Proper 12 Yr C
The prayer of Jesus
Anonymous. Lord's Prayer in Arabic Calligraphy, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.Original source.
Published date 7/21/2022
Editor's note: During the season of Pentecost, churches that use the Revised Common Lectionary have two options. One, often called "semicontinuous" or "Track 1", provides more detail about the Old Testament stories. The other, called "complementary" or "Track 2", more closely marries the Old Testament lesson to the gospel reading.
Introduction
Some of you may know that my brother-in-law, The Reverend Charles T. Rines, is an episcopal priest, retired from active service in California. While the family and I were visiting recently, Charles and I had a conversation about the Lord's Prayer. Here's my paraphrase of what we said (with his approval): "Jesus did not give the Lord’s Prayer to his deciples In English. One of the most impressive places where I have heard the Lord's Prayer was in Taizé where all were singing the Lord's Prayer in their own languages. Saying the prayer In unity is not dependent on the language in which it is spoken. In fact the English version using “trespasses" and "lead us not into temptation “ is not as accurate as in other languages. The main point is not forgiveness but “Hallowed be the name" and "Your will be done“. Talking to God about God is more important than asking for bread, forgiveness, and other things. Petition and confession are less different in all languages. A good exercise would be to say the Lord's Prayer in French or Spanish (or other language) while others say it in English because you’re all saying the same thing." Try it next time.
“Perhaps no prayer is more beloved . . . than the Lord’s Prayer, sometimes called the Prayer of Jesus. While many of us still use the words as found in Matthew 6:9-13, it is an irresistible urge to recreate this most fundamental of prayers in modern language. . . . we offer you . . . versions of the Lord’s Prayer. Pray them all and see what resonates with you. Better yet, be moved to write your own” ("The Lord's Prayer" from ProgressiveChristianity.org). Spend time exploring the many different ways to say it, use it, embrace it (see "Brain Food" below).
Luke 11:1-13
Jesus was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say:
Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
And do not bring us to the time of trial.”
. . . “So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. . . .”
From sermon4kids.com: “It isn’t a very long prayer, but there are three things in this short prayer that every prayer should include. First of all, it praises God, our heavenly Father. Second, it asks God to provide for what we need for each day. Finally, it asks for God’s forgiveness for the times that we fall short of what he expects of us.”
Scripture: July 24, 2022 (Proper 12, Year C)—Hosea 1:2-10 (image); Psalm 85 (image); Genesis 18:20-32 (image); Psalm 138 (image); Colossians 2:6-15, (16-19) (image); and Luke 11:1-13 (image). A visual/audio journey.
Collect: O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reflection:
Track 1: It is difficult in our day to consider the analogy of Hosea and Gomer (Hos. 1:2–10). The figure of Gomer as adulterous prostitute offends our feminist sensibilities, and Hosea evokes pity more than admiration. Yet, as William Willimon points out, this scandalous story directs our attention to the God who went so far as to be crucified for us. “Only a passionate, unseemly God who is willing to risk scandal could possibly save a bunch of adulterers like us.” What does it mean to place ourselves in the role of Gomer? What does the person Hosea say about the character of God?
Track 2: This week’s lectionary texts all say that the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah were arrogance, excess food and leisure, injustice and inhospitality, and not helping the poor and oppressed. Why do you think rich and powerful church leaders in the Middle Ages and in modern times went against the Bible and taught that the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was “homosexuality” (a word not invented until the late nineteenth century)?
The principal topic is “The Lord’s Prayer”. Read “Brain Food” below; reflect on the many versions of “The Lord’s Prayer”; think about its components; then craft your own and email it to FaithatHome2020@gmail.com. I will create a page of submissions.
Eye Candy: “The Lord’s Prayer” by James Tissot; “Come in my room, come on in to my prayer room” by Sister Gertrude Morgan; “Untitled (be), from the untitled portfolio” by Barbara Kruger.
Ear Worm: “The Lord’s prayer” in many ways: classical (Andrea Bocelli or Frank Sinatra); Hillsong worship; Jubilee worship
Brain Food: For this week, look at the many ways one may say “The Lord’s Prayer”
From James Burklo:
Dear One, closer to us than our own hearts, farther from us than the most distant star, you are beyond naming. May your powerful presence become obvious not only in the undeniable glory of the sky, but also in the seemingly base and common processes of the earth. Give us what we need, day by day, to keep body and soul together, because clever as you have made us, we still owe our existence to you. We recognize that to be reconciled with you, we must live peaceably and justly with other human beings, putting hate and bitterness behind us. We are torn between our faith in your goodness and our awareness of the evil in your creation, so deliver us from the temptation to despair. Yours alone is the universe and all its majesty and beauty. So it is, Amen.
From the Church of New Zealand:
Eternal Spirit, Source of all that is and ever shall be, Loving Parent in whom we discern heaven, May knowledge of your holiness inspire all peoples, And may your commonwealth of peace and freedom flourish on earth Until all of humankind heed your call to justice and compassion. May we find the bread that we need for today, And for the hurts we cause one another May we be forgiven in the same measure that we forgive. In times of trial and temptation, help us to be strong; When life seems overwhelming, help us to endure; And thus from the yoke of sin deliver us. May you reign in the power of human love, Now and forever. Amen.
Native American by Hattie C Enos, Nez Perce:
O Great Spirit, You are our Shepherd Chief in the most high place. Whose home is everywhere, even beyond the stars and moon. Whatever You want done, let it also be done everywhere. Give us Your gift of bread day by day. Forgive us our wrongs as we forgive those who wrong us. Take us away from wrong doings. Free us from all evil. For everything belongs to You. Let your power and glory shine forever. Amen.
From the Aramaic:
O cosmic Birther of all radiance and vibration. Soften the ground of our being and carve out a space within us where your Presence can abide. Fill us with your creativity so that we may be empowered to bear the fruit of your mission. Let each of our actions bear fruit in accordance with our desire, endow us with the wisdom to produce and share what each being needs to grow and flourish. Untie the tangled threads of destiny that bind us, as we release others from the entanglement of past mistakes. Do not let us be seduced by that which would divert us from our true purpose, but illuminate the opportunities of the present moment. For you are the ground and the fruitful vision, the birth, power and fulfillment, as all is gathered and made whole once again.
From New Zealand Aborigine:
O most Compassionate Life-giver, may we honor and praise you; May we work with you to establish your new order of justice peace and love; Give us what we need for growth, And help us, through forgiving others, to accept forgiveness. Strengthen us in the time of testing, that we may resist all evil, For all tenderness, strength and love are yours, now and forever. Amen
Hear the Lord's Prayer: German, Latin, French.
Now, it’s time for yours. Craft yours and email it. I look forward to reading them.
Parables: “Book of Eli” (2010), faith in a post-apocalyptic world; “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1996, animated), good case for self esteem, social conscious, and tolerance; “We were soldiers” (2002), a soldier and his commanding officer meet in the chapel and . . .
For families: Study guide and activities (former guide), group activity, snacks, kid video
For children: See family guide/activities above (another activity); bulletin games; crafts
For middlers: See family guide/activities above (another activity); bulletin games; crafts
Coloring pages: The Lord's Prayer one and two; "God hears my prayer"
For youth: Read aloud “The Lord’s Prayer” from the New Zealand Book of Common Control (see "Brain Food" above). Write down what sticks out for you, what puts you off, what feels right. If you wish, share your thoughts with your parents or here.
The gospel reading today is Luke’s account of Jesus’ teaching about prayer. He gives his disciples a model for prayer and then speaks of God’s willingness to hear our prayers. Jesus describes human situations in which a parent’s willingness to give children what they need is a sign that God, who is far more loving and good than any human parent, is even more ready to grant that which we need.
Track 1: Next in the line of prophets after Elijah, Elisha, and Amos comes Hosea. In his day (the eighth century B.C.), the kingdom of Israel is on the verge of collapse. Hosea’s life was a prophetic sign. He married a prostitute and raised her children, giving them names, which indicated God’s rejection of Israel. When his wife is unfaithful, he forgives her and takes her back. His life is his message; God will not permanently reject the people even though they have been unfaithful. They will become God’s people once again.
Track 2: In today’s Old Testament reading, Abraham intercedes with God for the righteous persons in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. The sin in the two cities turned out to be so serious that the agreement between Abraham and God was not successful in preventing their destruction. (While some Christians have assumed that that sin was sexual in nature, biblical scholars point out that the discussions of the event in other parts of the Bible do not place the blame on sexuality, but on lack of faith.)
We continue today to read Paul’s epistle to the Colossians. Jesus in his death, resurrection, and ascension is the ultimate and perfect mediator between God and humanity. In our baptismal union with him, we are not only beneficiaries of his intercession but share with him in that mediatorial role. That role is expressed in the liturgy in the Prayers of the People, and more generally in our life of prayer. We gather in Eucharist as the priestly people of God, called by God into union with Christ, and bringing the world to God that it may be redeemed.
From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2007 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.