The readings and homily from Holden Evening Prayer...
A reading from Philippians,
Rejoice in the Lord always;
again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The
Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And
the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus.
A reading from Psalm 34,
Come, O children, listen to
me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Which of you desires life,
and covets many days to enjoy good?
Keep your tongue from evil,
and your lips from speaking deceit.
Depart from evil, and do good;
seek peace, and pursue it.
Please pray with me,
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all of our hearts be acceptable and suitable in your sight, O God, our rock, our strength and our redeemer. Amen.
Over 4 years ago, I found myself at Conrad Weiser High School in the classroom/studio of Stef Schneck. I was watching the morning announcements happen as I was waiting for the first block to begin. I was there to be interviewed for a film by then student, Matt T. After I finished that interview, Stef asked if I could stay around for another quick interview. Sure, I replied.
Then student, Adam S. was working on a film about the course of the upcoming election and asked about what I thought was needed for the future.
Even though I can’t remember the specific question, or my specific response, I remember responding with the importance of healing…that whoever was elected in 2016 needed to work to help unite a divided country.
I think if anyone asked me that same question today, I would have a similar answer…and then some more to add.
While I think healing is deeply
needed and peace, yes peace….
I think it takes more than just the leadership of the country modeling it and leading us into it.
When I asked folks earlier this
week to share their hopes and their prayers for this week for our nation. The overwhelming response was for unity and
peace.
Unity and peace.
One friend asked for double shot
of the peace that passes all understanding.
😉
I mean…who couldn’t use that these days?
But seriously, there is a deep, deep desire for unity and peace.
But friends…while we can actively pray for that, it will take more than that to see it come to fruition.
Not that we can’t pray for it…but
friends, we are the Body of Christ.
We are…the hands and feet of
Christ…here and now.
We were created and called for
such a time as this.
If we are praying for peace and
unity, we must voice these prayers in our hearts and bring them to life in our
actions.
I don’t believe when an outcome is announced that we can just dust off our hands and say, okay here we go, it will all be good now.
We – all of us – need to be actively involved in the healing of this nation.
Friends, this is the hard stuff when it comes to being church, but friends, you are equipped to do this hard stuff.
You were created, called, baptized, claimed and now sent…into the community, into the nation and into the world to proclaim God’s love and grace and peace.
It is our words and actions that will show and share God’s love and God’s peace in the world around us.
Irish poet, Padraig O’Tuama was talking about working towards peace – and he knows the long tough journey it is living in Ireland. Yesterday, he said this about peace, “Peace takes every fiber of your being to stay in the same room.” He was explaining that it is much easier to walk away, to leave a tough situation and just hope for the best.
Staying in the same room is where the hard work of peacemaking is done.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they find themselves in hard conversations, difficult situations and world transforming opportunities.
Blessed are those working towards and for peace – talking not only with random folks about differences, but talking with those we love about our differences and learning about what unites us…and our faith…and our communities…and our nation.
Blessed are those who do this
hard work.
Blessed are you…who pray for
peace.
Blessed are you…who work towards
peace.
Blessed are you…who pray for
unity.
Blessed are you…who work for
unity.
Together, let me say that again, TOGETHER, is how we move forward.
Washed in the waters of baptism,
We
are ready to pray and respond.
Washed in the waters of baptism,
We
are ready to listen and then speak.
Washed in the waters of baptism,
We are able to do the hard work of peacemaking…in our own hearts, in our own homes, in our own community and in our nation.
My mom shared this me this
week…she saw it shared on Facebook:
The place where we listen, understand, respect each other, work towards harmony and a shared sustainable future…Let’s meet there."
Friends, lets meet in that place…that place of sanctuary…where we are safe to talk with one another, not about one another…as we listen and respond with grace and love.
Friends, let’s meet where we can work towards harmony and a shared sustainable future…
Friends, let’s meet to do the
hard work….to model to friends and family and community and nation to how it is
done.
Just a heads up, it’s gonna take
some time…it won’t be a quick and simple process, but healing never is.
It takes time.
It takes work.
It takes willingness.
It takes learning.
It takes falling and getting back up again.
But friends, in the long run, it will be so worth it.
And in the short run…do you even say that…no…in the meantime, we will be modeling the kingdom of God here and now. Bringing moments of peace and glimpses of hope to our nation and the entire world.
I’m glad to be in this with
you…because we’ll need each other, desperately.
And the good news, is that we have each other, because God has called us into this one family, together…and together we can do the hard work of peacemaking.
And now may the peace which surpasses all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus and let all God’s people say, amen.
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