May God Bless Us

Grace and peace, dear one.

 It is a time of deep unrest in our world with many things in competition for our prayers and our spiritual energy. The COVID-19 epidemic tempts us to fear for our health and financial well-being. Police killings of unarmed black people and protests compel us to dismantle systemic racism and examine our own white privilege. The failure of some to understand the sacred worth and God-directed mandate to include all LGBTQ persons in all aspects of church life creates the potential for the split of the United Methodist Church.

 With so many important, life or death issues that need to be addressed, we sometimes feel overwhelmed. I believe that the tension of these challenging times is exactly what God calls us to lean into, not shy away from. I believe, as I will say in Sunday's sermon, that God equips us for this work--that "We ARE the equipment" as written in Matthew 10:10. St. Francis offers compelling words in the following blessing that help us lean into that tension. Pray with me:

 

May God bless you with discomfort,

At easy answers, half-truths,

And superficial relationships

So that you may live

Deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger

At injustice, oppression,

And exploitation of people,

So that you may work for

Justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears,

To shed for those who suffer pain,

Rejection, hunger and war,

So that you may reach out your hand

To comfort them and

To turn their pain to joy

And may God bless you

With enough foolishness

To believe that you can

Make a difference in the world,

So that you can do

What others claim cannot be done

To bring justice and kindness

To all our children and the poor.

Amen.

God bless you.
Rev. Cheryl L. Meachen

Join us for worship at Wesley UMC - Concord NH
Sundays at 10:30 on YouTube at this link.