Mary Letter - Day 3

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.’ Luke 20:9-18

Dear Elizabeth,

I have some good news. Papa had been planning for days to have a serious talk with Joseph, and of course, I was to be left out of it. Joseph has been stopping by briefly to talk with me in the garden but he has been reluctant to talk with Papa. I was sure he was going to dismiss me, which he has every reason to. I have worried so much about being thrown out of this home and having no where to go. Mama had said I am bringing shame on my family. But today, Joseph knocked on the door and asked for Papa. We women were sent to the kitchen and they talked for a long time. I was a wreck. After a long time,  and after Joseph had left, Papa came into the kitchen and told us a remarkable story. Joseph was really struggling to figure out what to do and was on the verge of sending me away. But then he had a dream, which was so real, he could not refuse. An angel visited him and confirmed this was holy. So we are to be married! Mama and Papa are so excited!

I felt for so many days like an outcast and now, well, I am an important member of the family again. I felt like I was crazy for so long and now, since Joseph has promised to marry me, everything is forgiven.  I am going to bed tonight, for the first time, knowing I will sleep well, finally. And I have learned that prayers and faith do make a difference. Something good will come of all of this, if I can just be patient and trust our God. I am so relieved and am very tired. So, to bed I go with a smile on my face, finally.

Much love,

Mary

Mary Letter - Day 2

1 Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked, *

 nor lingered in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seats of the scornful! 

2 Their delight is in the law of the Lord, *

 and they meditate on his law day and night. 

3 They are like trees planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in due season, 

with leaves that do not wither; * 

everything they do shall prosper. 

4 It is not so with the wicked; * 

they are like chaff which the wind blows away. 

5 Therefore the wicked shall not stand upright when judgment comes, *

 nor the sinner in the council of the righteous. 

6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, * 

but the way of the wicked is doomed. Psalm 1

Dearest Elizabeth,

Thank you for your fast reply. Your words comforted me so much. I have been doing as you suggested, walking out among creation and praying the psalms whenever I get fearful. Which is, truthfully, all the time. Papa and Mama have softened up some. They really don't know what to do, any more than I do. They talk at night in whispers and sometimes I hear Mama cry. I am hoping to come and see you soon. Time away before I get too big to travel might be good for everybody. 

We have been having some very hot days here. I was never bothered by the heat but now everything bothers me. Heat and cold, all make me so uncomfortable. And food is a problem sometimes. Mama tells me to eat little meals often. That works sometimes and other moments, nothing will stay down. 

When Papa is not around, Mama tells me story of her own time of carrying a child. When she tells me these stories, I feel so close to her. We both tiptoe around Papa, as he is trying to protect me, but doesn't know to feel. He is planning to have a "talk" with Joseph. My marriage is probably doomed. How can doing what is right for God, be so very difficult? I don't even understand why I was chosen. I am a mess, but I didn't do a thing. Everyone suspects otherwise. They think I did something very bad. What a mess! Pray for me, please, and write back!

love,

Mary

First Sunday of Advent

Advent 1 - November 29, 2020

The Collect 

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

   First Lesson Isaiah 64:1-9 

O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence-- as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil-- to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence! When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him. You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you in your ways. But you were angry, and we sinned; because you hid yourself we transgressed. We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. There is no one who calls on your name, or attempts to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity. Yet, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Do not be exceedingly angry, O LORD, and do not remember iniquity forever. Now consider, we are all your people. 

Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18

1 Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; *

shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim. 

2 In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, * 

stir up your strength and come to help us. 

3 Restore us, O God of hosts; * 

show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. 

4 O LORD God of hosts, * 

how long will you be angered despite the prayers of your people? 

5 You have fed them with the bread of tears; * 

you have given them bowls of tears to drink. 

6 You have made us the derision of our neighbors, * 

and our enemies laugh us to scorn. 

7 Restore us, O God of hosts; * 

show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. 

16 Let your hand be upon the man of your right hand, * 

the son of man you have made so strong for yourself. 

17 And so will we never turn away from you; * 

give us life, that we may call upon your Name. 

18 Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; * 

show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. 

The Second Reading 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind-- just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you-- so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 

The Gospel Mark 13:24-37 

Jesus said, “In those days, after that suffering, the sun will be

darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”

A Letter of May to Elizabeth

Dear Aunt Elizabeth,

I am writing because I do not know what to do. I am afraid that you too will think I am a lunatic. Please hear me out and give me advice if you can. I have been good and faithful and a loving obedient daughter. I want so much to please my folks but now everything had changed and it's a disaster. Several nights ago, I woke from a dream. Or thought I had. I stood by my bed and felt I was not alone. There was so much light out in the garden that I tiptoed out to see. As I opened the garden door I was face to face with a strange being. I can only describe him (I think) as an angel. He told me that I was loved by God and going to bear the Savior. Me! I would have laughed out loud, but truly I was terrified. By him and by what he was saying. I shook myself, pinched myself, hoping I was still asleep. But he stayed there, smiling at me. I fell to my knees and asked him why me. He smiled and said I was chosen to bring God into the world anew. He promised me all would be well and then disappeared. I haven't been able to sleep much or be still since. I am so frightened and afraid. It feels like the world is coming to an end. 

When Mama asked me what was wrong, I kept telling her I was fine initially. She kept asking, and I have been so upset, that I finally gave in and told her. She flipped out. I thought she was going to slap me! Mama said I was blaspheming. God would not bring the Savoir of the world here. He would not use a poor girl like me! And besides, she reminded me, as if I didn't know, I was a virgin. She called to Papa and they both scolded me. I finally broke down crying and have been in my room ever since. I am terrified to tell them my menses has stopped. I am so scared.

Please, Auntie, send me some words of comfort. I do not know what to do so for now I will use the prayers you taught me and be praying for you as well. 

Much love,

Mary

Kamehameha and Emma

As Jesus came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. Indeed, the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you, and hem you in on every side. They will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave within you one stone upon another; because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.” Then he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling things there; and he said, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer’; but you have made it a den of robbers.” Every day he was teaching in the temple. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people kept looking for a way to kill him; but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were spellbound by what they heard. Luke 19:41-48 

Kamehameha and Emma 

Creator God who planted us on homelands

blessing us with good harvests and beauty

we remember the lives of those who fought

to preserve the sacred land for others.

Too often we have taken what is not ours

too often we have coveted others' homes

too often we have destroyed the beauty

in order to control the land and the people.

We live in times of great destruction

our Mother Earth is under attack

we sit idly consuming and neglecting

while our ancient ones cry out to us.

Help us to honor them by caretaking

for  all the islands small and large

let our steps be gentle and reconciling

so that all might know the blessings. Amen.

The Collect for Kamehameha and Emma

O God, who called your servants Kamehameha and Emma to an earthly throne that they might advance your heavenly kingdom, and gave them zeal for your church and love for your people: Mercifully grant that we also may be fruitful in good works, and attain to the glorious crown of your saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Stones Would Shout

After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.'” So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They said, “The Lord needs it.” Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.” Luke 19:28-40 

The Stones Would Shout

O God who created all the living

the two legged and four legged

the plants and trees and rocks

we are grateful for this wide world.

We are born into time and place

yet always part of a bigger scene

the silent ones still do contribute

in  so many ways we rarely notice.

We often overlook the wondrous

we fail to notice the solid bedrock

yet when troubles come our way

we cling tightly to their strength.

Help us to give thanks for all today

for we are so dependent on you

we are bound together, all relations

help in your creative and loving hands. Amen.

Thanksgiving 2020

Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'” Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:26-35 

A Thanksgiving Litany

Gracious and loving Creator God 

we have been through hard times

yet you have lead us through so far

we need you guiding hands always.

Lord, we give are grateful for love.

We have been isolated and afraid

we have seen too many lives lost

yet we gather in small groups today

remembering how blessed we are.

Lord, we are grateful for family and friends.

You have been present in everything

surrounding us with great beauty

despite the trials and challenges

we can laugh and sing today.

Lord, we are grateful for our freedom.

Let us remember all those we see no more

who worked and suffered for our sake

and for those who have prayed for us

and those who make it hard to love.

Lord, we are grateful for all the faithful.

Help us to live humbly and gratefully

knowing the challenges will soon pass 

help us to serve others in these times

so that we might see your grace in all.

Lord, we are grateful for your love. Amen.

Up A Tree

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”Luke 19:1-10

Up A Tree

Creator God who notices the small

who is not dazzled by the mighty

 You continue to be among us

help us to invite you in today.

We like Zacchaeus have great problems

our circumstances have bound us

we cannot see over the crowds of worries

we have not shared with those in need.

Yet you stopped and continue to stop 

coming home with us and sitting with us

sharing our food and not condemning us

rather inviting us to be more every day.

Help us to see how lost we are today

may we invite your love into our homes

come dwell with us, the  lost and weak

that we might know your saving love. Amen.

Let Me See Again

Then Jesus took the twelve aside and said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be handed over to the Gentiles; and he will be mocked and insulted and spat upon. After they have flogged him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise again.” But they understood nothing about all these things; in fact, what he said was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said. As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” Then he shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet; but he shouted even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and ordered the man to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God. Luke 18:31-43 

Let Me See Again

Gracious Creator of all beauty

you made our Mother the earth

filled with glorious sights and sounds

blessings us with so much wonder.

We have become blind to your gifts

we have turned away from your blessings

we rely on our own cunning and skill

and have made your world a hazard.

Yet you stopped along your journey

healed a blind man who cried out

you will reach out during these days

to bring miracles to all who cry out.

Help us call to you with our needs

let us know that healing is drawing near

let us live your beauty and wonder

so the world might know your love again. Amen.

Like a Child

People were bringing even infants to Jesus that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it. But Jesus called for them and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” A certain ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother.'” He replied, “I have kept all these since my youth.” When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” But when he heard this, he became sad; for he was very rich. Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” He replied, “What is impossible for mortals is possible for God.” Then Peter said, “Look, we have left our homes and followed you.” And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not get back very much more in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.” Luke 18:15-30

Like A Child

Tender and loving Creator

you are patient and always kind

we are your  ornery children

prone to wandering away.

We are messy and playful

sweet and unkind together

yet you embrace us all

and bless us on our way.

Our world is focus on wealth

you focus on generosity of spirit

while the world aches for power

you dwell with the most humble.

Make our hearts tender today

help us to give all we can

empower us to share your love

make us all like children again. Amen.

Christ the King Sunday

Last Sunday of Pentecost

Christ the King

The Collect

 Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 The First Lesson Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 

Thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited parts of the land. I will feed them with good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and they shall feed on rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord GOD. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice. Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD to them: I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Because you pushed with flank and shoulder, and butted at all the weak animals with your horns until you scattered them far and wide, I will save my flock, and they shall no longer be ravaged; and I will judge between sheep and sheep. I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the LORD, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them; I, the LORD, have spoken. 

Psalm 100 

1 Be joyful in the LORD, all you lands; *

serve the LORD with gladness and come before his presence with a song. 

2 Know this: The LORD himself is God; * 

he himself has made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture. 

3 Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise; * 

give thanks to him and call upon his Name.

4 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; * 

and his faithfulness endures from age to age. 

The Epistle Ephesians 1:15-23 

I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. 

The Gospel Matthew 25:31-46 

Jesus said, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” 

Christ the King - A Sunday Litany

O wondrous and loving Creator

you loved the world so very much

that you gave us a Savior and Friend

Jesus came among us to rule our hearts.

Help  us to honor him by loving our neighbors.

We are surrounded on all sides now

with greed and selfish leadership

a pandemic rages in our wide world

and we have grown weary of kindness.

Help us to honor him by loving our neighbors.

So many have been lost by disease

so many have been lost to violence

others have been shut out on the street

even more go begging for daily bread.

Help us to honor him by loving our neighbors.

Give us your eyes, your hands, your heart

so that we might serve those in need

let us live as you would have us today

so love's light is kindled again among us.

Help us to honor him by loving our neighbors. Amen.

.

Humbled and Exalted

Jesus also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The 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. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ But 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!’ I 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.” Luke 18:9-14 

Humbled and Exalted

Wise and loving Creator

you have placed us here

together to lean on each other

together we can carry on.

Some would take everything

while others would share

the arrogant have the stage

the humble have your heart.

Sickness and death are rising

we have been asked to care

to take responsibility for neighbors

to be humble enough to stay home.

Let us live for others these days

putting the safety of others first

let us love well by being set aside 

help us to be servants in everything. Amen.

Do Not Lose Heart

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, ‘In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, “Grant me justice against my opponent.” For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, “Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.” ’ And the Lord said, ‘Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?’ Luke 18:1-8

Do Not Lose Heart

Dearest Creator who lifts the sun

every morning placing it aloft

so that we might see the road ahead

and not fear the coming journey.

We have faced dark and scary days

and watched as illness consumes

we have lived with anxiety and fear

frustrated by continuing isolation.

You know the aching of our hearts

you hear our tearful night prayers

you listen even when we've given up

and are always acting for healing.

Strengthen us for the days ahead

let us never lose heart and always pray

may we be bold love and compassion

trusting that you are in our midst today. Amen.

Kingdom Come

Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.” Then he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. They will say to you, ‘Look there!’ or ‘Look here!’ Do not go, do not set off in pursuit. For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. But first he must endure much suffering and be rejected by this generation. Just as it was in the days of Noah, so too it will be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking, and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed all of them. Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but on the day that Lot left Sodom, it rained fire and sulfur from heaven and destroyed all of them—it will be like that on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, anyone on the housetop who has belongings in the house must not come down to take them away; and likewise anyone in the field must not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife. Those who try to make their life secure will lose it, but those who lose their life will keep it. I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. There will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken and the other left.” Then they asked him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.” Luke 17:20-37 

Kingdom Come

Wise Creator of time and space

the Author of all that is known

you hold us in the palm of your hand

and promise to see us through this.

We cling to hope for a cure

we cry out for calmer seas

we ache for this season to end

yet we forget that you hold us close.

The virus is sending us into lockdown

the fear is rising across our land

we want to have our holidays back

yet it feels like we will always be alone.

Help us Lord to seek your face daily

let us see the divine in the face of others

let us cling to your solid promises

so that we might sing during these storms Amen..

Made Clean

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.” Luke 17:11-19 

Made Clean

Gracious Creator you make us whole

you cleanse the earth with winter's snow

you ache to heal this planet from hate

yet we cling to anger and are not grateful.

You met ten lepers along the road

they kept the needed distance and begged

asking to be healed from their disease

and you made them clean and sent them on.

Only one returned to give you thanks

he was a stranger and a despised foreigner

his gentle faith had made him whole

taken away the blight of a horrifying sickness.

Help us to be grateful like the Samaritan

make us whole so we can serve others

in this time of rampant fear and disease

let us run to you with thankful hearts. Amen.

Stumbling

Jesus said to his disciples, “Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to anyone by whom they come! It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble. Be on your guard! If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. And if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive.” The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. “Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here at once and take your place at the table’? Would you not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink’? Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!'” Luke 17:1-10 

Stumbling

Creator God you balance all things

set us on this moving round earth

delight and mystify us with seasons

restore us and forgive our stumbles.

We are daily stumbling in the dark

our world is full of hidden traps

disease and selfishness swirl around

hating others instead of admitting fear.

You walked this earth and know it

You love all the inhabitants here

your ache is for us to have faith

so healing and forgiveness can flow.

Make us your relatives again today

help us to lean in to faith and prayer

give us the strength to combat fear

let you love flow down like rain today. Amen.

At the Gate

Jesus said, “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’ He said, ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house—for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’ Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’ He said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” Luke 16:19-31 

At The Gate

Loving and tender Creator

you look with compassion 

on all of us in these times

aching for the poorest ones.

As you call us to observe

we have often stepped over

turning away from the need

satisfying ourselves alone.

Our times are full of pain

the poor suffer mightily

the rich scorn them and hoard

while you sit with the beggars.

Help us to see you on the streets

empower us to respond now

make us worthy to sit with them

so that we might know your love. Amen.

Talents

Sunday, November 15th, 2020 Proper 28

The Collect

 Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 First Lesson Judges 4:1-7 

The Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, after Ehud died. So the Lord sold them into the hand of King Jabin of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor; the commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-ha-goiim. Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord for help; for he had nine hundred chariots of iron, and had oppressed the Israelites cruelly twenty years. At that time Deborah, a prophetess, wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel. She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim; and the Israelites came up to her for judgment. She sent and summoned Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali, and said to him, “The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you, ‘Go, take position at Mount Tabor, bringing ten thousand from the tribe of Naphtali and the tribe of Zebulun. I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin’s army, to meet you by the Wadi Kishon with his chariots and his troops; and I will give him into your hand.’” 

Psalm 123

1 To you I lift up my eyes, *

to you enthroned in the heavens. 

2 As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, * 

and the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, 

3 So our eyes look to the Lord our God, * 

until he show us his mercy. 

4 Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy, * 

for we have had more than enough of contempt, 

5 Too much of the scorn of the indolent rich, * 

and of the derision of the proud. 

The Second Lesson 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When they say, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. So then let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing. 

The Gospel Matthew 25:14-30

 Jesus said, “It is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” 

Talents

O generous and loving Creator

you imbue your children with gifts

all different, all necessary for life

yet we squander them and hide away.

Help us to be your grateful servants, O Lord.

Our lives are spent in worry and fear

yet you give us enough for today

we would squander the many blessings

and bury the little that is left over.

Help us to be your grateful servants, O Lord.

You promise that more will be given

that there is plenty enough for so many

your love is limitless and renewing

but we rarely prayer for our faith to increase.

Help us to be your grateful servants, O Lord.

The world needs the talents of everyone

we must invest our lives for the sake of all

give us generous hearts and ready hands

offering our talents for the increase of all. 

Help us to be your grateful servants, O Lord. Amen.

Dishonest Managers

Then Jesus said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. So he summoned him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.’ Then the manager said to himself, ‘What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.’ So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He answered, ‘A hundred jugs of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.’ Then he asked another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He replied, ‘A hundred containers of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill and make it eighty.’ And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes.” Luke 16:1-9 

Dishonest Managers

Patient and loving Creator

you are author of all truth

you set our moral compass

lead us in these confusing times.

We are surrounded on all sides

disease is increasing with no cure

dishonest managers shout victory

and fear is our constant companion.

Help us to rest in your deep wisdom

help us to be honest in all we do

give us insight where there is none

come dwell with the lowly this day.

We are hit from all sides but you hold us

we are prone to falling and you steady us

make us wise and loving in these times

so that your love might shine through us. Amen.

Prodigal

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”‘ So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate. “Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’” Luke 15:1-2, 11-32 

Prodigal

Dear Creator who aches for the lost

who runs toward every run away

you delight and rejoice in our returning

and never punish us for our foolishness.

We are lost and anxious these days

we have spent time trusting ourselves

ignoring the signs, going our own way

and here we are , lost and hungry again.

We are foolish head strong prodigals

choosing ignorance, greed and ego

yet you softly call us each back home

running towards us with arms wide open.

Open our ears so we hear your invitation

open our hearts so we know where home is

let us run toward the love that made us

help us to be whole and grounded again. Amen.

Lost Sheep

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. “Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:1-10 

Lost Sheep

O great Creator, shepherd of all

you tell us you seek out the lost

you are constant in your love

you rejoice when the lost is found.

We are your people yet we wander

we pursue our dangerous courses

thinking we know a better way

and find ourselves bleating in the wilds.

We belong to you, yet we stray

yet even now you are seeking us still

even now despite all the wandering

you ache to bring us back home.

Help us to see how lost we are

strengthen us to cry out for you

let you love be the steady beacon

that draws us back to your arms. Amen.

Salt

Now large crowds were traveling with Jesus; 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. “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 pile; they throw it away. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!” Luke 14:25-35 

Salt

Gracious God who salted the oceans

peppered the land with such beauty

showered us with daily blessings

help us to follow you completely.

We have been selfish and greedy

acting like we owned the world

not worth our salt as disciples

we have not been willing to share.

These days have seen great division

which can only be healed by you

we have been living through crisis

and have not been willing to love.

Help us today to be peace makers

Make us to be humble and kind

let us live by giving ourselves away

so the world may know your love. Amen.

Still Room

Jesus said also to the one who had invited him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” One of the dinner guests, on hearing this, said to him, “Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” Then Jesus said to him, “Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come; for everything is ready now.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of land, and I must go out and see it; please accept my regrets.’ Another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my regrets.’ Another said, ‘I have just been married, and therefore I cannot come.’ So the slave returned and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his slave, ‘Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ And the slave said, ‘Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.” Then the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those who were invited will taste my dinner.’” Luke 14:12-24 

Still Room

O generous and loving Creator

you spread you table so wide

there is still room for more

yet we are reluctant to share.

We have come to distrust neighbors

to fear those who are different

we busy our selves with protection

forgetting to come and celebrate.

Your love does not choose one only

your love expands with every breath

your capacity and healing are boundless

yet we would limit and control it.

Help us to make room for the stranger

let us always set places for foreigners

let love be our guide and destination

so that sharing becomes the only way. Amen.

Keep Awake

Sunday, November 8th, 2020 Proper 27

The Collect

 O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 

First Lesson Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 

Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel; and they presented themselves before God. And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Long ago your ancestors—Terah and his sons Abraham and Nahor—lived beyond the Euphrates and served other gods. Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River and led him through all the land of Canaan and made his offspring many. “Now therefore revere the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. Now if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods; for it is the LORD our God who brought us and our ancestors up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight. He protected us along all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed; and the LORD drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the LORD, for he is our God.” But Joshua said to the people, “You cannot serve the LORD, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm, and consume you, after having done you good.” And the people said to Joshua, “No, we will serve the LORD!” Then Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the LORD, to serve him.” And they said, “We are witnesses.” He said, “Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel.” The people said to Joshua, “The LORD our God we will serve, and him we will obey.” So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and made statutes and ordinances for them at Shechem.

 

Psalm 78:1-7 

1 Hear my teaching, O my people; * 

incline your ears to the words of my mouth. 

2 I will open my mouth in a parable; *

 I will declare the mysteries of ancient times. 

3 That which we have heard and known,

 and what our forefathers have told us, * 

we will not hide from their children. 

4 We will recount to generations to come the

 praiseworthy deeds and the power of the LORD, *

 and the wonderful works he has done. 

5 He gave his decrees to Jacob and established a law for Israel, * 

which he commanded them to teach their children; 

6 That the generations to come might know, 

and the children yet unborn; *

 that they in their turn might tell it to their children; 

7 So that they might put their trust in God, *

 and not forget the deeds of God, 

but keep his commandments; 

Second Lesson 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel's call and with the sound of God's trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. 

The Gospel Matthew 25:1-13

 Jesus said, “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

Keep Awake - A Litany 

Gracious and most loving God

you are the Author of justice

the One who is the source of Peace

and the Remedy for all our woes.

Help us to stay awake and keep our lamps burning.

We have spent our days in anxiety

on the edge and  hardly able to sleep

there is so much disease and division

our hearts are heavy with our failures.

Help us to stay awake and keep our lamps burning.

The evil we know as a pandemic

is revived and striking all over

the evil we see as greed and selfishness

is tearing our communities apart.

Help us to stay awake and keep our lamps burning.

O loving Creator remake us all

give us hearts that embrace all

make us sisters, brothers and family again

so that peace might reign once again.

Help us to stay awake and keep our lamps burning.Amen