Ordinary Time
Pour your Spirit upon us, O Lord,
We are your sons and daughters.
Animate us with your gifts
To serve your people.
“I assure you that whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will certainly be rewarded.”
Mark 9:41
Disciples of Jesus work toward the same goal. We are all seeking to take care of each other. That is Jesus’s number one call to action: love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. Everyone who is working on that project is on the same team and will receive the same reward. We’re not competing with one another to see who Jesus likes best or who can give out the most water. Even one cup is enough to serve Jesus – and the people whom he loves.
How much easier could helping others be if we were to support and help and encourage one another in it, rather than judging the way others do it, convinced of the superiority of our way?
Jordan Haynie Ware
Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer (1979)
Breathe upon us, breath of God,
young and old alike.
Send us forth, gifted with your power,
To serve your people.