October 24, 2021
Lectionary Texts
Job has asked God to explain suffering. Instead God invites Job to be mindful of the whole mystery of Creation. Now, in Job 42. 1-6 , Job says, “I accept that.” This is the original end of the story. Verses 10-17 come from a latter addition, written by someone who couldn’t accept it—who still wanted an explanation, and a happy ending!
Psalm 34 is a song of thanks: God helps us in our troubles. Taste and see that God is good! God looks out for the needy, and pays attention to the brokenhearted.
Hebrews 7. 23-28 is steeped in the culture of sacrificial offering for sin. It compares Jesus to priests who offer sacrifices to God on our behalf: unlike mere humans, Jesus lives forever, forever interceding for us. Jesus does not have to offer sacrifices for his own sin, but does so purely for our sake.
In Mark 10.46-52 Jesus heals a blind man who sits beside the Way. (The Way is both a roadway and also a way of life, the way of discipleship.) When Bartimaeus is transformed by his healing, he follows Jesus on the Way.
[Bartimaeus‘ cry to Jesus is the basis of the historic Jesus Prayer—“Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner”— slightly altered in these resources.]
Call to Worship
1.
Leader: Creator of all, God, we open ourselves to the gift of all Creation.
All: Jesus Christ, Beloved of God, have mercy on us, for we need you.
Loving Christ, we open our arms to your love and your healing.
Jesus Christ, Beloved of God, have mercy on us, for we need you.
Holy Spirit, come fill us with your power and your grace.
Jesus Christ, Beloved of God, have mercy on us, for we need you.
We worship in gratitude, in trust and in joy. Alleluia!
2.
Leader: Creator God, source of our being, we turn to you for life and breath.
All: O Love, have mercy on us!
Crucified and Risen Christ, bearer of forgiveness and healing, we turn to you for grace.
O Love, have mercy on us!
Holy Spirit, divine presence and energy within and among us,
we turn to you on behalf of one another and the whole hurting world.
O Love, have mercy on us, and grant us your peace. Amen.
3.
We have sought God, who has answered us, and delivered us from all our fears.
We poor souls cried out, and the Holy One heard us,
and saved us from every trouble.
Those who trust God have no want;
they who seek the Holy One lack no good thing.
Bless the Eternal One at all times; let God’s praise be continually in your mouths.
Alleluia! Christ Jesus, son of God, have mercy on us. Alleluia!
Collect / Prayer of the Day
Gracious God, like Bartimaeus we are blind to your ways and cannot see your grace. Open the eyes of our hearts, that we may see, and follow faithfully. Amen.
Bartimaeus Meditation
Like Bartimaeus you sit on the edge of your Way, your life.
Jesus shares the road with you: walks on your Way, your life….
Something in you yearns for his presence and his grace. Let it cry out….
Voices tell you to be quiet, that your yearning is unwelcome.
But Jesus stops. He stands still.
Imagine Jesus, in no hurry….
Jesus calls to you. He wants to hear you.
Note how Jesus’ invitation overrules those discouraging voices, and take heart….
Bartimaeus threw off his cloak to come to Jesus.
What do you need to throw off?…
You stand before Jesus. He gives you his full attention.
Give him yours….
Jesus says, “What do you want me to do for you?”
How does your heart respond?….
Jesus says “You faith has made you well.”
Your faith is not your beliefs: it’s your reaching out.
Jesus meets it. Give thanks…
Jesus tells Bartimaeus to go his way, but instead he follows Jesus.
What Way does God’s grace invite you to follow?….
Give thanks, and trust Jesus walks with you on the Way.
Suggested Songs
(Click on titles to view songs on the Music page.)
I am Listening [ Original song]
Speak, for I am listening.
My heart is open.
Speak, for I am listening,
open to your word
Please, I Want to See Anew [Original song]
[A dialogue between soloist and congregation]
Jesus, your brother, your Savior, says,
“What do you want me to do for you?”
Please, I want to see anew.
Jesus, please give me sight.
I want to see with the eyes of love.
I want to walk in the light.
Help us to see by the light of your grace,
aware of your presence, awake to you.
Heal all our blindness, the eyes we close;
Give us the courage to look with love.
Teach us the ways of your heart, O God.
Show us your path, the Way of Love.