Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity

-

THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
Sunday, September 15, 2019

Readings:
Lesson: 1 Kings 12:1-19
Psalm: 82
Epistle: Galatians 3:13-22
Gospel: Luke 10:23-37

ADORATION
Almighty God, I praise You because You take Your place as Judge over Your creation, speaking Your will clearly and simply. You expect me to defend the poor and orphan, and to take the side of the humble and destitute. You ask me to rescue the weak and the needy, and to deliver them from the hand of the wicked. All nations and peoples belong to You, but You especially favor the marginalized and rejected. You fill me with divine power, knowledge and understanding so that I can reach out to the least of these. And when I fail in this task and fall to my humanity, You do not abandon me to darkness, but You raise me up with Your Son, restoring me as a child of the Most High. 

CONFESSION
Heavenly Father, King Rehoboam did not lighten his father Solomon’s burden over the people, but rather increased it and caused division in Israel. I confess that I do not do my part to lighten the burdens of others around me, whether I myself am the cause or if the fault be from those who have come before me. I do not listen to wiser voices that call me to compassion and service, but rather to immature cries of anger and vindictiveness. I confess that I prefer to accept the status quo of personal comfort rather than to help carry my neighbor’s load. And I acknowledge that I often choose the easier way of division and separation rather than the harder work of reconciliation and concord.

THANKSGIVING
Holy Spirit, I thank You for lumping me together with the rest of imperfect humanity in order to show me the power of Your promises. Original sin is really original blessing, and I thank You that I cannot do it on my own just so You can show me how perfect You alone can make things to be. I thank You that there is nothing I can do to earn Your love, for Your love is ever freely given. All I need to do is to have faith in the salvation You promised and delivered, to trust in You and Your promises, and to live my life with the confidence and assurance of Your Presence. Thank you for making me worthy to be an heir of Your eternal promises, and for receiving me into the kingdom of Your grace.

SUPPLICATION
Lord Jesus Christ, You came to teach what the law really says, and that eternal life comes from walking in the threefold law of love—loving God, neighbor and self. I pray to understand that You are always increasing and widening the definition of “neighbor.” I pray that I may not pass by on the other side of those in need, but rather meet and help them as I am able. I pray that, when I am in need, I may be open to receive help from others, even from my enemies, for enemies can still show respect and compassion. I ask that I may be a neighbor to myself through self-care. Bless my eyes with those things which Your law of love has yet to reveal, and which I can only wish to see.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Twelfth Sunday after Trinity

-
TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY Sunday, September 8, 2019 Readings: Lesson: 1 Kings 10:1-13 Psalm: 77 Epistle: 2 Corinthians 3:4-11 Gospel: Mark 7:31-37 ADORATION Almighty and gracious God, I praise You because You listen to me whenever I cry out to You. In times of trouble, I look for You in prayer. When my heart is heavy with fear and doubt, I meditate on You and remember the days of old. I understand now that Your hand throughout history is the answer to my prayers today. You are never absent, Your mercy is not gone forever, and Your promises never come to an end. You have not forgotten to be gracious, nor have You withdrawn Your loving-kindness. You are the God who works wonders. You made a way through the waters and redeemed Your people. So do You make a way through my tears and sorrow and deliver me. And Your way is holy. CONFESSION Father, the Queen of Sheba showered King Solomon with compliments on his wisdom and riches for his throne, and in tu...
Read more

First Sunday after Easter

-
FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EASTER Sunday, April 28, 2019 Readings: Lesson: Acts 3:1-21 Psalm: 81:1-10 Epistle: 1 John 5:1-15 Gospel: John 20:19-31 God of faith, Your Word teaches me the importance of faith. I learn that faith has the power to heal any infirmity, to save from any danger, and to overcome any obstacle. I walk by faith, and not by sight, because faith is the evidence of things I cannot see. You bless all those who believe without seeing, and yet You do not require me to be blind. Rather, through Your Word and Sacraments, through Your creation, and through those You send my way, You continually call me to look intently and attentively, and to fix my eyes on You. I open my heart and mind to the everyday miracles You perform in my life in order to strengthen my faith. Father, when Peter and John had no money to help the crippled beggar, they offered him the healing Word of Your Son. I confess that I do not heed the cries of beggars I pass by. They call in di...
Read more

Second Sunday after Easter

-
SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER Sunday, May 5, 2019 Readings: Lesson: Acts 4:8-21 Psalm: 23 Epistle: 1 Peter 2:19-25 Gospel: John 10:11-18 Almighty God, Your Word teaches that salvation is found in no one else except in the Name of Jesus, Your Son. The Name “Jesus” means “the Lord saves.” From this, I learn that real and true salvation comes only from You, the Lord, the God of all peoples. To seek salvation with an honest and sincere heart is really to seek You. I believe that all who are on this search—regardless of race, culture, or creed—will find You, for You never forsake those who seek You. I believe that all who call on Your Name, by however they understand it, will be saved. I praise and worship You for the wideness of Your mercy, for it is like the wideness of the sea. Father, the Apostles declared that they could not stop telling people about what they had seen and heard. They chose to obey God and continue to teach in Jesus’ Name rather than listen to th...
Read more