Holy Innocents (Ngā Kōhungahunga Tapu)

Taken from/inspired by Jeremiah 31:15-20; Psalm 8; 1 Corinthians 1:25-29; Matthew 2:13-18, and the ANZPB

Bidding: Lord, our Lord,
Response: How majestic is your name in all the earth.

[Psalm 8:1]

This is what the Lord says:

“A voice is heard in Ramah,
    mourning and great weeping,
Rachel weeping for her children
    and refusing to be comforted,
    because they are no more.”

[Jeremiah 31:15]

Let us pray.

Father, remember your children.
We pray for our families, that we may grow in love for one another.
Help us to rejoice and mourn as communities; protect the vulnerable among us.
 
[silence]

Bidding: Lord, our Lord,
Response: How majestic is your name in all the earth.

You have set your glory
    in the heavens.
Through the praise of children and infants
    you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
    to silence the foe and the avenger.
[Psalm 8:1b-2]

We pray for the church.
May we worship you in childlike wonder and humility;
show us where you are and what you’re doing.

[silence]

Bidding: Lord, our Lord,
Response: How majestic is your name in all the earth.

…God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.
[1 Corinthians: 27-29]

The weak and foolish things of the world call us all to repentance.
 In the name of justice and peace, we pray that the world will turn to you.

[silence]

Bidding: Lord, our Lord,
Response: How majestic is your name in all the earth.

This is what the Lord says:

“Restrain your voice from weeping
    and your eyes from tears,
for your work will be rewarded,”
declares the Lord.
    “They will return from the land of the enemy.
 So there is hope for your descendants,”
declares the Lord.
    “Your children will return to their own land.’
[Jeremiah 31:16-17]

God of the hungry, make us hunger and thirst for the right, till our thirst for justice has been satisfied and hunger has gone from the earth. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.