A Concord Pastor Comments: Monday Morning Offering: 6/2

I have a dogmatic certainty:
God is in every person’s life.
Even if the life of a person has been a disaster,
even if it is destroyed by vices, drugs or anything else
—God is in this person’s life.
You can, you must try to seek God in every human life.
Though the life of a person is a land full of thorns and weeds,
there is always a space in which the good seed can grow.
You have to trust God.”
- Pope Francis

I'm humbled by the pope's words, Lord,
and they bring me offer this prayer
this Monday morning...

Help me find you, Lord,
   in the person who really annoys me...

Help me find you
   in the person who seriously disagrees with me...

Help me find you
   in the person who judges me...

Help me find you
   in the person who has betrayed me...

Help me find you
   in the person who makes my life difficult...

Help me find you
   in the person who just doesn't like me...

Help me find you
   in the person who won't go away...

Help me find you
   in the person who won't draw near...

Help me find you
   in the person whose ways aren't mine...

Help me find you
   in the person who lies about me...

Help me find you
   in the person who hurts my friend...

Help me find you
   in the person who cheats me...

Help me find you
   in the person who refuses to help me...

Help me find you
   in the person who won't forgive me...

Help me find you
   in the person whose prejudice offends me...

Help me find you
   in the person who angers me...

Help me find you
   in the person who turns me off...

Help me find you
   in the person who often ignores me...

Help me find you
   in the person who disdains me...

Help me find you
   in the person who tears things down...

Help me find you
   in the person who doesn't play fair...

Help me find you
   in the person who carries a grudge...

Help me find you
    in the person who's a mystery to me...

Help me find you in all of these, Lord:
   help me search among the thorns and weeds
   to find what's good
   to reverence your hidden presence...

And, Lord, when I annoy others,
when I'm disagreeable or judgmental,
when I betray or make trouble for others,
when I hurt or cheat or offend others,
when I tear down what others have built,
when I don't play fair,
when I'm unforgiving or carry a grudge,
when I'm a mystery to those around me,
then, Lord:
plant the seeds of your mercy and grace
among my own thorns and weeds
and bring to growth within me
a harvest of mercy and grace...