Tonight, we reflect on an image of the Cross in Ukrainian folk art: a pysanka (Easter eggs, hand decorated in a batik (wax-dye) process).
Just a week ago, Lord,
we listened to the story of your suffering and death,
your giving yourself for us on the Cross...
Since then we've celebrated your Resurrection,
your rising from the dead that we might have life
and have it to the full...
But in Ukraine, where most Christians are Orthodox,
they follow a different calendar and for them
today, April 22, is Good Friday
and this Sunday, April 24, will be Easter...
Even apart from church calendars, Lord, your passion endures
in the innocent suffering of our brothers and sister in Ukraine
and in so many other places around the world...
Though we may find ourselves in Eastertide,
keep us prayerfully mindful, Lord,
of those for whom Easter is long in coming,
those who wait and wait for the mob to stop their jeering
for the soldiers to lay down their weapons,
and for an end to violence and war
- that peace might rise anew among us all,
might rise as you did, Lord,
to bring us mercy, life and joy...
So tonight we pray, Lord,
for those who live one long Good Friday;
who live it in their flesh and bones;
whose innocent shoulders,
whose blameless children bear the burden
of suffering - even unto death...
Move the hearts of us all, Lord,
to find a way to peace - and find it soon -
that the victory of your Cross
might heal the wounds
of our sefishness, sin and division...
Help us bear your Cross, Lord,
that we might wear the Crown of life
you won for us...
Protect us, Lord while we're awake
and watch over us while we sleep
that awake, we might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace...
Amen.
Only This I Want - sung here by Chris Brunelle
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Only this I want, but to know the Lord
and to bear his Cross so to wear the crown he wore.
~ All but this is loss, worthless refuse to me,
for to gain the Lord is to gain all I need.
~ I will run the race, I will fight the good fight,
so to win the prize of the kingdom of my Lord.
~ Let your heart be glad, always glad in the Lord,
so to shine like stars in the darkness of the night
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