If only...

 The Gospel reading for tomorrow is Jesus asking the Samaritan woman for a drink of water. (John 4:5-42).  This surprises her because they are of different backgrounds.

In this moment, I can only think of the ongoing wars and destruction in the Middle East.  I can only think is how our world could reflect the Kingdom of God if people were kind to each other.  I know that's not at all profound.  I know it's simplistic.  

But it is painful for us to watch the lack of regard for human life and dignity.  And I can't help but thinking that our "leaders" tap into the worst instincts of the governed and amplify them.  And the leaders exploit those instincts to make certain people "the other". 

In this passage, Jesus recognizes that there is no "other" and that we should treat all humans with dignity.

So what do we do?  We treat all people we meet with dignity, mercy, and kindness.  And we take whatever lawful and peaceful actions we can to try to affect positive change within our governments. 

Nothing profound here.  Nothing new.  Just a hope and a plea.

Peace be with you.

- The Older Brother

 

Called to the Mountain

Matthew 18: 1-19

 

O’ Lord, You are the bright cloud from atop the mountain whose tenacious voice reminds us to listen to His son

Lord, You are the gentle license that whispers from the mouth of all righteous prophets.

Glory to the Winsome Avatar!

O’ Lord, Your magnificence exceeds any attempt to imagine Your grandeur or divine existence.

Lord, You are the call to the mountain and the impeccable offering that is beyond our limited sphere of knowing.

Praise to Jehovah Nissi (guide & protector)!

O’ Lord, Yours is the superlative voice of deliverance who commissions us to arise from dirt and become people of the New Covenant.

Lord, You are the enunciation of justice and compassion whose voice echoes from the deep valleys to the highest of hills.

Glory to the Bedrock of Trust!

O’ Lord, You inspire us to rise up from the ground, preaching often with words and  especially with our actions.

Lord, use us to be the articulation of Your will only and be instruments of a faith that will rock the world to its senses.

Praise to Jehovah Shammah (God ever-present)!

O’ Lord, Yours is the authoritative voice who is the source of determination and direction in whom we trust.

Lord, You call us to the mountain and remain the Holy Dimension between heaven and earth that is in peril.

Glory to the Wholesome Rendezvous!

O’ Lord, Your calling is not confined to any one tribe but rather to all the nations of the planet You created.

Lord, we refuse to succumb to fear that is a tactic of the evil one and we will rise from the Holy ground to be disciples of Christ.

Praise to Jehovah Shalom (God of peace & comfort)!

O’ Lord, thank You for calling us to the mountain of retreat of silence and contemplative prayer.

Lord, let Your love dominate all hate and Your instruction be clear so we too can join the others who have climbed that Holy mountain.

Glory to Jehovah Sabaoth (God of authority & power)!           

                                                                                                                                                The Pilgrim.