This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.”
And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’” as the prophet Isaiah said.
Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?”
John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.
This Advent we’ve heard Jesus' advise us to practice noticing the small things so we will build our “noticing” muscles and not miss the big things when they come. We’ve been told to do the work of Jesus, even… and perhaps especially… when God feels distant. Because, Jesus tells us, and brain science bears it out, that not only does hope inspire us to do the work, but it also turns out that doing the work inspires hope. We’ve heard to practice “real and deep listening.” Listening not just to reply… but to really HEAR what our neighbor is crying out in their wilderness times… and perhaps, to even hear the voice of God.
Then today is St. Lucy's feast day… Sankta Lucia… who in her life lived out those bits of advice from Jesus in the darkness of the Roman persecution. She wore a crown of candles on her head so she could use both hands to bring bring light and food to those hiding in the darkness of fear and the darkness of the catacombs.
Today, we also hear very clearly, however, that while there are things we are called to do in dark times, and there ARE wise, creative, and courageous ways of living that will make our lives, and the lives of those around us, better in dark times… this week we are ALSO very clearly reminded that… fixing the darkness IS NOT ALL ON US! Hear that again… IT IS NOT ALL ON US!
This week we hear from John the Baptist who is VERY clear that he is NOT the light! “That one IS coming, but it isn’t me.” And this week we also hear from Mary. It is GOD, she says clearly, who is the One who does the great things… who shows strength, scatters the proud, casts down the mighty, lifts up the lowly, fills the hungry and sends the rich away empty!
And that, my friends, is true for us in OUR darkness as well. In the midst of THIS… all of THIS… This pandemic, virus deniers, anti-maskers, microchips in vaccine conspiracy theorists, overwhelmed nurses and doctors and morgues, with more Americans dying each day than at Pearl Harbor or on 9/11. In the midst of nearly 300,000 of our neighbors in this country who have died in this pandemic. In the midst of ALL of THIS, we are reminded today that All of “THIS” is NOT for us to bear alone, fight alone, or to solve alone.
We have our part that we can do. The work of Jesus, caring for our neighbors by wearing masks, washing hands, staying home. But both Mary and John remind us today that for all the rest of it… God is the One who sends the light that shines in the darkness and the darkness can not over come it! And we are reminded of EMMANUEL… God IS with us! And that Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ WILL come again. Always. Into every darkness. Including this one!
So today, in the midst of all of THIS that we have endured for months upon months and will need to endure for probably another half a year… in the midst of all of THIS that is oppressive and overwhelming and exhausting beyond measure… I invite you all to join me in giving all the parts of “THIS” that we can’t fix, control, or even understand… over to God… the One who can and does bring light out of darkness. The One who can and does calm the storms of chaos. The One who can and does bring healing to the nations.
Let us together then… “Let Go and Let God”… Let Go and Let God do God’s great things in our dark times, show God’s strength, scatter the proud, cast down the mighty, lift up the lowly, fill the hungry and send the rich away empty! I invite you all to join me as we pray a litany for healing, and hand over all of our worries, fears, sickness, grief, horror, and darkness to God in prayer…
A Litany for Healing
God the Father, you desire the health and salvation of all people.
We praise you and thank you, O Lord.
God the Son, you came that we might have life and might have it more abundantly.
We praise you and thank you, O Lord.
God the Holy Spirit, you make our bodies the temples of your presence.
We praise you and thank you, O Lord.
Holy Trinity, one God, in you we live and move and have our being.
We praise you and thank you, O Lord.
Lord, grant your healing grace to all who are sick, injured, or disabled, that they may be made whole;
hear us, O Lord of life.
Grant to all who are lonely, anxious, or despondent the awareness of your presence;
hear us, O Lord of life.
Mend broken relationships, and restore those in emotional distress to soundness of mind and serenity of spirit;
hear us, O Lord of life.
Bless physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the suffering; grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience;
hear us, O Lord of life.
Grant to the dying a peaceful, holy death, and with your grace strengthen those who mourn;
hear us, O Lord of life.
Restore to wholeness whatever is broken in our lives, in this nation, and in the world;
hear us, O Lord of life.
Hear us, O Lord of life:
heal us, and make us whole.
Prayers for the Pandemic
Let us pray for all who suffer in this pandemic.
Merciful Lord, you sent your Son to be our peace. Help all who are suffering with sickness, isolation, economic hardship, fear or grief to find in Jesus strength and peace, so that their trust in your promises may be renewed; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Let us pray for recovery from sickness.
O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of those with Covid-19: Mercifully hear our prayers and grant to all your children, the help of your power, that their sickness may be turned into health and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Let us pray for those who minister in healing.
Almighty God, source of human knowledge and skill: Guide physicians and nurses and all those you have called to practice the arts of healing. Comfort them in their grief, support them in their exhaustion, and strengthen them for the days ahead by your life-giving Spirit, that, by their ministries, the health of all people may be promoted and your creation may be glorified; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Let us pray for those who desire our prayers.
Blessed Lord, we ask your loving care and protection for those who are sick from Covid-19. Take from them all fears and help them put their trust in you, that they may feel your strong arms around them. Touch them with your renewing love, that they may know wholeness in you and glorify your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Let us pray for those mourn.
O Merciful Father, you have taught us in your holy Word that you do not willingly afflict or grieve your children; Look with pity upon the sorrows of your servants for whom our prayers are offered. Remember them, O Lord, in mercy, nourish their souls with patience, comfort them with a sense of your goodness, lift up your countenance upon them, and give them peace. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Let us prayer for all who have died in this pandemic.
Into your loving hands, O God, we commend our brothers and sisters who have died in this pandemic. In your infinite goodness, wisdom, and power, work in them the merciful purpose of your perfect will, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Let us pray with Sankta Lucia on her day.
Loving God, for the salvation of all, you gave Jesus Christ as light to a world in darkness: Illumine our world sunk deep in pandemic darkness with the light of Christ. With St. Lucy as our inspiration, help us to bring your light into our world, as she brought light into the catacombs of her world. Through Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, forever and ever.
Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment