The BreadCast

(Ws.1:13-15,2:23-24; Ps.30:2,4-6,11-13; 2Cor.8:7,9,13-15; Mk.5:21-43) "God formed man to be imperishable; the image of His own nature He made him." "God did not make death, nor does He rejoice in the destruction of the living." "By the envy of the devil death entered the world, and they who belong to his company experience it," but God has nothing to do with death: He is but Life, and would have us be with Him where He is. It is the Lord's will that all live, that all are rescued from death and destruction; and so Jesus "became poor, so that by His poverty [we] might become rich," and so He died that we might live… and so He comes healing us of our disease and raising us from the dead. David witnesses to His power in our psalm today – "You brought me up from the netherworld, you preserved me from among those going down into the pit" – and in our gospel Jesus heals the woman of her flow of blood and wakes Jairus' daughter from her sleep. "Little girl, I say to you, arise!" the Lord whispers to the child of twelve as He holds her by the hand, and "she [arises] immediately and walk[s] around." Despite the commotion and the ridicule of the crowd outside, the Lord enters her room and calls quite clearly to her heart… Do you hear Him? Do you hear Him speaking? Does He not call to all our hearts to rise from the dead, from the death of sin or complacency, or whatever disease has gripped our lives? What He speaks to the little girl He says to all: "Rise from your slumber, O sleeper!" It is not death to which we are called, but life. This Jesus clearly shows in His ministry upon the earth. And though this life can only be fully known having entered the gates of heaven, and though each day we are called to lay down our lives, to die as the Lord has shown us – though this indeed be a world of suffering for the Christian soul who always carries His cross, we know the Mighty One, the Creator of the universe, holds us each in His loving hand, and He will turn our "mourning into dancing" as He breathes life upon us again. "At nightfall weeping enters in, but with the dawn rejoicing," as we see that never really do we die, as we discover in His presence among us our eternal life… as we sense even now our blessed immortality. Remain with Him forever. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "To Eternal Life" from Thoroughfare, seventh album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, lay your hands upon us that death might flee and we be healed. YHWH, in you death has no place, no power at all. By a word from the mouth of your Son, the death we have brought upon ourselves is dispelled, and we are raised to life with you. It is for life you have made us; bring us back to your side. In this world we weep and mourn, O LORD; we cry out for the darkness that closes in. But what is this death that seems to take hold to those who have faith in you? Those who closely follow your Son shall be cured of their diseases, healed of every affliction – even from death they shall be raised, as if they were only sleeping. For He will speak to our hearts, and hearing His voice we shall arise. We shall live in peace forever. Jesus has laid down His life that we might be brought up from the nether world. Though death and sin and the envy of the devil threaten to take our posterity away, yet we shall sing praise to you, O LORD, for the salvation wrought in our midst.

(2Kgs.22:8-13,23:1-3; Ps.119:33-37,40; Mt.7:15-20) "Lead me in the path of your commands, for in it I take delight." The people of Judah and Jerusalem have been unfaithful to God and to the covenant made with Him, and so the time of their exile draws near: soon this remaining tribe of Israel shall join the others in being cast from their promised land. But today we hear of a faithful king, Josiah, who makes a kind of final effort, a final sign of faithfulness among the people, as he seeks to restore what has been so sorely lost by the nation. King Josiah recognizes that Judah has sinned against God and so lost His blessing; and this truth is brought home to him in the clear light of "the book of the law," which has been uncovered in the temple of the Lord, dusted off of its many years of neglect, and read in his hearing. Hearing the commands of the Lord, the Word which gives life to its hearer, the king tears his garments in penitence for what has been lacking to the kingdom, and declares: "The anger of the Lord has been set furiously ablaze against us because our fathers did not obey the stipulations of this book, nor fulfill our written obligations." To his great credit he seeks now to fulfill these stipulations, making "a covenant before the Lord that they would follow Him and observe His ordinances, statutes, and decrees with their whole hearts and souls, thus reviving the terms of the covenant which were written in the book." The covenant made through Moses he looks to restore. "And all the people stood as participants in the covenant"; a measure of the blessing does return to God's chosen as they "turn away [their] eyes from what is vain" and find life in the ways of the Lord. Here is a final harvest of good fruit before the tree turns rotten and so must be uprooted from the Lord's sight. Brothers and sisters, it is adherence to the Word of God which gives all life; it is faithfulness to His call that is our bread of life. If we do not remain in Him and walk in "the way of His statutes," we are no better than the "false prophets" who are but "wolves on the prowl" and shall be burned in the fires of Gehenna. If we are faithless how shall our tree grow? And if no growth, then no God have we, and we shall but rot. In His light let us remain, seeking the nourishment of His Word and the Bread we break and offer at His altar. And we shall need fear no exile from the Promised Land, from the Temple that is our risen Christ… We shall be led ever in the way of Truth and grow each day unto Life. ****** O LORD, renew your Covenant within us, that we might bear good fruit in your presence. YHWH, if we but followed your Word and your way, heeding the commands you give us for the nourishment of our souls, then would we bear fruit unto eternal life; then would all be well with our lives. But in disobedience we turn from you to follow our own desires, and so cast from your sight we can only be. Forgive us, LORD, the sins upon our hands and upon our hearts; let your wrath not blaze against us – save us from the fire! Help us to renew this day our commitment to you and to your Word of truth, that your love might return to us and feed us well. O let us return to you! So blind we have been, so deaf to your Word, O holy LORD. And so, holiness has escaped us. Let us no longer be led astray by false notions conceived in the corruption of sin but repent entirely of our hypocrisy. Let us but serve you and not our selfishness, and you will bless us once again and we will remain standing strong in your Temple, as your chosen people in light. May your Word take root within our hearts and grow unto eternal life.

(Jb.38:1,8-11; Ps.107:23-26,28-31; 2Cor.5:14-17; Mk.4:35-41) "Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?" Need you ask? If you must, I will tell you: this is He who "shut within the doors the sea, when it burst forth from the womb"; He who "set limits for it and fastened the bars of its door" – He who speaks to Job: "Here shall your proud waves be stilled!" This is the Lord, the great I AM! When the Lord "raised up a storm wind" against those "trading on the deep waters… which tossed its waves on high… their hearts melted away in their plight." But "they cried to the Lord in their distress [and] from their straits He rescued them." Is not He who "hushed the storm to a gentle breeze, and the billows of the sea were stilled," the same God who in our gospel when the disciples cry out, "We are perishing," because "a violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat" – is this not the same God who "rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Quiet! Be still!'" by whose hand "the wind ceased and there was great calm"? The power is the same and the God is the same. Jesus is Lord! And is it not this same God, this same Christ, who stills the waves of your own pride when its waters begin to fill your boat with sin, when it seems you shall sink into the deep and never return? Do you not know your sin? Do you not know His power? Is it not the Lord's great power and the peace we find by its great grace of which Paul, too, speaks when he says, "The old things have passed away; behold, new things have come"? Is it not the same salvation he refers to when he declares, "Whoever is in Christ is a new creation"? Brothers and sisters, "Let us cross to the other side." Let us allow the Lord to bring us "to [our] desired haven." Through the tribulation of this life let us pass, impelled by "the love of Christ," knowing He holds power over all the proud waves of the sinful sea in His redeeming Hand. Let Him but speak a word to our impenitent hearts to break the waves we raise up and make us whole. "Do you not yet have faith?" Then indeed be dead in Christ and live "no longer for [yourselves] but for Him who for [our] sake died and was raised." This is the Lord our God. Silence your tongue before Him. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "The World Is a Work of Art (Made by the Hand of God)" (final section), from The Whole Whale, eighth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, in you we find our peace, for you created us, and for our sake your Son died and was raised. YHWH, what need we fear if we are already dead in your Christ? How could the proud waves of this world be a threat to him who has already reached his desired haven, who has already come to the opposite shore? The power of wind and sea mean nothing to the One who commands these and all other things, and it is He who is with us now. O LORD, increase our faith in the salvation that is ours through the death and resurrection of your Son. Flesh now has no hold of Him, and so it should no longer trouble those who are reborn in Him. His life should be our own, and this life is unconquerable. O let us trust entirely in His love! Though the waves do rise above our heads and threaten our boat with sinking, the Spirit of your Son is present to us to command the sea to be still. And so we shall sail peacefully into your kingdom, if we but remember His presence, if we but call on your NAME.

(Ez.17:22-24; Ps.92:2-3,13-16; 2Cor.5:6-10; Mk.4:26-34) "They that are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God." The imagery today is of trees and plants and the growth and strength of the kingdom of God. "The just one shall flourish like a palm tree, like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow," our psalmist rejoices, and adds, "They shall bear fruit even in old age; vigorous and sturdy shall they be." In our gospel Jesus tells us that the kingdom of God is like the seed that grows gradually, imperceptibly into ripe grain ready for the harvest, and compares it also to the mustard seed, "the smallest of all the seeds on the earth," which "springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade." God is the seed from which all is sprung. Jesus is the "tender shoot" spoken of by Ezekial. Taken from "the crest of the cedar," the humble bloom of the house of Israel, He is "planted on a high and lofty mountain" – raised up to the right hand of the Father – and by the power of the Holy Spirit, thence He "put[s] forth branches and bear[s] fruit, and become[s] a majestic cedar": His apostles and prophets go forth and plant the Word of God in all hearts; and as it grows unto heaven and blossoms forth in the works of every Christian, the Church is made to stand fast in the sight of the Lord. "Birds of every kind shall dwell beneath it"; everyone who seeks refuge from the heat of the sun that is this world of sin beating down upon the human soul shall find in His Church a place of peace and comfort, a house in which he is nourished and sent on his flight, carrying the love of our God across the heavens to all lands. Brothers and sisters, let us be "courageous," as indeed Paul declares we are. Let us be strong and sturdy lowly trees growing by the grace of God to heavenly heights in all our deeds on earth. Though "we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord," though we would today see the kingdom of heaven fulfilled before our eyes, yet as long as we have the flesh of this tree enrobing our souls, let us always "aspire to please Him," to please our God, to grow closer each day to where He sits on His throne in the kingdom, that when we "all appear before the judgment seat of Christ" we "each may receive recompense" and together "sing praise to… [the] Most High." Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Gradual Heaven" from All One, sixth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, let us dwell beneath the shade of your boughs when harvest time has come, when your Son returns. YHWH, let us be planted in your House and grow by your grace into your kingdom, where you dwell in the highest Heaven. We are but lowly creatures, weak and prone to sin, but by your Son and by His Word and His blood we are strengthened and rise, we know not how, to your throne, where He sits with you in eternal glory with all the angels and saints who have done your will in this world. How can we be made worthy of your kingdom, O LORD? How can we be courageous, believing that we shall be saved from this corruptible flesh and come home to you? Is it not the lowly one you look upon? Is it not to save just such as us that you have sent your Son, who has instructed His disciples, who have instructed us, and through whom we are blessed? O let this Tree be a tree of life growing ever unto your kingdom, all souls entering there with songs of praise to your NAME!

(1Kgs.19:9,11-16; Ps.27:7-9,13-14; Mt.5:27-32) "Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks." "Your presence, O Lord, I seek. Hide not your face from me," David sings in our psalm; and it is the presence of the Lord that is made known to Elijah in our first reading. And that same presence stands most openly before us in the teaching of Jesus in our gospel. Elijah comes to the mountain of God to find shelter against the persecutions of his own people, for as he says, "I alone am left, and they seek to take my life." He alone holds the word of God, and so with what zealousness his life is sought. God promises to show Himself to His lone prophet, but neither in the "strong and heavy wind" nor in "the earthquake" nor in "the fire," which come before Elijah with great power as he stands upon the mountain, does the prophet find God. By none of these is he moved. But in "a tiny whispering sound" the presence of the Most High God is made known ("it is not by sword or spear…" 1Sm.17:47); it is this still, small voice that instills the fear of the Lord in his pierced soul and causes him to "hid[e] his face in his cloak and [go and stand] at the entrance of the cave," now seeking shelter from the power of God. And is not this quiet Word made known in fullness today in the presence of Jesus, He who came "humble and mounted on an ass" (Mt. 21:5)? Does His simple teaching, do His gentle words not rend our hearts in twain? Here is the power of strong wind, earthquake, and fire all together in the voice of the Son of a carpenter; here in this unassuming flesh is God Himself made known. And what does He teach us? And how difficult is it to hear! How we must cower at His words as they reach into our heart! For He tells us that our glance must seek God alone, that our heart must speak, our actions must reveal, His love only. Else what can we do with our eye but to "gouge it out and throw it away"? What can we do with our hand but "cut it off and throw it away" if it will not do the will of the Lord? For all else is waste, and to pursue in blindness the mere pleasures of the flesh, to look upon the vanity of the world with longing, will but bring us to Gehenna – this the gentle Lord would prevent with all His might, with even His death upon a cross. Do not turn your look upon the sins of this degenerate age. Do not throw in your lot with those "who have forsaken [the Lord's] covenant, torn down [His] altars, and put the prophets to the sword." "Wait for the Lord with courage; be stouthearted and wait for the Lord," and you "shall see the bounty of the Lord in the land of the living" – and you shall be wed in truth to Him who is all love, and you shall be called to anoint kings and prophets, to do the will of the Father in fullness as His holy children. ******* O LORD, let us be pure of heart, that we might see you, that we might know you, that we might be in your presence and do your will. YHWH, how can we bear your Word reaching down into our souls; how can we stand in your presence? Though you come to us in gentleness and humility, your loving word is severe to hearts full of sin as our own. And so we hide our faces from your radiant presence. Let us not be afraid, O LORD, to heed your Word and do your will; change our hearts that they might be pure as your own. Let us not look with lust upon the tempting objects of this world or reach our hand out to them or run to find them… In peace and in calm let us remain in your presence, your Word ministering to our poor souls. Let us desire only to be like you, dear God, and to dwell in your presence. O LORD, you will take us to your kingdom after this earthly life is spent, if we spend it in your service. Keep us close to you all our days, protect us from the attacks of the devil, and we indeed shall come to see the glory of your transcendent kingdom. O let us be subject to you and your gentle, saving Word this day!

(Gn.3:9-15; Ps.130:1-8; 2Cor.4:13-5:1; Mk.3:20-35) "With the Lord is kindness and with Him is plenteous redemption." We hear today recounted in our first reading our first parents' tragic fall from the grace of God into the boundaries of hell – for now they tend to hide themselves from His glorious face. Oh such disobedience that has caused such painful separation of the crown of creation from the Creator's hand! And what greater punishment than this can we know: not to be eternally in His presence as was His intent? And for such sin inflicted upon our race our psalmist is caused to plea: "Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice!" For release from the "iniquities" upon his soul he begs the Lord… and so is proclaimed the cry of us all. And does the Lord hear? He cannot help but hear, for "with [Him] is forgiveness, that [He] may be revered." He draws His children back to His paradise by the cords that are the blood of Christ, "that the grace bestowed on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God." "Knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also… we are not discouraged… For we know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed, we have a building from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven." Sin may well be at work within us, causing the body to die, causing us to give up our lives – forcing us to put no stock in the passing things of this life; but through this sacrifice the Lord is at work building our home in heaven. Paul sums up this redemptive process so beautifully when he says, "This momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond comparison." For the affliction indeed passes with these passing things, but His house is eternal. And in our gospel we see well that Jesus has come and "plunder[ed] the house" of Satan. "He drives out demons" from this decaying house in which we dwell, dividing it against itself and breaking the hold Satan has on souls by the corrupted influence of the flesh. Anointing fallen man with the purity of the Holy Spirit, as by fire sin is consumed. What devil can stand in this light? What influence has sin upon our souls with Jesus as our God? And so we poor fallen creatures become as His own, as His "brother and sister and mother," for by the grace that comes only from the Son, again we become one with the Father – in joy we stand before His loving gaze. "More than sentinels wait for the dawn, let Israel wait for the Lord," for now has our redemption come. Written and produced by James Kurt; read by Sylvia Kurt. Music: "Unbind Yourself" from Cleansing Human Frailty, fourth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, with hope we look to the dawn when we shall be freed from sin and joined to your Son. YHWH, how can we be forgiven our foolish disobedience, which has separated us from your presence, from the House in which you dwell? How shall we reenter there, we who are so bound by Satan because of our sin? Will you hear our cry, O LORD? You cannot but hear our cry, dearest God; you quickly answer those who seek forgiveness and the doing of your will. You will not turn your back on those who mourn for their iniquities, who long again to see your face. Indeed, Jesus you send to us. And from what does your Son hold back in redeeming our lives from the grave? What will He not do to convince us of your love for your wayward children? We must but accept His Word, His love, even as He hangs on the Cross for us, and not spurn the Spirit's work in Him. He will make us as His brothers, plundering Satan's possession of our soul and bestowing your glory upon us, if we but trust in you and your loving mercy.

(Hos.11:1,3-4,8-9; Is.12:2-6; Eph.3:8-12,14-19; Jn.19:31-37) "With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation." "Shout with exultation, O city of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel!" From His pierced heart flow forth the waters of salvation; in Jesus' blood we find our life. Oh how wonderful to have a God whose "heart is overwhelmed," whose "pity is stirred," who bleeds and dies for us upon the cross to reveal the limitless nature of His love. Here is "God's manifold wisdom" made known, here in "the unfathomable riches of Christ" freely given to all, that all might "grasp fully, with all the holy ones, the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ's love, and experience this love which surpasses all knowledge." Such unsurpassable grace can but leave us breathless in praising His name! "When Israel was a child I loved him," says the Lord through the prophet Hosea. His love "like one who raises an infant to His cheeks" does not leave His blessed child; it only grows with time. Even though "they did not know that [He] was their healer," yet He did not turn away – He multiplied His love for us in the sacrificial offering of His Son. Now having been redeemed of our sin in the cleansing shower of His blood, we can only claim to be "confident and unafraid." For with Isaiah we fully proclaim: "My strength and my courage is the Lord, and He has been my savior." What the prophet knew in shadow we see now in the fullness of the light that is the Son, and so "in Christ and through faith in Him we can speak freely to God, drawing near Him with confidence" and "attain[ing] to the fullness of God Himself" and to His love. My dear brothers and sisters, let our prayer for one another be joined on this "solemn feast day" with Paul's desire for the Ephesians: "May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith, and may charity be the root and foundation of your life." Then like this blessed Apostle who went from being "the least of all believers," persecuting the Church of Christ, to being shown "the mysterious design which for all ages was hidden in God" – and indeed "enlighten[ing] all men" of the Father's love revealed in Christ Jesus – we too will be raised from our lowly state in this world of sin to our place with the Son at the right hand of God. The fountain of salvation is open now; come to the water and drink fully of His love, of His blood. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Cleansing" from Cleansing Human Frailty, fourth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, Jesus was pierced for our sins; His blood pours upon us for our salvation. YHWH, you are our healer. Your Son is the fountain of our salvation; in His blood we are cleansed of our sins. May we make our home in His Sacred Heart. We praise you, LORD, for your love, for the care you have shown to your little ones. To us you have sent your only Son to die on the Cross that we might live. Though it is our lance that has pierced His Sacred Heart, yet His unfathomable love pours upon us and bestows on us the great riches of your glory. For this gift what can we do but praise your holy Name? O LORD, may your Christ dwell in our hearts through faith in Him; may charity be the root and foundation of our lives, that by the love of your Son we may draw near to you yourself, dear God. No longer is your mysterious design hidden from men's eyes – O let your great wisdom be known and all souls glorify your ineffable NAME through Jesus who speaks to us ever of your mercy!

(Ex.24:3-8; Ps.116:12-13,15-18; Heb.9:11-15; Mt.14:12-16,22-26) "The cup of salvation I will take up, and I will call upon the name of the Lord." The blood of sacrifice, the blood that seals all covenants with God, is upon all our readings today. In our first reading, on the altar Moses has "erected at the foot of the mountain" where he received the commandments of the Lord – an altar surrounded by "twelve pillars for the twelve tribes" – "young men of the Israelites… offer holocausts and sacrifice young bulls as peace offerings to the Lord." Half of the blood of the bulls Moses "splashed on the altar"; the other half he "sprinkled… on the people, saying, 'This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words of His.'" And so the people promise to heed the Lord's commands; and so the first covenant is instituted. Our psalm tells us, "Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His faithful ones." And our second reading informs us just how precious is the death of the Lord's Faithful One. Yes, "Christ came as high priest"; as "mediator of a new covenant" He entered the "perfect tabernacle not made by hands… not belonging to this creation," and offered not "the blood of goats and bulls" but rather "His own blood." His "death has taken place for deliverance from transgressions under the first covenant." And so does "the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished before God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God." And in our gospel, in anticipation of His crucifixion, on the feast of Passover – when the lamb was sacrificed and its blood used to anoint the houses of the Israelites to thus save them from death – Jesus institutes the New Covenant with His disciples. First "He took bread, said the blessing, broke it, gave it to them, and said, 'Take it. This is my body.'" Then with the cup He said, "This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many." It is, of course, this New Covenant we celebrate this day, as we come to the table where all the disciples of the Lord have eaten, where all His faithful have been washed clean in His blood. Here we share not only with our minds – for then why should it be necessary to eat and drink (one does not eat and drink a symbol, but feasts with eyes alone) – but with our very bodies, with the fullness of our beings; and our very human nature is transformed by His sacrificial presence. Brothers and sisters, the Lord gives Himself entirely for us; let us here lay down our lives in His flesh and blood. Let us take up the cup of salvation and each day call upon His Name. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Blood in My Palate" from Loving Spirit, third album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, is Jesus not our inheritance; do we not eat the Body and Blood He has given up for our salvation? YHWH, the blood of the New Covenant be upon us for good, the blood of Christ upon our lips; and let us fulfill our vows before you, serving as the Body of your Son. O let us be blessed with all the graces of Heaven as they pour upon us in the blood of Jesus, our Lord! How can we make return to you, dear God, for all the good you have done for us, for your giving us your only Son to serve as sacrifice for our sins, as food for our journey to you? You, O God, have come among us in His flesh and remain with us in the Sacrament – how can we grasp such a gift? How can we thank you for your love toward us revealed in the blood of Jesus the Christ? Let us but take up the cup you offer and call upon your holy Name. Let us but serve you with all our lives, worshiping you in all things, O living God, and the promised eternal inheritance will be ours. O let us drink of the fruit of the vine with your Son in the kingdom! Prepare our hearts to receive your Lamb.

(Dt.4:32-34,39-40; Ps.33:4-6,9,12,18-20,22; Rom.8:14-17; Mt.28:16-20) "You must know now, and fix in your heart, that 'the Lord is God in the heavens above and on earth below, and that there is no other.'" "Did a people ever hear the voice of God speaking from the midst of fire, as you did, and live?" Moses asks the Israelite nation. "Did any god venture to go and take a nation for Himself" with the great "signs and wonders" that accompanied Israel's release from Egyptian bondage? No. For the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the God of heaven and earth, the one true God. For "by the word of the Lord the heavens were made; by the breath of His mouth all their host." Yes, "He spoke, and it was made, He commanded and it stood forth." None is great as the Father in heaven. And of the power of the Father, Jesus, the Son, shares: "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me," He declares in truth. It is He who suffers and dies for us; it is He who thus reveals God's love – it is He whom all nations adore in the holy court. The words of the Father He brings to our ears; His commands, which bring life and "deliver… from death," He speaks in our hearing. Here is the Word by which all comes to be made flesh in our sight. And we, "we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ" – to this "the Spirit Himself bears witness," speaking in our souls the NAME of God. Yes, "those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God," and the Spirit is now with us to lead us, to help us "keep His statutes and commandments," that we might "have long life on the land which the Lord, [our] God, is giving [us] forever." And now so on fire with the Spirit of God, Jesus present with us always in body and soul, and standing as holy children of the Father… we must "make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that [the Lord has] commanded." "Our soul waits for the Lord, who is our help and our shield." His presence is upon us always for good, and we long now to know the fullness of the Trinity. He whose "works are trustworthy" we seek to make our own, that we might be one with Him who is One. "Of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full." May He who "loves justice and right" be known in His fullness by all. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Speaking of God" (second half) from The Whole Whale, eighth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, let us remain in your NAME and in your power, and carry our cross unto Heaven. YHWH, you are God of Heaven and earth; there is none beside you. By your Word all came to be, and all is held together by your love. We can but hope for your kindness, LORD, to preserve us from the death we deserve. We can but be baptized in your NAME and pray to be as your children. O LORD, let us be your heirs with Christ. Let us suffer with Him that we might be glorified by the Spirit and come to dwell as one with you in the kingdom. To this earth bring your Word and let us be remade in His image. For He is one with you and the Spirit, worthy of all our worship; and as we worship Him, the Spirit inspires us to cry out, "Abba, Father!" with your only Son. O LORD, what great grace and mercy you have shown us! You have taken us from the midst of darkness and sin and brought us into your marvelous light by the sacrifice of your Son. In the fire of the Holy Spirit you speak to us and guide us on our journey to you. Help us, LORD, to keep your commands that we might prosper and have eternal life with you in Heaven.

(Jas.5:13-20; Ps.141:1-3,8; Mk.10:13-16) "Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice." "The fervent petition of a holy man is powerful indeed." For indeed Elijah "prayed earnestly" and "no rain fell on the land for three years and six months." Then "when he prayed again, the sky burst forth with rain." And now greater things are accomplished by prayer, especially of "the elders of the Church," our priests, who, in union with Jesus the Lord, "reclaim the one who is ill" and bring "forgiveness" to the sinful soul. Redemption itself is at our hands through the Anointing of the Sick and Confession, and all the other blessed sacraments. And prayer by all souls is a constant guard and reclaimer of lives gone astray. And in our gospel it is made clear what our disposition should be when we pray, when we come to Jesus. The Lord encourages the little children to come to Him and states unequivocally: "Whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a little child shall not enter into it." We must always come to Him as children – with faith, in innocence, of truth – if we hope to gain a hearing in His sight, brothers and sisters. If when we call upon Him we do not have the pure faith of a child, how can we expect to communicate with Him who dwells in absolute light? If our prayer and our song fall short of the love and joy of innocent praise, then we fall short of reaching Him. But if in such innocence and with such faith and of such truth we come to Him, know that He will treat us just as the children who come to Him today: "He embraced them and blessed them, placing His hands on them." Yes, then His holy hand will be upon our lives, and His great power we will find at work within us and through us. "Toward you, O Lord, my eyes are turned." Please "hearken to my voice when I call upon you." "In you I take refuge; strip me not of life," but make me as your child of light. Our prayer comes like incense before the Lord when it is united with the sacrifice of the Son. Anointed by the Lamb's blood, all our cries rise unto the Father of Life. ******* O LORD, as a child let us come to you, in trusting prayer, and you will hear and answer us. YHWH, how powerful prayer is! For it unites us to you and to your great power; it makes us as your children. Let our prayer be sincere, that we might find your gentle embrace. There is nothing we need fear, dear LORD, if we but turn to you. If we ask, you will give, and cure us indeed of every ill. And so, let us pray for one another in your NAME, desire the salvation of all souls by your grace, and the blessing of your Son's Cross will reign here on earth and bring us soon to Heaven. Let your will be done and your kingdom come. Let us pray especially for your priests and the special power you give them to forgive men's sins and make your presence known among us. In your sacraments we take our refuge, LORD; let them always be celebrated in accord with your Word. Let our prayer come like incense before you, O LORD; may it be acceptable in your sight. Let it always come from an innocent heart.