Intercessions ~ Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Late Summer Rain

We ask for Pope Francis to be kept safe and protected from his enemies./ Grant renewal and a fresh inspiration of the Holy Spirit to our battered,/ shamed and wounded Church./ We pray to the Lord.

At the start of September,/ we pray for those who celebrate birthdays,/ anniversaries and other days of remembrance,/ asking for good health,/ strength,/ perseverance and safety./ We pray to the Lord.

We pray for the more than 25 million refugees in the world as we listen to the words of Jesus:/ "I was hungry and you gave me food,/ I was thirsty and you gave me drink,/ I was a stranger and you welcomed me,/ naked and you clothed me,/ sick and you took care of me."/ We pray to the Lord.

Yesterday marked the anniversary of the start of the Second World War in 1939./ We pray for the people and places which still bear the wounds and pain of that terrible fighting./ We ask boldly for world leaders who are skilled in peace-keeping./ We pray to the Lord.

This is Labor Day weekend./ And while our nation is at full employment,/ we pray for those whose work is dangerous,/ under-paid,/ un-appreciated/ or in any way unfair./ We pray to the Lord.

We pray for prisoners,/ especially those living in de-humanizing environments of deterioration,/ abuse and harm./ We pray as well for the sick and the dying,/ persons who are living in situations of dark fear,/ frustration,/ despair and sorrowing-pain./ We pray to the Lord. 

Theotokos of the Passion ~ Who Listens and Invites

This is the icon, Mother of God of the Passion, which inspired a Western version we've come to know as Our Lady of Perpetual Help. We are familiar with the details. The Mother of God holds her Son securely as he sees the Archangels over his shoulder, each carrying the instruments of suffering and death: the cross, the nails, the spear, the sponge on the reed.  The Child flies to her speedily, that his left sandal falls off. His hands are placed around her thumb, either holding on tight OR in the moment of his letting go - his surrender.

The Mother of God doesn't look at Jesus nor at the sky, but at us. Her eyes are large and wide awake to our heart-conversation. Her maphorian-covered head appears large as well, containing her heaven-borne thoughts - room enough to hold all our concerns. That maphorian is the color of the ground we stand and walk upon - she is one of us in our suffering, struggle and sorrow. She appears to be standing at heaven's window - not clucking or tysk-ing over us - but with a mother's heart, eager to hear from us. She invites:

Tell me the names of those you commend to my care,
especially the little ones,
the weak ones,
the old folks,
the ones you know who are living with mistakes,
who are addicted,
who are struggling with some terrible problem or burden.

What is causing you to be distracted,
worried,
afraid,
tired,
sad.
Tell me.

Pray-the-news before my icon,
don't let it exhaust you
or make you cynical or
despairing.
Pray-the-news you hear
about the Church,
the nation,
the sad situations
so many experience.
Pray-the-news you hear 
that's close to home.

Tell me about your health concerns,
about the troubles you have in relationships,
fears about your personal future,
hopes,
dreads,
dreams,
imaginings for a better time.
Is something grieving you?
Are you mourning over some deep loss?

Is there some inner gift you need -
greater patience,
endurance,
courage,
to be freed of resentments -
even tiresome hatred?

Is there something inside you'd call toxic?
An old wound unhealed?
A bitter regret? Guilt?
Do you long to have peace and security restored?
Do you feel yourself to be inwardly empty?
Damaged?
Do you know yourself well enough to ask rightly?

I want you to be whole and well,
at peace and happy!

Saints Felix and Adauctus ~ And Me

This is an ancient fresco from the Roman Catacomb of Commodilla. The Mother of God is seated, with the early 4th century martyrs, Sts. Felix and Adauctus to left and right. There is a woman friend there as well on the left, in front of Felix. Some say she is Turtura, the lady who gave the gift of the painting. I like images like this - it's as if, before cameras existed, someone called everyone together for a group shot. It feels very friendly or familial.

The feast day of these two martyrs is still August 30, (this Thursday) though the liturgical commemoration was dropped in the calendar reforms of 1969. Too bad, there was something to learn.

Priest-Martyr Felix died in the early days of the Diocletian persecution (early 300's). Along the way to his death, an unknown Christian witnessed the saint's courage and called out, "I confess the same faith and the same Jesus Christ as this man. I too will sacrifice my life in the cause of Christ." The stranger was arrested at once and beheaded alongside Felix.

Apparently no one asked who this fellow was, and so they simply called him, Adauctus, which means the added one or today we'd say, Anonymous. What does it mean? "Anonymous" doesn't mean unseen or unknown to God. Anonymous matters. Additionally, it may mean that we can step into Adauctus' place, perhaps not in the literal sense, though in a world of evil deeds there are Christians being beheaded, but in the self-gift each day invites.

Thich Nhat Hanh is a venerable Buddhist monk who was a  voice for peace during the Vietnam War. He lives at Plum Village in France still creating Wake Up communities, farms and retreats. The first world is in zombie mode - seemingly awake only to eating and shopping. Adauctus and Thich Nhat Hanh invite awake-ness and self-gift. Here's how the Buddhist monk frames it:

Every morning, when we wake up, we have twenty-four hours to live. What a precious gift! We have the capacity to live in a way that these twenty-four hours will bring peace, joy  and happiness to ourselves and others.

Peace is present right here and now, in ourselves and in everything we do and see. The question is whether or not we are in touch with it. We don't have to travel far away to enjoy the blue sky. We don't have to leave our city or even our neighborhood to enjoy the eyes of a beautiful child. Even the air we breathe can be a source of joy.

We can smile, breathe, walk, and eat our meals in a way that allows us to be in touch with the abundance of happiness that is available. We are very good at preparing to live, but not very good at living. We know how to sacrifice ten years for a diploma, and we are willing to work very hard to get a job, a car, a house, and so on. But we have difficulty remembering that we are alive in the present moment, the only moment there is for us to be alive. Every breath we take, every step we make, can be filled with peace, joy and serenity. We need only to be awake, alive in the present moment.

Intercessions ~ Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

Empty, late summer nest

We pray for the Church to have ears that are open to the pain of children,/ young people,/ the elderly,/ the disabled,/ and those who feel un-welcomed or empty./ For the Church to be characterized by deep caring./ We pray to the Lord.

Since 1776/ the United States has been at peace for less than twenty years total since its birth./ We pray boldly for a new desire to change that sad statistic./ May we learn how to create a peaceful world./ We pray to the Lord.

It has been a wet summer in the North East this year./ May God rain down justice on the earth,/ through the conversion of those who lead and govern./ We pray to the Lord.

For the sick,/ those in hospitals and hospices,/ for anyone requiring surgery,/ for those recoverng from accidents./ We pray for the places where people receive no medical care./ We pray to the Lord.

For the health and well-being of family members and friends./ We pray too for people who live in daily stress and chaos,/ where people are frightened,/ degraded and hurting./ We pray to the Lord.

Finally,/ we ask for those qualities which will help us to love effectively:/ May we talk less and listen more./ May we learn patience,/ non-judgment of others,/ compassion,/ light-heartedness and humble gratitude./ We pray to the Lord.

The Denial of Peter

Meanwhile Peter was still in the courtyard downstairs. One of the High Priest's serving-maids came by and saw him there warming himself. She looked into his face and said, "You were there too, with this man from Nazareth, this Jesus." But he denied it: "I know nothing," he said; "I do not understand what you mean." Then he went outside into the porch; and the maid saw him there again and began to say to the bystanders, "He is one of them" and again he denied it. 

Again, a little later, the bystanders said to Peter, "Surely you are one of them. You must be; you are a Galilean." At this he broke out into curses, and with an oath he said, "I do not know this man you speak of." Then came the second cock-crow; and Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, "Before the cock crows twice you will disown me three times." And he burst into tears. Mark14: 66-72

Caravaggio painted this picture in 1610, a year after he was assaulted outside a tavern. He knew the man who oversaw the attack. We might wonder how that betrayal impacted the emotion we feel in this painting of Peter being confronted in the courtyard and denying he knows Jesus. 

The artist has reduced the drama of the scripture verses to just three large close-up figures. It is a scene full of human emotion. Notice the soldier and the maid are linked while Peter is a little distanced. He doesn't look like a saint, does he? He looks rather like a very common man, even sickly and with a furrowed brow. His tense hands are turned in on his heart. There is a harsh light coming over the soldier's shoulder - Peter is under the spot light.

This soldier, with his ornamented helmet and gauntletted, pointing hand has the power. The woman has just made her announcement: "He is one of them." "Them!" Oh, there's that word again. We love the word them. It's such a power-word; a dismissive word. It means different; not like us.

The picture-story is one of extremes. There is a strong contrast between light and dark. The soldier is in darkness while Peter is in light. We might say Peter steps into the light when his conscience is troubled and he bursts into tears realizing he's betrayed his dearest friend.

This drama of light is called chiaroscuro. Caravaggio is a master in depicting the tension between light and darkness. The soldier and the woman have made their accusation and are waiting for Peter's reply. His eyes look as if he has already cried or is on the verge of tears.

This is a painting of human imperfection - the drama of those who have no love for Jesus and Peter who has failed the test of love. These verses and  the emotionally charged painting focus for us that every Christian at some point will be questioned and have his/her loyalty to Jesus tested. Maybe it happens often. Maybe every day.

Glory to the Eyes of Christ

Traditionally in paintings the eyes of Christ are suffering and sad. But Rembrandt didn't do that. His portrait-eyes of Christ are open, thoughtful, alive, connective and reflective of a deep interiority. They are the eyes of one who might be sitting across from us at table, attentive to what we share from our own deeply felt-place.

Through the eyes of Christ, God reveals heaven's looking into our world. Through the eyes of Christ, God looks love into our world. Through the little prayer-refrain I've used here, "Glory to the eyes of Christ' we might gratefully extol God's vision.

I grew up being taught that God sees everything. In translation that meant: "God doesn't miss a trick and will catch you out in every secret  sin and flaw." But when we meet Jesus in the intimacy of the Gospel, we realize that isn't so. Glorify the eyes of Christ with a happy and grateful heart.

Glory to the eyes of Christ,
returning the gaze of his nursing mother.

Glory to the eyes of Christ,
greeting the shepherds of Bethlehem.

Glory to the eyes of Christ,
accepting the first-seeing of Bartimaeus.

Glory to the eyes of Christ,
embracing the non-Jews;
the ones considered other.

Glory to the eyes of Christ,
interfacing with Lazarus at the opening of the tomb.

Glory to the eyes of Christ,
recognizing the hunger of the hillside congregation.

Glory to the eyes of Christ,
welcoming the children and their anxious mothers.

Glory to the eyes of Christ,
all-seeing, discerning stony hearts
and Peter's repentance.

Glory to the eyes of Christ,
witnessing the heavens opening over Jordan's waters.

Glory to the eyes of Christ,
delighting the face of the woman bent over.

Glory to the eyes of Christ,
loving the young man who had great wealth.

Glory to the eyes of Christ,
weeping over Jerusalem's apathy.

Glory to the eyes of Christ,
looking mercy to thieves, left and right.

Glory to the eyes of Christ,
carrying the Easter announcement, Peace be with you.

Glory to the eyes of Christ,
which in kindness watch over me,
little and confounded.

Intercessions ~ Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

August Dahlia ~ Vulcan

Pope Francis travels to Ireland this week to participate in the world meeting of families./ We pray for a Church that heals and welcomes families in their struggle and variety./ We pray to the Lord.

California's fires and Florida's toxic red tides are catastrophic environmental disasters./ We pray for this planet/ which sustains our lives./ May we take better care./ We pray to the Lord.

August is a month of abundance./ We ask for aware and grateful hearts/ praying for those who never know abundance,/ but only loss and deprivation./ May we be eager to share./ We pray to the Lord.

We ask to be personally healed of any sense of  failure,/ guilt and shame we might still carry./ May we know that love of God which long ago accepted our contrite hearts/ and is pleased for our best efforts./ We pray to the Lord.

Bless our families and friends with peace,/ health and security./ Give us greatness of soul which remembers every good thing done to us,/ putting to rest any evil we have had to endure./ Forgive the harm we may have done to others./ We pray to the Lord.

Grateful for those relationships which have brought joy and growth over the years,/ we also pray for those who have died,/ asking for them the healing and fullness of life in God/ which we call heaven./ We pray to the Lord. 

Feast of the Assumption ~ Dormition

Duccio di Buoninsegna ~ Dormition of the Mother of God

Here are three liturgical hymns from the Byzantine Church for the Feast of the Dormition, which the Latin Church calls, Assumption.

Irmos

The angels, witnessing the Dormition of the Most Pure Theotokos, were struck with wonder as they saw the Virgin going up from earth to heaven.

Troparion

In giving birth, O Mother of God, you preserved your virginity and in your falling asleep you did not forsake the world. Being the Mother of Life, you have passed over into life, and by your payers you deliver our souls from death.

Kontakion

Neither the grave nor death have detained the Mother of God, who continues to pray for us and who, by her intercession, remains our unfailing hope; for He, Who dwelt in her ever-virgin womb, has transferred her to life as the Mother of Life.

~ ~ ~

And, from an 8th century homily of St. John Damascene, in which the tomb of the Mother of  God speaks to the Church through the ages. We might pray for the healing of our Church.

"Now the Angels keep watch over me. Now the divine grace dwells in me. I have become a well of healing for the sick, a defense against demons, a refuge to those who fly to me. Draw near in faith, you people, and you will receive grace in streams.

Happy Feast Day to everyone!

Transplanting Iris: Anticipation and Imagination

An iris root is called a rhizome: a fleshy system that grows horizontally and very near the soil surface. After three or four years the rhizomes are exhausted and weak. Fewer or no flowers are the clues. The rhizomes need to be dug and broken up - the spent and unhealthy parts disposed of. Whatever is clean and salvageable can then be planted in a different place or in the same spot with the soil first renewed.

July and August are the months for transplanting iris as they need weeks of warm soil to grow new roots before the heaving frosts. So it is a time of imagining and anticipation. How will all this investment of time and energy pay off? What will the garden look like next May. 

Living in the moment, to be sure, but the spiritual life also allows for some imagination and anticipation - some wonder!

I might anticipate or imagine

my country unified again,

caring about each other,
welcoming,
hospitable and hopeful, 

beyond the conspiracy theories,
endless rallies,

washed clean of hatred and
prejudices,
conspiracy theories,

party and personality adulation.

I might anticipate and imagine

the Church,

healed of this next wave of

sexual harassment,

abuse,

power manipulation and

concealment,

and so planted in the Gospel

that people come running

to be part of it.

I might anticipate and imagine

myself,

less dispirited,

less anxious

more patient, peaceful and 

accepting -

happier really.

Did you hear the news item this week - that for all we have in this country - for all our "freedoms" - we come in only at number 18 as the happiest people in the world? Slipping another 4 points since last year alone. There are 17 countries who reflect that they are happier than Americans. What's that about? And could this be true - that overdose is now the leading cause of death for Americans under the age of 50?  

It's Iris transplanting time - a time of imagining and anticipation. We might allow it to inform our prayer.

And here's a Spring-blooming Iris called Good Morning Sunshine. Worth waiting for, no? Keeping hope alive.

Only One Veil Matters

I received a color fund-raising brochure in the mail today from a group of sedevacantist nuns. Sedevacantist means "empty chair" - that since Pius XII there is no pope: John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul I, John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis are imposters. And  there will be no pope into the future until that pope returns the Church to about 1958. 

The brochure wittingly or unwittingly presented this religious community as the real deal - featuring the nuns in dozens of pious poses all dressed alike in long veils. Catholics love veils:

First Communion veils
chapel veils,
brides veils
nuns veils
  white
  black
  short 
  long
bring back the Passiontide-purple
  cover-the-cross
  cover-the-statues - veils
tabernacle veils
chalice veils
ciborium veils
humeral veils
veil and unveil the monstrance.

It makes for fussy religion.

But there is only one veil that matters and that is the veil over my eyes. The veil over my heart. The veil over the eyes of my heart. St Paul writes: 

With a hope like this, we can speak with complete fearlessness; not like Moses who put a veil over his face so that the Israelites should not watch the end of what was transitory. But their minds were closed; indeed, until this very day, the same veil remains over the reading of the Old Testament: it is not lifted, for only in Christ is it done away with. As it is, to this day, whenever Moses is read, their hearts are covered with a veil, and this veil will not be taken away till they turn to the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:12-16

Saint Paul is no doubt talking about the Jewish people, or maybe unbelievers in general. There are Christians who like to use verses like this as a weapon against them.  

Truth be told, we all have a veil over the eyes of our hearts in one way or another, at one time or another. We might pray a prayer of self-knowledge for the veil to be lifted:

Take the veil from my eyes, Lord,
  that I may see beyond my nose.

Take the veil from my eyes, Lord,
  that I might see through the fog of lies.

Take the veil from my eyes, Lord,
  that I might see your presence -
  so close.

Take the veil from my eyes, Lord,
  that I might see myself rightly;
  others too.

Take the veil from my eyes, Lord,
  that I might see the stranger rightly,
  and be done with otherism.

Take the veil from my eyes, Lord,
  that I might see my way to 
  mercy,
  compassion and 
  love.

Intercessions ~ Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Cathedral of St Mary ~ Nagasaki, Japan

Today marks the one year anniversary of the violent and deadly Unite the Right march in Charlottesville, Virginia./ For the healing of our nation/ suffering painfully deep divisions./ We pray to the Lord.

This week marked the remembrance of the 1945 atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan./ We pray for the many thousands still living who survived that day,/ and ask for a world creative in preventing wars./We pray to the Lord.

Wednesday is the Feast of the Assumption:/ Mary is taken up/ even in her body,/ into the life of the Holy Trinity./ Grant safety and healing to those whose bodies are trafficked,/ starved,/ abused and degraded./ We pray to the Lord.

Pope Francis has changed the Catechism of the Catholic Church,/ instructing us that Capital Punishment,/ is no longer admissible./ We ask for a broad Pro-Life vision/ which perceives the dignity of each human person./ And for our our own conversion./ We pray to the Lord.

We ask safety and well-being for the members of our families./ For any who are living in dysfunction or danger./ We pray for dear ones who have died:/ may they enjoy the healing which is heaven./ We pray to the Lord.

We pray for the hundreds of migrant children still being held in detention centers around the country./ For the thousands of firefighters battling enormous blazes in California./  For the people of Indonesia/ where a series of earthquakes have caused great suffering./ We pray to the Lord.

Intercessions ~ Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

At the start of August we pray for those who will celebrate birthdays,/ anniversaries and other days of remembrance this month./ We ask for gifts of good health,/ safety and growth in goodness./ We pray to the Lord.

One in every four children in America is brought up in poverty./ We ask forgiveness for this failure,/ and pray for the clarity and creative resolve to abandon and rectify this sin./ We pray to the Lord.

Enormous wildfires continue to burn in the western states,/ especially California./ We pray for fire-fighters,/ rescuers and helpers./ For those who have lost loved ones and property./ For the displaced/ and the healing of the environment./ For the gift of rain./ We pray to the Lord.

We ask for the healing of our church/ as more stories of sex abuse and concealment are revealed./ We pray for a Church that is clean of heart./ We pray to the Lord.

May we not just hear or read the news,/ be made angry,/ depressed,/ cynical or sad by the news,/ but learn to pray the news,/ and be strengthened in faith,/ hope and love./ We pray to the Lord.

Grant that those who seek public office this November,/ would not be empty people,/ but rather/ be filled with a desire to serve the  common good,/ with generous,/ honest,/ humble hearts./ We pray to the Lord.