mental and yes even spiritual. Anything that can be used against another precious human being is an act of violence. Our words, our actions, and yes even in our inactions may be seen as violent acts. This night let us remember that we are called to measure and mark our words, deeds, and actions and ask ourselves "Will they bring peace, hope, mercy, and change to this fragile and broken world?" What is God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit calling us and asking us to do to foster change? Are we missing or making the mark? Let us ponder these things if we can as we take time for a period of holy silence.


Let us take our time and join together in a holy circle of love and healing and prayer. 

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

“Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony…” 

John 4:39

God of all love we come together tonight to accept your call to light our candles and pray. We pray this night to be loving towards one another. We pray this night for guidance in how we can best serve you in the world. We pray that we may be more giving of ourselves to others. We pray that we may be able to be hopeful and hope-filled to this fragile and broken world. We pray that we may shine your light and help people out of the dark places they find themselves in. We pray that we may be supportive in what ever decisions people make,  We pray for the least of these who struggle with the day to day issues of living. We pray that everyone will be lovingly included and not excluded and invisible. We pray that we may be peacemakers and children of God. We pray that we may "Strive for justice, and respect the dignity of every human being"* We pray that we may build bridges and tear down walls. We pray for the courage to speak truth to power. We pray for an end to hatred, violence and terror. We pray that we may use our voices not to hurt but to heal. We pray this night that we all may be one and that we may continue to pray for Parkland, Orlando, SandyHook, Columbine, San Bernardino, Las Vegas, Great Mills, Isla Vista, our cities, and all places where terror and violence have occurred even when the media fails to report it. May we all be one with those who mourn and stand vigil for the peace of the world and in the places where there is danger. God we lift up these prayers to you with hurting hearts, open hands up lifted, with loving care and voices. Amen.

This may be added.

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.

Two hymns that have been entering my heart and soul today are set to the tune Bourbon and speak to us this day and in the coming days before we reach the great Triduum. Here they are let us meditate upon their words and get ready to worship. Our lessons are for the commemoration of Oscar Romero which is tomorrow.


Now Let Us All With One Accord
 
Now let us all with one accord
In fellowship with ages past,
Keep vigil with our heav'nly Lord
In His temptation and His fast.

The covenant, so long revealed
To faithful men in former time,
Christ by His own example sealed
The Lord of love, in love sublime.

This love, O Lord, we sinful men
Have not returned, but falsified;
Author of mercy, turn again
And see our sorrow for our pride.

Remember, Lord, though frail we be
By Your own kind hand were we made;
And help us, lest our frailty
Cause Your great name to be betrayed.

(The Hymnal 1982 uses these lyrics: Remember , Lord though frail we be, in your own image Were we made; help us, lest in anxiety, we cause your Name to be betrayed)

Therefore we pray You, Lord, forgive
So when our wanderings here shall cease,
We may with You for ever live
In love and unity and peace.

Hear us, O Trinity sublime
And undivided unity
So let this consecrated time
Bring forth its fruit abundantly.


Text: St. Gregory the Great



https://youtu.be/Qloswmies0U


Take up your Cross
Charles William Everest

Full Text


1 Take up your cross, the Savior said,
if you would my disciple be;
take up your cross with willing heart,
and humbly follow after me.

2 Take up your cross; let not its weight
fill your weak spirit with alarm;
Christ's strength shall bear your spirit up
and brace your heart and nerve your arm.

3 Take up your cross, heed not the shame,
and let your foolish pride be still;
the Lord for you accepted death
upon a cross, on Calvary's hill.

4 Take up your cross, then, in Christ's strength,
and calmly every danger brave:
it guides you to abundant life
and leads to victory o'er the grave.




https://youtu.be/619CRYXYWV0

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

 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.

Psalm 31:15-24

15 My times are in your hand; *
rescue me from the hand of my enemies,
and from those who persecute me.

16 Make your face to shine upon your servant, *
and in your loving-kindness save me."

17 Lord, let me not be ashamed for having called upon you; *
rather, let the wicked be put to shame;
let them be silent in the grave.

18 Let the lying lips be silenced which speak against
the righteous, *
haughtily, disdainfully, and with contempt.

19 How great is your goodness, O Lord!
which you have laid up for those who fear you; *
which you have done in the sight of all
for those who put their trust in you.

20 You hide them in the covert of your presence from those
who slander them; *
you keep them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.

21 Blessed be the Lord! *
for he has shown me the wonders of his love in a
besieged city.

22 Yet I said in my alarm,
"I have been cut off from the sight of your eyes." *
Nevertheless, you heard the sound of my entreaty
when I cried out to you.

23 Love the Lord, all you who worship him; *
the Lord protects the faithful,
but repays to the full those who act haughtily.

24 Be strong and let your heart take courage, *
all you who wait for the Lord.

Isaiah 2:5-7
5 O house of Jacob,
come, let us walk
in the light of the Lord!
6 For you have forsaken the ways of* your people,
O house of Jacob.
Indeed they are full of diviners* from the east
and of soothsayers like the Philistines,
and they clasp hands with foreigners.
7 Their land is filled with silver and gold,
and there is no end to their treasures;
their land is filled with horses,
and there is no end to their chariots.

A Song of Lamentation

Lamentations 1:12,16; 3:19,22-24,26

Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? *
Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow,

Which was brought upon me, * inflicted by God’s fierce anger.

For these things I weep; my eyes flow with tears, *
for a comforter is far from me, one to revive my courage.

Remember my affliction and my bitterness, * wormwood and gall!

The steadfast love of God never ceases, * God’s mercies never end.

They are new every morning; * great is your faithfulness.

“God is my portion,” says my soul, * “therefore will I hope in God.”

It is good that we should wait quietly * for the coming of God’s salvation. 

Revelation 7:13-17
13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, ‘Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?’ 14I said to him, ‘Sir, you are the one that knows.’ Then he said to me, ‘These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15 For this reason they are before the throne of God,
and worship him day and night within his temple,
and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them.
16 They will hunger no more, and thirst no more;
the sun will not strike them,
nor any scorching heat;
17 for the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of the water of life,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’

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. 

John 12:23-32
23Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.

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.28Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ 29The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’30Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine.31Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people* to myself.’

A Song of Christ’s Goodness

Anselm of Canterbury

Jesus, as a mother you gather your people to you; * you are gentle with us as a mother with her children.

Often you weep over our sins and our pride, * tenderly you draw us from hatred and judgment.

You comfort us in sorrow and bind up our wounds, *
in sickness you nurse us and with pure milk you feed us.

Jesus, by your dying, we are born to new life; *
by your anguish and labor we come forth in joy.

Despair turns to hope through your sweet goodness; * through your gentleness, we find comfort in fear.

Your warmth gives life to the dead, * your touch makes sinners righteous.

Lord Jesus, in your mercy, heal us; *
in your love and tenderness, remake us.

In your compassion, bring grace and forgiveness, * for the beauty of heaven, may your love prepare us. 

Almighty God, you called your servant Óscar Romero to be a voice for the voiceless poor, and to give his life as a seed of freedom and a sign of hope: Grant that, inspired by his sacrifice and the example of the martyrs of El Salvador, we may without fear or favor witness to your Word who abides, your Word who is Life, even Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be praise and glory now and for ever. 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.

Matthew 5:1–12

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Prayers for Sanctuary!

God we pray this night that wherever we maybe we may find sacred space.  May this be such a time a and place as this is.

God we pray that when we don't feel safe that we may look inwardly and find our heart homes a place of  sacred space and safety.

God we pray that we may be a soft place in which to fall for all of our family members.

God we take this time to be together as one family where we can truly pray and feel the love we have for one another.

God we pray for all who are lonely, lost, and afraid that we may extend a loving hand and prayer towards them.

God we pray for peace in this fragile and broken world that we may seek to be peace makers, hope bringers, love givers, and radiate joy to all. 

God we pray to be in harmony with nature and all living things and for the protection and conservation of your Cathedral of Life. 

God we pray for all who are ill and in pain that their suffering may be relieved and given you healing balm.

God we pray for an end to all division and hatred that we all may be one  and learn from each other.

God we lift up these our prayers in your holy and life giving name. Amen.

We also pray this Modern Day Litany of the Saints. 

God of love we pray and remember and speak these names and any of those we would like to add in the course of this time of remembrance. 

"IF YOU SPEAK MY NAME, I WILL LIVE FOREVER." African Proverb
We pray for :

 Festo Kivengere and Janani Luwum
May there be peace in Africa and Uganda

 Nelson Mandela 
May there continue to be an end to apartheid in places where there is ethnic division and hatred.

Anne Frank and Dietrich Bonhoeffer
We pray and remember those who have died in the Holocaust and pray that these actions may never happen again.

Raoul Wallenberg
We remember and pray for all who are rescuers from oppression and danger of any kind and especially those who saved our brothers and sisters during the Holocaust.

 Frederick Douglas, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, William Wilberforce, John Newton, Alex Haley, ROOTS 
We  pray and remember all those who were slaves, abolitionists, those who established the Underground Railroad, and those who told the stories of slavery.

Oskar Schindler
We continue to pray for risk takers to save people from genocide, and those who seek to remind us of ethnic cleansing  and religious imprisonment and the need to always remember.

Elie Wiesel,The Albanian Muslims who Saved the Jews in World War II
May we always remember and never forget.

Martin Luther King Jr., Johnathan Myrick Daniels, Medgar Evers,
James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner
We lift up all those who fought for the civil and voting rights for African Americans and especially those who lost their lives in seeking liberty, and justice for all.

 Florence Li Tim Oi
We pray and give thanks for all women who answered the call to ministry in their churches and may we remember and support those who continue to struggle with God's call in oppressive religious bodies.

Harvey Milk
We pray for all who in the LGBT community who have lost their lives not only in the struggle for human rights but in service to the larger community.

 Mahatma Gandhi
We pray and gift thanks for all who have practiced and modeled peaceful non violent protest and civil disobedience.

Oscar Romero
We pray for all who fought for the rights of people in Latin American Countries and who modeled the  preferential option for the poor and liberation theology.

Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin
We give thanks and pray for all members of the Abrahamic household that we may continue to seek to be united in the bonds of peace and mercy.

Those who walked Trail of Tears, Black Elk, Chief Seattle, The Dakota 38
We pray and remember all Native Americans who were taken from their lands, denied the provisions of the treaties, and who continue to struggle at Standing Rock.

Madame C.J. Walker
We pray and give thanks for bold African American women who were trailblazers in business, religion, politics, and everywhere.

Margaret Sanger
We pray and give thanks for women and men who helped to give women access to health care and reproductive freedom.

 The Orlando 49
We pray and remember all who perished in Pulse and speak their names*

Stonewall
We pray and remember those who were early fighters seeking LGBT rights and the courage to live authentically.

 Ryan White
We pray and remember all who have died from A.I.D.S. and those who continue to struggle. 

Matthew Shepherd 
We pray and remember all LGBTQ youth who have died at the hands of bullies and who have been victims of hate crimes.

 Malcolm X,  Mohammed Ali, Humayun Khan 
We pray and remember all Muslims in this country  who exemplified what it means to follow their faith and blaze trails for people to follow in the ways of justice, liberty, and peace. We pray that we may learn tolerance and respect for one another.

 Cesar Chavez
We pray and give thanks for all who have helped to keep our farm workers safe and make our food safe from pesticides.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Katherine Lee Bates, Marie Curie,  Seneca Falls Conference.
We pray and give thanks for all who were trail blazers for women's rights and sought the right to vote and have full participation in their lives with men.

Christine Jorgenson, Billy Tipton, Renee Richards
We pray and remember our Trans brothers and sisters who valiantly lived out their truth. May we continue to educate all people about gender identity and support our trans community who need us. 

Dorothy Day and Jane Addams
We pray for all who have made a difference in the lives of the poor, marginalized, women, children and all who are needy.

 Your heroes of social justice.
May we name them before you now_____________.


*We speak  the names of those who have died by any kind of violence as we remember and pray these our family members:
We light out candles in loving memory of all your children who have lost their lives to any kind of violence remembering these beloved ones ( Names may be added of course) 

Montrell Jackson, Matthew Gerald and Brad Garafola, of Baton Rouge who were killed today.
We pray and  remember the 4000+ persons who have died by acts of lynching in our country as we speak the name of Moses York who was lynched . We remember and pray for those who have been victims of violence at the hands of law enforcement officers as we speak the names of Philando Castile, Alton Sterling, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, and all others. We pray and  speak the names of the the Dallas 5 BRENT THOMPSON, PATRICK ZAMARRIPA,MICHAEL KROL,MICHAEL SMITH,LORNE AHRENS We pray and remember the Orlando 49 and speak their names: Stanley Almodovar III,Amanda Alvear,Oscar A Aracena-Montero, Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, Antonio Davon Brown, Darryl Roman Burt II, Angel L. Candelario-Padro,Juan Chevez-Martinez, Luis Daniel Conde, Cory James Connell, Tevin Eugene Crosby, Deonka Deidra Drayton, Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, Leroy Valentin Fernandez, Mercedez Marisol Flores,Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, Juan Ramon Guerrero, Paul Terrell Henry,Frank Hernandez, Miguel Angel Honorato, Javier Jorge-Reyes, Jason Benjamin Josaphat, Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, Anthony Luis Laureanodisla, Christopher Andrew Leinonen, Alejandro Barrios Martinez, Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, Kimberly Morris, Akyra Monet Murray, Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, Joel Rayon Paniagua, Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, Enrique L. Rios, Jr., Jean C. Nives Rodriguez,Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado,Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan, Edward Sotomayor Jr., Shane Evan Tomlinson,Martin Benitez Torres, Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega, Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, Luis S. Vielma,Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez, Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, Jerald Arthur Wright. We pray and speak the name of Ulises Garcia, Bernardino de Jesus, and all those who have died at the hands of gang, gun, and any kind of violence.

We especially hold in our hearts this weekend the Parkland 17 from Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School. 

We pray for all who will March For Our Lives and begin a time of change in our country where peace, love, justice, and mercy will unite us and not divide us. 

“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 Ávila


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.

The Wisdom of God

the Love of God

and the Grace of God

strengthen you

to be Christ’s hands and heart in this world,

in the name of the Holy Trinity. Amen.

(source: Celtic)

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)

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and
the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore.
Amen.  2 Corinthians 13:14

Good Night Dearly Beloved Community! Take time to enjoy the silence of this holy circle of healing and love. I love you and give thanks to God for your presence here and always.

With love and blessings,

Sara

Resources:

#LiveLent

The Good Book Club

Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John

Bible Gateway

Oremus  Bible Browser

Satucket Lectionary

A New Zealand Prayer Book

In Lak 'Ech - Luis Valdez

Enriching our Worship

Book of Common Prayer

Walk With Me On Our Journey

Metis Aboriginal Ministries