In my homily yesterday I spoke of four "jewels" embedded in Jesus's words in the day's gospel. A day later, it occurs to me that those four "words" have application to the troubles our nation faces these days...
Lord, you counseled us with four words:
• Do not be deceived...
• Be not afraid...
• I will give you wisdom...
• By your perseverance you will secure your lives...
We're too easily deceived, Lord,
and tempted to deceive
when we hide or bend
or stretch the truth
or offer half-truths,
shielding others (and ourselves)
from the whole truth...
We need your help, Lord,
in calling for the truth,
in discerning the truth
- and the whole truth
and nothing but the truth...
Help us, Lord, lest we be deceived...
And we're afraid, Lord!
We're afraid of where things stand
and of how we allowed ourselves
to get to this point...
We're afraid of how easily
power and authority can be corrupted
and how easily our security can be weakened,
threatened, co-opted and abused...
We need your grace
to deepen our conviction,
to strengthen our resolve,
to encourage us in hard times
and make us fearless in harm's way...
And we so much need your wisdom, Lord,
the wisdom only you can give:
selfless, pure, inscrutable wisdom;
wisdom shining in our darkness;
wisdom piercing our foolishness;
wisdom born of timeless truth;
compelling, common, simple wisdom
sent to heal and make us one...
And even with your truth, Lord,
and the muscle of your holy arm
and your sage advice to counsel us
still we need your gift of grace
to help us persevere...
When the future's dark and bleak, Lord,
when the road is rough, uneven:
help us persevere...
When the common wealth of freedom
is maligned, abridged, usurped:
Lord, help us persevere...
When we're stumbling in our darkness
and we cannot find the light:
Lord, help us persevere...
When the truth is often auctioned off,
for profit and advantage:
Lord, help us persevere...
When we fear that good won't triumph
and that evil will prevail:
Lord, help us persevere...
When common sense is laughed at
and the law no longer rules:
Lord, help us persevere...
When power rests in selfish hands,
unyielding, tightly clenched:
Lord, help us persevere...
When we're tempted to give in, give up,
and say it's all too much:
Lord, help us persevere...
Give us what you counsel, Lord:
your truth and holy wisdom
for our strength and perseverance;
may your blessings, gifts and grace
renew us every day
'til the sun of justice rises
with your healing in its rays...
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.
Praise You In This Storm
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I was sure by now, God you would have reached down
And wiped our tears away,
Stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
That it's still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear your whisper through the rain
I'm with you
And as your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
The God who gives and takes away
And I'll praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands
That you are who you are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm
I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone how can I carry on
If I can't find you
But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear you whisper through the rain
I'm with you
And as your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
The God who gives and takes away
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The maker of heaven and earth
And I'll praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands
That you are who you are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm
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