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Intercessions for the Feast of St Matthew 21 September 2014

The_Evangelist_Matthew_Inspired_by_an_Angel

‘The evangelist Matthew inspired by an angel’ by Rembrandt c 1661

The Collect

O almighty God, whose blessed Son called Matthew the tax-collector to be an apostle and evangelist: give us grace to forsake the selfish pursuit of gain and the possessive love of riches that we may follow in the way of your Son Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

¶ The Liturgy of the Word

First Reading: Proverbs 3.13-18

Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding,  for her income is better than silver,  and her revenue better than gold.  She is more precious than jewels,  and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness,  and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;  those who hold her fast are called happy.

Psalm 119.65-72 9 Teth

You have dealt graciously with your servant, *according to your word, O Lord.
O teach me true understanding and knowledge, * for I have trusted in your commandments.
Before I was afflicted I went astray, * but now I keep your word.
You are gracious and do good; * O Lord, teach me your statutes. R
The proud have smeared me with lies, * but I will keep your commandments with my whole heart.
Their heart has become gross with fat, * but my delight is in your law.
It is good for me that I have been afflicted, * that I may learn your statutes.
The law of your mouth is dearer to me * than a hoard of gold and silver. R

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 4.1-6

Since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practise cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 9.9-13

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax-collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax-collectors and sinners?’ But when he heard this, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’

Prayers of Intercession

The RSCM comments on today’s readings: ‘What a surprise! The last person you would expect to find in Jesus’ company, Matthew the tax-collector. Everyone knew that tax collectors were thieves and liars, sinners of the first order. Jesus was not only eating with one, he had invited Matthew to be one of his closest friends. ‘

 

¶The Church of Christ

Lord, we thank you that, in making the tax collector Matthew one of your apostles, you showed that you believed even someone  such as he was worthy to be called into life with you. We are like empty seashells on a sandy shore and, for us, you are the sea. The sweeping wave rides up the shore, and overflows each shell with crystalline water. There is no glory to the shell, we give the glory to the glorious sea.  Sweep over us, your shells, we pray; we yield to the purpose of your  will. Sweep up, O conquering waves, and purify, and with your fullness fill.

Lord, give us true understanding for we have put our faith in your word: in your mercy, hear our prayer.

¶Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority

Lord, at times we can feel overwhelmed by the sheer scale of human need and the constant demands on our compassion in the global village which our world has become. At times we feel we cannot achieve much, and it is true that we cannot touch every area of need. But let us not fail altogether because we cannot solve all the ills of mankind. We can take time and trouble to find out what other Christians are doing in our world, and be ready to respond. Then we can light a candle by our concern, our prayers and by giving what we can of our time and our talents for the healing of your world.

Lord, give us true understanding for we have put our faith in your word: in your mercy, hear our prayer.

¶The local community

Lord, we journey on, fortified by you and one another. Knowing that we are accepted as we are, we can the more readily accept and forgive others. We have received your gracious and truthful presence, far more enriching than all the wealth of the world. May it bind us together with our companions, putting misunderstandings right, restoring love between us so that, whatever our differences of outlook or temperament we grow steadily closer on our pilgrimage together.

Lord, give us true understanding for we have put our faith in your word: in your mercy, hear our prayer.

¶Those who suffer

Lord, give us to know in our hearts that all things intermingle for good to those that love you.* Though the pain and the suffering and the darkness all remain distinct, and the good may seem powerless against that reality, when they all intermingle they form a pattern. The darkness doesn’t become less dark, but the pattern which the light makes upon it contains the meaning which makes the darkness endurable. **

Lord, give us true understanding for we have put our faith in your word: in your mercy, hear our prayer.

¶The communion of saints

Lord, we bring before you all those whom we love and who are no longer at the mercy of time or decay. Free of the limitations of this life, they are now in your presence for ever.

Lord, give us true understanding for we have put our faith in your word: in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

*Romans 8.28

**’Absolute Truths’ by Susan Howatch, quoted by Mary Batchelor in ‘Journey of the Spirit’ , p.128.


Copyright acknowledgement: Some material included in this service is copyright: © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ, USA. Some material included in this service is copyright: © The Archbishops’ Council 2000. Some material included in this service is copyright: © The Archbishops’ Council Collect (Matthew) © The Crown/Cambridge University Press: The Book of Common Prayer (1662)

5 comments on this post:

minidvr said...
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Thanks Laura

20 September 2014 05:58
Jo said...
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Your intercessions are such an inspiration- thankyou

Lay Anglicana said...
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That’s very encouraging to hear, thank-yo so much, Jo :>)

20 September 2014 14:54
20 September 2014 13:18
becky poynter said...
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Really helpful thank you.

20 September 2014 21:24
Sandra Brooks said...
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It is so very helpful to me, as I prepare to do intersession for our community church.

13 September 2015 18:25

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