Utterly Meaningless

We are caught in a maelstrom of violence. Clashes of race, religion and culture. Much of it exacerbated by guns, hatred and mental illness. The last three weeks have been brutal.

Two men "driving while black" were killed by white policemen in Louisiana and Minnesota. Both incidents appear to be unprovoked. Then, five policeman were ambushed by an angry, deranged black man in Dallas. In France, eighty four Bastille Day celebrants died beneath a runaway truck. It's not clear if the driver was a jihadist or mentally ill...or both. And there was another attack on police in Baton Rouge. Three officers and the perpetrator are dead.

Amidst these dark headlines, my Scripture Union daily Bible study was a slog through Ecclesiastes. Frankly, the Word cannot always be counted on for uplift. Sometimes the message is appropriately discomforting, and a lamentation can be cathartic...

Meaningless! Meaningless! says the Teacher. Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless. ‭‭(Ecclesiastes‬ ‭1:2‬)

O Lord, life can seem meaningless...without you. Even in your presence, there's so much I can't process. This broken world and broken souls overwhelm my tidy theology. 

Nature may hurt us. As will other humans. And I will undoubtedly inflict pain on others. It's difficult to frame or explain. Right now, I'm mired in futility - utterly meaningless. 

The wise King Solomon accepts that life (even a faith-filled life) is riddled with ambiguity, with contradictions.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal...   (from Ecclesiastes 3)

O Lord, help me to endure the times of hate and war, the times of tearing down and mourning.

O Lord, I'm grateful for the times of healing, peace and love; for the laughter and dancing. 

The ancient king tells me to eat, to drink, to enjoy my work. And leave it at that. 

I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil - this is the gift of God. (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13)

O Lord, I accept the gift and hold tight to the hope of a new creation, knowing you will sort out the ambiguities and reveal the mysteries. How can I contribute while we wait? How can I push back against the darkness?

O Lord, in the meaningless rubble, I will find a clearing and dance. 
Amen. 

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Good Shepherd Sunday

Yesterday was Good Shepherd Sunday. At Church of the Good Shepherd (Raleigh NC), in keeping with our parish name, there was complete alignment...from our massive stained glass window above the altar to the "shepherd" introit, anthem and three hymns, to our chant of the 23rd Psalm. (A favorite hymn: My Shepherd Will Supply My Need)

That grand window is my prayer prompt, my rosary, for Sunday mornings. I substitute the names of family members for the sheep in Jesus' arms and at his feet. I know Christ has a watchful eye and firm grip on my lambs. It is an image - and a belief - that gives me great comfort on Sundays. For me, every Sunday is Good Shepherd Sunday.

Praying with Psalm 23:

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

Good Shepherd, Infuse me with faith, add trust, then confidence.

He refreshes my soul.

Let me be stubbornly optimistic, wasting no time with worry.

He guides me along the right paths.

Let me resist jealously, self-pity, retribution and the urge to criticize or gossip.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.

Let me repel fear...from the storms of nature and the storms of life...from foreign terrorism and local politics.

My cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life.

Let me be fearless. Give me courage. Make me brave. Cloaked in kindness, good humor and grace. 

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Amen.

False Prophets of Politics

I'm drawn to politics as moth to flame. It's like following a sport, but there is a downside. My soul is singed daily by the manipulation, half-truthing (my term) and fear mongering. Nobility of service is co-opted and corrupted. The path to power can be a low road. 

Our presidential primary is very much at odds with the current season of Epiphany.  In the spiritual realm we celebrate Christ's inclusive mission across the planet. "Love your neighbor" is defined and pursued broadly. In politics, fuming and feuding, we choose sides. "Love your neighbor" is narrowly drawn.

In an election, we only get one vote. It's a blessing that we can pray repeatedly...for our elected officials and our government. 

This prayer was inspired by my Encounter with God Bible study for Epiphany (January 6th) and Jesus' visit to his hometown in
Luke 4:22-30.

Lord Christ, 

Are we like your Nazareth neighbors? They wanted to "take back their country," to be restored as "the chosen people." 

But you were not (you are not) that kind of Messiah. Politics and policy were not your cause. You vie for our hearts. You didn't come to organize. Healing is your platform.

You came with an invitation for everyone to share in the Kingdom of God; to share the good news of God's loving presence, care and mercy.

But they ran you out of Nazareth. That kind of preaching and teaching eventually got you killed.

Fast forward to Epiphany 2016, a season to celebrate and emphasize the Kingdom's inclusiveness. Instead, we covet the good old days, cleave to our clan and rain down judgement on others. Our hearts shrivel. 

Oh Lord, send your Spirit! Transform these extra small hearts - that we would welcome your teaching and embrace the life you offer. Amen.

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A Change of Heart at Christmas

Lord Christ, Emanuel,

You bent space and time to join us.

But it was surprisingly subtle. 

A baby, born in a stable,

Who became a teacher,

And your lessons were spurned.

Yet the Kingdom of God is near.

It remains understated,

Behind a veil, not imposed.

And still, we rebuff your invitation.

Your message is obscured by

Selfishness, materialism and violence.

(We have erected a concrete wall.)

Oh! 

That we would hear the baby in the manger,

Appreciate your tender call,

And heed the teacher's lessons.

To love, to care, to forgive, 

To share your spirit and power,

To hope, to believe.

Hearts are changed!

The Kingdom comes!

At Christmas. 

Amen.

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Prepare ye the way of the Lord

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He's not a good fit for the children's Christmas pageant, but you can't do Advent without John the Baptist.  

I submit my prayers about the prophet...

His faithful, uncompromising voice.

The Advent call to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ.

The challenge to face our flaws and failings.

Advent's query: Who is Jesus to you?

Advent Test

Another thought-provoking photo from my daughter, Melissa.

Lord Christ, Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace,

Is this an Advent test? A tortuous discussion question: How do refugees, terrorism and gun control bear upon our preparation for the coming of Christ? And vice versa? St. Paul's prayer from today's Lectionary sets a high bar:

For love that abounds,

Insight...to discern what is best,

That we may be pure and blameless before You,

Filled with the fruit of righteousness,

Bringing glory and praise to You.

(from Philippians 1:9-11)

...but there's so much fear. Our better angels are not singing sweetly o'er the plain right now. Build a wall! Buy a gun! Go to war! Those seem to be the loudest voices. 

...but Charles Wesley's hymn from this morning's service rings in my ears:

Jesus, thou art all compassion,

Pure, unbounded love though art,

Visit us with thy salvation,

Enter every trembling heart.

(Love Divine, All Loves Excelling - #657, Episcopal Hymnal)

May it be so! That in trusting You, our trembling hearts find true security. Amen.

An Epiphany prayer from 2012 on Jesus' refugee status.

Crossroads

My daughter, visiting her alma mater, posted this photo Friday of the Memorial Cross at Sewanee. It famously sits on the western edge of the Cumberland plateau, visible from I-24 near Chattanooga TN.

Cross and road come together - literally - in Melissa's photo. It's thought-provoking...as when life's road intersects the Cross of Christ. That's not a metaphor. It's is known to occur - literally!

From vocabulary.com: Crossroads is a noun that means a point where a choice must be made. The noun crossroads is great for describing a point in your life when you have to make an important decision...

The photo poses several questions: 

The Cross of Christ stands before us; will we take His road? 

...or will we see Jesus at the end of our road? 

...or along life's road, is He with us?

My prayer is to navigate this narrow road always seeking Christ's way forward. (Amen!)

Have you made the choice? Indeed, it is an important decision! Scroll though my prayers tagged spiritual cultivation.