Voices Found: Euodia and Syntyche, disciples of the Christ

 Voices Found # 109

People of God. gather together, 

come, let us sing on this glorious day.

Shouting abroad praise to the Maker, 

come  and with body and soul let us pray.

Come, let us join in the heavenly dance,

praising in joyous celebration.

Bearing your gifts, enter God's presence;

come, let us share in the heavenly feast.

Mending all rifts, healing division,

come and from sorrows and sin be released.

Come, let us join in the heavenly dance,

praising in joyous celebration.

Words: Patricia B. Clark

Music: Earth and All Stars, David N. Johnson

Phillipians 4:1-7, and Matthew 6:28-34 are appointed for Proper 27B (closest to November 9) in the Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church

Now then, my sisters and my brothers [friends and kin], beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, thus stand firm in the Redeemer beloveds.

Euodia, I implore, and Syntyche I implore as well to come to an agreement in the Savior.  Yes, and I ask you also, my faithful colleague, help these women, for in the work of the gospel, they have struggled beside me with Clement and the rest of my coworkers, whose names are in the book of life. Phillipians 4:1-3, tr. Gafney

In her notes to the lectionary, Gafney, points out that Paul is addressing the women as his co-workers, not as subordinates.  Euodia and Syntyche disagree on an important point, but he does not chastise them, rather he encourages them to come to an agreement for the common good. He asks them mend the rifts and heal the divisions in their church, good advice spanning the centuries. 

Meditation

Strive first for the reign of God and God's righteousness and all these will be given to you all.  So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow has worries of its own.  Sufficient is the trouble of this day.  

Matthew 6:33, tr. Gafney

Voices Found # 101

Imela, imela, imela, O ka ka.

Imela, Chineke. Imela On y'o ma.

Thank you, great God.

Thank you because you are good.

Words: traditional Nigerian

Music: The Iona Community of Scotland

Breathing Prayer

Deep breath in: Imela, imela. imela,

Deep breath out: O- ka- ka, O- ka- ka, O- ka- ka

Deep breath in: Imela, Chineke

Deep breath out: Imela, Ony'o ma

Deep breath in: Thank you, thank you, 

Deep breath out: O great God, O great God.

Deep breath in: Thank you, thank you, 

Deep breath out: for you are  good!

repeat...

For more information and performance suggestions, please see The Leader's Guide to Voices Found

 

                                               

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