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Sunday, September 27, 2020

Season of Creation Sunday 4

 

Earth is crying out!  The poor are crying out!
The existence and wellbeing 
of future generations is threatened.
This all constitutes a strong and urgent call
To conversion in all dimensions of life.

The Fourth Sunday of the Season of Creation, puts the focus squarely on personal responsibility for embracing the integral ecological conversion essential to healing Earth, caring for the Web of Life.


Penitential Rite

Conscious of God’s mercy, patience, compassion, and  call, let us enter into the  quiet of our spirits… asking  for forgiveness, protection from the  crises of this time, the grace to see  and understand God’s ways for us in these times  … 

Creator God, our ways of living on Earth  as a human family woven  into the  vast, complex  web of life have  not been Your ways and now are  threatening all life as we know it with suffering and destruction.
Creator  Spirit of God, have  mercy.

Christ Jesus, Your teaching warns us that words  are not enough. Our actions must reveal our inner  conversion and commitment to live with the same attitude that guided  You, to live the Way that You revealed and lived out among us as one of us in humility and obedience.
Word of God, have  mercy

Holy Spirit of God, You are  at work in us, among us, and through us, teaching us Your ways and preparing a time of sacred Jubilee in response to the  cry of the  Earth  and the cry of the  poor.
Wisdom of God, have  mercy.

May God, the Creator of time, space and the
vast Web of Life in which we live, have mercy on us, free us from our sins, and guide us into the fullness of divine Life.     Amen

The Prophet Ezekiel  reminds us that conversion is the personal responsibility of each of us.  God will judge  us in the  end upon  the  choices we each make  of how we will live with each other in the  community of creation. It is never too late  to choose God’s ways. God is always  compassionate and forgiving, ready to teach us the  way.
  
Psalm 25  recalls God’s compassion and mercy, asking  God to forget the  sins and frailties of our past and show us the  way we are  to live. Conversion requires growing  in knowledge of our sinfulness and failings, prayer for forgiveness, and willing trust in God’s compassion and forgiveness.

Remember Your Mercies
Psalm 25

The Parable of the Two Sons  Jesus calls attention to the  all too familiar  reality that we may learn  the  right things to say, but that what matters is what  we actually do, our actions. Jesus challenges the  chief priests and the  elders to change and act in the  way of righteousness and justice that John preached.

Gospel of Matthew 21:28-32

 “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go work today in the vineyard.’ And he answered, ‘I will not’; but afterward he regretted it and went. The man came to the second and said the same thing; and he answered, ‘I will, sir’; but he did not go. 

Which of the two did the will of his father?”

They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him; but the tax collectors and prostitutes did believe him; and you, seeing this, did not even feel remorse afterward so as to believe him.

Prayer  Our Loving God, You alone  judge  rightly  and search the  depths of the  human heart. You alone offer  the  grace and courage to transform our lives and renew the  Earth.  Make us quick to do Your will, slow to judge  our neighbor, and eager to care for Your creation with wisdom, compassion, and love. 

Grant that we may walk with those who follow the  way of repentance and ecological faithfulness in caring for the  family of creation and Earth,  our common home.  We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the  unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever  and ever.  Amen.


Glory and Praise to Our God

Dan Schutte

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YculmbiRhME




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