The Women’s March was exactly one year ago today. And, I’ve been thinking about how it connects with the story of the Cleansing of the Temple from the Gospel of John, where the Temple practices of Jesus’ time are seen as a system that is accepted by all, even though they had drifted far from the intent of God. But, Jesus shows us by his own example that there are times when we are called to put our faith into action. Many are determined to do just that: as we saw in Boston last year, and again (in Cambridge and many other places) yesterday.
Through John, Jesus calls to take a stand against injustices that most accept as “just how the world works.” And so, this prayer is derived from the words of Archbishop Oscar Romero, who spent his life in the pursuit of justice for the people of El Salvador…
A Prayer Reflecting on John 2:13-25
[based on “The Prayer of Oscar Romero”]
O God our God, your Kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,
it is even beyond our vision.
No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the church’s mission.
But, we plant the seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted.
We lay foundations that others will build upon.
We cannot do everything, but we can do something, and do it well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning,
it is an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.
Lord God, you call us to act. We are here. And, we know you are as well. Make us ready. Move in our hearts this morning. Open our spirits and our minds to your Holy Spirit and your teaching. We are ready to receive the strength and the insight you offer. Help us stay true to the path you intend us to follow. Help us to become workers of your will, bringing healing and cleansing and growth and salvation into places and into hearts that have long seemed closed to us and to you.
We pray this in the name and spirit of Jesus Christ, Amen.
– Pastor Allen
Copyright (c) 2018, Allen Vander Meulen III.
The Here and the Hereafter 