Litanies & Prayers

The great and mighty judge had no use for God,
neither for people, save the few with favors to grant
or flattery to display.

Widow woman, widow woman,
     face bathed in tears.

Least of the judge’s concerns were the pitiful pleas
of those with no standing in the courtrooms of the mighty.

When we are asked—Who are you?—what shall we say?

We are followers of Jesus who believe that doing justice and loving mercy are intimately tied to walking humbly with God.

And if asked—What is you mission?—how do we respond?

Where there is no vision, the people perish.

Where there is no prophecy, the people cast off restraint.

Without revelation, people run wild.

All who dwell in the dell of the Blessed Embrace shall raise anthems of joy and grace.

My fortress, my shield, by mercy concealed: O Shelter, my shiv’ring displace.

The Protector uncovers the snare of the fowler and snatches from ravaging claws. ’Neath Redemption’s wide wings every heart soars and sings, every voice, every hand, shouts applause!

After trial in the desert, Jesus, being filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Nazareth, his home town, to speak the Word.

Weeping words, feasting words.

He stood in the synagogue, on the Sabbath day, to read from the Prophet Isaiah.

Reader 1: And what are our dreams for the future? Are they not reflections of the various dreams recorded in Scripture, spoken by the ancients which, even today, still echo in our hearts?

R2: For we remember God’s promise of repentance after the flood: “I will never again curse the ground of humankind; neither will I ever again destroy every living creature." (Genesis 9:12-15; 8:21-22)

R3: We recall the day when Hannah praised God in these terms: “The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble gird on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The Lord raises up the poor from the dust; God lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with the rulers and inherit a seat of honor.” (1 Samuel 2: 1-8)

We travel today with Jesus as he was leaving Caesarea Philippi, in the far northern region of ancient Israel. Named for the Roman Caesar, located in what is now known as the Golan Heights, a site of contention to this day, Syrian land occupied by Israeli allure. Even after these years together, the disciples still imagine Jesus supplanting the great Caesar, scattering Rome’s legions, restoring the glory of Judea’s lost splendor, fulfilling its remembered boast as the capital of nations.

And now this! What is this gibberish about “the Son of Man must suffer,” rejected, kicked to the curb, tracked and targeted by the drones of imperial purpose and religious conceit.

“No!” screams Peter, mouth in gear before his brain engaged.

Blessed King of Glory, Queen of Heaven, Patron of the fields and Matron of seas:

We hoist Your banner, proclaiming Glory for the Heavens and goodness for the earth!

We cannot help but be heartened by the advent of new leaders, by the prospect of new direction, with hints that the banner of Justice may again be saluted in the forging of public policies.

We thank you, God, for water.
By it you give life to plants,
Animals, and all humankind.

We thank you that in the beginning
your Spirit of creation moved over
the face of the waters.

We thank you for your rainbow
covenant promise that emerged from
the drowning floodwaters.