Laura Marie's World: December 2019

NOV 03:

REFLECTION:

In the early Middle Ages, church leadership recognised a unique spiritual bond between the Church Triumphant and the Church Militant - or, more plainly, the faithful who had died in the peace of Christ, and the faithful who were still living on earth. To commemorate this bond, two dates were set aside as holy feast days, where people would gather and pray.

November 1 (a date chosen by Pope Gregory III in the early 8th century) served as a time to honour the saints, both known and unknown: All Saint's Day was maintained as a Principal Feast Day beyond the Reformation, and continues to invite us to pray for the teachers of the faith.

November 2 continued a three-day festival of honouring the dead (along with All Hallow's Eve), in which the souls of the faithful departed within a community or fa mily would be remembered. All Soul's Day is a lesser feast, but just as significant as we call to mind those we love but see no more, and thank God for their life and witness in our midst, and for the legacy of love and faith that they have entrusted to us.

Today, I invite you to pause and remember the saints in your life, who have influenced and supported your faith journey. We pray that God will strengthen us in our ministries that, when our earthly time is done, we too shall be remembered in the church as people of God.

PRAYERS:

Today we pray that God may open our lives: our hearts, hands, lips, and eyes; that we will faithfully live the ministries to which we are being called.

As we pray "Lord in your mercy" please respond with "Hear our prayer."

Open our hearts to love all your people as you do; the rich and the poor, the hungry and the filled, the joyful and the depressed, the sick and the healthy, our friends and those we struggle to love. Fill us with a deep compassion to embrace the world with love.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Open our hands to share with those in need, that all who hunger may be filled: filled with food, joy, peace, and love. Help us to realize our abundance and to respond with radical gratitude.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Open our lips to declare your glory to a world so desperately seeking good news. May we be empowered to see beyond the challenges of the headlines and to speak of the everlasting truth that only you can offer.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Open our eyes to the needs of your world, that we may be encouraged into action: to protect the environment, to support the weak and lonely, to break the systems of oppression, to love recklessly; that we may use the gifts you have given us for the sake of your creation.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Open us, oh Lord, to the opportunities that you provide us. Help us to practice patience, kindness, generosity, and love; as you have taught us and as your saints have inspired us.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. Amen.

Nov 10

REFLECTION:

At Remembrance Day, there is a fine line between an act of remembrance and a glorification of conflict. Remembering, I believe, is important: for on this day we honour those who offered the ultimate sacrifice: who lost lives, livelihoods, friends, and faith. We Remember Them:

We remember them for their service and courage; because they believed that the world could be a better place.

We remember those who continue to serve in the Armed Forces.

We remember those throughout the ages who have waited at home, as their loved ones served.

We remember the communities who pulled together out of shared circumstance, to assist in the midst of struggle.

We remember the friendships that were forged, and challenged.

We remember all who have prayed: who work for peace, who commit to service, who live with courage.

We remember them, not because we hope for conflict, but because we are desperate for peace: for enemies to become allies, for opposition to become opportunity, for swords to become ploughshares.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning;

We will remember them.

PRAYERS

God of comfort, as we sit comfortably this morning, we ask you to remind us of the privilege and responsibility of prayer.

To the petition "we pray" please respond with "Hear us, merciful God."

Remind us, O Lord, of those who work for peace: who challenge unjust structures, who support the oppressed, who seek justice and resist evil in all its forms.

Prince of Peace, we pray: Hear us, merciful God.

Remind us, O Lord, of those who work for health: the researchers searching for cures, the medical staff administering treatments, the caregivers who convey love.

Christ the healer, we pray: Hear us, merciful God.

Remind us, O Lord, of those who work for good governance: those who advocate for the vulnerable, those who draft public policy, those who lobby for particular interests, those who make difficult decisions.

Leader of all nations, we pray: Hear us, merciful God.

Remind us, O Lord, of those who work for your sake: who seek to know you better, who teach your children your truth, who trust in the power of the Gospel and aim to live their lives to better give you Glory.

Bearer of Good News, we pray: Hear us, merciful God.

Remind us, O Lord, of those who work for the sake of your creation: those who recognise your presence in the air and water and land, those who take action to reduce our dangerous impact on the earth which sustains us, those who desire to leave a healthy planet for generations to come.

Creator of the universe, we pray: Hear us, merciful God.

Remind us, O Lord, of your promise to be faithful to us in death: honouring the memory of all who have served their countries on land, sea, and in the air; recalling those have died in conflicts and in times of peace, and for ourselves as we trust in your promise to care for us in the next life.

Comforter to all who mourn, we pray: Hear us, merciful God.

Remind us, O Lord, of our role as your church: support the leaders of the faith, inspire the seekers, encourage all who follow you. May we live in our lives the praise we offer you with our lips.

Head of the church and author of our salvation, we pray: Hear us, merciful God.

NOV 24

REFLECTION:

This Sunday celebrates the Reign of Christ; while recognising the dominion and majesty of Jesus goes back many years, this festival was first celebrated in 1926. It was only 1970 when it was moved to the final Sunday or Ordinary Time (the season after Pentecost and before Advent). As such, this is an opportunity to reflect on the presence and power of Jesus on our lives, in every facet.

As the new liturgical year begins on in Advent, this Sunday serves as a type of 'New Year's Eve'. And we can spend time this week preparing resolutions, as it were - how we might live our lives in the coming year as faithful servants to our Lord: our counselor, cornerstone, shepherd, deliverer, saviour, the Prince of Peace, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, our salvation, our High Priest: may we delight in the eternal reign of Christ in our hearts, minds, and souls!

PRAYERS:

Jesus, as we celebrate your many truths this day, we give thanks for all the blessings of this life. Loved into being by God our Father, and empowered in our ministries through your Holy Spirit, we pray to you, God's chosen and anointed one, responding to the petition "Holy Jesus" with "Hear Our Prayer".

Son of God: we pray for your church. Gather us into one holy family; help us discover how you bind us together; inspire us to live out our lives in loving service to you.