Liturgy

God of radical love, shine a light to illuminate
the parts of us that hold hidden apathy and retribution.
Fill our spirits with the same sacrificial love
that overflows from yours, and heal us of our desire
to pay back the harms committed against us.
In place of malice, may we find empathy.
In place of indifference, may we find a collective
care that moves mountains.
Though we exist in the belly of Empire,
we do not have to live according to its Rule.
Though we benefit from militarism and occupation,
the God of nonviolent liberation eagerly awaits our repentance.
In place of self-sufficiency, may we find mutual interdependence.
In place of despair, may we find hope that energizes us into action.
We pray this in the name of
God our Creator,
Christ our Liberator,
And the Holy Spirit, our Sustainer,
Amen.
(Vox Prayer Team)

Scripture Reading

We invite you to hear from the book of Jonah 3:1-5, 10

1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time, saying, 2 “Get up,
go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell
you.” 3 So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of
the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days’ walk
across. 4 Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s walk. And he cried
out, “Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” 5 And the
people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone,
great and small, put on sackcloth. 10 When God saw what they did, how
they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity
that he had said he would bring upon them, and he did not do it.

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
The grass withers and the flower fades,
but the Word of the Lord endures forever. Amen.

Homily & Reflection

Homily Podcast: The Gospel Is A Message Best Served Whole

Is there somewhere pain has you locked in a cycle that isn’t working?
Where might God’s Love invite you to shift your perspective?
What might it mean to show up wholly for yourself and others?

Benediction

If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy,
don’t hesitate. Give in to it.
There are plenty of lives and whole towns
destroyed or about to be.
We are not wise, and not very often kind.
And much can never be redeemed.
Still, life has some possibility left.
Perhaps this is its way of fighting back,
that sometimes something happens better
than all the riches or power in the world.
It could be anything, but very likely you notice
it in the instant when love begins.
Anyway, that’s often the case.
Whatever it is, don’t be afraid of its plenty.
Joy is not made to be a crumb.
Go in the name of
God our Creator,
Christ our Liberator,
and the Holy Spirit, our constant Companion,
Amen.
(Adapted from “Don’t Hesitate” by Mary Oliver)

[Photo by Vadem Babenko]