onewhoponders

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of the First Week of Advent: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 20 and 21:1-7; Evening, Psalms 110:1-5, and 116, and 117;
Isaiah 4:2 to 6; 1 Thessalonians 4:13 to 18; Luke 21:5 to 19

“For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died.” (1^st Thessalonians 4: 14)

I’m believing it is our Lord Jesus through whom God will bring us to the realm of God.  Jesus, after all, is God’s way of being with us – Emanuel.  It was, and is, a holy time.

From Education for Ministry (EfM), a few years ago, we read “Sabbath,” by Abraham Joshua Heschel.  His opening words makes us aware that time, and the holy events that take place within time, is more sacred and important than things or places. 

Paul writes from a perspective of immediacy. He believes the Lord’s return will occur within a matter of days. Over time, with the return of the Lord not happening, we who are still waiting, become complacent.  However, we must remember that God does not care about time as we understand it.  God is outside of time.  We can’t comprehend this concept. Therefore, we must rely on our faith, our trust in God’s love for us.

We must endure in our faith regardless of the hour, or day, or month, or year.  If we don’t leave our children anything else, we must leave them with the message that the Creator of the universe will return and judgment will take place.  Also our children must be taught that death will not be an escape from judgment.  All will rise. It will be like when a judge enters a court room, “All Rise.”

Perhaps complacency should be the most dreaded of attitudes.  I battle complacency by having a habit of regular prayer and study; by meditation and communal worship. I am trying very hard to not be caught off guard or surprised “when”, not if, the Day of the Lord comes.  I encourage all people of faith to also not be surprised when it happens, and not only that, even if we die before the Lord comes in a cosmic way, we need to pass on to those who come after us, that such a day will come. It really makes no difference where you are on this planet or in space. Things and places are not as important as watchfulness.  The event itself is the most important thing. We must remain vigilant. Let us ponder this today, the Lord’s Sabbath, gifted to us for rest and reflection.

Today we remember Ambrose of Milan, Bishop and Doctor (7 December 397), and his information may be found at: Ambrose of Milan

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools. And, as we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: (The Collect for Saturdays BCP p. 99)                     

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily office Readings for Wednesday, of the First Week of Advent: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 16 and 17; Evening, Psalm 22;
Isaiah 3:8 to 15; 1^st Thessalonians 4:1 to 12; Luke 20:41 to 21:4

“Now concerning love of the brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anyone write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do love all the brothers and sisters throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, beloved,  to do so more and more, to aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we directed you, so that you may behave properly towards outsiders and be dependent on no one.” (1^st Thessalonians 4: 9 to 12)

Finally, after Paul is done with ranting about what he (not God) perceives as sexual misconduct, he gets to what I believe God really wants us to understand; and that is, that we should contribute to the community in which we live with the work of our hands.

Not all of our vocations permit us to work from home. There is always the need for people who must leave home and perform duties that can’t be done at home.  Builders, drivers, store clerks and so forth, must go out into the community and work with their hands in order to hold our community together.  Paul was a tent maker.  He is recorded as plying his trade with a fellow tent maker in order to not be a burden to his host.  (Acts 18: 1 to 3)

Church is the living example of the benefit of our working with our hands.  The church needs people who are both able and willing, to setup the Altar, play music, cut the grass, fix the broken furniture, or structural repairs to the building, prepare food and by all means, make coffee.  Yes, we need workers who perform the ministries of working with their hands. 

Many of us consider ourselves fortunate to be able to work from home.  This type of work normally consists of computer skills that primarily get business done around informational types of work.  Computer work cannot get the ditch dug, or drive supplies to the needed area, or build a house.  No, we must go out and work with our hands as God has directed us through the words of Paul. 

Today we remember Nicholas of Myra, Bishop of Myra, Friend of children, and giver of gifts; and his information may be found at: St. Nicholas of Myra.

“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done” (Genesis 2:1 and 2). So, for this evening and tomorrow day my friends, Shabbat Shalom. 

What is Shabbat? Intro to the Jewish Sabbath – YouTube

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia; Israel and Palestine, and our schools. And, as we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray:

Almighty God, giver of all good gifts and graces who has blessed us with memory reason and skill, and walked among us as a carpenter craftsman and leader of fishermen, be with us still, and aid us in remembering to work with our hands when we can, as a way of bringing us closer together for your love’s sake, Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Week One of Advent 2020: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 18:1-20; Evening, Psalm 18:21-50;
Isaiah 2:12 to 22; 1^st  Thessalonians 3:1 to 13; Luke 20:27 to 40

“Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection.” (Luke 20:36)

Jesus explains to the Sadducees that marriage is a human construct, not a heavenly one.  I would add that except for Tobit 8: 4 to 8, which is only found in the Apocrypha (if your Bible has one), you will not find marriage vows at all, even though there are several places where men “took” women for wives, in many cases, several women as wives. 

Jesus assures the Sadducees (and us), that there is certainly a resurrection.  We will all be raised before the Host of heaven, the good and the not so good.  Then judgment comes!  A military leader once told me that to be forewarned, is to be forearmed. I get it.  This means straighten out now before it’s too late.

Jesus uses scripture to show the reality of eternal life as he talks about the exchange between God and Moses at the burning bush. “And the fact that the dead are raised, Moses himself showed in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive;” (Luke 20:37 and 38).  And this will be us as well; we will be alive in God.  This is not something to try to explain but rather, to prepare for.

Folks, there will be a resurrection for each one of us, and also, for each one of us, there will be judgment. I will again share my personal creed and invite you to create your own statement of belief regardless of your faith tradition. Put it in writing and then revisit it from time to time and see if you are living by it.  Here is my personal creed or statement of belief: (I use “trust” instead of “believe” as I have learned that trust is closer to the original meaning).

“I Trust in the Creating Word through the Holy Spirit of the Incarnate Word, in whom we live and move and love and have our being, and to whom we must give an account.”  You may use my creed as your own if it is true for you as well.

Today we remember Clement of Alexandria, Teacher and Apologist (5 December 213) and his information may be found at: Clement of Alexandria

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools. And, as we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: Taken in part from the Eucharistic prayers for the Commemoration of the Dead (BCP 361 and 382)

“It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and every where to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. Through Jesus Christ our Lord; who rose victorious from the dead, and comforts us with the blessed hope of everlasting life. For to your faithful people, O Lord, life is changed, not ended; and when our mortal body lies in death, there is prepared for us a dwelling place eternal in the heavens.”  Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of the First Week of Advent: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 119:1-24; Evening, Psalms 12, 13 and 14;
Isaiah 2:1 to 11; 1^st Thessalonians 2:13 to 20; Luke 20:19 to 26:

“For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, wanted to again and again—but Satan blocked our way.  For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?  Yes, you are our glory and joy!”  (1^st Thessalonians 2:18 to 20)

Full disclosure, I don’t always agree with Paul. But there are times like his conviction that nothing separates us from the love of God as articulated in Romans 8: 38 and 39; and his definition of love in his First Letter to the Corinthians (1^st Cor. 13:1 to 13) that I am fully on board with. And now this, about seeing the coming of our Lord Jesus in the face of believers.

There is a hymn that goes, “Have you seen Jesus my Lord, he’s here in plain view. Take a look, open your eyes, he’s here in plain view.”  The implication, of course, is that we can see our Lord Jesus in the face of one another.

The further implication is that you and I are Jesus to others.  We give others a chance to see Jesus today by the way we live among others.  We do this by not returning evil for evil.  We do this by not adding fuel to the fires of hate or jealousy.  We do this by reaching out and hugging the “untouchables.”

When someone turns the other cheek when assaulted by racial or gender insults, rather than engaging in a back and forth volley of hateful words, they are showing their Jesus within them. Unfortunately, this kind of response is considered cowardly today rather than godly. It’s okay to be disappointed with bad behavior and, at the same time, not retaliate in kind.  We must remember that we are being watched by others.  Let us model for them a peaceful way of avoiding ugly behavior.  In doing so, we too may become their glory and joy. They too may also become disgusted with bad behavior.

All believers have the opportunity to bring our Lord Jesus into full view today.  Maybe the way Jesus responds to insults is not popular today, but responding in loving ways is eternal because love never dies.  The way we prepare ourselves for life eternal is to practice being Jesus now, in this life. You should try this Jesus suit on, I think it fits you.

Today we remember John of Damascus, Hymn Writer and Defender of Icons (4 December 750) and his information may be found at: John of Damascus

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools. And, as we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray:

Almighty God, who brought all life into being and then walked among us as one of us as an example of loving kindness. Enable us we pray, to realize a more loving and joyful way to be with one another regardless of language, nationality, faith beliefs, or sexual orientation. Be known to us in our prayers as we are products of your prayers. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Week One of Advent: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 5 and 6; Evening, Psalms 10 and 11;
Isaiah 1:21 to 31; 1^st Thessalonians 2:1 to 12; Luke 20:9 to 18

“For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts.” (1^st Thessalonians 2: 3 and 4)

We come not from trickery or intentions of self-promotion.  We are doing the Lord’s work. We are going to be straight up and honest with ourselves and with you.  We are the Lords. You are the Lords. We need to work harder in finding ways to come to consensus on all concerns. As I understand consensus it is the chipping away at a proposition until its properties are at least something all can, at least, temporarily live with.  It’s not perfect yet, but tolerable.  Unlike voting where there must be winners and losers.

As Christians, what we are doing in spreading the love of the Gospel, is not about human goals, but rather, about God and about what God wants; what God wants from us and for us. God has made this earth as our only life-support system. God wants us to live together in harmony and maintain this planet for the benefit of all its inhabitants.  We are to be Adam and Eve in the Garden; and Noah and family on the Ark; and Jonah for Nineveh where God reminded Jonah, “And should I not be concerned about Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also many animals?” (Jonah 4:11). This may be the only book in the Bible where God has the last word, and that word is “animals.”

Paul’s message of the Gospel could very well be, “Do good onto others in the Name of the Lord, even to the neglect of self.”  Do not take credit for what God is doing through you.  We are working God’s purposes out for our community, not for our personal desires.  And that’s a good thing. God’s purpose for us is love and peace and harmony among all the people of the world, for the benefit of the world and all creatures, great and small.  And remember this, all said and done; it is the Lord’s work we are doing, and God wins, with or without our individual participation.  Let’s be willing and loving participants in God’s plan. God in Christ Jesus is coming to check on us!

Today we remember Francis Xavier: Missionary to the East (1552) and his information may be found at: Francis Xavier

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools. And, as we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray:

O God our heavenly Creator, help us who sincerely believe in you to be steadfast in our doing and teaching and praying the Gospel to those who are still learning, even as we too are still learning. Help us dear God to help others and thus, bring all people into your will being done on earth as it is in Heaven. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Week One of Advent: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 1, 2, 3; Evening, Psalms 4 and 7;
Isaiah 1:10 to 20; 1^st  Thessalonians 1:1 to10; Luke 20:1 to 8

“But if we say, “Of human origin”, all the people will stone us; for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”  (Luke 20: 6)

The recognized leaders of the faith, are not sticking to their own professed faith. If we believe in something, anything, we ought to hold on to it as the very core of our existence; at least until we learn better. They are missing such an opportunity.

I don’t know how, but we are able to hear the inmost thoughts of what was going on within the circle of chief priests, elders and scribes, These leaders are afraid of the very people whom they are in charge of leading. What an opportunity to model correct learning. If they think the people believe that John the Baptist is a prophet, then perhaps they too (chief priests, elders and scribes) ought to submit to the gifts of the Baptist. Sometimes, but not often, the common people are a better judge of who’s who than those educated to be such.

There are times that we should not be influenced by the mob.  However, we should conduct a little informal test as a way to see if God is acting in our midst.  Our Biblical history informs us that when God invites us to do the Lord’s work it often requires sacrifice, will costs us some of our money, our time, and will be out of our comfort zone. But just as much, it will be something that benefits the community without bringing praise or accolades to ourselves. Our God is all about the communion in which we live.  The chief priests, elders and scribes seem to be about themselves at the expense of the community that they are suppose to spiritually lead.

Each one of us should look around and see who in our midst seems to be doing the Lord’s good work for the benefit of our community. Who is teaching people to read, taking meals to those who are hungry, donating to those in need, and so forth?  They may not be the ordained or political office holders.  Like John the Baptist, they may be people who live on the fringes themselves.  But their ministry is of the Lord’s calling whether we want to admit it or not. Such are the saints of God.  Don’t you want to be one too?

Today we remember Channing Moore Williams: Missionary and Bishop to Asia (2 December 1910), and his information may be found at Channing Moore Williams

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools. And, as we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray:

Almighty Lord God, who brought us into being and love us forever. You help us by using us to bring about your divine plan for our well being and safety. Keep us, we pray, ever attentive to Your call on our lives as we strive to do those works pleasing in your sight always knowing that You are our God of love. Amen.

Words from the Gospel Reading for the First Sunday of Advent: Year C

Luke 21:25-36

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Luke 21:33)

Our Lord Jesus informs us that this fragile earth, our island home, will pass away.  This earth is our spaceship of life as we know it now.  But we have an invitation to board the forever Love ship of God.

Just like everything that we design and make, eventually breaks down, so too God has engineered an Escaton Day (End of Days) wherein creation as we know it, ends.  The only thing that continues to have life is the Word of God as made known in Christ Jesus.

We can live in His Eternal Word, but it requires some effort on our part. First and foremost, we must simply believe the words of our Lord Jesus. All three of the Synoptic Gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark and Luke), has an “End of Days” revelation. The John Gospel account has its own Revelation that ends our Christian Bible.

With our belief, we must put forth action.  We must live lives of service to others modeling our love for our neighbor, regardless of their beliefs or unbelief.  We are to love them, not judge them. This is a tough calling.  Christianity is not for the faint of heart.  We know that we will all individually pass away.

 Now we are informed that this earth, this planet that we live on and that provides for us, will also pass away.  Now is our opportunity to adjust to the love-life of Christ Jesus and his words for us, which are eternal, and will never, never, never, pass away. Advent is a time of expectation. Let us look for Christ to come in whatever manner God so chooses. It’s almost like the excitement of waiting for, and expecting Santa, as a child!

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools. And, as we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: A Collect for Sundays (BCP p. 98)

O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this day such blessing through our worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 29: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 137 and 144 ; Evening, Psalm 104;
Zechariah 14:12 to 21; Philippians 2:1 to11; Luke 19:41 to 48;

“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:5 to 8)

If our Lord Jesus, being God Incarnate, was able to humble himself to be a servant (same word as slave in the Greek), then we, “normal” humans, ought to be able to at least have no illusions about any pretentious greatness we might think we have.  And having no grandiose thoughts of self-righteousness, ought to practice all humility, all the time.

Humility is a funny thing.  If we ever boast about it, it’s gone. We Christians must practice working in the background, out of sight, but in the faith.  We should not bring attention to ourselves.  We do the Lord’s work quietly. Our Lord Jesus, with all the power of Almighty God, restrained himself and worked in servitude for the benefit of believers. He even allowed himself to be handled and killed by us people whom he loved.

Full disclosure, I have sometimes insisted on being recognized or remembered for my participation in something when I thought my friends overlooked my involvement. Later, after reflection, I was ashamed of my insistence of being remembered.  So I came up with the idea of the humility of invisibility.  I’m still a work in progress but now it pretty much doesn’t bother me to not be remembered.

Our Lord Jesus had a huge job in trying to appear less than he was given that He was Everything!  For me, appearing less than I am is not such a hard job. I’m not that much to begin with.  But if we are to have the same mind in us that was in Christ Jesus we should strive to be the hidden help that people need.  And then, don’t remind or tell anybody. Your cool drink of water will be appreciated once their well runs dry.

Today we remember St. Andrew, Apostle (30 November in the NT) and information about him can be found at: St. Andrew the Apostle

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia; Israel and Palestine, and our schools. And, as we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: (The Collect for Saturdays BCP p. 99)             

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Friday of Proper 29: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 140 and 142; Evening, Psalms 141 and 143:1-11(12);
Zechariah 14:1 to 11; Romans 15:7 to 13; Luke 19:28 to 40;

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15: 13)

I love this verse of Paul’s letter to the Church in Rome.  It is an optional dismissal for Evening Prayer on page 126 of the Book of Common Prayer.  I like it because it really explains the Christian hope.

We hope for what God may do for us, and while such a hope is not seen, it is understood that it will be better than we can ask or imagine.  Paul said in Chapter 8 of this letter to the Romans, “For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopesfor what is seen?” (Romans 8:15)  Moses did not know what God was going to do when the Israelites were positioned against the sea and Egyptian military were coming down on them. They had unseen hope, or at least Moses did. 

Another biblical example of hope unseen comes from Second Kings where Elisha instructs Naaman to wash in a certain way and in a certain place. Elisha did not come to personally see Naaman but rather sent out his servant to tell him what to do.  Naaman was incensed. “ But Naaman became angry and went away, saying, “I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and would wave his hand over the spot, and cure the leprosy,” (2^nd Kings 5:11).  In the end Naaman did what he was told and was healed.  But the point I am trying to make is that we cannot have it in our head how, or what, God is going to do, or even who God is going to do it through.  Our hope must be wide open and unconditional.

Unseen hope is the only real hope.  We must trust God and just hope for God’s will for us to be done. And we must hope in patience. God is not pressured by time. Paul says, “But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” (Romans 8:25)

My brothers and sisters in Christ, we must never give up on hope. We can’t describe what the other side of hope looks like because we are not there yet. But we should literally hope for the best. And then, just leave it to God who always makes the best decision for us because God really does love us, and has loved us since our creation.

“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done” (Genesis 2:1 and 2). So, for this evening and tomorrow day my friends, Shabbat Shalom. 

What is Shabbat? Intro to the Jewish Sabbath – YouTube

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia; Israel and Palestine, and our schools. And, as we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray:                                                            

Almighty Ever-living and Ever-loving Lord God, we pray that you make yourself known to us in our daily lives as the God of hope who fills us with all joy and peace in believing, so that we may abound in hope by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Thanksgiving Day

Morning,  Psalm 147; Deuteronomy 26:1-11; John 6:26-35;

Evening, Psalm 145; Joel 2:21-27; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24;

“You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you.” (Joel 2: 26)

Joel 2: 21 to 27 appears in both, our Daily Office Readings and our Eucharistic Readings, for today. Perhaps this happens because of the invitation to “eat in plenty and be satisfied” words.  However, the words that follow are even more important; “and praise the name of the Lord your God.”  I once had a bumper sticker which read, “Don’t criticize the farmer with your mouth full.”  The same holds true for God. If we are eating anything at all we should give thanks to God. 

I once was sharing lunch with a mother and her child.  The young man was accustomed to me saying the blessing before eating.  At one lunch we started with milk shakes.  The child waited before tasting his milk shake for me to bless it and was disappointed when I slurped some of my shake before saying the blessing.  When his mother informed me about this I was really taken aback. But I learned, and now blessings come before anything at all goes into my mouth.  I learned from that child to really praise the name of the Lord without fail; not just Thanksgiving Day, but every day, no matter how small the food item or other small gift might seem.  The young folks are watching us and I am thankful to God for God speaking to me, through them. A blessed milkshake is also plenty and satisfying, and taste better blessed.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools. And, as we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: (The Collect for Thanksgiving Day: p. 246 BCP)

Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.