This afternoon, online, I came across a letter from Bishop Mark Brennan of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia, responding to the immigration crisis in our nation. Bishop Brennan's remarks are a sober, politically non-partisan, challenging, faith and scripture based response to a situation that calls us to prayer, to action and, if needed, to a change of heart. Here's a link to the letter - I hope and pray you'll take the time to read it tonight... I'm reposting a prayer I wrote only a couple months ago: I hope it bears repeating.
Lord,
we are,
all of us,
guests
in this world
of yours...
We didn't discover this planet
and much less do we own it:
it's ours
only
as your gift
to us...
We don't own
the land,
the prairies,
the mountains
or the vast,
uncharted, rolling
seas and oceans:
it's all your world
where you bid us come
to live,
play,
plant,
harvest,
roam
and build
our cities,
towns
and homes...
Nor do we own
the land
on which our homes
stand...
Oh, we may hold a deed
or a title to a property,
but in reality:
everything's on loan
from you
to us;
everything's a gift
to be shared,
apportioned,
distributed,
surrendered,
rented, sold, let out
by those who have so much
(sometimes too much)
with those who have too little...
And yes:
there are laws and boundaries,
rights and rules,
justice and equity
but all of these are meant,
intended first,
to serve the common good
on this planet we call home,
in the life we're called to share
in this great and global
village...
We haven't got it all worked out
- not by a long shot, Lord -
but while we're trying
and until we do:
open our ears to hear the cry
of the poor, the hungry, the homeless;
open our eyes to see the needs
of those who are knocking upon our doors;
and open, at least, our hearts to all
who seek a share of the bounty,
the bounty you share so freely
with all who seek a place to live
on this planet, Earth, our home...
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.
Tonight's song was first popular in my youth, in the 1960's. We still need to sing this, we still need to live this...
Get Together by Chet Powers
If a widget doesn't appear below, click here!
Love is but a song we singFear's the way we dieYou can make the mountains ringOr make the angels cryThough the bird is on the wingAnd you may not know why
Come on, people nowSmile on your brotherEverybody get togetherTry to love one another right now
Some may come and some may go
We will surely passWhen the one that left us hereReturns for us at lastWe are but a moment's sunlightFading in the grass
Come on, people nowSmile on your brotherEverybody get togetherTry to love one another right now
(3X)
If you hear the song I singYou will understand, listenYou hold the key to love and fearAll in your trembling handJust one key unlocks them bothIt's there at your command
Come on, people nowSmile on your brotherEverybody get togetherTry to love one another right now
(3X)
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