I am posting a second time today while my memory is fresh. I have experienced the past week as one of upheaval in our country and the world. There are wars and natural disasters underway. But my sense of despair has to do with man-made chaos. The US Supreme Court has continued this week with a pattern of decisions that I feel are restrictive to certain groups of people and impose a political viewpoint on the country that does not represent the majority of citizens. The justices are appointed, not elected, and serve for life. It stirs my anger and angst when it appears the majority is codifying a political position that isn't theirs to impose. My evening prayer one night this week was simply, "Help! I am overwhelmed with despair."
Today's service at St. Thomas was like a lifeline. The Scripture readings, the hymns, and the sermon all spoke to the help I need. From the first lesson from Jeremiah (about prophets) came this: "The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient time prophesied war, famine, and pestilence against many countries and great kingdoms. As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes true, then it will be known that the Lord has truly sent the prophet." I needed my fears calmed by the reminder that God's Kingdom is one of peace, not division and strife. There will always be people who sow fear to advance their personal power.
The sermon hymn, #609, opens with: "Where cross the crowded ways of life, where sound the cries of race and clan, above the noise of selfish strife, we hear thy voice, O Son of Man." Isn't that about the most comforting message you can imagine for dealing with the world's problems? If we can listen for the voice of Jesus, our hearts can be calmed.
An advantage of being a supply priest is that you can 'burn the house down' and not have to answer the phone on Monday morning. Our preacher this morning used her sermon to great effect on this 4th of July weekend. She addressed the desire of some that we become a "Christian nation". We can't even agree on what that means. I wouldn't want to be the type of Christian that embodies that kind of arrogance about other peoples' God. She talked about past attitudes toward immigrants, and that any of us who are not Native Americans fall into that category. She reminded us that our country came to the aid of Germany and Japan, our mortal enemies, to help them rebuild after WWII. There have been times when we were compassionate, big-hearted, generous, and forward thinking. Much good was accomplished and many lives were improved during those times.
God of all providence, stir in our hearts the desire for all Your blessed children to thrive. Turn our attention to how we can shine your light in our own communities. Strengthen us for Your service. Guide us in the way of peace. Show us how to live day by day in a world that has drifted far from the peaceful example of Jesus.
Amen
Excellent prayer.
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