RCL – July 1, 2012 – Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 with Psalm 130 or
Wisdom of Solomon 1:13-15, 2:23-24 or Lamentations 3:23-33 with Psalm 30
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
Mark 5:21-43
When I sit down to write this blog, I usually review the news for the week because I can’t quite recall the specifics of any particular news story. However, today my memory isn’t quite so murky. A few things in this weeks’ news penetrated a little more deeply and I can’t quite let them go. So I am going to to do something a little different with them – somewhere between a psalm and a lament.
Jesus Christ, son of humanity, God incarnate,
when you walk in this world, why do crowds no longer gather?
Woman and children in Yemen starve while their men go out to sea
in villages with no names, in places with no hope
Afghanistan begins to rebuild after war with so little to hold onto
as independence costs more than lives given can possibly pay
too many ask “what has that to do with me?” when war declared
after months of increasing violence in Syria
where innocents die on both sides of a fence built on (or between)
religion and politics for reasons unfathomable
Asylum-seekers sink off the coast of Australia because old policy
doesn’t cover new situations and fear creates enemies out of desperate
despairing people who might not look like sister or brother
Jesus Christ, restorer of life, savior of the outcast,
why do we not see the power go out from you?
forgive us for our blinding sins and grant us the courage of faith
without hatred, judgment, and violence
that we might dare to touch your garments
and be healed from apathy and despair that bleeds out
all over the world
open our eyes to see you in the places you have always walked –
with the hungry in Yemen, Ruanda, China, everywhere
with those emerging from destruction in Afghanistan, Africa, Pakistan, anywhere
with the victims of politics and religion in Syria, Egypt, America, elsewhere
with any and all who seek asylum from Australia to Arizona and all places in between
Jesus Christ, son of humanity,
awaken us from our sleep
that we may walk with you
now
Amen.
Thank you Rachel. Rest for my soul . . . hope for the world. ~ Vicki
You are welcome, Vicki! Thank you for reading!