Ordinary Time

Pause

Pour your Spirit upon us, O Lord; we are your sons and daughters.

Animate us with your gifts to serve your people.

Listen

Lord, you have done so many things! You made them all so wisely! The earth is full of your creations! And then there’s the sea, wide and deep, with its countless creatures— living things both small and large. There go the ships on it, and Leviathan, which you made, plays in it! All your creations wait for you to give them their food on time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled completely full! But when you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to dust. When you let loose your breath, they are created, and you make the surface of the ground brand-new again.

Let the Lord’s glory last forever! Let the Lord rejoice in all he has made! He has only to look at the earth, and it shakes. God just touches the mountains, and they erupt in smoke.

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I’m still alive. Let my praise be pleasing to him; I’m rejoicing in the Lord!

Psalm 104:24-34

Think

This close connection, this knitting together of the body in the Spirit we read about yesterday in 1 Corinthians, is not just with other human beings – though that is our most intimate connection. God unites us also with all creation, which has been redeemed by our Savior Jesus Christ. The earth rejoices in Christ’s resurrection with an earthquake. The mountains and hills clap their hands for joy that God’s purpose has been accomplished. The fierce wind of the Spirit blows over the whole creation to renew and refresh it.

This is the common purpose for which God has given many gifts: to renew the face of the earth. To bring forth life out of death. To breathe through our own selfish desires God’s loving encouragement to serve one another – and not only one another but every living creature – that all may rejoice in the Lord.

Jordan Haynie Ware

Pray

Behold! You are doing a new thing, O God, and have allowed us to perceive it: may I rejoice and be glad in it; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who redeems the whole universe with his love. Amen.

Go

Breathe upon us, breath of God, young and old alike.

Send us forth, gifted with your power, to serve your people.