Remov

RESPONSIVE READING

Remembering God’s Provision for Us

O God, our Provider, you created us and fed us. (Gen 1:26-31)
You called us out of slavery into a land of milk and honey,
And fed us in the desert on the long journey into that abundance. (Ex. 16:1-36)
You established your covenant with us that we might receive the bounty of your blessings as we dwell in harmony and justice.
“Obey all the Lord’s laws and commands and you will have all you want to eat and will live in safety.” (Lev. 25:18-19)
In your wisdom, you arranged periodic corrections of our tendency toward accumulation and injustice.
”Every third year, set aside a tithe of food for the Levites, who have no inheritance, the aliens, orphans, and widows, that they may eat within your towns and be filled.” (Deut. 14:28-29 and Deut. 26:12-13)
“Every seventh year, cancel the debts of those who owe you money.” (Deut. 15:1-6)
“The fiftieth year shall be a Year of Restoration, a Year of Jubilee, when slaves will be returned to their families, debts forgiven, property restored to original owners, and freedom proclaimed to all inhabitants of the land.” (Lev. 25:8-10)
In your special caring for the marginal ones, you established a safety net to provide for those falling through the cracks.
”When you harvest, leave some for aliens, orphans, widows.” (Deut. 24:19-22 and Lev. 19:9-10)
“When a countryman becomes poor, be generous to him. The poor will be with you always, so be generous to them.” (Deut. 15:7-11)
When we lost sight of your justice, thereby rendering our worship empty, your prophets spoke out to correct us.
“Is not this the fast I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke,
“To let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?
“Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
“And bring the homeless poor into your house?” (Isaiah 58:6-7)
Your son began his public ministry proclaiming the Year of Jubilee, the freeing of the oppressed and good news to the poor. (Luke 4:18-19)
He cared for the hungry in feeding the multitudes. (Matt. 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17 and John 6:1-14)
And was willing even to violate the law so that his disciples would have food to eat. (Matt. 12:1-8)
Make us aware, O God, of our responsibility to carry out your will in provision for those in need.  Amen.

(from the National Council of Churches “Poverty March 2003,” www.ncccusa.org/poverty/povmarch-2003-week-3.html#Resources)

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Watchful God, we confess there is so much we do not know about the economy of food – how it is grown, who harvests it, who transports it or how it is distributed. We eat what we are served. We select from the shelves at the store. An enormous system has developed around what was once a simple act. We used to grow the food we ate. We used to barter for the food we ate. Once, we knew the cost. Help us today to recognize the hidden costs of our food. We want to see injustice clearly, the way Jesus did. We want to be awakened from our apathy, to be enraged by injustice, as Jesus was.  Through Your grace we will learn, act, reflect and change. God be with us. Amen.

(adapted from the National Council of Churches “Poverty March 2003,” www.ncccusa.org/poverty/povmarch-2003-week-3.html#Resources)

Our Daily Bread
Generous, loving God,
We ask you to give us today our daily bread.
Creator of the world,
Give us today our daily bread.
As we store the crops,
And fill the barns,
Stack the shelves,
Pile high the tins,
And wander the aisles,
Of supermarket choice,
Show us how to see the world
Through the eyes of the hungry.
Teach us how to share with all
Our daily bread.
We ask this in the name of Jesus,
Who taught us how to pray, Amen.

(from the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, “Our Daily Bread,” www.cafod.org.uk/resources/worship/liturgies_and_services/parish_liturgies/our_daily_bread)

A Prayer for the Hungry

Living God, our strength and help, we turn to you in our distress. May the spirit of compassion comfort and protect your people. In the parched lands and failed harvests we see you hungry. May the shadow of that hunger be broken by the light of your hope. In our hearts we hold a vision of a better world. May we, by our actions bear witness to your love. Amen.

(Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, “Comfort and Protect Your People,”
www.cafod.org.uk/resources/worship/prayers/prayers_about_hunger/comfort_and_protect)

A Litany for World Hunger

In this time when people continue to suffer without adequate food and water, let us call to mind the prophet's vision:
If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
You shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. (Isaiah 58:10a,11b)
God of our salvation, through the waters of the sea you rescued your people from slavery and through the baptism of death Christ freed us from death's hold. May we who have passed through baptismal waters know ourselves to be blessed with power and grace;
That all might share at the feast of the Lamb!
Risen Lord, victorious over death, in compassion for your troubled friends you appeared in many places, that they might dare again to trust. In a world of dire hunger and shattered faith, strengthen us also with signs of your presence;
That all might share at the feast of the Lamb!
Lord Jesus, hidden traveler along the road, at your companions' request you stayed for supper, and they recognized you in the breaking of the bread. Open our hearts to the words of those who walk beside us; move us to ask new friends to table,
That all might share at the feast of the Lamb!
God, whose will is well-being and life, you gave your apostles power to heal and to witness boldly before the rulers of the age. Inspire us also to speak with power for the sake of the hungry and the poor,
That all might share at the feast of the Lamb!
Gracious God, whose mercy is everlasting: your followers in Jerusalem acted with one heart and soul, owning all things in common and dividing their goods that none might be in need. As we gather like them for the breaking of the bread, give us freedom from our belongings and glad and generous hearts,
That all might share at the feast of the Lamb!
O God, creator of all that lives and grows upon the earth, as springs of water refresh a garden, the waters of baptism have renewed your people so that we might flourish in beauty and give you praise. Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love, that we might pour ourselves out for the hungry, and rich and poor alike may feast in joy. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

(Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, “World Hunger,” www.elca.org/hunger/resources/ideas/prayers3.html)

"Remove the Yoke From Among You"
Hunger

Proper 16, Year C

e the Yoke From Among You"
Hunger

Proper 16, Year C