OCTOBER 6
REFLECTION:
St. Francis of Assisi was an Italian
friar in 12th and 13th centuries, and founder of the Orders of St. Francis
(whose primary rule is "To
follow the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ and to walk in his
footsteps".) His writings indicate a great
passion for all expressions of life, referencing animals, flora, and fauna as
brother and sister. (His "Canticle of the Sun" remains a highly
esteemed poem to this day). Francis' displayed timeless commitment to the most
vulnerable of the created order, including humankind, and serves as an
inspiration to us all.
Francis and Catherine of Siena share
the honour of being the patron saints of Italy. Francis is also the patron
saint of stowaways, ecology, and animals. His feast day is celebrated on 04
October, which is why we celebrate the 'Blessing of the Animals' at this time
of year.
Please join us this afternoon as we
remember the teachings of St. Francis by showing love for all animals! (We ask
that all furry, feathered, finned, and even scaled critters be restrained
appropriately.)
PRAYERS:
We pray for the
church: that all who gather in the name of Christ may walk with the Spirit,
striving to live the promise made in our baptism. We ask for God's blessings
upon those who lead us: our Primate Linda and our Archbishop Ron, that they may
model for us a holy way of life.
Lord, in your
mercy,
Hear our prayer.
We pray for the
Queen, the Prime Minister, the Premier, and the Mayor: that their hearts may be
touched by your love and their governance a reflection of your truth. In this
time of election campaigning, may those who seek office demonstrate compassion
for all, may their messages remain positive, may their desires be for the good
will of all.
Lord, in your
mercy,
Hear our prayer.
We pray for our
world, as we become more aware of the perils threatening human survival.
Inspire in our hearts the will to use the memory, reason, and skills that you
have bestowed upon us that our actions may respect all forms of life, in this
generation and for years to come.
Lord, in your
mercy,
Hear our prayer.
We pray for our
local community, delighting in the beauty of the changing seasons. As we
breathe in the crisp air, we ask you to fill our hearts with compassion for
those who struggle to meet their daily needs: for those unemployed at the end
of the tourist season, for those without adequate clothing for the cooler
weather, for those who find affordable housing to be unattainable.
Lord, in your
mercy,
Hear our prayer.
We pray for those
in need, in mind, body, or spirit. May we support those struggling with mental
illnesses, and seek to ease the stigma our society still holds. May we visit
those who are physically limited, those who live in pain, those whose bodies
cause suffering. May we encourage those whose spirits are depleted, that they
may know your ever-present comfort through their distress. We ask your blessing
on all whose work is directed toward improving life for all who are afflicted.
Lord, in your
mercy,
Hear our prayer.
We pray for those
who have died, that their passing from this life to the next may have been in
faith and peace. We ask you to walk alongside those who grieve and mourn, that
they may put their trust in you and be assured of being reunited in your Kingdom.
Lord, in your
mercy,
Hear our prayer.
We ask you to
hear these our prayers, loving God, and to grant our requests as may be best
for us. Humble our hearts, that we may increase our faith with compassion and
kindness as we respond to the needs of your world. In your name we pray.
AMEN.
OCTOBER 13
REFLECTION:
Thanksgiving is a special time of
year, as celebrate the abundance in our lives!
It's possibly the most significant time of the year when a religious
festival matches a secular one; both in timing and in meaning. We are
encouraged to live with grateful hearts, to take time to recognise how
fortunate we are, to embrace the gift of community and to share in the
What a wonderful
time of year!
And what an opportune time for us to
share with those around us the gift of faith! May we share the good news of God
this season, wherever people are in their spiritual journey. Rooted in our
history and tradition, may we be emboldened to thank God for the beauty of
creation, the harvest, all the gifts of this life - and for each other.
As we ask God's blessings on our
feasts, may we be blessed with generous hearts towards those who struggle to
'make do'; with deep compassion for those who feel alone; with spirits desiring
to demonstrate awe at the wonder of life and the mystery of love.
May the joy of God, for which we are
so thankful, emanate from us to all whom we encounter, that we may all raise
songs of Thanksgiving to our God.
OCTOBER 20
Reflection:
Today's
parable of the unjust judge seems to give a mixed (and precarious) message to
our 21st-century English-speaking ears: Pester for what you want, and God will
deliver! In fact, what Jesus is saying is quite the opposite. It is unhelpful
for us to consider ourselves the widow and God the judge - a Santa-like figure
who can be forced into granting our every demand. Rather, God is more like the
widow: constantly pursuing justice, even to a reluctant audience. This places
us in the role of the judge, deciding how we will respond to that call.
And
so we are encouraged to pray: to listen to what God is saying to us, to reflect
on what we can offer our community, to turn away from our sense of entitlement
to an attitude of service. We are reminded to not lose heart: the cry for
justice is ongoing, and we have ample and ongoing opportunity to heed that
divine call. And we are invited to discern our own response to God's call for
justice: will our actions demonstrate faith on earth should the Son of Man come
today?
We
have much to consider when Jesus shares such deep and perplexing parables!
PRAYERS
God who
accompanies us on our journey, we ask for a day of fulfillment and peace: that
our actions this day will reflect the deepest desire of our hearts, to the
glory of God:
We pray:
Lord,
have mercy.
God of
compassion, we ask you to teach us to love others as you have loved us: that we
may seek the face of Christ in everyone we meet, and that they will see the
face of Christ reflected in us.
We pray:
Lord,
have mercy.
Creator God, you
have placed your image on all people. We ask for the courage and confidence to
walk in the paths of righteousness, and work and advocate for justice and
peace.
We pray:
Lord,
have mercy.
Servant of all,
teach us to act humbly as we go about our daily work, especially those in
positions of authority. Support the work of all public servants, surround all
who will stand in tomorrow's election with grace and dignity, grant wisdom and
insight to those making difficult decisions on behalf of their communities.
We pray:
Lord,
have mercy.
Companion of our
souls, we ask you to strengthen and relieve all who are in any need: the
hungry, the homeless, the desperate, the lonely, the isolated, the depressed,
the infirm, the grieving. Bring comfort to the broken-hearted and strength to
those whose work exemplifies your grace.
We pray:
Lord,
have mercy.
God of perfect
holiness, help us to renew your church through the power of your Holy Spirit.
Fill our hearts with your truth that we may love and serve you in all we do, in
your name and for your sake.
We pray:
Lord,
have mercy.
OCTOBER 27
REFLECTION:
EVENING
MADE HOLY! Some thoughts on Halloween
The Ancient Celts celebrated the end of summer with a festival to bring in the
harvest at the end of October, before beginning a new calendar year on Nov. 1,
a night when they believed the veil between this world and the next was its
most thin. Traditions included sharing the abundance anonymously with those in
need (wearing costumes as they approached doors to request food) and honouring
ancestors.
Pope Gregory built on this tradition, making November 1 a day to honour all the
saints (All Saint’s Day) and November 2 a day to honour those we love but see
no more (All Soul’s Day). Thus, the evening before these holy days was
designated an evening made holy, or hallowed. A Hallowed Evening: which became
our Halloween.
As we hear the cry of “Trick or Treat!” and delight in the unicorns and
gremlins that approach our doors this Halloween, let’s remember to say a prayer
for them, and continue the tradition of an evening made holy.
PRAYERS:
We pray for the church,
as we collectively form the body of Christ. We offer thanks for those who share
the good news of God, we ask your grace to strengthen those who are new to the
faith, that together we may serve you in love.
Gracious God, Hear our prayer.
We
pray for all those who wear the mantle of authority: for our Queen, for our
newly elected government, for all who serve for our shared benefit: that they
may work for peace and justice.
Gracious God, Hear our prayer.
We
pray for the world: for places experiencing conflict or civil unrest, for regions
being forced into unpredictable change by a rapidly changing climate, for communities
who practice exclusion, for all who live in fear or oppression: that your grace
may bring them into a place of freedom and joy.
Gracious God, Hear our prayer.
We
pray for our local community: for the beauty of our town and county, for the
abundance we continue to enjoy in this time of harvest, for those who are anxious
about the cooling weather: that we may be overwhelmed with a sense of care for
one another.
Gracious God, Hear our prayer.
We
pray for those in need: for those struggling with discomfort and pain, in mind,
body, or spirit, for those who are undergoing treatments and therapies to improve
the quality of this life, for all those who undertake roles of giving care:
that your comfort and strength would enfold them.
Gracious God, Hear our prayer.
We
pray for those whom we love but see no more, whose legacy we carry in our daily
encounters. Comfort those who grieve, support those who mourn, that they may
know the consolation of your love.
Gracious God, Hear our prayer.
As
you hear the words of our lips and the whispers of our hearts, we ask you to
help us recognize your presence this day, and to align our lives to your will. Amen.
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