It is only two days after Sunday's Worship Gathering where the Music Director provided us with a hymn right off the press written in honor of the nine who lost their lives in the horrific scene in Charleston, South Carolina. We were all in prayer as we sung this hymn. I spent a part of yesterday contemplating on the words of the text.
They met to read the Bible, they gathered for a prayer, they worshipped God and shared with friends and welcomed strangers there.
I have met to read the Bible, I have gathered together for prayer, I have worshipped God with friends, yet I must confess I have not welcomed strangers and newcomers as I might.
They went to church to speak of love, to celebrate God's grace. O Lord, we tremble when we hear what happened in that place.
I have gone to church, have spoken of love, and have celebrated God's saving grace. I have trembled when I heard what happened in that place. I have trembled at Columbine and Sandy Hook and all that occurred between.
God of love and justice, we thank you for the nine. They served in their communities and make the world more kind.
They preached and sang and coached and taught, and cared for children too. They blessed your church and blessed your world with gifts they used for you.
I have prayed for the souls of these nine special folks, and cannot help but think of those in our community who have preached, sung, coached, taught, cared for children as well as others who have served Christ in so many ways.
If such an event happened here, in our church community, would I, could I react in such a loving forgiving way? I would like to think so but fear my faith may not be as strong.
I have taken from these folks from Mother Emmanuel AME Church Christ's example of true love and real forgiveness.
We grieve a wounded culture where fear and terror thrive, where some hate others for their race and guns are glorified.
We grieve for sons and daughters lost, for grandmas who are gone. O God, we cry with broken hearts: this can't continue on!
I have grieved the losses of so many between the bookends of Columbine and Sandy Hook. I must admit I have had some amnesia in recalling those horrors as time has passed. Why? Because of my dormant soul in taking action when opportunities have been in my path. This event has awakened me. I must hear God's call. "Lord, help me to open my hardened heart to your will."
God may we keep on sowing the seeds of justice here, til guns are silent, people sing, and hope replaces fear.
May seeds of understanding grow and flourish all our days. May justice, love and mercy be the banner that we raise.
Lord, healer of all things. Guide me to find where and how you want me to sow those seeds of justice for healing. Guide me to places where I can be of help in getting guns out of the hands of demented souls and hateful radicals. Nourish me to sow seeds of understanding when opportunities arise. Guide me always to be steadfast in your ways. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Text of the hymn "They Met to Read the Bible" Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, ©2015 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Music: ST. CHRISTOPHER, Frederick C. Maker, 1844-1927
Contributed by Joyce
Monday June 29, 2015
Liturgical Year B: Week 31
Liturgical Color: Green
Sunday Gospel reading: Proper08
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost