Out of the Depths

Over the last five weeks, we’ve been assessing our attitudes and actions toward the ignored and forgotten by answering four essential questions. This week we give you an opportunity to answer a fifth and final question by taking it before the throne: How do my actions and attitudes need to change?

In this entry in our teacher lectionary, in addition to our five essential questions, we had the season of Lent in mind, a time to open our hearts to Yahweh. We also considered the church calendar which this week remembers the parents of our Master.

Click here for a printable version of this lectionary: Blessing the Ignored and Forgotten.

Seeking Mercy before the Throne

Advocate, out of the depths, I cry to You.
Let Your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.
With You, there is forgiveness.
On You I wait; in You I hope.
I stand on Your unfailing love.
(Psalm 130; Out of the Depths I Cry to You)

Giving and Receiving

How can I bless the ignored and forgotten? (Matthew 25:31-46)

I serve with reverence
for the least of these,
for You.

Yahweh, you have blessed us with the joy and care of students:
Give us calm strength and patient wisdom as we bring them up,
that we may teach them to love whatever is just and true and good,
following the example of our Savior and His earthly father.
(From “For the Care of Children,” The Book of Common Prayer.)

How do the ignored and forgotten bless me? (2 Corinthians 8:1-9; Mark 12:41-44)

I open my hands
to receive their blessings,
a “widow’s mite” of rich generosity.

Listening to the Priest of Peace

What’s life like for the ignored and forgotten? (Hebrews 7:24-25)

Let my ears be attentive
to their cries for mercy.

How do my actions and attitudes need to change? (Ephesians 2:14-16)

Teach me to be like You,
living to advocate for others,
tearing down walls of hostility,
and building bridges of peace.

Being Still in Love

Why should I care about the ignored and forgotten? (Mark 10:13-16)

I wait in hope for You
to fill me with Your unfailing love
that brings people to You.

I am Your servant. May it be to me according to Your word. (Luke 1:38, 46-55)