Raised on Eagles' Wings

Opening Responses
Reader	Thus says the Lord, "See how I have freed you from the house of oppression and borne you as if on eagles' wings to bring you to myself."
ALL	THE LORD PROMISES GOOD TO ALL WHO SERVE HIM - WHO TURN TO HIM WITH ALL THEIR HEARTS.
Reader	The Lord gives mind to his people: hears the heart-lament of the downcast, touching tenderly the aching soul yearning for meaning - hope - consolation.
ALL	THE LORD DOES NOT FEAR THE DARKNESS THAT ENGULFS THE HEARTS OF HIS PEOPLE; IS NOT OVERWHELMED BY THE TEMPESTS THAT BUFFET THEIR TROUBLED SPIRITS: HE HIMSELF IS THEIR LIGHT AND THEIR ROCK
Reader	The Lord knows of what we are made: fragile flesh - wavering will. Desiring fidelity - but fearing its freedom.
ALL	THE LORD KNOWS OF WHAT WE ARE MADE - AND SEES BEYOND FLESH AND WILL TO THE POTENTIAL PLANTED IN OUR CONCEPTION - HIS DREAM MADE FLESH IN FRAIL HUMANITY.
Scripture Reading
Suggestions: Exodus 19:1-6; Psalm 103; healing stories in the Gospels (raising up of lepers, woman with haemorrhage, Jairus' daughter, Lazarus, etc)
.
Sung response
.

Reflection The Story of the Eagle who thought it was a Chicken (available in various versions online) Music Response You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban (We used this with a PowerPoint presentation using photos of rescued eagles, eagles being released - and eagles soaring - pictures were readily available online). At this point, there could be an examination of conscience - of times when we have chosen "the chicken" rather than "the eagle" (acknowledging that chickens are pretty useful birds!). Individual absolution could be offered at this point.

Closing Responses
Reader	Our Lord is gracious abounding in mercy - desiring wholeness and harmony for his creatures: fullness of potential for the work of his hands.
ALL	THE LORD HEARS THE SIGHS OF THE SORROWFUL, DRIES THE TEARS OF THEIR CONTRITION; RAISES THE EYES OF THE LOWLY TO THE GLORY OF THE HEAVENS.
Reader	The Lord reaches deep into the soul of the world, drawing his creatures into dreams of peace, justice and liberation; of the earth fulfilling its destiny, wrought in the drama of Creation.
ALL	CREATURES OF CLAY CASTING OFF THE BURDENS OF GUILT AND SHAME TO SAVOUR THE GREATNESS OF OUR GOD AND OFFER OUR HANDS AND HEARTS IN HIS SERVICE.
Reader	The Lord is our strength and salvation; he sets our feet on mountaintops - revealing vistas of unsurpassable beauty:
ALL	THE LORD LEADS and bids us fly - FREE in the joy and freedom of children of God: FREE TO SING GOD'S PRAISES FROM THE ROOTS OF OUR HEARTS TO THE ENDS OF THE UNIVERSE.

Closing Song Michael Joncas' Eagle's Wings would be ideal here ©2007 Wellspring