A Concord Pastor Comments: NIGHT PRAYER: Sunday 2/18

On Sundays, Night Prayer will be drawn from an element of the day's liturgy. Tonight's prayer flows

from the imagery in the first reading of today's mass: Noah's ark and the rainbow God hung in the sky after the great flood.

I've noticed, Lord, that very often
it's hard to figure out why you do what you do
and why you do it - when you do...

At least that's my experience of you
and if others are telling me the truth
- then I'm not alone in my observation...

Sometimes you interrupt a perfectly beautiful day
with darkening skies and a soul-drenching downpour

- putting more than just a damper on everything around...

And then, of a sudden, you drop a rainbow from your pocket:
an afterthought? a divine apology? a pure gift?

I don't know, Lord

- but oh-so-very-welcome is that bright and glorious arc!

It's not for me to figure out
   why you do what you do
   or why you do it - when you do.
My tasks are much simpler, Lord:
   to bask in your light when the sun is warm;
   to bathe in your grace when the heavens thunder;
   to delight in your surprise when a rainbow glows...

An afternoon may bring sunshine,

stormy darkness

and the glory of a rainbow

all within an hour

and so it is, so often

in the landscape of my heart...

Let me find you, Lord,

in all places and at all times:

in the light and in the dark,

in the sunshine and the rain,

in the silence and in thunder

and in every rainbow’s tender kiss

of color, joy and beauty,

of promise, hope and joy...

Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake

and watch over me while I sleep

that awake, I might keep watch with you

and asleep, rest in your peace...

Tonight's song is rather upbeat for this time of day

but it pairs well with our prayer...

God Put a Rainbow in the Cloud by the Hayes Family

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When God shut Noah in the grand old ark,

He put a rainbow in the cloud.

When the thunders rolled and the sky was dark,