21st Century Africana Resources for the Fifth Sunday After Pentecost, Year B

Two Gathering Meditations for Mark 5:21-43

"Who Touched Me?"

Chaotic crowd commotion
And then a halt
Who touched me?
Who knew how to touch the heart of God?
Tearful laughter-replaced-lingering-illness woman
Pushed through her souls commotion
Conceded God her only help
And said with trembling words:
I did!

"In the Huddle"

Have you ever thought that you were almost there
Only to have
Someone else jump in line
seemingly take your place
wearing your blessing like a trophy?

Take heart!
God is big enough to hear us all
To heal us all
To bless us all.

Huddle close
stay alert
your turn may be next!

Litany: "Be Reconciled"
(2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27)

One: David did not rejoice at the fall of his enemies.
When Saul died he led the nation in honoring the fallen leader.
Today we commit ourselves to walk in the ways of God concerning those who trouble us, who have injured us in some way, who meant us harm.

One: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (Matthew 5:44)
Many: teach us, O God, to love those who persecute us even as we resist the evil they do.

One: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
(Luke 6:27)
Many: Lord, teach us how to build bridges when we would rather dig a ditch!

One: But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return.
Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for God is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. (Luke 6:35)
Many: Give us wisdom as we seek to remain in relationship with those with whom we disagree.

All: Loving God, cleanse us of any need for retaliation, or triumph, as we work for harmony and peace.