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The literatures and philosophies of...

Illustration
Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
The literatures and philosophies of the ages have been concerned with the question: What is man? The Psalmist spoke of our being "a little lower than the angels." Robert Burns wrote: "An honest man's the noblest work of God." Shakespeare declared, "What a piece of work is man!" This pericope from the book of Wisdom describes the good man as a person who is opposed to all that is false, unlawful and irresponsible. And because he distances himself from all such moral lapses, his very presence gets mediocre people down. Moreover, they are inclined to stand back to see if virtue really pays off.
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The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

The Church of Christ

Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority

The local community

Those who suffer

The communion of saints


These responses may be used:


Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.

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With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
-- Isaiah 12:3

John W. Clarke
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Whoever does not work should not eat!
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Mark Ellingson
Freedom is such a lovely word, a compelling image. What is freedom? How would you define it? What does it mean to you? Webster's New World Dictionary defines freedom as being exempt from control or from arbitrary restrictions. Freedom is said to be the ability to choose or determine one's own actions.

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