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Weekly Prayer Cycle Pentecost 9

August 3, 2014

By Rosemary

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Week of August 10 (Pentecost 9 ““ International Youth Day)

Readings: Genesis 37:3-4
Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children, because he was the son of his old age; and he had made him a long robe with sleeves.  But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him.

Matthew 14:22-27
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them.

And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea.  But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” 

PWRDF Story:  Celebrating the Gifts of Young People by Rosemary Parker (Diocese of Ottawa, Youth Council Rep for the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario) 

In both the Old Testament and Gospel readings for this Sunday,  there are figures enrobed and empowered by love. Joseph, the most beloved son of Jacob, is given a beautiful robe — a robe commonly described as colourful, distinctive, and luxurious. It is easy to picture this gentle young man putting his new coat on, admiring its weight and quality, and being filled with a sense of certainty and hopefulness about his place in the world. That sense of belovedness likely made him walk with purpose; he likely felt as though he was walking on air. Similarly, in the reading from Matthew, Jesus is so filled with the love of God that he defies the laws of gravity and buoyancy, and he walks on water to help his friend. In both Joseph and Jesus, we see how love can fill us with strength to do more than we might otherwise have imagined. This love is also unique in that it leaves the individual free to be him- or herself; the love of Jacob and of God does not restrict anyone, but instead empowers them to harness their inherent strengths.

Such love is essential for those who are still establishing their identities, their relationships, and their hopes for the future; youth in particular, like Joseph, benefit from knowing that they are valued and care for, especially as they navigate the complex journey of self-discovery. This Tuesday, August 12th, the global community will celebrate International Youth Day, an annual event to promote awareness of the unique challenges faced by youth across the world. In many places, including Canada, young people struggle with poverty, mental health, disease, and war, in addition to their own personal growth and development. As Anglicans and Canadians mark International Youth Day, it is necessary to consider how we can communicate to the youth of this world that they are beloved. It is equally as important to determine how we can help young people to walk with confidence on their own, with a sense of agency and hopefulness. Whether it is done through structural change or personal support, there is much to be done in improving the conditions and experiences of youth throughout the world.

The work of PWRDF partners provides many excellent examples of a posture of love towards youth. Recently, PWRDF Youth Council member Gillian Hoyer visited our El Salvadoran partner, CoCoSi (Committee Against AIDS). CoCoSi developed in response to the rising numbers of AIDS victims in El Salvador. It promotes awareness and offers support to those who suffer from the disease. A cornerstone of its community, CoCoSi was founded and is run by young people. Gillian describes how much joy, passion, and belonging is apparent in both the young faces of the facilitators and of the local participants of CoCoSi programming. Importantly, the work to establish and run this initiative is done by the young people of El Salvador; they themselves have the energy, knowledge, and agency to provide the services of CoCoSi. As Anglicans and Canadians, we are therefore called to affirm their ministry through our love, prayers, and support of PWRDF.

PWRDF also helps Anglican youth in Canada to grow into confident young adults. This past May, the PWRDF Youth Council held its bi-annual meeting. Fourteen youth from across Canada gathered to learn more about the work of PWRDF, to offer ideas for both the justgeneration.ca (youth) Facilitator and the Fredsays.ca campaign, and to discuss how they can share information about PWRDF with their own dioceses and ecclesiastical provinces. In giving such an opportunity to these youth, they are empowered to step up and lead by themselves. Considering the energy and progress made during the meeting, the members of the Youth Council definitely felt the love and blessing of PWRDF and the Anglican Church of Canada! PWRDF demonstrates how important it is to offer love in unconditional and even unconventional ways to youth; in doing so, those young people who receive that love can take it on, wear it, and thrive because of it. This is the crucial work promoted by International Youth Day, as well. Just as today’s readings suggest, the feeling of belovedness can help someone of any age to walk on air, on water, and onwards.

Here is Gillian Hoyer’s reflection on the work of CoCoSi.

For more information on International Youth Day:

http://undesadspd.org/Youth/InternationalYouthDay/2014.aspx

For Reflection: The responses to Joseph and Jesus’ belovedness differed. Joseph’s brothers turned away from him, and tried to destroy him. Jesus’ disciples were moved by his ability to walk on water, and tried to come closer to him. It can be easy to give love to others, but it is not always easy to see love glowing in others–especially when one does not feel they have that same love. How do you respond to those who are clearly enrobed in love? How can you locate or strengthen your sense of being beloved in the eyes of others, and of God?

Closing Prayer: 

Ageless Beauty by Stars

Ageless beauty
Cruelty makes its holes
But on the shoreline
Time will hold its promise

We will always be a light
You can see it from the surface, see it
We will always be a light

Tattered fingers
Linger on the warm and foolish
Hardened faces, graceless
We’ll lose the battle

We will always be a light
You can see it from the surface, see it
We will always be a light

Oceans won’t freeze
So loosen your heart
Underestimated
Undefeated in this love

We will always be a light
You can see it from the surface, see it
We will always be a light

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