St. Paul – the pastor, writes to churches composed of people with differing beliefs about “genuine love”, “gentleness”, and the importance of true community. As pastor here at Peace I have heard the feelings of members here who are hurting after the election. I have connected with and supported them as best I saw and I know their fear and pain is very real, yet we are all of us baptized, to have this same care for others. The promise to “purge” the country of immigrants, the lies told about them, the verbal attacks on transgender people, the terrible overtly ridiculous portrayals of them, the disapproval shown towards our gay and lesbian siblings, women and women’s rights, the very creator of the “scapegoat” to blame is all a mechanism of sin and brokenness. Fear and worry makes great sense to me, yes.
The dashing of hopes that our country progresses to be welcoming and respectful one makes a great sense to me to mourn. Surely Jesus and his teachings cannot be kept out of ALL areas of our lives. Rather, the Christ does as always bring Light into every area of our lives including the political. In these days especially the political-“polis” which simply means “the life of all the people together.”
Please know that as your pastor I am always available to listen and support, to be of assistance in whatever way I can. I hope you are all being “little Christs” for each other.
Prayer for Healing
O God, you cradle the mountains
And hold the might waters
in the hollow of your hands.
You carry the weak in your bosom
and tend each leaf and living thing.
I place myself into your keeping,
my body, my soul, and all that I am,
for you are my help, you are my hope,
you are my highest praise.
Write my name upon your palm,
hold me near your side,
for by your wounds, I am healed,
and in your hands, I am home,
where all will be well.
Jesus, all will be with you.
Amen.
