Responsive Reading

 

When we are really honest with ourselves, we must admit that our lives are all that really belong to us. So, it is how we use our lives that determines what kind of people we are. It is my deepest belief that only by giving do we find life.
For whosoever would save his or her life will lose it, and whoever loses his or her life for my sake, will find it.

But God did not promise us that the world would be humane and just. God gave us the gift of life and allows us to choose the way we will use our limited time on earth.
Therefore, choose life that you and your descendents may live.

Our struggle is not easy. Those who oppose us are rich and powerful and they have many allies in high places. We are poor. Our allies are few. But we have something the rich do not own. We have our bodies and our spirits and the just nature of our cause.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than humankind, and the weakness of God is stronger than humankind.

We can choose to use our lives for others to bring about a better and a more just world for our children. People who make that choice will know hardship and sacrifice. But if you give yourself totally to the non-violent struggle for peace and justice, you also find that people will give you their hearts and you will never go hungry and you will never be alone. In giving yourself, you will discover a whole new life full of meaning and love.
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength.  They shall mount up with wings like eagles.  They shall run and not be weary: they shall walk and not faint.

What do we want the churches to do? We don't ask for more cathedrals. We don't ask for bigger churches or fine gifts. We ask for its presence with us, as God among us. We ask the churches to sacrifice with the people for social justice, and for love of brother and sister. We don't ask for words. We ask for deeds... a multitude of simple deeds for justice, carried out by men and women whose hearts are focused on the suffering of the poor and who yearn, with us, for a better world. Together, all things are possible!
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. 

 

Amen.

 

(from Scripture and the words of César Chávez, found at the National Farm Worker Ministry website, www.nfwm.org, under “Worship Resources.”)

 

 

Prayer of Intercession

 

Let us seek God's help in the struggle for justice for farm workers.
For the workers who harvest the food that comes to our tables, may they have a living wage. Lord, hear our prayer.

May the seeds of our actions produce a harvest of justice.
For the fruits of decent housing, health care, and hope for the future. Lord, hear our prayer.

May the church be filled with the Holy Spirit to be in solidarity with the workers.
For strength to the organizers who work for the fruits of justice. Lord, hear our prayer.

God bless our hearts and our hands in this harvest of justice.

Amen.

 

(from the National Farm Worker Ministry, www.nfwm.org)

 

 

Prayer for Mindfulness

Let us begin by recalling the words of César Chávez: “Every time we sit at a table at night or in the morning to enjoy the fruits and grain and vegetables from our good earth, remember that they come from the work of men and women and children who have been exploited for generations…” Almighty God, too often we don’t pay attention, we don’t stop to think that, even in this day and age, injustice remains an invisible ingredient in much of the food that we eat. Shake us awake, O God, open our eyes to see our power and obligation as consumers to help put things right. Justice demands it. Love demands it.

Amen.

 

(from National Farm Workers Ministry, www.nfwm.org)

 

 

Thanksgiving Prayers

 

A Thanksgiving Litany

O God of seed and harvest, the meal before us is a sight to behold and we are grateful.
The meat and the vegetables, the fruit and bread, the drink and fellowship of this meal are gifts from Your mighty hand and outstretched arm.


From egg to chick to bird to food, countless human hands have brought this turkey to our table.
We are grateful for the farmers, the poultry plant workers, the shippers and market place workers, and those who have prepared this meal.

We are sorry and repent for any suffering, abuse or exploitation that workers feel as the result of their labor on our behalf.
We commit ourselves to eat this meal in peace, and rise from this table for work for justice and harmony on the earth and among the people of the earth.

Taste and see how good God is!

 

(from Interfaith Worker Justice, www.nicwj.org)

 

 

God of Blessing and Bounty

 

God of blessing and bounty, we praise you for the wonders of this creation.

As we see the Holiday table before us, we know that you have provided us with more than enough to meet everyone’s need. We celebrate the planting and harvest of your good gifts.

 

We also know, God of justice and mercy, that there are many people who have not been invited to enjoy the bounty of this table and this nation. We are mindful that many of the uninvited are the workers who made this meal possible. They have often suffered grave injustices in body, mind, and soul because of their labor on our behalf. Forgive us, we pray, for taking their labor lightly and for remaining silent as we enjoy the fruits of their harvest.  May this food and fellowship nourish in us a heart of justice and gratitude until we taste the fruit of a just labor for all.      

Amen.

 

(from Interfaith Worker Justice, www.nicwj.org/materials/materials_binserts.html)

 

 

United Farmworker Prayer

 

Show me the suffering of the most miserable,

So I may know my people’s plight.

 

Free me to pray for others, for you

Are present in every person.

 

Help me to take responsibility for my own life,

So that I can be free at last.

 

Grant me courage to serve others,

For in service there is true life.

 

Give me honesty and patience,

So that I can work with other workers.

 

Bring forth song and celebration,

So that the Spirit will be alive among us.

 

Let the Spirit flourish and grow,

So that we will never tire of the struggle.

 

Let us remember those who have died for justice,

For they have given us life.

 

Help us love even those who hate us,

So we can change the world.

 

Amen.

 

(written by Cesar Chavez, founder of the UFW (1927-1993))