Category: Epistles

The Cloud of Witnesses

The Cloud of Witnesses

The Creator will take away the cloud of darkness that hangs over people, nations, and all creation.  In mercy, God will bring to an end the humiliation of people and the earth, wiping away anquish and destroying the power of death forever.
From Isaiah 25:7-8 [1]

Allhallowtide spans three significant days: Hallowed Eve (also known as Halloween), followed by All Saints’ Day (Saturday), and then All Souls’ Day on Sunday.   Apart from the festivities of Halloween, All Saints’ Day is an observance that does not deny the pervasive power of darkness.   It acknowledges the aching vulnerability each of us faces, including the inevitability of death that comes to each of us and every living thing on this planet.

Yet All Saints Sunday also resoundingly affirms that a cloud of witnesses surrounds each of us.    Though their earthly lives have come to an end, the presence of this cloud of witnesses remains fueled by grace and the power of love.   Such that they cannot nor will not be silenced.

And this is Good News

Prayer: Holy One, in this time of perilous darkness, as diabolical forces appear to devour whatever is and peacable and good, let us take heart that your cloud of witnesses declares we are not alone.   Though feeling buffeted from all sides, let us hold fast to the scripture that reassures us, saying, “…since a great cloud of witnesses surrounds us…let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on our Redeemer, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” [2]

And let all of God’s people say, Amen!

 

[1] From this Sunday’s lectionary, the Book of Isaiah 25:6-9, adapted

[2] From the Letter to the Hebrews, 12:1-2, adapted

 

 

 

 

Morning Star Rising

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“…You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” 2 Peter 1:19

You, the lamp that shines in a dark place.  You, the morning star that rises in our hearts.   You, who awakens us, having spoken through prophets of old and your people in this time and place.

Yet faced with the trepidation of yet more chaos, we acknowledge our anxiety and fear.  Unable to hear you above the cacophony of divisive and egocentric speech, we resort to apathy or downright cynicism.  For while there was a time we dwelt securely, we find ourselves at the whim of those who are ruled not by conscience but the unconscionable.

But it is not just darkness that overwhelms us.  Unable to make out even the faintest glimmer of your distant star, we see no future canopy to guide us.  Overcome and in despair, we stumble.  O Divine Maker, what will become of us?

But you – you in your creative power, you in your mercy, you in your paradoxical vulnerability – have not left us without recourse.   Formed in your image and likeness, you do not abandon us, but equip your servants to disempower the diabolical forces that threaten humanity and all creation.

So summon us, we implore you, Sovereign God.    Issue your authoritative warrant, the one we cannot ignore.  Wake us up from stupefying slumber so that we, with eyes wide open, may serve you all the days of our life.  We ask this in the name of the One who was, and is, and is to be.  Amen