"Writing Case" [Born to Free] — Post 2

So, what is this about a writing case? In Ezekiel 9, the prophet sees a man, a clear Christophany, dressed in linen and carrying a writing case who is told to pass through the city of Jerusalem and mark everyone who sighs (with dismay) over the sins committed in the city; this proto-baptismal mark, like the blood of the Passover lamb at the Exodus, plays a protective function, because the Lord was about to destroy the city, as he did the Egyptian firstborn in the tenth plague (a judgment upon Egypt for Pharoah's destruction of the male children of the Hebrew slaves). In short, those with this protective mark will be spared. Remember how the liturgy of the Sacrament of Baptism says: "child of the covenant, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked (!) as Christ's own forever." The water is applied, drips off, and dries, but the invisible, spiritual mark is permanent, yes, eternal, because the child of the covenant is now engrafted and incorporated into the very body of the Christ who has conquered death, himself the Resurrection and the Life. Baptism into Christ, in which he marks us as his own, is the death to sin that exempts us from a second, permanent death.

Meanwhile, Revelation (which frequently refers to the imagery we find in the book of Ezekiel) speaks of the Lamb's book of life (Rev 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27), a register of those whose names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20) and thus marked for salvation. [There is, of course, that other mark mentioned in the book of Revelation, i.e., the mark of the beast, universally recognized as the mark of those destined for a very different, unhappy end, but this is the happy opposite of that.]

NOTE (likely to be repeated): Although this track is available on most major streaming services, I actually use very few social media platforms; so, when it says, "Please share with those you love," I would be grateful if you would funnel this musical "Jesus prayer" to your loved ones by way of (copy and paste links to) any social platforms that you happen to use. Thank you for doing so. Thank you, as well, for going the extra mile to support indie authors and musicians by, not just liking, but sharing, purchasing downloads, spreading the word, etc. God bless you. God bless us, everyone.

The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ - 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time [Proper 26]

Nahum 1:9-15 OR Ezekiel 20:32-49
Psalm 31: (105) 6-14 (15-16) 17-24 OR 40: (1-11) 12-17
Luke 23:26-32
Romans 15:1-3, 14-33


    

CALL TO WORSHIP [from GREATER ATTENTION: LERW, YEAR D]

Love the LORD, all you his saints.

         The LORD preserves the faithful,

         but abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily.

Let the lying lips be stilled that speak insolently

against the righteous with pride and contempt.

         O how abundant is your goodness, O LORD,

that you have laid up for those who fear you,

         and accomplished for those who take refuge in you,

         in the sight of everyone!

Those who have never been told of him shall see,

and those who have never heard of him shall understand.

For on my holy mountain, says the LORD God,

there I will accept them, and you shall know that I am the LORD.

INVOCATION [from GREATER ATTENTION: LERW, YEAR D]

O God our Father, who sent Jesus Christ into the world, not in order to please himself, but to graciously bear the insults that you and your saints have endured, to put up with the failings of the weak, to bless the barren, and to reveal your good purpose of building up those whom the enemy seeks to tear down: Come and refresh your weary people, refresh us with rest in your company, refresh us with the joy and the love of the Spirit. Rescue from unbelief and inspire us to earnest prayer, that our service to you may be acceptable in your sight and give none of your saints cause for stumbling. For by your grace we have come to share in the spiritual blessings, and we would glorify your name by uniting with your holy ones in the love of Christ and in the fullness of his blessing. Come, Lord Jesus, and refresh us in the power of your Spirit, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Second Sunday of Lent

Ezekiel 47:1-12

Psalm 143

John 7:14-39

James 2:(14-17) 18-26 OR James 2:1-26 OR Galatians 2:1-14 (15-21)

    

                 

OPENING PRAYER [from GREATER ATTENTION: LERW, YEAR D]

O LORD our God, you are the One true source of Living Water, the One who has been revealed in Christ Jesus, crucified, risen, and glorified, the One who sends the Spirit to summon your church into life anew. Give us life, O God, for we thirst for you! Give us freedom, O Christ, for we are bound to you! Give us courage, O Spirit, for we would have you lead us into the deep, deep waters that flow from life unto life, from deep unto deep, from the heart of the very temple of God to the heart of those who believe in and love you. This we ask in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.